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While hopping into a car and driving countless miles might seem relatively unspectacular these days, there was a time when the mere thought of traveling by an automobile seemed like a fairy tale. That all changed when Henry Ford introduced the Model T in 1908. A true revolution, the affordability and efficiency of the vehicle gave millions of Americans access to the open road for the first time. Although the Model T is forever etched into the fabric of the country, you still might not know what made it such a phenomenon. Here are a few facts about the antique car that transformed travel in America.

Fun Facts About the Model T

1. Its Low Prices Made It a Sensation

As assembly-line production became more efficient, Ford® was able to lower the price of the Model T. The 1908 version sold for $850 but decreased over the coming years, eventually dropping to a mass-market price point of $300 in 1925. This price made the vehicle a huge hit, achieving nearly 40% of all car sales in the United States.

2. It Did Come in Multiple Colors

Despite Henry Ford famously writing, “Any customer can have a car painted any color that he wants, so long as it is black,” the Model T did come in several colors—eventually. For many years, the Model T was indeed only available in black, mostly for efficiency and manufacturing cost purposes, but it did expand its palette near the end of its life span. Several colors were introduced including royal maroon, highland green, and phoenix brown.

3. Its Record Was Beaten by a Bug

antique carThe Model T was an absolute phenomenon and stands as one of the most influential vehicles in history, but one of its most impressive records was eventually toppled by an insect. More than 15 million units of the antique car were produced, drawing a line in the sand that would only be eclipsed decades later by the Volkswagen® Beetle. In 1972, the 15,007,034th Beetle was manufactured, giving it the crown until the Toyota® Corolla would snatch it from them.

4. Its Birthday Became a Timeline for Aldous Huxley

Henry Ford was a visionary, but his legacy was inspirational for some people. In Aldous Huxley’s seminal dystopian novel “Brave New World,” the day the first Model T was produced marks the start of a new era dubbed “Anno Ford.” So, while the novel’s traditional calendar clocks in at 2540 AD, the referenced year is actually 632 AF.

5. Hills Often Had to be Tackled in Reverse

The antique car’s fuel tank was tucked under the front seat. Although it could hold 10 gallons of gasoline, the fuel was only fed to the engine by gravity. Because of this design quirk, trips uphill often had to be completed in reverse. Not only would this prevent the gas from pooling away from the engine, but the reverse gear also had more power and could propel the vehicle uphill more consistently.

 

The Charlotte AutoFair is the premier gathering of antique cars in the Mecklenburg County, NC, area. With more than 10,000 collectors, sellers, and buyers coming together biannually, the event is the best place to get a glimpse of beautiful classic cars, such as the Model T. To speak with a friendly representative, call (704) 841-1990, or visit their website for a gallery of classic vehicles.

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