The Model T is one of the most popular cars ever. Produced from 1909 to 1927, eventually more than 15 million Ford Model T cars would roll off the assembly line. When the "Tin Lizzie" was first sold, it marked the beginning of the automobile era, and cars would soon overtake horses, buggies, and wagons as the preferred form of transportation.
The Model T was the first car offered to the public. The average person could afford to buy it, unlike the few other cars on the market, which were simply unreachable for the majority of the public. In fact, the price continued to drop each year the Model T was produced, reaching a low of just $260 in 1925. This price was typically less than half of what competitors were charging for similar models.
During its very first production year, the Ford Model T won a cross-country race, showing its endurance. This simple car was known for being practical, not necessary luxurious. Several different body styles were available, though all used the same chassis. The simple Ford four cylinder engine, which produced 20 horsepower, actually made the Model T one of the more powerful cars during the era in which it was driven. The Model T is able to reach a top speed of about 20 to 30 miles per hour.
Unlike today's cars, the Model T was designed with few luxuries. The earliest years did not even include doors. By the 1915 model, the passenger door was added but the driver's side had a spare wheel instead of a door. The back seat sits over the rear axle, so that the car has no room for a trunk or other luggage space. Few accessories were included, although leather seats and wood trim were included on all models. No air conditioning or heating system was included; during winter months, the driver's feet would be heated by the exhaust of the car.
Produced for nineteen years until being replaced by the second Model A in 1928, the Model T enjoyed the longest production run of any car until the Volkswagen Beetle. By the end of its run, there were more Fords on the road than any other car make. Roads were being paved, highways were being constructed, and the automobile age was here to stay. Today, the Model T has come to symbolize the beginnings of the American car market.
2009 marks the one-hundredth anniversary of this iconic car. Because of the Tin Lizzie's popularity, many today remember their parents or grandparents driving around in one. In part because of this reason, the Ford Model T remains one of the most popular antique cars among automobile enthusiasts.
Thousands of Tin Lizzies have been restored, while others rest in fields and garages, untouched since they were last driven decades ago. Some antique auto enthusiasts even take their Tin Lizzies out for a Sunday drive. If you wish to restore an old Model T, you can expect to pay anywhere between $3,000 and $15,000, depending on whether you want a project car or running model. Because of their popularity, reproduction parts are readily available for restoring a Model T.
