Wondering About the First Ford.
Did you know that on this day back in 1903 that Ford Motor Company took its first order for a gasoline powered automobile. It was a dentist (Ernst Pfenning from Chicago) that laid out the $850.00 bucks for a two-cylinder Model-A. That was the humble beginning of Ford Motor Company. Here is a picture of a Model-A, it was not much more than a steerable buggy with a small motor and small seat, but the very first one had a back seat (but that was a special order) and most didn't have a back seat and looked like this:
Mr. Ford found eleven other people who would purchase stock in his company and one of those investors owned a 50x250 foot factory building and Ford started production in that building in June of 1903. About a month later, on this date, they got their first order.
Then came the famous Model T in 1908 and that put Ford on top of the automobile industry. It was in production from 1908 until 1927 with a few improvements along the way:
Some had cloth tops, some had hard tops, but the first ones didn't have a top. Now I just want you to know that this all took place way before my time. I may be old, but not that old!!
I bet most of us sometime in the past has owned a Ford product. My Granddad had a 1940 Ford. That was the first car I drove, other than my Dad's DeSoto. You all be careful out there in your horseless carriages and have a great day, you hear?
We didn't own a car until about l950, living here, we walked.
ReplyDeleteWalking is good for you but it takes a long time just to cross Texas (grin).
DeleteI wonder what Henry Ford would make of today's car market?
ReplyDeleteHe would probably turn over in his grave. He wanted to make a vehicle that anyone could afford.
DeleteMy Dad was born in 1898.... I wish I'd asked him what he thought of all the "new-fangled" inventions in his lifetime. He passed in 1984 and we were already in the computer age. But then I think of all the "new" stuff in my own lifetime.... guess we just take for granted each new thing as it comes along.
ReplyDeleteMy Granddad was an engineer on a coal fired steam locomotive and when he retired he was still running the steam locomotive. He was alive when the space age started with Sputnik. He also saw a lot of changes, from horse drawn buggies to rocket ships.
DeleteI still drive my dad's old car...a 1982 Ford Fairmont.
ReplyDeleteThat is the one with the squares in the grill, right? Ford made a lot of great cars.
DeleteYes, that is the one.
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