Ford Model T

A 1914 Ford Model T in woodland

Key facts

  • Year

    1914

  • Country

    Great Britain, United States

  • Capacity

    2,898cc

  • Cylinders

    4 cylinder

  • Valves

    Side valve

  • Output

    20bhp at 1,600rpm

  • Performance

    40mph

  • Price new

    £135

  • Owner

    National Motor Museum Trust

  • Manufacturer

    Ford Motor Company Ltd, Manchester

The Ford Model T is widely accepted as the car that brought motoring to the masses. Contrary to popular belief it was available in colours other than black. British cars came in blue and green before black became standard in 1914. Black was the only colour of quick-drying paint available at that time. In the 1920s grey, red and green were offered. Over sixteen million Model Ts had been built by the time production ended in 1927.

The Model T was introduced in 1908. A moving assembly line was opened in 1913, reducing the building time by half and increasing annual Model T output from 170,000 to 202,000. Production line assembly reduced costs, resulting in lower prices which brought car ownership within reach of millions of people worldwide. Ford’s first British factory was opened in Manchester in 1911.

Any man holding down a steady job should, if he so wished, be able to have his own car

Henry Ford

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Panoramic view of the first floor of the National Motor Museum

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