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Taken from Ford 2000 information brochure:

"The Ford Model T. 1908 - 1927. From the foundation of his company in 1903, Henry Ford, had as his aim the manufacture of a light, simple, rugged vehicle of standardised design. It would be produced in constantly increasing numbers at constantly decreasing prices until the family car could replace the family horse.

Henry Ford moved slowly but unerringly through early models and early production methods. His lightweight 2-cylinder Models A (The first Ford model to be exported to Britain), C and F were succeeded in 1906 by his phenomenal lightweight 4-cylinder Model N.

Then, on October 1, 1908, the first Model T, described as being 'homely as a mule and useful as a pair of shoes', was delivered to its first buyer. From this fabled car came the 20th century industrial -and social - revolution. Ford's model T would reshape manufacturing techniques and put the world on wheels.

First American Ts

The Ford Model T was light and strong, in part because of the use of vanadium and heat treated steels wherever it was feasible. The first models weighed in at 1200 pounds, has a wheelbase of 100 inches and cleared the ground by 10.5 inches enabing it to triumph over the primitive highway conditions of the day. It was available on one chassis only, regardless of body style.

Power came from a 20 horsepower, four cylinder, three bearing engine, its block being cast in one piece with an integral water jacket. The engine had a unique, detachable cylinder head and three point suspension. A simple magneto built into the flywheel supplied current from both ignition and lights.

 A pedal - operated planetary transmission and only two forward gears, with only two speeds, enabled the driver to shift easily without danger of damage to the gears. The engine, tranmission and the rear axle were completely enclosed. The body sat high on transverse leaf springs and the roof rode seven feet above the pavement! Early Model Ts were capable of 45 miles per hour and achieving 20 miles per gallon.

Many believed it was able to go anywhere and do anything. One bore out this theory in June 1909 by negotiating the 4,100 miles from New York to Seattle in just 22 days under appaling weather conditions and over terrain where roads could hardly be said to exist.

British Production

Model T Production in Britain began in 1911, at Trafford Park in Manchester. Within three years, Ford was selling twice as many cars as the next largest British manufacturer.

So successful were Ford's U.S. operations in 1914, that one sixth of America's automotive labour force, the company was making almost one half of the nation's cars. The T's sales success was overwhelming. Over 10,000 Model Ts were produced in the first year of manufacture and even this swelled annually aided by the introduction of Ford's "moving production line" in 1913 until it reached an incredible total of approximately two million a year in 1923, '24 and '25. At one time during the early '20s, half the cars in the world were Model Ts!

End of an Era

Production of Model Ts in America came to an end in 1927. On the afternoon of May 26, 1927, Henry Ford drove the 15 millionth Model T from the production line at the Ford Motor Company's Highland Park, Detroit factory. A further 487,781 examples were built while the Highland Park was being retooled during the summer of 1927 to build Model T's successor, the Model A.

In Europe, Model T production continued until December 31, 1927, when the plant in Cork, Ireland, produced its 10,341st Model T for the Irish market. As well as being built in America, England and Ireland, Model Ts were assembled around the world including Paris and Bordeaux, Cadiz, Trieste, Berlin, Copenhagen and Antwerp.

The world total for Model T production is difficult to assess as many cars were built from spare parts after production had officially ceased. According to the records in the Ford Archives, the final figure was in excess of 16,500,000.

Specifications

 Engine: In line 2890 cc four cylinder

Bore x Stroke: 95 x 101.5 mm

Maximum power: 20 bhp @ 1800 rpm

Transmission: Two speed epicyclic

Chassis: Pressed steel channel

Wheelbase: 100.5 in (2553 mm)

Track: 57 in (1447 mm)

Length: 134 in (3404 mm)

Suspension: Transverse leaf front / rear

Brakes: Two wheel mechanical

Bodywork: Roadster, Tourer, Tudor, Fordor, Town car

Maximum speed: 42mph

Production: 300,000 (Britain), 16,500,000 plus (World)