100 years of Detroit Automotive History through
the Eyes an octogenarian born into it ...!
The Model "T" above is one of not many unrestored and original. It's a 1911 model. It's rare to see the wood, canvas, levers and brackets as they were. This "T" is early production, well prior to the first one million.
Henry Ford, 1863 - 1947 (83)
Edsel Ford, Henry's only child*, 1893 - 1943 (49)
We start with Henry Ford, like him or not. The Model T gave mobility to all of America. It also began the era of American consumerism. Henry was determined to produce a reliable automobile that most Americans could afford, many were recent immigrants, as were my grandparents. Autos of this era were built only for the leisure class. Living in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, work in the copper mines and woods paid enough after a decade to purchase their own land.
Eventually, a Model T was purchased, as was a famously balky Fordson tractor. They no doubt were thrilled. Even though the Northern climate and poor soil didn't produce much there were few complaints even as the children left for the city. They most certainly believed that life was good.
Henry's Legacy ...
31 Model A Coupe
40 Ford Deluxe 4-Dr Convertable
1956 Ford Sunliner.
Henry Ford - the "Rouge Complex"
Worlds largest integrated manufacturing complex; built 1917-1928
The Rouge, Dearborn Michigan. The world's first huge scale vertically integrated manufacturing facility, measureing 1.5 x 1 miles, with nearly 100 buildings; it included a steel mill, iron foundry, glass plant and a sizable power plant. Auto assembly here from Model As to other models were until 2004, as Ford distributed its manufacturing sites. Mustangs were built at the Rouge in the early years. The coal fired power plant with its four massive stacks was dismantled in 19xx.
Steel Plant. This photo with coke ovens in the background are a welder and two millwrights. Im second from the right working as a co-op student while at Western Michigan University.
False start. in 1908 Ford offered this deluxe touring sedan. Price $2000. Too big and way too costly for the average person. The Model T followed and a price that ranged from under $300 to less than $600.