Categories: This Day

May 26, 1927 – The 15 millionth Ford Model T

In 1927 Edsel Ford and his 64 year old father, Henry ford and Charles Sorensen (backset) drove the Fifteen Millionth Model T out of the Highland Park Plant From the collections of Ford Motor Company.

Henry Ford rode shotgun as his son Edsel drove the 15 millionth Model T out of Ford’s Highland Park, Michigan, factory on this day in 1927. This event marked the last day of production for the car that changed how the world moved. The Model T, or “Tin Lizzie” as it is affectionately known, first came to market in October 1908

. This vehicle opened the American masses and people around the world to the opportunity to purchase an affordable, efficient and reliable vehicle. While initially sold for approximately $850, equivalent to about $20,000 today, the price would drop as production numbers improved. By 1925 the price was less than $300 (~ $6,000 today), making them attainable for just about anyone.

Henry Ford with the Ten Millionth Model T and his first car, the Quadricycle

It is easily argued no other car made a greater impact on American motorists than the Ford Model T. This car is a primary reason the US government invested in highway expansion in the 1920s. As Ford himself said while delivering a eulogy for the car, “It broke down the barriers of distance in rural sections, brought people of these sections closer together and placed education within the reach of everyone.”

1931 Ford Model A

Ford Model A replaces the Model T

Ford completely ended auto production with the end of the T to retool factories for its replacement, the Model A. Henry Ford had hoped to continue producing his beloved T during this time, but a lack of demand shut down the plant as manufacturing it made no financial sense. After the last Model T rolled off the line, the Ford factories temporarily closed, leading to 60,000 layoffs. Ford sold less than 500,000 cars in 1927, less than half of Chevrolet’s sales. When Ford introduced the Model A in December later that year, consumers welcomed it with open arms, and open wallets.

Ain’t that the truth. Get it here.
Brian Corey

Recent Posts

April 16, 2014: Mazda Honors a Quarter-Century of Driving Joy with the 25th Anniversary MX-5 Miata

By Alexander-93 - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=132180377 On April 16, 2014, the vibrant…

6 days ago

April 15, 1964 – Who bought the first Mustang?

On this day in 1964, two days before the official Ford Mustang on-sale date, one…

7 days ago

April 8, 2004: A Million Strong – The Skoda Fabia and the Legacy of Czech Ingenuity

Skoda Fabia VRs. By Andrew Bone from Weymouth, England - Skoda Fabia vRS, CC BY…

2 weeks ago

April 7, 1947- Henry Ford dies

Henry Ford, with son Edsel, standing with the 15 millionth Ford and the original Quadricycle.…

2 weeks ago

April 6, 1904 – VW Beetle & Porsche 356 designer Erwin Komenda is born

Sure, Ferdinand Porsche often gets the credit for the Volkswagen Type 1, but let's not…

2 weeks ago

April 5, 1951 – Dean Kamen, Segway inventor, is born

Dean Kamen on a Segway, one of his many inventions. By Jared C. Benedict on…

2 weeks ago