The first production Model T, also known as the Tin Lizzie and Flivver rolled off the production line on September 27, 1908 at the Piquette Plant in Detroit, Michigan.
Henry Ford proclaimed "You can have your Model T in any color you wish, as long as it's black"
When the first Ford was driven off the assembly line, the car itself was not the biggest breakthrough, the assembly line that built it was. Henry Ford's idea of an assembly line was copied by innumerable manufacturers of every product imaginable. His car was not as revolutionary and did not have the long term impact that his production line did. There were already cars available at the time.
The Model A was the first vehicle produced under the Ford Motor Company badge.
Henry Ford did a poll as to what the consumers most wanted in a car. He put as many of those items in one car as he could and he named the car after his son. The Edsel. This car was a disaster on the sales line, very few sold.
The design of one of Ford Motor Company's cars was said to have nothing that anyone would want, that it would be a white elephant. It would be a huge monetary failure and would make Ford look ridiculous. This car was the Mustang. Introduced first in late 1964 as a 1964 ½ model, it was meant for the secretary. A little get around' car. This car appealed to the public at large, it spawned it's own culture and even today, the little car has grown up into a meaty beast that has an incredible following. The original Mustang was based on the Ford Fairlane chassis.
The PEANUTS characters first showed up in animated form in a commercial for the Ford Fairlane.
The tradition of spraying champagne after winning a race was started when three GT40s placed in first, second and third place at the Le Mans in 1966.
Henry Ford resigned from the company once, allowing his son Edsel Ford to step up and take over. When Edsel Ford died of cancer in 1943 Henry Ford reclaimed the reins of the company and then turned them over to Henry Ford II (his grandson) in September of 1945.
Edsel Ford's middle name was Bryant.
Edsel founded and named the Mercury division of Ford, he was also responsible for the Lincoln Zephyr and the still popular name plate. The Lincoln Continental.
Edsel Ford helped to finance many exploratory expeditions, including Admiral Richard Byrd's historic flight over the North Pole that was completed in 1926.
The first Thunderbird rolled off the lines in 1955, it was meant to be a direct competitor to the Chevrolet Corvette. It was a two seater with a V8 engine.
Ford released it's May 2009 sales numbers and they are the best since July of last year. For the seventh straight month, Ford's market share has increased as the newest Mustang and other new models continue in their popularity.
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