The Legendary Fords

The car that put the world on wheels was the Model T Ford, the historic "Tin Lizzie", "Flivver" or any of many other nicknames for this beloved machine. When Henry Ford introduced his Model T in 1908, it was an immediate sensation. Before long, it was the largest selling car in the United States, often accounting for over half the sales in the country. True mass production was born with the Model T. As volumes rose, costs came down. By 1925, this coupe sold for $525 new, while a two-door runabout went for only $260. In 1909, the first year of Model T production, prices were about double that.

The 1928 Model A replaced the Model T, which was built from late 1908 until May, 1927. Ford shut down the assembly line after building 15 million Model Ts and shifted over to the Model A. The Model A was an immediate success, a huge technological jump from the Model T. But the production hiatus was enough to let General Motors pass Ford Motor Co. in sales. The Model A regained the lead, but only temporarily. This beautiful 1928 Model A phaeton was one of the first year's production run.