Vehicle exhibits

The Ford Model T is one of the most important cars in motoring history. Introduced in 1908, it combined simple engineering, durability and increasingly efficient production methods to make car ownership possible for a much broader section of the population.

This 1915 example is a Roadster, the lighter two-seat version of the Model T. Compared with the larger Touring model, the Roadster offered simpler bodywork and was aimed at motorists who wanted practical personal transport without the additional seating of a family car.

A Different Kind of Driving

Power came from a 2.9-litre inline four-cylinder engine producing approximately 20 horsepower. The engine drove the rear wheels through Ford's distinctive two-speed planetary transmission.

Driving a Model T is very different from driving a modern car. The transmission is controlled using pedals and a hand lever rather than a conventional gear lever. One pedal controls the low and high ranges, another operates reverse, while a third applies the transmission brake.

This unusual control layout became one of the defining characteristics of the Model T and required drivers to learn an entirely different technique from that used in later cars.

Built for the Roads of the Time

The Model T was designed to be robust and simple to maintain, qualities that were essential in the early twentieth century.

Roads outside major towns were often rough, muddy or unsealed, and motorists could not rely on the extensive service networks that exist today. Cars needed good ground clearance, straightforward mechanical systems and the ability to withstand difficult conditions.

The Model T's relatively light weight and flexible suspension helped it cope with these roads, contributing to its reputation for toughness and reliability.

The Roadster Body

The Roadster was one of several body styles available on the Model T chassis. Its compact open body carried two occupants and gave the car a lighter, sportier appearance than the larger Touring version.

For owners who did not need additional passenger accommodation, the Roadster offered a simple and economical alternative. Its reduced bodywork also made it lighter than many other Model T variants.

Today, the Roadster provides a good illustration of just how adaptable the Model T platform was. Ford used the same basic mechanical design beneath a wide variety of bodies intended for different types of owners and work.

Mass Production Changes the Motor Car

One of the greatest reasons for the Model T's success was the way Ford manufactured it.

In 1913, Ford introduced the moving assembly line at its Highland Park factory. Instead of teams building individual cars largely in place, the vehicle moved through a sequence of specialised workstations.

This dramatically reduced assembly time and allowed Ford to increase production while lowering costs. As manufacturing became more efficient, the selling price of the Model T fell, placing the automobile within reach of many more customers.

A Motoring Landmark

Around 15 million Model Ts were produced before production ended in 1927.

The car's enormous success helped transform personal transport and demonstrated what could be achieved through large-scale automobile production. It also influenced vehicle manufacturing around the world.

This 1915 Roadster represents the Model T during the period when Ford's new production methods were beginning to reshape both the company and the wider motor industry.