Ford Model T turns 100

The car that put the world on wheels, the Ford Model T, is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year and to mark the occasion Ford is planning a year-long series of events to honor the iconic vehicle. Celebrations will commence at this weekend’s Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance and will be followed by a number of regional events planned for all over North America.

The Model T revolutionized the auto industry as it was the first low-priced, mass-produced vehicle with standard, interchangeable parts. The actual first car built for sale rolled off the factory floor in October 1 in 1908. That particular model was equipped with a 20hp four-cylinder engine, weighed 1,200 pounds, and could reach a top speed of about 45mph while returning fuel consumption between 13 and 21mpg.

The moving assembly line for the Model T didn’t actually come into play until 1913. More than 15 million Model T’s were sold when production finally stopped on May 26 1927. Some of the events planned this year are expected to bring together up to 1,000 Model Ts with some cars coming from England, Norway, Australia and New Zealand.