BRIGHTON, Mich. - As Ford Motor Company celebrates its 110 year anniversary this week, many are taking the time to trace through history and see how far Ford has come. If one were to follow the roots all the way back to Ford's humble beginnings, they would find the Ford Piquette Plant, the birthplace of the Model T.
110 years after Ford Motor Company was founded, the Model T's birthplace is still alive and well. When the plant first opened in 1904, it had over 67,000 square feet of space and was fairly close to the Milwaukee Junction rail terminal. Being that close in proximity to the railways allowed for the plant to acquire the materials needed for production quickly.
After four years of experimenting with different models, the Ford Piquette plant landed on the Model T in 1908. When the Model T began to be produced, it took workers about 12 hours to complete a vehicle. With the amount of employees in the 67,000 square feet of space, and the time it took to finish a car, this plant was able to produce only 100 Model T's daily. However, as the demand for vehicles went up and the industry quickly expanded, Henry Ford implemented the assembly line into his process. With the assembly line, the plant could easily produce a new car every 12 minutes! This increased production allowed the plant to produce over 15 million Model T's until 1927 when the last vehicle rolled off the assembly line.
While the Ford Piquette Plant is retired from producing vehicles, it still remains alive after 110 years as a museum and National Historic Landmark for all that took place within its walls. The building has been restored to the state it was in when the plant was being used to produce the vehicles and is open for the public's curious gaze.
While we might not have a Model T on our lot, we certainly have a large selection of cars for you at our South Lyon Used Car Dealership. Stop in today to see us and we'll assist you with a Used Car Loan and get you into a reliable vehicle for the warm months ahead. Brighton Ford is located at 8240 Grand River Ave. just north of I-96 in Brighton. We are a family owned and operated business that strives for customer satisfaction. For more information on Brighton Ford visit BrightonFord.com or give us a call at (800) 836-8206.
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BRIGHTON, Mich. - The above picture is Henry Ford, riding in the first automobile he ever made. This was taken in 1896, back before cars were a thing, and before Henry Ford changed the fate of transportation. While it's amazing to see the new 2014 models being released, it's important to take a moment and appreciate how far Ford has come since it's humble beginnings. That's why we want to show you 5 of the most significant Ford models in history.
Ford Quadricycle
The Ford Quadricycle is the go-cart resembling vehicle pictured above. It's was Henry Ford's first automobile, made mostly of bicycle parts including wheels, and 10 feet of bicycle chain. Although the car could reach 20 mph, it actually had no brakes! Talk about risky business! Thankfully, the Ford vehicles of today are equipped with the best brakes, ensuring that you come to a complete stop - especially since our cars go a lot faster than 20 mph!
Ford Model T
The Ford Model T is the vehicle that first made Henry Ford popular. Selling over 15 million Model T's, the first car was made in 1908, while the last one rolled off the assembly line in 1927. This car was the first to be made using an assembly-line, which is one of Henry's ideas that forever changed production. During it's 19 year stint, it accounted for 40 percent of all cars sold in the U.S.!
Ford Mustang
The Ford Mustang, one of the most influential muscle cars, was first made in 1964. The first day it went on sale, Ford sold nearly 22,000 vehicles! Although the looks have changed quite a bit since then, the Ford Mustang was, and continues to be, a favorite across the globe.
Ford GT40
The Ford GT40 (40 representing its overall height of 40 inches) is an American-British racing car, and was made to compete with Ferrari. Nowadays, the Ford GT40 is rare and extremely expensive.
Ford F-Series
The Ford F-series began in 1948 and continues to be made today. Ford is synonymous
with trucks, and it all started with this series. The F-150 model was the best-selling vehicle in the country for years, and Ford continues to be the first name that comes to mind when you think of trucks.
As Ford continues to grow and evolve, it's always nice to appreciate and see the most significant models in Ford history that have helped make the company what it is today. We will continue to change over the years, but we never forget where we came from!
If you'd like to stop in at our South Lyon Area Ford Dealer today, we can help you pick out the right Ford vehicle for you! We have a wide selection of Certified Preowned Cars For Sale, and New Ford Trucks For Sale that would appeal to any potential car buyer. So stop in and let us show you what history has helped create for you today.
Brighton Ford is located at 8240 Grand River Ave. just north of I-96 in Brighton. We are a family owned and operated business that strives for customer satisfaction. For more information on Brighton Ford visit BrightonFord.com or give us a call at (800) 836-8206.
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