Early Fords - before the model t
1903 Ford Model A
After his first two attempts at commercial auto-making failed, Henry Ford found success with the Ford Motor Company, established in 1903. The firm's first product, the Model A, was conventional by the standards of the day. It featured a two-cylinder engine mounted under the seat and rear wheels driven by a chain.
After his first two attempts at commercial auto-making failed, Henry Ford found success with the Ford Motor Company, established in 1903. The firm's first product, the Model A, was conventional by the standards of the day. It featured a two-cylinder engine mounted under the seat and rear wheels driven by a chain.
Ford Model AC 2-cylinder Horizontally Opposed Engine, 1904
The Ford Motor Company relied on a number of outside suppliers to produce its vehicles in the early years. John and Horace Dodge, who would later become car manufacturers, produced this two-cylinder, 10 horsepower engine. Variations of this engine powered Ford's models A, C, and F. The Model AC combined the body of the Model A with the engine of the Model C.
The Ford Motor Company relied on a number of outside suppliers to produce its vehicles in the early years. John and Horace Dodge, who would later become car manufacturers, produced this two-cylinder, 10 horsepower engine. Variations of this engine powered Ford's models A, C, and F. The Model AC combined the body of the Model A with the engine of the Model C.
1904 - 5 Ford Model B
The Model B was Ford's first four-cylinder car and the first to have the engine mounted up front in the European manner. Design difficulties delayed production of the Model B, and, although conceived much earlier, it went on the market long after the 2-cylinder Model C. Priced at $2,000, the Model B was the most expensive Ford yet, and sold poorly.
The Model B was Ford's first four-cylinder car and the first to have the engine mounted up front in the European manner. Design difficulties delayed production of the Model B, and, although conceived much earlier, it went on the market long after the 2-cylinder Model C. Priced at $2,000, the Model B was the most expensive Ford yet, and sold poorly.
1904 - 5 Ford Model C
Ford created its new Model C based on the earlier Model A platform. The cars look quite different due to the C's European-style hood. The two-cylinder engine is still under the front seat as with the A, but the fuel tank and radiator are under the hood. Ford built some 800 Model C cars over the 1904-1905 model years.
Ford created its new Model C based on the earlier Model A platform. The cars look quite different due to the C's European-style hood. The two-cylinder engine is still under the front seat as with the A, but the fuel tank and radiator are under the hood. Ford built some 800 Model C cars over the 1904-1905 model years.
1905 - 6 Ford Model F
Ford's Model F continued a direct evolution from the original Model A. The two-cylinder engine was still mounted under the front seat, but a false hood was added to the front to copy European cars of the time. At $1,000, the Model F was Ford's mid-priced offering, falling between the two-cylinder Model C and the four-cylinder Model B.
Ford's Model F continued a direct evolution from the original Model A. The two-cylinder engine was still mounted under the front seat, but a false hood was added to the front to copy European cars of the time. At $1,000, the Model F was Ford's mid-priced offering, falling between the two-cylinder Model C and the four-cylinder Model B.
1906 - 8 Ford Model K Touring Car
The expensive Model K moved Ford Motor Company into the high-priced market, something Henry Ford didn't like. Priced at $2,500, the six-cylinder vehicle was a slow seller, further convincing Ford that low-priced cars targeted to the mass market were the company's future.
The expensive Model K moved Ford Motor Company into the high-priced market, something Henry Ford didn't like. Priced at $2,500, the six-cylinder vehicle was a slow seller, further convincing Ford that low-priced cars targeted to the mass market were the company's future.
1906 Ford Model N Runabout
Two-seater runabouts like this 1906 Ford Model N were favored by middle-class Americans who could afford one. They were fast and rugged. Most runabouts featured one- or two-cylinder engines and bicycle-style chain drives. But this Ford Model N offered four cylinders and a shaft drive, plus it cost less. At $500, it became the bestselling car in America.
Two-seater runabouts like this 1906 Ford Model N were favored by middle-class Americans who could afford one. They were fast and rugged. Most runabouts featured one- or two-cylinder engines and bicycle-style chain drives. But this Ford Model N offered four cylinders and a shaft drive, plus it cost less. At $500, it became the bestselling car in America.
1907 - 8 Ford Model R Runabout
When Ford's Model N became the best-selling car in the United States, the company suspected that there was a market for a more luxurious version. The Model R had a larger body, higher seats, a rounded rear deck and wider fenders. Ford's hunch was correct. The Model R was a swift seller -- even at $150 above the Model N's $500 price.
When Ford's Model N became the best-selling car in the United States, the company suspected that there was a market for a more luxurious version. The Model R had a larger body, higher seats, a rounded rear deck and wider fenders. Ford's hunch was correct. The Model R was a swift seller -- even at $150 above the Model N's $500 price.
1908 Ford Model S
The Ford Model S was a composite of the Models N and R. The Model R had used the engine and chassis of the hot-selling Model N, but added running boards, a wider body, and larger wheels. When Ford ran out of Model R bodies and wheels the company put the new running boards on the Model N and called it the Model S.
The Ford Model S was a composite of the Models N and R. The Model R had used the engine and chassis of the hot-selling Model N, but added running boards, a wider body, and larger wheels. When Ford ran out of Model R bodies and wheels the company put the new running boards on the Model N and called it the Model S.