The Ford Model T was first introduced in 1908. Ford began producing the car in the third quarter of that year, with the first production Model T built on August 12 and leaving the Piquette Avenue Plant in Detroit in September. Its listed production period began on October 1, 1908.
The Model T was designed for dependable, affordable transportation and became one of the first cars marketed successfully to the American middle class. Ford’s use of interchangeable parts and increasingly efficient assembly-line production helped reduce its price from $780 in 1910 to $290 in 1924.
A common mix-up is calling the first Model Ts “1909 models.” That label reflects later automotive model-year conventions; the vehicle itself was introduced and produced in 1908. The car remained in production until 1927, with more than 15 million sold. It was popularly nicknamed “Tin Lizzie” and was later named the most influential car of the 20th century in the 1999 Car of the Century competition.