Which car is commonly nicknamed the Tin Lizzie?

The Ford Model T is the car commonly nicknamed “Tin Lizzie.”

Ford produced the Model T from 1908 to 1927, and “Tin Lizzie” became its best-known popular nickname. “Tin” reflected the car’s relatively plain, utilitarian character and metal body, while “Lizzie” was a familiar personal name. The nickname helped turn an ordinary-looking mass-market automobile into one of the most recognizable vehicles in automotive history.

The Model T’s importance went far beyond its nickname. Ford’s manufacturing system, including moving assembly-line production at Highland Park from 1913, helped reduce costs and increase output. The car’s low price made automobile ownership accessible to many middle-class Americans and helped transform travel, work and settlement patterns across the United States.

The Model T is sometimes confused with the later Ford Model A, which replaced it in 1927. The Model A was a newer design with different mechanical features, but it was not “Tin Lizzie.” The nickname also does not refer to a single body style: Ford sold the Model T in several configurations, including touring cars, roadsters, sedans and trucks.

Ford built more than 15 million Model Ts before production ended, making it a landmark of mass motorization.