1913 Ford Model T Roadster

edited by David Barth, 15 March 2009.
Courtesy Antique Car Museum of Iowa at 860 Quarry Road, Coralville, Iowa, 52241 USA.
Photos were taken in March 2009.

The Model T was popularized by Henry Ford because he developed the assembly line. The assembly line concept was developed in 1908 and Ford was able to cut costs from $850 to $600 per car over the next five years by converting from stationary production to a conveyor system in 1913, the year of this car. The chassis moved on the assembly line while parts were added to it. This cut production time from 13 hours to 90 minutes per car. Model T cars were built until 1927.

This brass era model is owned by Bill and Linda Bywater of Iowa City. They retrieved the car from a farm field in 1956 and completed restoration in 2006.

Note the carbide generator on the side running board. By mixing water with carbide, a gas is produced that is fed to the headlamps to light them. The original cost of this car was $525.

Courtesy of Bill and Linda Bywater.