The Ford Model T, regarded as the first mass-produced vehicle, will be 100 years old in 2008, so Ford is throwing it a year-long birthday bash, the company announced Wednesday. The celebrations kick off this weekend, March 7-9, at the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance in Florida. The event will host a pristine collection of Model Ts from across the U.S.
The Model Ts will be shown off on the Field of Dreams, a premier location on the grounds.
The party then moves cross country, to California, where a special Model T display will grace the West Coast’s largest Ford enthusiast car show. The Fabulous Fords Forever! event takes place at Anaheim’s Knott’s Berry Farm Amusement Park on April 20. Nearly 20,000 attendees are expected.
In July, celebrations continue in the mid-west, as Richmond, IN, holds the T Party 2008, title-sponsored by the Ford Motor Company. Organized in conjunction with the Model T Ford Club of America, close to 1,000 Model Ts are to gather here; if that happens, it will be the largest assembly of Model Ts since their build. Thus far, 700 entries are registered from as far away as New Zealand.
The Model T was officially born on October 1, 1908, when the first model was built for sale. By the model’s demise in 1927, over 15 million Model Ts were built. It was the first affordable, mass-produced automobile with interchangeable parts. Power came from a four-cylinder engine, rated at 20 horsepower, gracing the 1,200lb vehicle with a 45 mph top speed and fuel economy between 13 and 21 mpg.
