The Model T ad that started it all

[NealW]

It was 115 years ago today, on Saturday October 3rd, 1908 that Ford took out the first ad for the Model T. I recently picked up a copy of the issue on ebay for only $12. I framed the ad, but it is fun to look at the magazine to see the other ads and issues of the day. I believe that Ford already had quite a few orders from their dealers even before the ad came out.

The Saturday Evening Post published this interesting article about the ad a few years ago in their magazine:

https://www.saturdayeveningpost.com/201 ... evolution/

[TRDxB2]

This published in November 1907 but its more of an announcement ad than a product ad

[NealW]

This published in November 1907 but its more of an announcement ad than a product ad

Thanks for posting this. I'd never seen that before. I think I read somewhere that Ford started taking advanced orders at the beginning of October 1908, so I guess the Post ad was the official announcement of its availability.

[Rich Eagle]

And who but a few thought it would ever be as successful as it was. Just another company selling cars.

[Rich P. Bingham]

Thanks for posting this, Neal ! I love these backward looks at publications of the past. They are almost as good as a time-machine to put one into the ambience of the era. Interesting to me are the relative dollar values. An inflation calculator translates the $850.00 price to be $26,360.82 in today's dollars. The Model T didn't spring into the market as a car for the masses ! It took a lot of refinements in production engineering and economies of scale that resulted in unprecedented mass production to get that price down to $265. by 1926 (4,596.72 today). It's worth remembering that by 1908, Ford Motor Company was the 500 pound gorilla among car manufacturers. Success was in the cards, but the indestructible nature of the Model T made it a foregone conclusion !

[John kuehn]

Was “Model T” mentioned in that first add? When trying to enlarge it a bit it’s too fuzzy to read carefully. Maybe others can see it better. If its the first promo add maybe the Model designation wasn’t added yet.

But this was the beginning for sure. It still has the carriage look trying to make the transition to an automobile.
That eventually would come!

[NealW]

Was “Model T” mentioned in that first add? When trying to enlarge it a bit it’s too fuzzy to read carefully. Maybe others can see it better. If its the first promo add maybe the Model designation wasn’t added yet.

Yes, it is mentioned in the third paragraph of the very tiny print in the Saturday Evening Post ad. They sure tried to cram a lot of information in that ad, but it is interesting reading.

[John kuehn]

Thank you for making the add clear and pointing out the wording for Model T! By the way your post is more clear than the first posted add. Thank you

[NealW]

Some of the dealers jumped the gun on Ford's nationwide ad introduction in the Saturday Evening Post. I just found this 10/1/08 ad in the Alma Record newspaper stating that Model T's would be available starting 10/1/08.

https://blog.newspapers.com/october-1-1 ... %EF%BF%BC/

[ModelT46]

In have an original copy of the Post ad, plus other from 1909-1910. I will; find my l;blum and post some.. I am goinig to give them to the EF club .

[Been Here Before]

Or was it?

Star Tribune, Minneapolis, Minnesota · Wednesday, January 08, 1908

[TRDxB2]

Was “Model T” mentioned in that first add? When trying to enlarge it a bit it’s too fuzzy to read carefully. Maybe others can see it better. If its the first promo add maybe the Model designation wasn’t added yet.

But this was the beginning for sure. It still has the carriage look trying to make the transition to an automobile.
That eventually would come!

The above ad has

Model "T" Touring Car.
4 cylinder - 20 H.P. Direct Drive

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Some other announcements seem to precede the Chicago Auto Show, First staged in 1901, the Chicago Auto Show is the largest auto show in North America and has been held more times than any other auto exposition on the continent.

[Kerry]

It seemed that most artists drawings of the new T that it was going to be still RHD like the pre models.

[Been Here Before]

The new Ford was anticipated by many. But was there a cart before the horse situation.

Did the FMC start selling the new Ford before advertising in the Post?

Who purchased the first Model T Ford?

From 2022 -

Post by Been Here Before » Sat Mar 19, 2022 7:35 pm

According to a brief search or newspapers available, the first Model T Ford was "produced" October 1 1908. For October 1908 eleven cars were assembled. The Scranton Truth (29 September 1908) stated the model year 1909 will be ready for delivery in October 1908 for $850.00 FOB the factory.

Yet, the Washington Times (Washington DC) 1 March 1908 states that The National Auto Company as a Ford agency sold a Model T Ford to Robinson White.

The Inter Ocean (Chicago) for 18 November 1908 printed the agent for Ford, Tom Hay stated that the New Model T Ford arrived last Friday. Hay is expecting to sell 100s before next summer.

And in Philadelphia 18 July 1909, it was announced that the Ford Agency could begin to accept orders for the new car. This is the first time since 26 April 1909. It appears that the cars were selling very well and orders could not be met on time.