Was the first Model T (prototype) sale made in October, 1907?

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Model T Ford Forum: Forum 2013: Was the first Model T (prototype) sale made in October, 1907?
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Rob Heyen - Nebraska on Wednesday, September 11, 2013 - 01:05 pm:

More from my Benson Library trip.

Below are copies of Ford Motor Company audits. In Oct 1907, FMO reported the sale of one "Launduelet" and one "Rumble Seat" automobile. Initially I thought these were Model S. However, S coupes, roadster and Model S are each listed as such.

Could these be the S style (future Model T) prototypes listed at auto shows in the winter of 1908? And these aren't just Ford Motor Company experimental cars, but cars showing up as sold in the audit report. The last copy is the 1908 year end audit. It shows two Ts and one Laundeulet sold (their spelling).

Oct 1908 monthly audit report:


Close up:


FY 1908 report:


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Fred Miller, Sequim WA on Wednesday, September 11, 2013 - 04:00 pm:

Rob, are you taking pictures of your computer screen? Is that your room in the background or is this the way you copied this document at FBR?
Do you have a better picture I am wondering, as my eyes aren't as good as they used to be?


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Rob Heyen - Nebraska on Wednesday, September 11, 2013 - 06:17 pm:

Fred,
It's an iPad photo taken off computer. It was very difficult to see, I used a magnifying glass to be sure it said "Rumble Seat" and "Launduelet". Sorry for quality, it's taken from very old microfilm.
Rob


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Les Schubert on Wednesday, September 11, 2013 - 09:49 pm:

Rob
Looking at the sales price ($640.00)I will guess that the landeulet was just a body, perhaps for a NRS. Actually it kind of looks like they lost money on it ($781.20 cost)


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Rob Heyen - Nebraska on Thursday, September 12, 2013 - 12:53 am:

Les,

The $640 is minus agent commission (i'm guessing). This tells us it was priced higher than the Model N. in 1907 commission was 10%. Also, some other expenses are taken out, because if you divide the cars by sales dollars, it comes to less per car than just minus commission.

For example, if we divide the 119 Model Ks sold into the Sales figure, the dollars per vehicle equal $2077. We know Model K sales paid the dealer 20% commission. That should make the number about $2240 instead of only $2077.

I don't know what other costs are removed before coming up with this "Sales" number. I also believe some "fixed" costs are built into this number. I'd expect the cost to be reduced with more volume. I saw the same thing occur the first month Model Ns were sold. The cost over car was much higher than a few months later when more Ns were being delivered.

Rob


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