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Ford Method for Model T distribution during the early years?
Posted: Wed Jun 07, 2023 1:58 pm
by NealW
Our 1911 touring car was delivered in November 1911 to its first owner who lived in the LA area. Does anyone know how Ford distributed Model T's to California, or other far flung places away from Detroit during those early years? I read that Ford set up assembly centers in different cities in the early teens, but was wondering if they shipped them by rail disassembled before then.
Thanks,
Neal
Re: Ford Method for Model T distribution during the early years?
Posted: Wed Jun 07, 2023 2:18 pm
by TrentB
In 1911 Ford was still manufacturing cars using the stationary assembly technique. Cars were completely assembled at the Highland Park plant and either driven away by dealers or shipped to either Ford branches or to dealers in more distant locations. The assembly plant system was not used until after the establishment of the moving assembly line in 1913.
The first western assembly line was established in 1915 at the San Fransisco World’s Fair (aka The Panama-Pacific Exhibition) as an exhibit set up by the Ford Motor Company. The fair was open from February 20 to December 4, 1915. Several different accounts say that it was a very popular exhibit drawing large crowds daily.
Respectively submitted,
Trent Boggess