The Fifteen Millionth Ford Model T - Full Documentary

Published 2020-05-14
Ford's Model T was a pivotal moment in American history that brought the automobile to the masses. In this multi-part series, we take a look at how this pivotal car came to be, the legacy that it created throughout its nearly 20 years of production, and how Ford celebrated its monumental efforts with one last hurrah building the Fifteen Millionth Ford Model T.

In 2018, the Fifteen Millionth Ford Model T became the 23rd vehicle added to the National Historic Vehicle Register (NHVR), a program in which the Historic Vehicle Association (HVA) works in conjunction with the Library of Congress to document automobiles that have impacted the history of the United States of America. This process includes extensive documenting efforts such as photography, laser scanning, research of history, and of course, making the vehicle's story available to the public. All vehicles that are added to the National Historic Vehicle Register are added into the Library of Congress to have their records kept for a minimum of 499 years so that future generations can learn and study about these artifacts that helped shaped American history. To learn more about the Fifteen Millionth Model T's history, see studio photography, and more regarding its induction into the National Historic Vehicle Register, you may visit the vehicle's NHVR page on our website: www.historicvehicle.org/national-historic-vehicle-…

This documentary was produced in partnership with:
‪@Hagerty‬ : www.hagerty.com/
‪@TheHenryFord‬ : www.thehenryford.org/
The Ford Piquette Avenue Plant: www.fordpiquetteplant.org/

All Comments (21)
  • My dad bought his first car when he was 14 years old in 1946. It was a 1926 Model T Touring car that he and his friends pushed home because the engine was in the back seat. Within a month, he had it running and drove it all over San Diego delivering newspapers...at age 14! Dad always wanted a brass T, so in 1975 he bought a 1911 Model T Touring. It was the first car I ever drove. I'm so thankful that he taught me how to work on cars, as I now own his brass T. Dad has passed away, but I think he'd be thrilled to know his little girl is still driving his old brass Lizzie. Thanks for this wonderful documentary. It makes me proud to be the owner, operator, and mechanic on this important piece of history!
  • @retroguy9494
    It amazes me as both a car guy and an amateur historian how little we are removed today from great history. My grandmother was born the same year the Model T came out. Her son, my uncle, was already born the last year Model T's were still being made in 1927. He is still alive and just turned 95! My father, also still alive in his 90's actually learned to drive on a Model T. It was his uncle's. Looking at these old films from those eras makes me think what it must have been like for my grandparents and uncle. My father as well. I was very close to my grandmother and I can just imagine as a little girl, her looking out the window (the lived in a big city) and seeing the streets crowded with horse and carriages, trolley cars, steam cars, bicycles and a few gasoline engine cars.
  • When I look at the complicated, overpriced cars of today I can't help but think that Henry Ford was right in believing that the Model T was all the car we needed. There hasn't, nor will there ever be another car as revolutionary as the "T"
  • @Redmenace96
    On some other car sites, YT comment sections, I have discussed the significance of American cars against European (Mercedes Benz). It is not about who was first. It is about, who delivered it to the people. THAT is the significant fact. Cars and racing were for rich folks in Europe, pre T. Henry Ford put a fantastic vehicle into the hands of the masses. The rude, dirty, ignorant masses. The man is a hero, and God Bless America.
  • @stevenrich8468
    "The Henry Ford" Museum & Greenfield Village is a USA treasure. It must be on everyone's "bucket list." Every American must bear witness to it's vast importance to our national heritage.
  • @g.a.c.4139
    I grew up in Dearborn Michigan. I went to schools named after Ford engineers. My father worked for Ford in the 60's. I've been to the museum and village many times. Today I use my unrestored 1930 Ford pickup as my daily-driver in California. I often meet people who know absolutely nothing about Ford or about early automotive history...its so odd and foreign to me.
  • @PaulRentz
    My grandfather came to Highland Park with Edward Gray, who was in charge of moving production from Piquette to Highland Park. Gray also sold Mr. Ford his first power plant engine for the new factory, a 1500 hp gas only engine built in Oil City, PA at Riverside Engine where my grandfather had worked for Mr. Gray for three years (1906-1909) before they both came to Michigan and began work at Highland Park. Mr Gray had a few 'titles', Chief Engineer, Construction Engineer and also listed at times as the Consulting Engineer. You'll find him all three of the Highland Park Exec photos, 1911, 1912 and 1913.
  • I cannot recommend ENOUGH to take a vacation in Michigan to : 1. See The Henry Ford museum - this IS almost a 1.5 day event to see this thing in entirety....it's as good as the damn Smithsonian! 2. See Greenfield village (Yes- they give Model T rides there! .....among other cool things) 3. Take a tour of the Rouge plant! 4. Take a tour of Henry Ford's house 5. Take a tour of Edsel's house (it's much nicer and more interesting) 6. Go to the Automotive History Museum - right nearby 7. And there's so much more.....GO! (Check out the MoTown museum IF you are a music fan!)
  • @fixedguitar47
    I work at Ford Chicago Assembly plant. It started in 1924 with the Model-T. What wild is finding old photographs and holding them up at the exact location. You also see signatures from the 1930’s in the concrete.
  • Side note: He used the shipping crates of parts as floor boards! Talk about smart!
  • WOW. We were truly .. the greatest country in the world, then. The Model T was just one, of the many important reasons why.
  • Mr.Ford was one of the greatest Americans ever! And I’m proud to say I worked for Ford Motor Company for close to 20 years and I’m proud to have been a part of a Great company and historical company. I miss the sights sounds smells of the production line and most of all the great people I worked with.🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
  • @davidtosh7200
    1927 was the last year for horseless carriage image of the 1927 Ford Model T. It was a 4 door phaeton and it is painted green they they put out the last of Ford Model T before Ford put in the Model A as of 1928 Model. For 1928 Ford Model A, blue paint is added on the color chart, and adding more body styles, such as a sport coupe with a rumble seat, roadster with rumble seat, deliver truck, and mail truck. Bumpers and shatterproof glass are standard on all 1928 Ford Model A for a streamlined and more modern look.
  • @Redmenace96
    12:15 Did you hear that right? 12 hours, down to 100 minutes?! Our boy, Henry, did something right!
  • @Matt2chee
    I have had a 49 Dodge Meadowbrook for over 25 years, I have been in the Motor Muster at the Henry Ford several times. I even have an award! I haven't been there in 8-9 years. I'm motivated to go back this year. Thanks. I went exploring one time. I have been in rooms where they still had model A and T parts and motors still in the crate. There was a model A motor test stand just sitting there.
  • @billbob7482
    My family still has my Pop-Pop’s Ts , ‘15 roadster and ‘24 depot hack. Mom learned to drive on them 55 years ago. There are many other cars that we have kept, only two Model Ts though. I have great memories growing up.
  • My grandmother b.1904 grew up on a farm in Iowa until her dad passed away when she was 16. So, in 1920, her mom hired a man to drive she, and two boys, and two girls out west to California, which took them about six, or seven days, in the summer, with no a/c! That was the first time any of them had ridden in an automobile, so it must have been quite an adventure! My grandma saw the Pacific ocean and walked on the beach and said, "I'm never going back to Iowa!" She passed away in 1998 without ever going back to Iowa, and she didn't miss at all! My great grandmother was laid to rest in Iowa, and I visited her grave in 2004, and I even got to see the old farm house that my grandma was born in, which is still standing!
  • Ford's vision of mass production was realized through the fusion of design for simplicity, high-quality materials, interchangeable parts, and the moving assembly line.
  • @edgartaylor7421
    Arguably the next Model T is the Ford Crown Vic they made around 11 million models before it was discontinued
  • @RichardinNC1
    My grandfather owned a Model T, the only car he ever owned. He worked on the railroad and never bought another car. I was told the Model T did many trips over the mountains between Wheeling WV and Richmond VA.