1903 Ford Model A Two Runabout

Henry Ford had two affiliations with an automobile company prior to incorporating the Ford Motor Company in June of 1903. The first company he worked with was the Detroit Automobile Company, which went out of business in January of 1901. The second company was the Henry Ford Company which soon resulted in a troubled relationship with the board of directors. Henry Ford left the company before car production began, in August of 1902. That company was recapitalized and renamed Cadillac. At this point in history, Henry Ford had the rights to his name, some designs, and $900.

The Ford Motor Company's first car was the 1903 Ford Model A and it came in two models, a two-seat runabout and a four-seat tonneau. The Tonneau could be purchased with an optional top. Popularity was strong, and less than two years time, the company produced 1,750 cars.

The Model A, weighing 1,200 pounds, was powered by an 8-horsepower, horizontally-mounted 2-cylinder engine mounted amidship and attached to a planetary transmission with two forward speeds plus revers.

This example is serial number 206, and was produced around September of 1903 at the Mack Avenue plant in Detroit. It was given several accessories including a horn, side and tail lamps, decorative rails and wicker side baskets.