On this day in auto history – May 10th

Mon 10th May 2021

It was on this day in 1920 that Ford produced its 4 millionth Model T, just five years after it had become the first vehicle to reach the magical 1 million barrier.

Generally regarded as the first ‘affordable’ car, the mass-produced Model T became a powerful symbol of America’s modernisation and often tops voting for the most influential vehicle of the 20th century.

The 4 million landmark was celebrated as a huge achievement at the time but the Model T hadn’t even reached its peak. With film giants such as Laurel and Hardy boosting its popularity by featuring it in their films, the Model T became the ‘it’ car of the ‘roaring twenties’ and eventually went on to sell a phenomenal 16 million vehicles before production ended in 1927.

Almost 100 years on, there are numerous car clubs which support the preservation of the Model T and it is estimated that around 50,000 models still remain roadworthy today.