The story of Henry Ford and the automobile dates back a little before the start of the Ford Motor Company in 1903. A few years earlier in 1896 Henry built his first vehicle, the Quadracycle. The Quadracycle was a simple vehicle being a buggy frame and four bicycle wheels. Today the Ford Discovery Centre has a replica of the Quadracycle as part of its exhibition.
Henry started his first car company in 1898 and called i the Detroit Automotive Company, it didn’t go as well as planed and dissolved after two and a half years.
Henry was determined to try again but needed funding, so he entered a high profile car race at Grosse Pointe during 1901 hoping for some prize money, in which he won.
Photo:
Henry Ford and Barney Oldfield on his racer
With 11 investors the Ford Motor Company was finally incorporated in 1903 and the Model A Fordmobile was introduced to the market, it sold well with 1708 units produced.
The following year the Ford Motor Company began to expand and with Detroit being a border town with Canada, Ford Motor Company of Canada was established in Walkerville. Henry later teamed up with Firestone Tyres owner Harvey Firestone.
It is believed the first Ford vehicle to reach Australia was in 1905, between then and the commencement of assembly and manufacturing in Australia cars were imported through agents and distributors from Canada and the United States. many body builders around the country modified and fitted out the vehicles for a range of uses.
Photo:
Relica of the Quadracycle as seen in the Ford Discovery Centre
By 1906 Ford had become the biggest selling brand of vehicles in the United States and sold over 8700 cars that year, but 1908 the revolution began with the introduction of the Model T.
By 1909 Ford of Britan was established and two years later the Manchester factory was opened being Ford’s first plant outside North America.
