My wife and I had the chance to tour the original Ford Plant in Detroit, Michigan. This factory was built by Henry Ford, and would become the first assembly manufacturing plant in America. I was truly in awe of this building and the history.
The perseverance of it's founders is still alive today. The Model T foundation that owns and operates this property are modern day renegades. This building was in danger of being destroyed. In the late nineties, real estate and zoning laws were changing. The Model T Foundation purchased this building with like minded investors to preserve a building that not only shaped the state of Michigan, but changed the world.
Henry Ford did not invent the automobile, he was only one of 2500 different automobile automakers in the early 1900's. The game changer for Ford was building a car that was affordable to the general population. Fifteen million Ford Model T's were made between 1908 - 1927.
In the below photo's I am standing in the room that Henry Ford and his group of experts created the blue prints for the the car that motorised America the Model T:
I have to say this was truly a lesson in humility. To think that in this very room, some of the greatest minds of that time period created something something so unthinkable to anyone of that time period. A car that could be purchased by a middle class family, outstanding.
It made me reflect on my own Model T restoration. I will admit that some days I feel like I should just abandon the entire project. After my visit at the Ford Plant I now know that I could bring my Model T to them in any condition it's in and donate it. In my mind it's sounds perfect to have my T displayed for everyone to see. I am sure I could even have Stew's name on the donation so that he could live on in history. Who knows it might come to that.
For now, I am pressing on. The thought of hearing that engine turn over for the first time in decades is to enticing for me to pass up.
If your in the Detroit area I encourage you to check out the museum:
http://www.tplex.org/
Thanks,
Adam
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