The Ford Motor Company feels like it's been around forever. Perhaps the fact that it brought its first production car to the masses, the Ford Model A, in 1903 is why. That's right. More than two decades before the more well-known 1927-31 model hit the road, the automaker released the original Model A.

Ford has been bringing motorcars to the masses for over a hundred years now, and few manufacturers have had the same level of impact as the American giant.

Not only has Ford become world-renowned for its quality, but the carmaker's innovative approach to building cars became the company's blueprint. Ford's mass-production approach began with the often forgotten Model A and has continued to this day.

Of the vintage Ford models, the Model T is arguably the most famous thanks to its near 20-year reign as the world's first affordable automobile. Despite being overshadowed by its successor, there is still plenty to shout about the OG Ford, the Model A.

Let's take a look at the forgotten 1903 Ford Model A in all its glory.

A Brief History Of The Original Ford Model A

Ford Model A
Via Wikimedia Commons

As we have already established, the Ford Model A was the first car produced by the Ford Motor Company. After a couple of failed attempts at getting his automotive company up and running, Henry Ford finally got the ball rolling in 1903. That was the year when he introduced the Ford Model A to the world and changed American travel forever.

Ford set up its first facility in 1903, where it produced 1,750 cars until 1904. That very first Ford production factory was a rented wooden building in Detroit.

Times have certainly changed for Ford, and today, its facilities can be in such far-flung places as Argentina, Germany, India, and Thailand. Although it proved to be the starting point for Ford, the Model A was replaced by the Model C just one year after going into production.

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Ford Model A Specs

Ford Model A
Via Wikimedia Commons

The Ford Model A was produced as a two-seater runabout, although later, the carmaker provided the option of a four-seater variant with a roof. Drivers of the Model A certainly weren't holding on for dear life when they hit the gas as the two-cylinder engine only produced a mere 8 HP. This flat-2 engine enabled the Model A to hit speeds of 28 MPH.

Ford included a two-speed transmission plus a reverse gear for Model A drivers. This was an early Ford signature that would be made famous by the Model T. The Model A weighed 1,240 lbs, and Ford utilized optional extras for further income.

Customers could pay a little more to include a rear tonneau with two seats and a rear door. If that wasn't enough, Ford customers in 1903 could spend even more on a rubber roof, or if they really wanted to push the boat out, a leather roof.

How Much Did A Ford Model A Cost In 1903?

1903 Ford Model A
Via: Sicnag, Wikimedia Commons - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0

Customers looking to part with their hard-earned cash in 1903 had two options to choose from. The cheaper option, the runabout, cost $800, while the more expensive four-seater sold for $900.

Considering the average wage in 1903 was just $489 (about $15,000 in today's money), the Model A was an investment that few could afford. This may explain why Ernest Pfennig, a dentist from Chicago, was the very first owner of a Model A.

When adjusted for inflation, Model A prices stood at approximately $24,500 and $27,500, respectively. Despite the expensive outlay, buyers in the early 20th century loved the thought of motor-powered travel instead of rail or horse.

That love affair with cars has continued for over a century, and many of us still love spending as much time and money as possible on our four-wheeled companions.

The Model A was the first production Ford, but few have survived since 1903. One of the oldest surviving Model As went up for auction in 2012 and sold for the princely sum of $693,000.

An original Model A was on sale in the 1950s for around $400 before being restored to its former glory over the years. After being restored, this unit of the Model A was sold to a Swiss Ford dealer before returning to the United States in 2001.

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Going For Broke

Henry Ford
Via Wikimedia Commons

Henry Ford went all-or-bust on the Model A. The company spent almost all of its $28,000 investment funds (roughly $857,000 in 2021 money), and only had a little over $200 left. There was very little cash remaining by the time the Model A was ready to hit the market, but Ford managed to turn a profit.

This was the first profitable business Henry Ford had created. And now Ford is one of the most established manufacturers in the automotive industry.

Not only is Ford an American powerhouse, but it's also a shining light in the car industry worldwide. Ford was an aspirational brand when it was first established in 1903, and today, you could argue it still is.

Ford cars might be far more affordable than they were in the early 1900s, but it's still the yardstick many car owners compare their vehicles to. When it comes to success, perhaps we could all learn a lesson from Henry Ford's attempts back in the day.

He is the perfect example of getting back on the horse when you fall off and never giving up. Thanks to his tenacity, people around the US and the world have now been going from A to B with a motorcar for more than a hundred years.

NEXT: This Is What The T In Ford Model T Stands For