Spirit of Ford Congratulates Model T as Winner of Car of the Century

29 February 2000

    DEARBORN, Mich., Feb. 28 -- The past meets the present at
Spirit of Ford where guests can celebrate the heritage of the Model T and the
first automated assembly line, while also experiencing the amazing
orchestration of today's assembly line.  Through April, Spirit of Ford is
featuring a special exhibit honoring the Car of the Century -- the Ford Model
T.  The Model T received this award on December 18, 1999 from Car of the
Century International.
    The Model T fulfilled Henry Ford's vision of building a high-quality,
durable, simple to operate car that the everyday person could afford.  By any
measure, he succeeded.  More than 15 million Model T's were sold from the time
the first car was shipped on Oct. 1, 1908, until the summer of 1927.
    How were record sales of the Model T achieved?  Invention of the automated
assembly line cut chassis assembly from 12 hours to less than two.  This is
the same spirit of invention which stands hair on end as guests to Spirit of
Ford are sent full throttle into the future down a modern-day assembly line on
Turbo Tour -- the area's only full-motion simulator ride.  See the Model T as
a celebration of ingenuity, feel the thrill of Turbo Tour and celebrate
today's technological advances in automotive assembly.
    Spirit of Ford, an automotive learning attraction, is open daily from
9 a.m. until 5 p.m.  On Mondays during February, Spirit of Ford is closed to
the public.  Spirit of Ford is located at 1151 Village Road in Dearborn,
across from Henry Ford Museum & Greenfield Village.  For more details call
313-31-SPIRIT or check us out on the web at http://www.spiritofford.com