The Ford Model N is an
automobile produced by
Ford Motor Company; it was introduced in 1906 as a successor to the Models
A and
C as the company's inexpensive, entry-level line. It was built at the
Ford Piquette Avenue Plant.
The Model N diverged from its predecessors in that it was a front-engine car with a four-cylinder engine. The 15
hp straight-four drove the rear wheels via a long shaft. This was also the first American car to use
vanadium steel
Vanadium is a chemical element with the symbol V and atomic number 23. It is a hard, silvery-grey, malleable transition metal. The elemental metal is rarely found in nature, but once isolated artificially, the formation of an oxide layer ( passi ...
. The car had a wheelbase of .
A successful model, 7000 cars were made before production ended in 1908. At , the car was viewed as highly affordable at the time; by contrast, the high-volume
Oldsmobile Runabout went for $650,
[Clymer, Floyd. ''Treasury of Early American Automobiles, 1877-1925''. New York: Bonanza Books, 1950., p. 32.] Western's Gale Model A was $500, the
Brush Runabout
Brush Motor Car Company (1907-1909), later the Brush Runabout Company (1909-1913), was based in Highland Park, Michigan.
History
The company was founded by Alanson Partridge Brush (February 10, 1878, Michigan – March 6, 1952, Michigan). He ...
$485, the
Black $375, and the
Success
Success is the state or condition of meeting a defined range of expectations. It may be viewed as the opposite of failure. The criteria for success depend on context, and may be relative to a particular observer or belief system. One person mig ...
for $250.
Maroon was the only factory color for the Model N.
[
]
Model R
The Model R was a higher trim level
Trim levels are used by manufacturers to identify a vehicle's level of equipment or special features. The equipment/features fitted to a particular vehicle also depend on any options packages or individual options that the car was ordered with.
...
of the Model N with a larger body, wheels covered by full fenders, running boards,[ and oil lamps. Model R was $650, $150 above the $500 base Model N. The Model R was a 1907 model year offering, and 2500 were sold.][ Color was primarily dark green, with leather seats, brass fixtures, and a fuel tank holding . Other differences from the Model N included 30-inch tires, a rounded trunk, and a McCord mechanical oiler, rather than the Model N-style exhaust pressure oiler.
]
Model S
Two Model S styles were produced, a runabout and a roadster. The S runabout first appeared late in the 1907 model year, and was similar to the Model R, selling for $50 less than the R, at $700. Both models were sold for a short time before the R was discontinued for model/fiscal year 1908. The S roadster, like the R, had fenders attached to running boards, and a mechanical oiler. Differences from the R included Model N-style 28-inch tires and the pointed trunk.
The Model S Roadster was based on the same chassis as models N, R, and S runabout before it. Making its appearance during Ford fiscal/model year 1908, the S Roadster had an enclosed cowl, full fenders and fender aprons, and a third "rumble" seat. Like R and S runabouts, the SR used a McCord pressure oiler. Like Model R, the S Roadster was equipped with 30-inch tires. The S Roadster and Model K Roadster were the last models produced during the summer of 1908 as Ford retooled and prepared for the advent of the Model T. [Clymer, Floyd. ''Treasury of Early American Automobiles, 1877-1925''. New York: Bonanza Books, 1950., p. 120.] The S Roadster sold for $750. Extras such as a convertible top, gas lamps, and umbrella holders were available. 3,750 S Roadsters were sold between 1908 and 1909.
References
Further reading
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{{Ford
Model N
Cars introduced in 1906
Brass Era vehicles
History of Detroit
Motor vehicles manufactured in the United States