Ford used an alphabetical system to name his cars. He produced the Quadricycle first and then made many prototypes which were named A thru S. Among them was a Model A produced before the Model T. After the Model T he again used the Model A to designate the successor to the Model T. He explained that the car was so new and different he decided to start over with his alphabetical designation.
The first Model T was built in 1908.
The Model T came out in about 1905. 9 Years before the Great Depression. They recently celebrated their 100th anniverserey.
There was a Ford Model A built before the Model T. But the model right after the Model T was again the Model A. This is confusing but after the Model T Henry Ford decided the to start over with the Model designation.
1908
Panhard & Levassor and Peugeot were producing cars before the model T. Not only was the Model T not the first car produced it was not even the first Ford car produced. The first Ford was the Quadricycle produced in 1896 a full 12 years before the Model T . Ford also produced the original Model A, & Model S plus many prototypes before the Model T. The first practical gasoline powered automobile was made in Germany by Karl Benz in 1885.
1908
The Ford Model S preceded the Model T. It was a Model K with right hand steering.
2.9l i4
henry ford built a horseless carrage
The Thunderbird and the Taurus come to mind from Ford.
The Ford Model T was known as 'Tin Lizzie' , T, Flivver, & T Model.
Ford started with the model A and, through a series of prototypes and actual vehicles, he arrived at the Model T which quickly caught on in the market. The model T replaced the model N as the most popular Ford vehicle. Subsequently, Ford released the Model A. It was not named the Model U because Plymouth had released their first vehicle which was already named the Model U. Therefore, Ford started back at A.