One of the oldest and best-known American automobile manufacturers is Ford, which was founded in 1903 by Henry Ford who had a dream of producing the “universal car,” a car which could be owned by everyone. In 1908, Ford introduced the Model T, which would become one of America’s first mass-produced cars. The Model T was Ford’s first popular automobile, and it was produced for 18 years.
The Model T was soon known as the Tin Lizzie and functioned as the family, farm, and business workhorse. Ford also offered the do-in-yourself folks accessories such as mufflers and fenders. Many Model Ts were converted into Depot Hacks, School Buses, and Ambulances.
The Depot Hack was the forerunner of the station wagon and was often used to transport people from the railroad depot to hotels and other destinations. Depot Hacks were custom built using a standard Ford Model T or TT truck chassis.
Ford Depot Hack
This vehicle is on display in the Piccadilly Transportation Museum in Butte, Montana.
1914 Ford Model T Depot Hack
This vehicle was on display in the Western Antique Aero and Auto Museum in Hood River, Oregon.
1915 Ford Model T Depot Hack
This Depot Hack is on display in the LeMay—America’s Car Museum in Tacoma, Washington.
1922 Model T Depot Hack
This vehicle was on display in the Classic Auto Museum—The Flathead V8 Ford Collection in Bigfork, Montana. This was the forerunner of the station wagon and was often used to transport people from the railroad depot to hotels and other destinations.
1917 Ford Model T Ambulance
This vehicle was on display in the Veterans Car and Motorcycle Show in Vancouver, Washington.
1917 Ford Model T Army Ambulance
This vehicle was on display in the Western Antique Aero and Auto Museum in Hood River, Oregon.
1919 Ford Model T School Bus
This vehicle was on display in the Northwest Vintage Car and Motorcycle Museum in Brooks, Oregon. According to the display:
“This barn find with a 4 cylinder 20 HP engine is believed to be the oldest completely original and unrestored school bus in existence in the US.”
1926 Ford Model T Snow Conversion
This vehicle was on display in the Western Antique Aero and Auto Museum in Hood River, Oregon.
More Automobile Photo Tours
WAAAM: Model T Fords (Photo Diary)
Museums 101: Early Fords in the Classic Auto Museum (Photo Diary)
Museums 101: The Picadilly Transportation Museum (Photo Diary)
Museums 101: Automobiles before 1920 (Photo Diary)
Museums101: Fords and Chevrolets of the 1920s (Photo Diary)
Museums 101: Coachbuilt Cars (Photo Diary)
Museums 201: Station Wagons (Photo Diary)
Museums 201: Early Steam and Electric Cars (Photo Diary)