A Brief Review of Robert Casey's Model T: A Centennial History

Hi folks -- one great thing about a sabbatical is you have some time to catch up with your reading. And in the area of automobile history there is so much to read! Last summer I purchased a copy of Bob Casey's The Model T, and experienced a great day around Model Ts in Richmond, Indiana where more than a thousand T's came together for the centennial anniversary celebration. I had never given that much thought to this particular vehicle, even though I have a chapter on Ford and his cars in my book, The Automobile and American Life. And I do agree with David Hounshell that this car was the most important automobile of the 20th century, bar none.

It was great fun that day going to Winchester, Indiana speedway and to see modified and stock Model Ts go around the track. And I must confess that I wouldn't mind owning a Model T speedster with dual Winchester carbs.

Getting to Casey's book. This was a great read. The book is filled with images of the car, of advertising, of various assembly line photos showing the progression of the technique of mass assembly, and far more. it's narrative contains plenty of material that I have read about before, but also a good number of "gems" -- insights that only the curator of the Henry Ford could provide. The chapter on driving a Model T was especially good, as I learned why that drivers side door was just an impression in the sheet metal -- there was a long lever that would have blocked or made difficult your entry into the car!

This is the best kind of academic book -- one that is not overly erudite with theories of knowledge, but plenty of knowledge is contained in this work that can be read in an evening, or thought about for days. The images alone are worth the price, but much more awaits you in reading its pages.