1908 - 2008 Ford Model T Centennial Party Celebration Henry Ford Estate Fair Lane

Henry Ford Estate Model T Centennial Celebration

t is an oft-used cliché , but Henry Ford's "universal car” truly did change the world. The Model T was simple yet dependable, and with Mr. Ford's innovations in volume production it quickly became the affordable car of the masses. The Model T ushered in a new industrial age and led the way to the modern economies of today.  

2008 marks the 100th anniversary of this iconic automobile. A year full of events are scheduled in which The Henry Ford Estate will play a significant role. Enthusiasts from around the world will participate in this historic celebration. 

You too can experience the centennial excitement here at Fair Lane, the home of Henry and  Clara Ford! 

A year full of Model T Centennial events are scheduled in which The Henry Ford Estate will play a significant role.


TURN UP SOUND - CLICK HERE for The Little Ford Rambled Right Along - 1915 TURN UP SOUND - CLICK HERE for The Little Ford Rambled Right Along - 1915


o you have a Model T tale to tell ? The Henry Ford Estate would like to hear your Model T related stories. You may have a Model T remembrance , a story of a great Model T find or restoration or maybe even an old family photo you wish to post. 




April 10. 2008 

In response to the Estate's quest for stories in celebration of the Model T, let me briefly relate the tale of my grandfather, Peter Edmund Martin. 

On December 15, 1903, P.E. Martin walked into the newly opened Ford Motor- Mack Avenue - automobile plant and asked for a job . He spoke with C Harold Wills who soon brought him to the attention of Mr. Henry Ford himself. Mr. Ford asked P.E. if  he could start immediately. P.E. borrowed some coveralls and was put to work in the “Experimental Room” that very day. 

P.E. soon established himself firmly in Henry Ford’s confidence. On October 17, 1906 Walter E. Flanders, Ford's Manager of Manufacturing, appointed P. E. assistant to Thomas Walburn, in active charge of all manufacturing departments. After Flanders left to start his own auto company (EMF), Ford put C Harold Wills nominally in charge of manufacturing operations and machine tool procurement. Wills left these duties almost completely in the hands of  “Pete “ Martin and Charles “Cast Iron Charlie” Sorensen. 

By 1908, Henry Ford had gathered together the cast of brilliant leaders who were to guide the destiny of the Model-T and the Ford Motor Company. The records at Dearborn show that much of the design and experimental work for the Model T was done by Henry Ford, Joseph A. Galamb, C Harold Wills, Harry Love, C. J. Smith, Gus Degener and P. E. Martin. There were fourteen men who created the new and in many cases fantastic procedures that would soon make it possible to produce 10,000 Model Ts in a twenty-four hour day . Those men were Henry Ford, C. Harold Wills, James Couzins, John and Horace Dodge, Peter E. Martin, Charles Sorensen, Norval Hawkins, Joe Galamb, Fred Diehl and Walter Flanders. 


lft to rt: Henry Ford, Edsel Ford (driving) Charles Sorensen, and P.E. Martin
in the Fifteen Millionth Ford (Model T) on the day of its assembly. 

Peter Martin eventually became became appointed General Superintendent of Ford Motor Company (January 3, 1919) .In 1924 Peter received an appointment as First Vice-President, in charge of Manufacturing along with a seat on the Board of  Directors, with Henry and Edsel Ford, a position he held until his retirement in 1941. During those years, he received the highest salary of  any Ford employee including Henry Ford’s son Edsel.

The late Ford Motor historian Owen Bombard noted:  “ P.E. Martin was production superintendent at Highland Park for all those years from 1909 until assembly was moved to The Ford Rouge Plant  in the 1920s. Production of the Model-T during its greatest years was Peter Martin’s responsibility.”

Despite his inner-circle relationship with the company’s founder and his key role in the development of  the Ford Motor Company and of the Model T , my grandfather's enormous contributions have frequently remained overlooked. Peter E. Martin never sought publicity during his lifetime and he never wrote a tell-all book about his experience at Ford's. I believe this centennial celebration offers an appropriate opportunity to present his story.

M. Peter Martin
Charleston, S.C. 



Henry Ford Estate Garden Plant Sale
Friday, May 16th; 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Saturday, May 17th; 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

Unique perennials, wildflowers, shade-loving plants, culinary herbs, annuals, hanging baskets, water garden plants, stepping stones, garden art and birdhouses.

Proceeds benefit the restoration of the Henry Ford Estate gardens.

CLICK HERE to Download the Spring 2008 
Garden Events Flyer. 


Tea on the Terrace
Wednesday, June 25, 2008 - 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.

Bask in the beautiful surroundings of the Estate grounds. 

Enjoy an afternoon of Gourmet tea, petite sandwiches, and delicious pastries, while taking in the beauty of the gardens and wildlife. 

Indulge in an exquisite afternoon, just like Clara Ford used to! 

The cost is $29.95 per person. Reservations are required.

For additional inquiries or to make your reservation, call 313.593.5590.


Info Phone - 313.593.5590 CLICK HERE > Directions to Henry Ford Estate - Fair Lane  - Dearborn MI

TURN UP SOUND - CLICK HERE for The Little Ford Rambled Right Along - 1915 TURN UP SOUND - CLICK HERE for The Little Ford Rambled Right Along - 1915