TIN LIZZIE VISITS
EDSEL & ELEANOR FORD HOUSE
Historic Home Celebrates Model T Centennial
with New Garage Exhibit and Lecture
Henry Ford was the practical, chassis man; son Edsel was the stylistic designer. The Model A, the long-awaited follow up to the Model T, combined the talents of both men, was an instant hit and was one of the biggest news stories of the year. In celebration of the Model T centennial, as well as the 80th anniversary of the Model A, Edsel & Eleanor Ford House unveils a new exhibit inside the estate’s historic Garage – “Building on a Legend: Tin Lizzie’s Successor.”
The exhibit features beautiful examples of a 1911 Model T Torpedo and a 1929 Model A Roadster, as well as historic images and information that celebrate the early heritage of Ford Motor Company. The side-by-side comparison provides visitors with a rare opportunity to consider the evolution and history of these two iconic automobiles. The cars join two vehicles that remain on display in the popular Garage Exhibit – Edsel’s 1941 Lincoln Continental Cabriolet and Eleanor’s 1952 Lincoln Town Car.
According to David Janssen, vice president of internal operation for Ford House, the introduction of the Model A was a unique collaboration between father and son. “While Henry focused on engineering, he entrusted Edsel with styling, which really played to the strengths of both men,” Janssen explained. “The result was a car that stabilized Ford Motor Company’s competitiveness, while cementing Edsel Ford’s reputation for directing quality automotive design.” In the first 36 hours after the Model A was introduced approximately 10 million people visited it in showrooms across the country – which at the time amounted to 10% of the entire U.S. population.
Building on a Legend: Tin Lizzie’s Successor can be viewed until October 31 in the Ford House Garage and is included in the regular admission.
A Centennial Lecture
Ford House and the Grosse Pointe Historical Society welcome Robert Casey, curator of transportation at The Henry Ford, and one of America’s foremost Model T experts as he shares findings from his new book “The Model T: A Centennial History.” On May 21 at 7:30 p.m., Casey will talk about the remarkable history of the Model T, its development and long-lasting impact on America. His presentation will also look at the people who built the car, the consumers who purchased it and the profound technological leaps in mass production and mass consumption associated with it. The lecture is free, but reservations are suggested and can be made by calling 313.884.4222.
Year of the Car Information
The Ford House exhibit and lecture are being offered in support of 2008: Year of the Car, a summer-long auto-tourism festival in southeastern Michigan that provides residents and tourists an unprecedented palate of auto-themed attractions. Year of the Car launches in conjunction with National Transportation Week on May 10, 2008 and concludes five months later with the Automotive Hall of Fame Induction Ceremonies in early October. In between, Year of the Car links more than 100 activities at nearly 60 different locations, giving residents and tourists many never-before-offered automotive experiences.
Year of the Car is a collaborative effort being organized and sponsored by MotorCities National Heritage Area, an affiliate of the National Park Service, dedicated to preserving, interpreting and promoting the automotive heritage of Michigan. Additional Year of the Car partners include Detroit Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau, Travel Michigan, and dozens of organizations that celebrate automotive heritage throughout the region. For more information on Year of the Car activities, visit www.motorcities.org
Edsel & Eleanor Ford House is located at 1100 Lake Shore Road in Grosse Pointe Shores. Since 1978, Ford House has welcomed hundreds of thousands of visitors to share in Eleanor Ford’s vision of preserving the estate for future generations to enjoy through interpretive tours, family activities, lectures, exhibits and gardens and grounds events. For more information, visit www.fordhouse.org or call 313.884.4222
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