Car History - May 26: 15-millionth Ford Model T rolls off the line

Way back on this day in 1927, Ford's iconic Model T reached the end of its production on the assembly line. Henry Ford marked the occasion with the car you see above. The fifteen-millionth Ford Model T, and indeed, the 15-millionth ford, because unlike today, that's the only model they were making on the line at the time.

The Model T enjoyed an incredible 19 years of production over the course of its life. It was no doubt a special vehicle. It's what made Ford into the icon he is remembered as today. To mark the special occasion, Ford and his son Edsel climbed into the Model T and drove 22 kilometres to the Dearborn Engineering Lab where he parked it next to two other icons - The very first car Ford built in 1896, and the 1908 prototype for the Model T.

Ford reportedly went for a spin in all three of these cars, perhaps a bit teary-eyed because he knew this marked the end of the car that brought him his success. The Model T was not the first car, but it was important because its efficient mass production made cars accessible to the average person. The Model T would be succeeded by the Model A.

Hit the jump for a related video taking you through the Henry Ford Museum.