This Wednesday, we take a look back at the famed western star, William S. Hart, in a publicity photo with Ford’s 10 millionth Model T car.

In a moment that bridged the rugged spirit of the Old West with the rapid pace of modern innovation, William S. Hart, the iconic silent film cowboy, inspected the 10 millionth Model T Ford that rolled off the assembly line in Highland Park, Michigan, as it stopped at the Hart Ranch during its cross-country tour. This historic event marked a milestone in automotive history and symbolized America’s growing industrial might.

The car, assembled at Ford’s Highland Park plant, then on the outskirts of Detroit, embarked on a cross-country promotional tour via the Lincoln Highway. Its journey would culminate in California, stopping in towns along the way to showcase Ford’s universal car.

Behind the wheel for this momentous trek was Frank Kulick, a celebrated Ford racing driver known for his record-breaking feats.

Notably, the promotional photo capturing Hart alongside the Model T features his Horseshoe Ranch in Newhall, a property he purchased in 1921. The ranch house stands prominently behind the gates, with the future site of his 1927 mansion still undeveloped.

The Model T, affectionately dubbed the “Tin Lizzie,” revolutionized transportation. Originally priced at $850 when first introduced on October 1, 1908, the cost had plummeted to an all-time low of $290 by December 2, 1924, or $375 with a factory starter and demountable rims. This price drop was thanks to Henry Ford’s innovative assembly line techniques, which streamlined production and made car ownership accessible to millions.

By the time Model T production ceased in May 1927, more than 15 million units had been manufactured. On December 2 of that year, the Model T was succeeded by the Model A, ushering in a new era for the Ford Motor Company.

Reflecting on the significance of this milestone, a Ford Motor Co. brochure from the era proclaimed:

“It symbolizes the universal acceptance of a worthy product, rightly made, honestly sold, filling a basic human need, and so economically manufactured that it is within the means of the millions. It is a triumph of useful service as well as of volume production.”

This day in SCV history not only highlights William S. Hart’s enduring legacy in Newhall but also celebrates a pivotal moment when American ingenuity transformed the landscape of transportation forever.

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