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Between its debut in 1908
and its final production in 1927, more than 15 million Model T's, the runaway
best-seller of its time, were manufactured. As the world's first genuinely mass-produced
car, the Model T, more than any other single car, made the automobile affordable
and, with its simple mechanics, provided a car for the masses; and it was not
only in the U.S. that it exerted such influence.
Indeed, automotive history is not complete without mention of the
Model T. The Model T implemented planetary gear transmission, enabling
speed control and shifting of gears by operation of the pedal. This
was a breakthrough that rivals the modern automatic transmission
in importance. It was infinitely easier to handle than the"cone
clutch"systems that caused many problems during that period. Until
1909, a two-pedal system was used, with a lever control for forward
and reverse. The Model T introduced a three-pedal system; it had
two forward gears with the reverse gear being engaged by the middle
pedal. |
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The aim of Royce
and Rolls in establishing Rolls-Royce Ltd. was no less than to build
the perfect car. Emphasizing total quality control, the company
began producing high-quality, top-class cars in 1906 with the release
of its great masterpiece, the 40/50hp, six-cylinder engine. The
13th chassis was built with a silver-colored touring body, under
the supervision of the British Royal Automobile Club. It ran 15,000
miles nonstop between Glasgow and London with no mechanical problems
and earned its name,the"Silver Ghost,"because of its smooth, and
quiet ride.The durable,lightweight chassis structure and its reliability
won high praise. During World War I,this automobile was built with
a heavier body to be an armored car.The Silver Ghost was an expensive
car,but its high quality differed from Ford's mass-produced Model
T,which was primarily aimed at function. The luxury car can trace
its origins back to vehicles like the Silver Ghost. |
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