How much did the Ford Model A cost in 1903?
The Ford Model A introduced in 1903 carried a base price of about $850.
The early Ford Model A was part of Henry Ford’s drive to make automobiles more affordable. In 1903, the base price of roughly $850 placed the car in the lower-to-middle range for new motor vehicles of the era, reflecting Ford’s emphasis on affordability as production methods evolved. While individual dealers or configurations could lead to small variations, $850 is the figure most frequently cited by historians for the base model in that inaugural year.
Pricing in 1903
Below is the principal pricing detail for the Model A in its first year. The figure represents the base model and a common reference point for historical pricing.
- The base price of the 1903 Ford Model A was approximately $850.
This price is widely cited in automotive histories and source materials as the standard reference for the Model A’s initial sticker price in 1903.
Context and impact
Setting the price around $850 helped Ford position the Model A as a comparatively affordable automobile in a market dominated by more expensive options. This pricing context contributed to Ford’s broader strategy of lowering costs through mass production, a philosophy that would shape the company’s approach to later models and price milestones.
Notes on price variations
Contemporary records show occasional minor variations by dealer, trim, or configuration, but the $850 figure remains the dominant and most cited price for the base 1903 Model A.
Summary
In 1903, the Ford Model A cost about $850 for the base version. This price reflected Ford’s early commitment to affordability and set the stage for the company’s ongoing focus on producing cost-effective automobiles.
