How old is the oldest Ford?
As of 2025, the oldest Ford on record is Henry Ford's 1896 Quadricycle, which makes it about 129 years old. This article explains why that vehicle is regarded as the earliest Ford, how old it is today, and what it reveals about Ford's origins.
To answer comprehensively, we first identify Ford's earliest vehicle, which predates the company itself, and then place it in the broader context of Ford's early milestones. The Quadricycle's survival hinges on museum collections and provenance, distinguishing it from later production cars such as the 1903 Model A and the Model T.
The Quadricycle: Ford's First Vehicle
The object at the center of Ford's origin story is the Quadricycle, built in 1896 by Henry Ford in Detroit as a proof of concept before the founding of Ford Motor Company in 1903.
Key details about the Quadricycle are summarized in the following list. This helps readers grasp why it is considered the oldest Ford artifact still in existence.
- Year built: 1896
- Designer/builder: Henry Ford
- Configuration: four-wheeled runabout with bicycle wheels
- Powerplant: small gasoline-powered engine (commonly described as around 4 horsepower)
- Significance: precursor to Ford Motor Company and a turning point in American automotive history
- Survivor status: a known example is preserved in museum collections (notably The Henry Ford in Dearborn, Michigan)
These facts collectively explain why the Quadricycle is regarded as the oldest Ford artifact that still exists today, predating the formal establishment of Ford Motor Company.
The significance of the Quadricycle
As Ford’s first vehicle, the Quadricycle demonstrated the feasibility of gasoline-powered automobiles and set the stage for the company’s later innovations. Its existence helps historians understand the leap from tinkering to mass production that would define 20th-century industry.
Beyond the Quadricycle: Ford's Early Milestones
To place the oldest Ford in context, consider Ford's formative years and the milestones that followed the Quadricycle’s demonstration.
- 1903: Ford Motor Company is founded in Detroit by Henry Ford and investors
- 1903: First production car released by Ford, commonly referred to as Model A
- 1908: Model T is introduced, initiating mass-market automobile production
- 1913: Moving assembly line revolutionizes car manufacturing and lowers costs
The timeline shows how quickly the company scaled from a personal experiment to a mass-production auto maker, with the Quadricycle serving as the launchpad for Ford's enduring legacy.
Is there any older Ford than the Quadricycle?
Even though Ford's first vehicle predates the company, the Quadricycle remains the oldest Ford artifact in existence. Other early prototypes and concept vehicles were built in the late 1890s and early 1900s, but the 1896 Quadricycle holds the record for age and significance as Ford's initial engineering success.
Summary
As of 2025, the oldest Ford on record is Henry Ford's 1896 Quadricycle, making it approximately 129 years old. This prototype predates the founding of Ford Motor Company by several years and stands as a milestone in automotive history. The Quadricycle's enduring legacy is reflected in how Ford evolved from experimental designs into a global manufacturing powerhouse, with the Model T and the moving assembly line shaping the 20th century.
