Ford Model T, 1914, Open Touring Car

The Ford Motor Company called the "working man's car", the Model T, "The Universal Car", since millions were manufactured in the U.S., Canada and around the world. In 1904 Ford signed an agreement with the Walkerville Wagon Company to establish a branch factory in Canada. At the outset of the agreement the Canadian firm was given the sole rights in the British Empire, a market protected by tariffs. With this special access to overseas markets, Canada became the second largest automobile producer in the world from 1918 to 1923. The Model T was introduced in 1909 and continued in production until 1927. During that period over 75,000 were made in Canada. Refinement of assembly line techniques dropped the price to a very affordable $450. Beginning in 1914 engines were also built in Canada, greatly increasing the Canadian content. And Canadian Model T were available in blue, distinguishing themselves from their black-only American counterparts.