Description
The Ford Model S Roadster was introduced in 1908 as the final and most refined version of the Ford Model N–based line of cars, which had begun in 1906. Coming after the Model N and the short-lived Model R, the Model S offered buyers more style and comfort while keeping the mechanical simplicity and affordability that had made its predecessors so successful. It arrived just before the launch of the Ford Model T, and in many ways it represents the peak of Ford’s pre-T development.
Like the Model N and Model R, the Model S Roadster was powered by a front-mounted, 149 cubic inch (2.4-liter) four-cylinder engine producing about 15 horsepower. It used the same two-speed planetary transmission that would later become famous in the Model T, and it could reach a top speed of around 35 mph. The car rode on an 84-inch wheelbase with transverse leaf spring suspension, a layout that made it light, simple to build, and reliable on the rough roads of the era.
What set the Model S Roadster apart was its body design and equipment. Whereas the Model N was a very basic two-seat runabout and the Model R added a tonneau and some trim, the Model S Roadster was styled more like a true small touring car. It had a curved dashboard, full fenders, running boards, and a more finished appearance. A rumble seat behind the main two-seat cockpit provided additional space, and the car came with lamps, a horn, and other features as standard rather than optional extras. These refinements made the Model S feel less like a bare-bones budget car and more like a well-rounded, entry-level automobile.
The price reflected this improvement: the Model S Roadster cost around $700, more than the $500 Model N but still inexpensive compared to many competitors. Buyers were willing to pay the difference, as the Model S delivered both practicality and style while maintaining the low operating costs and durability that had made Ford popular.
Production of the Model S Roadster was limited to about 3,750 units in 1908, after which it was discontinued to make way for the Ford Model T. By then, Ford had learned valuable lessons in mass production, design simplification, and meeting customer expectations, all of which fed directly into the success of the Model T.
Today, the Ford Model S Roadster is remembered as one of the most attractive and complete of Ford’s pre-T models. It bridged the gap between the early bare runabouts and the fully realized “car for the people” that the Model T became. Surviving examples are rare and prized among collectors, not only for their handsome looks but also for their place in the evolution of Ford’s early automobile empire.