Description
The Ford Quadricycle was the first vehicle created by Henry Ford, built in 1896. It was a simple, lightweight automobile powered by a two-cylinder, four-horsepower engine. The design resembled a motorized bicycle more than a car, with a frame mounted on four bicycle-like wheels. The Quadricycle had a simple tiller for steering and no reverse gear, but it could reach a top speed of about 20 mph (32 km/h).
Ford’s design for the Quadricycle was inspired by his desire to create a simple, practical vehicle that could move on its own power. It was built in a small workshop behind his home in Detroit. After a successful test run on June 4, 1896, the Quadricycle proved to be a key milestone in Ford’s career, laying the foundation for the establishment of the Ford Motor Company a few years later. The vehicle showcased Ford’s innovative spirit and his vision for affordable, mass-produced cars.