Ford · 1904–1905
Ford Model C
The Ford Model C is an automobile that was produced by Ford Motor Company. Introduced in late 1904, the Model C was Ford's lower priced 1905 model. The first sales were in October 1904, with most sold during the 1905 calendar year. Horace Dodge made major changes to the design of the engine, rear axle and other parts of the car. The Model C used the same 10 hp motor the 1904 Model A was equipped with. Model C had a longer wheelbase than the earlier Model A. Built at the Ford Piquette Avenue Plant, it was the entry-level car in the Ford model lineup, slotting below the upscale Model B. Production ended in 1905 with approximately 1,000 cars produced (Canada production included). About 160-170 Model C were assembled in Canada at Ford's new Ford Canada location in Walkerville. Due to the Dodge Brothers owning a ten percent share of the company, as well as supplying many parts and assemblies, the Model C took to the road with Dodge-built engines and other key assemblies. The Model C engine was an opposed twin, 10 hp car, with a claimed top speed of 30 mph (48 km/h). The Model C two-seater, sometimes marketed as a "doctor's car," sold for $850 ($30,458 in 2025 dollars ), compared to the high-volume Oldsmobile Runabout at US$650, Western's Gale Model A at US$500, and the Success at a low US$250. It offered a four-seater option for an additional $100. The top also cost extra: rubber $30, leather $50. Although the Model C had a protruding front "hood," like a modern car, instead of the flat-front Model A, this was largely ornamental — the engine remained under the seat (the gas tank was under the hood). The Model C was the first vehicle to be built at Ford Motor Company of Canada.
Text from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Predecessor: Ford Model A · Successor: Ford Model F
All Ford Model C data: UK builds, safety, recalls, model years →
Specifications
- name
- Ford Model C
- Manufacturer
- Ford
- Production
- 1904–1905
- Predecessor
- Ford Model A
- Successor
- Ford Model F
- Class
- Entry-level
- Body style
- 2-seat runabout, rear-entry 4-seat tonneau
- Engine
- Dodge 120.5 cuin Flat-2
- Transmission
- 2-speed planetary
- Wheelbase
- 78 in
- Kerb weight
- 1250 lb
- Designer
- Henry Ford
- Top speed
- 61 km/h
Specification summary from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0). Measured facts from Wikidata (CC0). Check the linked sources for citations.
More photos
Sources
- Wikidata — https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1436893CC0 1.0 · retrieved 2026-10-01
- Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Model_CCC BY-SA 4.0 · Text © Wikipedia contributors; revision 1347625955 · retrieved 2026-10-01
- Wikimedia Commons — https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:1905_Ford_Model_C_Doctors_Car.jpgPublic domain · Photo: Ford Motor Company · retrieved 2026-10-01
- Car Model Index — https://models.autoculturesociety.com/Compiled record. Sources that do not permit reuse are not copied; this index is credited instead.