A Slice of History: The Ford Piquette Plant

Author: Jason / Date: December 30, 2022 / Tags: history

(RareCarMarket.com) – America has been the land of opportunity and innovation for well over a century. It’s seen the dawn of electricity, the telephone, and mass production of the automobile. A significant part of that automotive history still stands today in Detroit, Michigan.

Built in 1904, Ford’s Piquette Avenue Plant laid the groundwork for the modern automotive industry. The company’s most renowned vehicle, typically credited with the evolution of the automobile, the Ford Model T was first produced in this very plant. However, the Piquette Plant was more than just where Ford manufactured the vehicle; it’s also where it was developed. 

In 1911, Ford sold the factory to Studebaker, which continued to manufacture its own cars in the building until 1933. From there, the factory bounced from owner to owner until 2000, when Model-T Automotive Heritage Complex, Inc. decided to purchase it. This group of dedicated volunteers saved the plant from being torn down and restored it. They have turned it into a museum that’s open to the public, offering tours to anyone wanting to know more about the impact this factory had on Ford. 

The Piquette Plant became a National Historic Landmark in 2006, solidifying its place as one of the most significant examples of America’s rich automotive history. 

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