The Ford Quadricycle was the first car launched by Henry Ford, in 1896.
At the end of the 19th century, Henry Ford, who worked as an ordinary mechanical engineer at the Edison Electric Company, was looking for ways to raise investor funds to open his own company.
As often happens with representatives of American business, the future entrepreneur began his business in a garage-workshop. In his spare time, he designed his first "car" called the Ford Quadricycle, powered by gasoline. As wheels, 4 bicycle tires were used, the engine had a capacity of 4 horsepower and was able to accelerate the car to 32 km/h. An 11-liter fuel tank was located under a single seat.
The first test passage took place on June 4, 1896, but not everything went as planned. Henry Ford did not calculate the width of the garage gate, and the Ford Quadricycle simply could not go outside. I had to pick up tools and break out part of the wall.
At that time, it was believed that the future of the automotive industry was beyond electric engines - most of the cars worked precisely on electricity. Gasoline cars only recently entered mass production, so Henry Ford took a big risk by introducing a car with an internal combustion engine.
And yet, after numerous presentations of his brainchild, he enlisted the support of three investors who entrusted Ford with 28,000 $ - little money even at that time.
After 6 years, Henry Ford founded his company, and in 1908 the mass assembly of the Ford Model T car began, which turned over the entire automotive industry in the world and brought Ford fame and popularity.
The Ford Quadricycle was the first car launched by Henry Ford, in 1896.