On this day 122 years ago, on July 23, 1903 (May 29, 1903), Ford sold its first car. Henry Ford sits in a new Model A (file picture) On July 23, 1903, the Ford Motor Company sold its first car in Detroit. This two-cylinder internal combustion engine car was designed by Henry Ford, the company's deputy manager. Born in Dearborn, Michigan, Ford has been experimenting with building motor vehicles for more than 20 years. Ford, a mechanic, built his first rather primitive car in his spare time 11 years ago. Since then, Ford has come a long way. Ford hopes to mass-produce this new Model A and keep costs as low as possible so that many Americans can afford it. On October 1, 1908, the Model T entered history as Henry Ford called it "the all-purpose car."