Model T Automotive Heritage Complex - Detroit, Michigan - historical automobile-themed complex

Detroit has long been known as a major center for car manufacturing and one of the best places in the city to get an idea of the important role the city played is to visit the Model T Automotive Heritage Complex, or T-Plex. The building was threatened with demolition when local zoning laws changed, until in 1997 preservationist Jerald Mitchell stepped in, thus ensuring its survival.

Henry Ford was born just outside Detroit in 1863 and after becoming skilled at the repair of steam engines, developed a self-propelled vehicle in 1896. Ford formed his own company in 1901 and began to not only build cars, but also revolutionize the industrial world by paying his workers a fair wage. Ford's company purchased the building in 1904 and the famous Model T was introduced in 1908. Over the course of almost 20 years, over 15 million Model T Fords would be sold.

In 2006, the plant was designated as a National Historic Landmark; the building is also a Michigan Historic site. Work continues constantly in an effort to restore and renovate as much of the building as possible - much of it done by volunteers. Almost a dozen committees are involved not only with restoration, but everything from loaning out cars to publishing a regular newsletter.

The distinctive red brick building still retains many of its original fittings and details from the period, including windows and fire escapes. At the time of its construction, the building was an excellent example of efficient industrial construction. Ford introduced various measures aimed at preventing fire damage, including three firewalls and a 25,000-gallon water tank that fed a sprinkler system.

But it is what is inside the building that attracts history buffs and car enthusiasts - in addition to a collection of Model T Ford cars, visitors also see the once secret and experimental room where the Model T was developed. Several other Ford cars were constructed here as well, including the underrated Ford Model N and the model K, considered a luxury car at the time.

In addition to several intact cars, visitors to T-Plex also experience a unique look at how cars were made over a century ago. A major exhibit shows the famous Model T car during different stages of its assembly and explains how cars were manufactured before the invention of the moving assembly line. Other exhibits in the building tell the history of both the building and the autoworkers.

The T-Plex complex is located in an area of Detroit that is also home to several other reminders of the city's importance in the car industry. During its heyday, the Piquette Avenue area was the home of the US auto industry and in addition to the T-Plex building there are several other fine examples of industrial buildings that were once the home of such well known names as Cadillac, Dodge and Studebaker. There are also several sites relating to Henry Ford in and around Detroit, including the Henry Ford Museum in the nearby suburb of Dearborn.