A 21st-Century Model T? Ford Kicks off Design Competition

DEARBORN, Michigan — As students from around the world race to come up with a 21st-century version of the Ford Model T, they must adhere to a strict list of guidelines. But, apparently, they can paint the new one any color they'd like.

Ford on Monday said the new version of the Tin Lizzie must have a base target price of only $7,000, a range of about 125 miles, accommodate at least two passengers and "offer solutions that address assembly, powertrain and sustainability." Henry Ford's apocryphal mandate for the original Model T, "You can paint it any color so long as it's black," doesn't apply.

The automaker said it is challenging students from five universities from around the world to create the new Model T concept. Two winners will earn their schools $25,000 in scholarship money. The U.S. schools in the competition are the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California; Lawrence Technological University in Southfield, Michigan, and the University of Michigan-Dearborn here.

What this means to you: It would be even more interesting if Ford decided to build the winner of the Model T contest. — Anita Lienert, Correspondent