2006 Hungary 1000Ft Proof "Model-T Ford"

• Mint: Hungarian Mint
• Denomination: 1,000 Forint
• Quality: Proof
• Issue limit: 10,000 pcs.
• Alloy: Cupronickel
• Diameter: 28.43 mm
• Weight: 14 grams
• Design: István Hollo
• Box/Capsule: No/Yes
• Certificate: No

Issued on February 23, 2006 this base metal coin celebrates the 125th anniversary of the birth of Hungarian designer József Galamb - Henry Ford's chief designer and the man behind the design of the Model-T Ford, or Tin Lizzie as it was also called.

József Galamb was born in Mako on February 3, 1881, and was educated at the Donát Bánki Technical College in Budapest. After receiving his diploma in mechanical engineering, he worked at the Steel Engineering Factory in Diósgyőr, and at the Hungarian Automobile Company, where he won a German postgraduate scholarship. When he learned of the American Auto World Fair in 1904, Galamb used his savings to travel from Germany to America by ship and soon found employment as a toolmaker at the Westinghouse Corporation.

József Galamb joined the Ford Motor Company - which was nearly two years old at that time - as a designer in December 1905. After redesigning the cooling system for the Model-N, he became the chief designer of the company and personally constructed many parts for the famous Model-T. The Ford Model-T first rolled off the assembly line in October 1908 and was considered the simplest and most reliable car of its time - more than 100,000 are still running in 2006! It continued to be produced with minor alterations for almost 20 years and became an icon for the American masses. When production finally ended in 1927, more than 15 million Model-T Fords had been manufactured.

In 1921, Galamb founded a scholarship for poor students of his native town who wished to take up higher education at trade school. He visited Hungary many times, lecturing at the Association of Hungarian Engineers and Architects. On doctor's orders he retired from active work in 1944, and died in Detroit on December 4, 1955.

The reverse shows the Model-T Ford and the legends "MODEL T FORD" and "HUNGARIAN DESIGNERS: József Galamb AND JENO FARKAS" in Hungarian. The obverse shows a detail of the front of the car.