Model T Courtesy of ThoughtCo
Appalachian Mountain Moonshine
Revolution, Reaction, Reform
National History Day 2026
Appalachian Mountains Courtesy of Getty Images
Revolutionary Automobiles
In October 1908, Henry Ford introduced the Model-T, the car that revolutionized the automobile industry.
Other car companies made luxurious automobiles for the rich. Ford wanted a car for the masses. Because 2/3 of Americans lived in rural areas, the Model-T had high ground clearance and a 20-horsepower engine.
Automobile Patent Courtesy of the US Patent and Trademark Office
He also revolutionized production. In August 1913 his company began using the moving assembly-line. This dropped production time from 12 hours to 93 minutes. Ford was able to cut the price of the car down from $825 in 1909 to $260 in 1913.
Ford's Assembly Line Courtesy of ThoughtCo
Unintended Consequences
Ford Automobile Modified Courtesy of Atlas Obscura
Although Ford was a teetotaler, his cars were perfect for bootlegging. The low price kept alcohol profits high. Interchangeable parts allowed bootleggers to repair broken cars easily. Cars were also easy to modify. Changes like removing the back seats created speed and adding heavy-duty suspension in the rear protected the cargo. Bootleggers modified the vehicles to carry more moonshine and to outrun the law.
"The moonshiners built some good, high-performance cars...What they had was superior to what we had."
-Bill Griffin Revenue Agent
After alcohol sales were legalized, bootleggers were left with fast cars and great driving skills. They began racing each other to prove who was the best driver. Today, NASCAR is the fastest growing spectator-sport in America. Bootleggers like Junior Johnson and Bill Blair were some of the first NASCAR drivers.
Early Bootlegger Race Courtesy of Detroit Historical Museum
Personal Interview with Ken Martin a NASCAR Historian
Personal Interview with Ken Martin a NASCAR Historian
Junior Johnson Racing for NASCAR Courtesy of NASCAR
“Moonshiners put more time, energy, thought and love into their cars than any racers ever will. Lose on the track and you go home. Lose with a load of whiskey and you go to jail.”
– Junior Johnson
Nolan Adams, Thomas Cripe, Holden Pate, Conrad Sims, and Eli Taylor
Senior Group Website