Hi guys, I'm reading the latest Cliver Cussler book and in the story there's talk about a six cylinder model K Ford. Are any of these still around? John F.

Look here:

http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/118802/147244.html

Herb

I have read the same book. The part I like best is his description of the driver grinding the gears while driving the car. Kind of hard to do since it a planetary transmission!

The gentleman that used to keep the Model K register gave me a copy several years ago. At that time 25 of the approximately 1000 cars that were built still exist.

Alan

Thanks Herb, That long front end on a early Ford does look different! John

Hi:

Please look at Early Ford Registry, there is Car Owners and Pictures.

I truley saw one at the Utica, N.Y. Conqures
July 4th, 2010.

Richard Henza Historical Vechical Association;

I recently finished the first book in that series - "The Chase". I think it is probably his best book. I did find one error though. It takes place in 1906 and for the most part he has his cars correct. However, at one point they use a Model T Ford - oops! I'm in the middle of the second book - "The Wrecker" now. It's just as good.

Dave S.

When I was starting to get interested in old cars in the sixties here in central Texas there was a gentleman by the name of Carl Binner who had one of the Model K 6 cylinder Fords. Mr. Binner and Marion Finley were one of the original founders of the Pate Swap meet here in Texas and were old car enthusists in the area.
Dont know what he did with the Model K or if the family finally sold it.
It would be interesting to know what happened to his car collection as I believe he also had a 2 pedal T.

Were there really almost a thousand of the model Ks built? That seems like a lot for a luxury car in those days. I know the "bankers" behind Ford forced Henry to produce that model and he was against it. Shortly after that he forced them out and became the sole power behind Ford. I have always read that the model K was a failure in the marketplace. But that many would have made it seem to be a major success. Especially for such a very expensive automobile.
W2

According to Wikipedia, 900 were made between '06 and '08 and at between $2500 and $3000 that sounds to me to be extremely expensive. Also according to Wikipedia, it was a failure due to the high cost and poor quality. I know, I shouldn't be quoting Wikipedia.

A '21 Wills Sainte Claire model A-68 V-8 roadster cost just over $2500 new. They were also a failure in the marketplace, many say because of their short wheelbase compared to their competition - Packard, Pierce-Arrow, and Cadillac.

Seth

The car I drove several years ago was one of the last. I believe it was K940 IIRC. There were around 1000 cars built per the guy who used to organize the registry.

Alan

From Trent's "Early Ford Database" (available on Bruce's CD "Ford the First Six Years which is also included in the Comprehensive Model T Encyclopedia" see: http://mtfca.com/encyclo/mccalley.htm ) he has serial number 942 a roadster as the highest serial number listed. But that is based on the Accounts Receivable Ledgers and they only have approximately a 1 in 4 chance that a specific serial number is listed. Carl Pate in his book “Pate’s Early Ford Encyclopedia” [ http://www.earlyfordcars.info/ ] on page 44 of 63 Chapter 4 Sales and Models uses the total of 1000 (includes the touring and roadsters). In comparison to the Model N, R, S, & SR – it was a failure in sales. But if you compare it to the other cars of the time it actually sold quite well. And yes, Ford tended to pressure his sales folks to sell them if they wanted to receive the Model Ns etc. For 1906 Carl has an estimated 350 Model Ks sold and for 1907-1908 and estimated 650. If you look at the production records from the book “The American Car Since 1775” put together by the editors of “Automobile Quarterly” on page 138 they have Ford listed as #1 in 1906 with 8,729 cars; Cadillac #2 with 4,059 and going down to #12 Stoddard-Dayton 385 cars. So the Model K was probably in the top 15 or so models produced in 1906. [Note the dates may not correspond to the same time frame –i.e. calendar verses fiscal year and different companies could do different fiscal years – but still 350 cars in 1906 was a bunch.] For 1907, Brush was listed as #13 at 500 and Overland was listed as #14 with only 47 cars. So clearly the Model K would have been #14 at least in 1907. By 1908 production was cranking up and the #14 maker was Brush with 700 cars and Ford – so falling behind at that time. But for a car in the 1906-1908 time frame to sell 1000 units – it was doing really well for that time frame. And if Ford had not be so influential in the direction Ford Motor Company went, Malcomson a who really liked the big cars, may have convinced the other stock holders to move in the “Big Car, small numbers, Big Profit per car” direction rather than Henry’s direction. That is the direction Oldsmobile went – from the very small and affordable Oldsmobile runabout to the larger versions. Oldsmobile also ousted R.E. Olds along the way.

There is a good road report on the K by Bob Trevan one of the Early Ford Registry members. He freely discussed the good points as well as some of the weak spots of the car. (Many of the 1906-1908 cars including the Model T haf weak areas). I cannot locate a copy of that at the moment. It is included in Carl’s book, but I think it is also on the web somewhere.

Would I want a K? Yes, but to sell – do you know how big a garage I could have built…. Ok, it is well outside of my old car budget but it is still a very interesting car that happens to have been produced by Ford even though Henry probably would have preferred not to produce it. Note, there are many concepts on the K that also were used on the N, R, S,and SR [all four listed as each started over with serial #1] as well as the T. Carl addressed many of those also and which ideas were carried forward from which models into the Model T.

Respectfully submitted,

Hap l9l5 Model T Ford touring cut off and made into a pickup and l907 Model S Runabout. Sumter SC.

Alexander Malcomson was one of the original founders of the Ford Company. He believed in big expensive luxury cars with lots of profit. He was the cause of the Model B then the Model K to be built. The Model K was not a well built car. I have read accounts of jokes being played on new workers at Ford, such as they would jack up a rear wheel on the car then get the new guy to try to crank the Model K. Jacking up a rear wheel put the engine in a bind and one could not crank it. Things were learned from the Model K as this was Ford's first car to have a gear reduced steering system and had a much better steering than the Model F. but Ford swore he would never again build a 6 cylinder car and while he headed Ford you could buy a V-8 or a 4 cylinder car but no 6 cylinder cars.

Steven

Here is a link to a pretty good site on the History of the Ford Company.

http://www.rarecarrelics.com/Ford_history_Henry_Ford.php

Here are some more Model K pictures posted by one of our members a few years back, but I do not remember who! That open transmission looks mighty messy!!!

Automotive history never ceases to amaze me. That is one big reason why I have been in this hobby most of my life. I just keep reading and being amazed. (Like gas-electric hybrids being built in 1898)
Thank you for the clarifications, W2

Michael,
Those are my pictures! The guy in overalls is the owner and that is my father standing next to the car. He is a friend of a friend and he is from Illinois. We both got a turn behind the wheel and it was a neat experience.

Thanks for sharing them.

Alan

If this works it should show two Model K's together. That is a rare sight. The touring car is the ex-Cecil Church car that someone asked about in an earlier post.

Alan

Another picture of the touring car.
Alan

Cecil told me years ago that the K would do 60 mph without a problem. He also said it was no picnic when a June Bug hit you in the face (note the lack of a windshield). With the top up that touring car looked gigantic.

Own your own?

http://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/carsforsale/ford/model_k/1095772.html

Eric Edwards in Ontario Canada has one and did have, and spare pcs as well. His was "supposed" to be a one of a kind car built for a Detroit magician.