I went to a local cruise nite and was told this story was in the Model T Times magazine some years back. "Henry Ford, Harvey Firestone and President Calvin Coolidge were on a trip in Maine and had stopped at a small country store. When a local man drove up in a Model T. Henry Ford said that's is a nice shinny new car you got there, I made that car", the man made no reply, Harvey Firestone said " those are some nice looking new tires you have on that car I make them". At that time the state of Mainer said " and I suppose that this pimp-squeak is the President of the United States." Does any one know if that is a true story?

Warren

PS: Calvin Coolidge was 5' 10" tall.

Warren, some years ago, I was reading the magazine of the AACA at the public library and saw an item written by the son of Ford's chauffeur. He wrote that his father had related the story like this. Same cast of characters, but they saw a Model T stopped at the side of the road with the hood open. Ford told the chauffeur to stop and asked the driver if he could help. The farmer replied, "Do you know anything about Model Ts?" Although normally modest, Ford answered, "I'm Henry Ford, I built that car." While Ford was tinkering with the engine, Firestone walked over and asked the driver how he liked the tires. The driver said they were wonderful and that he had very few flats. At that point, Firestone stuck out his hand and said, "I'm Harvey Firestone. I made those tires." At that point, the story goes, the driver nodded toward the car and said, "I suppose you fellers will tell me that that clam in the car is the President of the United States!"

Around here, that story gets told in the setting of Savannah, GA. Ford did own a plantation South of Savannah near Richmond Hill and he was known to visit there, probably going to and from his place in FL. As for the story? I have my doubts, but who knows?

Thanks guys, those were my thoughts as well. Great story, but hard to believe there's any truth to it, no matter what location or state. Now this is a true story. Back in the mid fifties my Dad always took the two weeks ending with Labor Day weekend for his vacation and took the whole family to Maine, where he would rent a house keeping cottage. The first year we had no electricity so we had a ice box. One day while down at the local ice house my Dad tried to start a conversation with the owner. After several tries, with no luck, Dad asked the man what kind of birds were in the lake ( Dad know they were Loons ) but said they look like some kind of duck. Without turning his head the man said Loons. Then Dad asked if they would be any good for eaten. The mans head shoot around and he said "my God, man you couldn't stick a fork in the gravy!"

That's all forks, but keep them stories coming.

I heard the story too but a different variation.

In the General Store the driver explained to the clerk that:
Edison was light bulbs,
Firestone was tires,
Ford was cars.

In exasperation the clerk pointed at John Burroughs just enterings and said "and I suppose he's Santa Claus!"

Also Silent Cal wasn't a Vagabond. It was Warren Harding. The Henry Ford used to display the tent and round table on the second floor down the aisle from the 09 and 27 Ts. The guide would usually point out that one of the guests was so hungry that night that he knawed the glaze off the edge of the metal plate.

Those same people often camped in Maryland. If the story really happend in 1924, it could have been a different president. This sign is at an entrance to a Maryland State Park.

Sorry, 1924 should be 1921.

I should also add that the area is rather hilly and a Model T could likely get going too fast down a hill there, but was not as likely to go too fast up those same hills.

While I did not find any information on Warren's size, I did find a note that put them together in Ohio.

"Harding's 'front porch campaign' during the late summer and fall of 1920 captured the imagination of the country. Not only was it the first campaign to be heavily covered by the press and to receive widespread newsreel coverage, but it was also the first modern campaign to use the power of Hollywood and Broadway stars, who travelled to Marion for photo opportunities with Harding and his wife. Al Jolson, Lillian Russell, Douglas Fairbanks, and Mary Pickford were among the luminaries to make the pilgrimage to his house in central Ohio. Business icons Thomas Edison, Henry Ford, and Harvey Firestone also lent their cachet to the campaign. From the onset of the campaign until the November election, over 600,000 people travelled to Marion to participate."

This is an interesting read:
http://www.henryfordestate.org/vagabonds.htm
: ^ )
Keith

Keith, I agree, it is very interesting!!

Is this an essay or an out of print book?