The Model K is home with the other Fords - some pics

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Model T Ford Forum: Forum 2012: The Model K is home with the other Fords - some pics
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Rob Heyen - Nebraska on Sunday, July 29, 2012 - 09:40 pm:

Well, this started in January, and now the K is finished. I've probably driven it 50 - 100 miles, and there are some "bugs" to work out, but it's coming along.

Driving the K is a different experience compared with Model Ts and our Model N. The K has a really "big" feel to it. The car itself seems a bit cumbersome compared with the lighter Fords.

However, it has a real feel of solidness that I don't get with the Ts or N. The steering is great for such a heavy long early car, due to the Ford steering system (same as T). The rear end is solid, and the hand brake works very well for stopping and holding.

The major weaknesses I see are the planetary transmission coupled with the low torque six cylinder engine. Correcting the carburation may be part of the problem, but starting out in low on a hill, it is difficult to get up enough speed in low to "grab" high. A sliding gear three speed would have really made a difference.

My opinion of the K is changing too. It seems like a well made car (unlike what we read about the Model K) and some things, like the oiling system and dual ignition system seem advanced for the period.

I want to thank all of those who have offered encouragement and advice along the way on the forum. I know it's not a T, but as the Models K and N (R,S) are the direct predecessors of the Model T, one can see the evolution toward the T through these cars.

Following is a You Tube link showing the K, and some pics showing the cars.


Thanks again,

Rob


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Hap Tucker on Sunday, July 29, 2012 - 09:59 pm:

Rob,

You have done a magnificent job! Thanks for being such a wonderful ambassador for our hobby and for giving those cars a great home.

Respectfully submitted,

Hap l9l5 cut off


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ricks - Surf City on Sunday, July 29, 2012 - 10:10 pm:

Now you've done it, Rob; you've spent so much on the car, you can't afford shoes for your women...

Glad to see you're driving it. As they said on the Greatrace:

"A museum is next thing to a mausoleum."


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Dennis Hoshield on Sunday, July 29, 2012 - 10:50 pm:

Wonderful cars! ... wow .. you can really see how much bigger the K is!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By David Stroud on Sunday, July 29, 2012 - 10:54 pm:

Beautiful pictures Rob! You have a great group of cars. Those girls are really growing! I bet they really enjoy your cars. Looks like your greenery is as brown as ours. Hope your crops come through OK. Dave


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Orlando Ortega Jr. on Sunday, July 29, 2012 - 10:54 pm:

Congratulations Rob!

Boy, that Model K is much larger than the others. Makes the Model T look real small.

The whole collection are beautiful.

Orlando


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Bob McDonald-Federal Way, Wa. on Sunday, July 29, 2012 - 10:57 pm:

Great job, thanks for this preservation of history.

Bob


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Bob McDaniel(Indiana Trucks)Star City In on Sunday, July 29, 2012 - 11:07 pm:

One word,

STUNNING!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Philip Berg on Monday, July 30, 2012 - 12:22 am:

Nice cars and a great looking family, I see by your plates you live in Seward county. I spent three exciting years at SCC in Milford (Two associates degrees).

California is my home now. Someday I hope to drive my 16 Coupelet back to Nebraska.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Steve Jelf, Parkerfield KS on Monday, July 30, 2012 - 12:33 am:

Yep, it almost looks like a Pierce or a Loco next to those little cars. It's a mighty swell old chariot.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Timothy Kelly on Monday, July 30, 2012 - 01:00 pm:

Rob:

Based upon our conversations and your actions it is pretty clear that you caught a bad case of the Model K bug when I took you for a couple of rides in my K a year ago when we met at the Early Ford Registry meeting and the New London to New Brighton run. What's not clear is whether having the K bug is good thing or bad thing. Opinions, just like mileage, vary......

I look forward to seeing your car, and to a lesser extent you, (just kidding) next week at this year's NLNB run.

Cheers,

Timothy


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Dave Kekacs on Monday, July 30, 2012 - 01:13 pm:

Nice cars! thanks for sharing with us. Dave


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Rick J. Gunter on Monday, July 30, 2012 - 01:54 pm:

I keep repeating to myself: "Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's Model K. Thou shalt not ..."


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By George Button III (Chip), Lake Clear, NY on Monday, July 30, 2012 - 03:46 pm:

Rob, The K looks GREAT! I can't believe how much bigger it is next to the others! I see you also have another "new addition" to the family! Nice lookin pup....Chip


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Erich Bruckner, Vancouver, WA on Monday, July 30, 2012 - 06:46 pm:

WOW, I only wish I could see it in person. So glad you shared here Rob. The family and the cars prove to me how blessed you are. Good on ya Rob.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Erich Bruckner, Vancouver, WA on Monday, July 30, 2012 - 06:49 pm:

Also, I forgot to ask, and it may be way to early for this, but which car do the ladies like best? May need to ask after the K has been there longer. Not sure if the dog would have any preference.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Erich Bruckner, Vancouver, WA on Monday, July 30, 2012 - 06:50 pm:

Impressive performance as it isn't even running and it still gets at least 3 smiles/gal.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Lance Sorenson, Minnesota on Monday, July 30, 2012 - 07:26 pm:

I will be seeing both K's next week Friday! I plan to run with you guys on Friday for the warm up tour in New London. I plan to bring a car that might be bigger then the K's. Is bigger better?

Then on Saturday we will drive our T's over to Kingston, Mn to Watch The Fords Go By! I'm excited to see two K's in one place!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Timothy Kelly on Monday, July 30, 2012 - 10:08 pm:

Lance:

In your note above, you mention you will be seeing two K's next week in connection with the NLNB run. I hope you are correct, but suspect that my note earlier today may have been misunderstood.

While I mentioned that I will be in Minnesota next week for the NLNB run....it will be as a passenger in Rob's K. Mine will be resting comfortably at home.

If, however, the second K that you had in mind was not mine...great!

Cheers,

Timothy


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Wayne Sheldon, Grass Valley, CA on Monday, July 30, 2012 - 11:45 pm:

Fabulous!
Thank you.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Rob Heyen - Nebraska on Monday, July 30, 2012 - 11:50 pm:

Sure Tim Kelly, you started this. I suppose there will be several K's show up next week. I finally have one, and suddenly everyone has one! Next thing you know, people will be saying "what is more plentiful than black Ts? The answer, "Model K's of course :-).

Actually, I should thank many of you posting on this thread. Hap helped "spike" my interest in early Fords with his incredible research of our Model N prior to my buying it.

David, Chip and most of you have always posted supportive comments as I struggle with my addiction.

Ralph has visited our farm and town, and I have enjoyed his
posts and encouragement (great race, hear I come:-)).

And of course Tim Kelly, whose K research and encouragement really helped me take on the K (my wife hates you now, BTW :-()

Thanks guys, one week until New London, Lance I'll see you in Minnesota. Out of curiosity, what "monster" are you touring with on Friday?

Rob

From my iPad


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Lance Sorenson, Minnesota on Tuesday, July 31, 2012 - 12:20 am:

Rob, I don't know if it's a monster. It is the model 48 Pierce Arrow. It seems pretty big when I park it at McDonald's. It would have been great to have two K's running together! I'm excited to see your car.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Mark Stewart -Calif. on Tuesday, July 31, 2012 - 12:57 am:

I hate when I drool on my lap top. That Is a beautiful collection. Love the K!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Rob Heyen - Nebraska on Tuesday, July 31, 2012 - 08:26 am:

Lance,
I looked up the Model 48. 145 in wheelbase and 525 c.i. engine! Wow. If you'd like throw a pic on this thread (the thread has run it's course, no one will mind).
Rob


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Mike Walker, NW AR on Tuesday, July 31, 2012 - 09:41 am:

"my wife hates you now, BTW :-( "

Rob -- Does that mean she found out how much it cost? You might have to buy her a few more Corvettes to keep things "even". :-)


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Keith Gumbinger, Kenosha, WI on Tuesday, July 31, 2012 - 10:40 am:

Lance - It sure would be nice to see a picture of your Pierce.....

Rob - Love your K! Thank you for posting the pictures. Beautiful family too. Count your blessings.

Keith


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Timothy Kelly on Tuesday, July 31, 2012 - 10:50 am:

Rob:

Holly is in good company........

I can name more than a few wives that hate when I converse with their spouse because when I do there's always a chance that a car with a "high cool factor" will follow him home like a lost puppy.

Timothy


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Keith Townsend ; ^ ) Gresham, Orygun on Tuesday, July 31, 2012 - 10:52 am:

Mike-

I have some friends who "keep things even." At least the wife keeps tabs on the inventory.

One day while we were visiting, my wife said to the lady, "What a gorgeous ring..."

The lady replied, "This is my backhoe..."



Sorry about the thread-drift...

Rob, the Model K is as beautiful as your wife and daughters. And your other cars, too.

: ^ )

Keith


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By cal clements, athens, georgia on Tuesday, July 31, 2012 - 05:03 pm:

what a beautiful collection!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Wayne Sheldon, Grass Valley, CA on Tuesday, July 31, 2012 - 05:05 pm:

Can I second (third?) the motion for pictures of the Pierce? I am no snob. I like all Horseless Carriage and T era cars!
But that new K of Rob's is really spectacular! I have ridden in a half dozen Pierce Arrows. Owned one and driven another. I have never yet seen a K running, let alone even sat in one. But that is okay, I still like the more common cars, like Pierce. I do still hope to make a NLNB some year.
Drive carefully, and enjoy, W2


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Lance Sorenson, Minnesota on Wednesday, August 01, 2012 - 01:06 am:

First, let it be known that I do not own any expensive cars. However I am the privileged caretaker of a car collection. Even though the 1915 Pierce arrow Model 48 is a impressive car, it is it's provenance and history that makes the car so interesting.

In 1995, my boss purchased the car from the Sydney Strong estate auction in Atwater Minnesota, for $78,000. Sydney had found the car in a junkyard in 1946. Some of the interesting things that this car is done, is to haul First Lady Margaret Truman in the 1953 Aqua Centennial in Minneapolis. In 1972, he drove it for Montréal to Tijuana and from Seattle to Philadelphia in 1976. Even though the car weighs 5100 pounds, the 48 hp engine easily moves the car along the highway at 55 mph.

In a newspaper story from Planes Montana in 1976, Strong was traveling on the Bicentennial Reliability Tour to Philadelphia, among the 52 cars, it included Bill Harrah. Strong had worked for Harrah after he retired from his Ford dealership. Harrah was traveling along in their luxury motor home and dividing his time by driving his 1909 Thomas Flyabout.

In 1952 when their son David Strong was in the Navy, the Strong's drove the Pierce down to Memphis Tennessee to see their son. In this article it was reported that the Strong's got 9 miles to the gallon. The gas tank is solid copper and holds 32 gallons.

To make this more T related, Sydney bought a 1909 Ford for $15. Later he and his family made several trips to New York with it. He also owned as many as three model A's, all at one time.

A picture of the Pierce Arrow at Canterbury Park racetrack parked next to his 1930 Studebaker Dictator. The dictator has 115 inch wheelbase, the Pierce has a wheelbase nearly 12 feet.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Keith Gumbinger, Kenosha, WI on Wednesday, August 01, 2012 - 11:17 am:

Thank you, Lance, for the picture and for the history of this unusual car.

Keith


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Rick Nelson on Wednesday, August 01, 2012 - 07:38 pm:

Lance And Rob,
At that same auction a 1922 ford TT was sold to Max Campbell of Oslo MN. Who later sold it to Rick Nelson, in East Grand Forks, MN who Restored it and sold it to Rob Heyen. Interesting circle. Do you sill have it Rob?
Rick.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Larry Bohlen, Severn MD on Wednesday, August 01, 2012 - 07:57 pm:

The Peirce reminded me of one in Cheaper by the Dozen.
Beautiful machine.

Larry


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Lance Sorenson, Minnesota on Wednesday, August 01, 2012 - 11:02 pm:

Larry, you are right. 12 children and parents, filled up the 7 passenger PA. It was called Foolish Carriage in the books.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Rob Heyen - Nebraska on Thursday, August 02, 2012 - 08:10 am:

Rick,

Yes, I still have the TT. I put a Layne Warford transmission in too. However I need to sell it as part of my agreement with my wife that I would get down to four cars (the four pictured above). Would you like to take it back home :-) ?

Rob

From my iPad


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Rick Nelson on Thursday, August 02, 2012 - 05:03 pm:

Hmmm... working on 2 T's now I wonder what my wife's agreement would be????
Rick


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Rob Heyen - Nebraska on Thursday, August 02, 2012 - 05:14 pm:

Rick,

You obviously need more "bargaining" power............. :-)


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Bob McDaniel(Indiana Trucks)Star City In on Thursday, August 02, 2012 - 10:58 pm:

A guy could get lost in a car that big...........


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Craig Anderson, central Wisconsin on Friday, August 03, 2012 - 01:02 am:

I can't imagine being lost any more fun than THAT!....... :-)


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ron Dupree on Friday, August 03, 2012 - 11:19 am:

Rob,

That is a beautiful shade of blue. Did you ever share the DuPont paint code with us?

Ron Dupree


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Rob Heyen - Nebraska on Monday, August 06, 2012 - 12:02 am:

Ron,

I can get it. Send me a pm and I'll find the code. Surprisingly there was a "Ford Royal Blue 1907" code, but we went with a bit darker color. I'm leaving for the New London to New Brighton MN tour tomorrow so it will be a week before I'm able to get the code.

Rob


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By John Danuser on Monday, August 06, 2012 - 11:09 am:

Have fun and tell Dunlavy hello for Karen and I danuser88@ktis.net


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