I am right now at the customer service room. Spent an incredible yesterday at the Piquette Avenue museum. Waiting for Greenfield Village and Henry Ford to open today. Might even return to Piquette Avenue. Ever see a Model T prototype (removable head) engine of 1907? Or a '11 Ford coupe? Come see
Without pictures, it didn't happen.
When we stayed at the Dearborn in 2009, they didn't have wireless, and charged $13 a day for cable connection. I have never been charged like that anywhere else, and I have been lugging a laptop into dozens of hotels since 1987.
George,
I spent many nights at the Dearborn Inn while I was visiting the Benson Ford archive and the Henry Ford. It's a magnificent hotel.
Hey Royce, what time zone you in?? It's only 8:41 am here in Wrinkle City.
Ivan,
Same one as you! Third cup of coffee now.
Here's the engine, on display in the secret room in which the T was developed.
An original staircase. The original elevator (still exists, but not functional) on which the cars rode down for testing and subsequent shipping is behind the brick wall on the left:
I stayed at the Dearborn during my trip to the library this spring. Incredible.
George and R.V., I've suspected that the N engine with removable head may be the "original" Model T engine. As early as October 1907 there were reports of a 20 hp "light touring car" that Ford was going to sell by early spring 1908. The drawings and descriptions of the car said 20 hp, but it still only had storage battery listed for ignition (no magneto) and the drawings showed the NRS style shift lever, right hand drive, and no magneto style enclosed transmission.
OK Ken Kopsky . . . theres the pictures so I really was here. Thanks Royce. Took in the Henry Ford Museum today - all day. You'd think they could get the '14 touring static display right since they spent the big bucks to build six new. Was mermerized by the Quadricycle, Number 666 B. Oldfield racer and some magnificent 18th and 19th century steam engines. Fordson serial #1 of 1917 didn't even have a coil box and I have the correct one + brackets for my '19. (Anybody got any pictures for Ken?) Tomorrow will be a 'cruise' in a '16 Ford touring to one of the water wheel/mill cottage industries of the '20s and Monday will be Greenfield Village and Benson Ford archives. Wish most of ya'll were here
Jerry VanOoteghem owns that experimental engine. It is wonderful that he has loaned it for display there!
The Archives is closed Mondays now.
i doubt it is anywhere near 20HP, though!
George
I know it is pretty cold there for you with Texas blood, but we will send you all the heat you want next week.
Don't miss out on some of the other automobile attractions in Detroit, and it would definitely be worth the time and gas to drive west to the Gilmore Car Museum in Grand Rapids?
Benson is closed on Mondays?
George,
Does the Dearborn Inn have a shuttle service? I'll be there in three weeks, can't wait!
Rob, yes; they are open Tues-Fri, 9:30 AM-5:00 PM.
Monday is the day to visit the HF, Greenfield Village, or the Piquette Plant when you're there to visit the Archives.
Uh Oh. I planned my OCF and Dearborn to Lansing trip so I could go to the Library on Monday, flying home on Tuesday.....
Thanks for the heads up R.V..
Rob
Anybody who is not 100% happy at the Dearborn Inn is a genuine GRUMPY and want's to try paying the sort of money the rest of the world gets slugged for a hotel that couldn't compete with the wonderful service we have received on two visits now. If you don't stay at the Dearborn you are only getting half the experience and can't possibly call yourself a Model T Ford person. Some Yanks need to wake up to how good you have got it on the preserved history front, you are genuine lucky buggers. Doug Partington Australia
Yep Doug. The Dearborn Inn is an incredibly comfortable accomodation. And, for the money, they're reasonably priced too. Jay Klefoth suggested I stay here. Bill Z. their shuttle service is limited to 3 miles. Said they couldn't take me to the airport but would call a cab. Dang ! I didn't know the Archives will be closed tomorrow! I'll be walking right by it so, if opened, I'll report. Yeah Dave, I brought a long sleeve shirt in case the temp drops down into the mid 80s. Gonna ride in a Model T now !
I've stayed at the Dearborn a few times. The most memorable was for a V-8 National meet. I bought the back half of a 36 Roadster, from the rumble seat back. Not having a safe place to put it while we were at the meet, a couple of us carried it into my room. The next morning, the maid asked if that was a car in my room. I told her, yes, I couldn't find a parking place last night. LOL.
The last time I went was in 2008. While at the Piquette Plant: there was an easel at the gift shop, that held posters for sale. To keep the posters flat on the a-frame, was this parking sign for Fords 100th anniversary celebration. The heck with the posters, I wanted that sign, I was told it wasn't for sale, but I could ask the guy in charge ( his name escapes me now). He said if I wanted to make a donation, I could have it, so that's what I did. He then told me, he had bricks from one of the Highland Park buildings and they were going up for sale. If the stairway that is pictured is the one at the end of the building, he took me down those stairs to view the bricks. It was an awesome moment knowing that Henry Ford had run his hand down that stair railing, and knowing that it had never been painted since. Of course I had to run my hand down it. I bought two of the bricks. This is a pic of the sign and bricks
Admittedly, I reserved late for OCF weekend, and the room they had for us was so small we would have to walk over our luggage to get in bed. We opted for a room in the outer building, which also had too much furniture for the size of the room.
We have stayed there several times over the years and always found it top notch! One time they lost our res so no problem,they put us up in a suit at no extra charge.No one is going to make everyone happy all the time! Bud.
What a trip !! Flying home tomorrow. Spent the day at Greenfield Village today. Must've left quite a 'wake' here in Detroit. Quashed the myth from a Piquette Avenue Plant docent concerning the wood crate specifications from parts suppliers, got a Greenfield Village docent to move the occupation of the Piquette Plant back 2 years to 1904 and complained about a T-100 driver using the starter motor when the spark is greatly advanced. Unfortunately the B.F. Archives will, indeed, be closed the Monday of the OCF but I got my 3 questions entered. Sorry I missed you Dave Liepelt over in the roundhouse. You got Monday off!
Did any of ya'll know the 1932 V-8 was designed and refined in the building next to the Sara ???? Boarding House across the street from the Menlo Park Edison complex?
sent from my office in tht Dearborn Inn
George, mebbe the T-100 was one of those with e-timer set to automatic advance.
George,
Sounds like you had a great trip. I'll be there in a week and a few days for OCF (first time). Have a safe trip home,
Rob
I think the first time we were there it rained hard and the doorman helped Grandmaw and the Grandson [baby then] in the T! No small feat with the long dress,big hat,Grandson,and pouring rain!Bud.