999 and Sweepstakes videos

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Model T Ford Forum: Forum 2013: 999 and Sweepstakes videos
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Mike Walker, NW AR on Friday, August 30, 2013 - 10:00 am:

Here is a link to some videos about the 999 and Sweepstakes racers now in the Henry Ford. Wait a few seconds after the 999 plays, then the Sweepstakes ones will start. It's mind-boggling to think about going 75 mph in that Sweepstakes car in 1901!

http://racing.ford.com/more-racing/news/articles/video-check-out-henry-fords-2nd -race-car-999-1293055466298/


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Rob Heyen - Nebraska on Friday, August 30, 2013 - 10:36 am:

Mike,

Thanks for the great link. I'm not sure I agree with the statement "Henry was afraid to drive" 999. Two years later, he drove an improved version over 91 mph on ice.

Also, the first version of 999 and Arrow had no differential. That's the reason Barney Oldfield had to learn to "throw" the car into the turns, so the wheels would slide around the corner, otherwise the car wouldn't have cornered (my guess). It looked like there was a type of differential on the 999 at The Henry Ford.

The video of Sweepstakes with Glenn Miller is a great production.

Thanks again for posting,

Rob


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Clayton Paddison (Vancouver Washington) on Friday, August 30, 2013 - 12:19 pm:

Rob,

Towards the end of the video on the "999", it shows a photo of Dan Gurney taking "999" on it's "final drive"......does "999" not run? .....why doesn't THF keep it running and drivable?

I have heard they are also going to stop operating Old #16 as well....due to a crack in one of her cylinders.

....why not fix it?

Also, does the original "sweepstakes" no longer exist?


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Rob Heyen - Nebraska on Friday, August 30, 2013 - 03:01 pm:

Clayton,

Your asking the wrong guy :-). I think cars are made to drive. However, a museums "charter" is to preserve history, so using these rare cars probably is sacrilegious to many.

I've often told friends that our Model K will probably end up in a museum/static display with the next owner. But for now, they are meant to drive :-).

I'm in a good mood, just in from getting the original Buffalo carb to run somewhat correctly on the K. Wow, it's a "hang on to your butt" ride when that carb is dialed in properly. Now, if I can just figure out how to adjust it to idle and accelerate correctly.

Enjoy them,

Rob


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Clayton Paddison (Vancouver Washington) on Friday, August 30, 2013 - 05:06 pm:

Rob,

I think like you, they are built to drive.

To me part of preserving history, especially for an automotive museum, is to preserve them in running order....anything else is simply letting them rot.

...the Museum building is just a classier place to do so.

I want to hear them, smell them....heck even go for a ride, THAT is what it should all be about.
If i want to look at one static.....I would rather look at a picture.

I think Old #16 should be repaired (or "preserved" properly) and the "999" should be made functional again, allowed to run around Greenfield Village from time to time....and opened up a bit at Indy once or twice.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Erik Johnson on Friday, August 30, 2013 - 08:20 pm:

Footage of Barney Oldfield driving the 999 (?) at a much later date - late 1920s, I believe:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-B5P97WLOQ


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Rob Heyen - Nebraska on Saturday, August 31, 2013 - 12:20 am:

Erik,

Great footage of Oldfield and 999, thank you for posting the link.

In 1915, Oldfield was reported to have said this about his relationship with Henry Ford:

"Henry Ford said “we made each other, I guess I did the better job of it."


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Erik Johnson on Saturday, August 31, 2013 - 09:35 am:

1925 footage of 999 without Oldfied.

Note that the side says "Owned by William L. Hugh(obscured)" probably "Hughes." You historians in the peanut gallery probably know who owned it in 1925.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dIRlDHw130Y

More footage here staring around 1:00 with action footage a little later (car with Oldfield was probably also filmed in the 1920s).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jN2CFeEjawk


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