OT - Ford to build a 6 cylinder Indy racer, in 1909

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Model T Ford Forum: Forum 2013: OT - Ford to build a 6 cylinder Indy racer, in 1909
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Rob Heyen - Nebraska on Friday, October 04, 2013 - 01:26 am:

Sometimes you find articles that make you say, what?

This is one of them. Evidently as of mid 1909, Henry Ford still "liked" the six cylinder engine :-)


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ricks - Surf City on Friday, October 04, 2013 - 01:38 am:

Incredible! Good find.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Royce in Dallas TX on Friday, October 04, 2013 - 07:48 am:

Henry did show up with an entry in August that was disqualified by Indianapolis officials as being "too light". Henry was quoted as saying "we build cars, not trucks" and vowed to never darken the doors at Indy again.

Pretty sure the actual race car was a 4 cylinder version.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Harold Schwendeman - Sumner,WA on Friday, October 04, 2013 - 08:30 am:

Royce - Not sure on this but it seems like I've read that they (Indy) wanted Henry to add 1,000 lbs to the car or be disqualified! If the 1,000 lb thing is true, I can understand Henry's reply about "building cars, not trucks" and his decision "never to darken the doors at Indy again"! Makes me think of Etore Bugatti's (sp?) famous comment about Bentley; Bugatti said that Bentley "built the fastest trucks in the world"! Ha,ha,......harold


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Rob Heyen - Nebraska on Friday, October 04, 2013 - 10:10 am:

Royce and Harold,

That was the 1913 Indy Race. This is back in 1909, during the time many Ford historians say Ford Motor Company was out of racing.

If you liked that, you might like this, the events leading up to, and following Henry Ford's exit from racing:

September 29th, 1907, Henry Ford says he's after records (with six cylinder racer). He demonstrates the racer on the Highland Park track to Ford representatives:




Frank Kulick has a serious accident with the "six" racer, October 21, 1907. Henry Ford says he is through with racing. Many Ford historians claim Ford Motor Company did not sponsor racing again until the June Ocean to Ocean race.



photo of wrecked racer:




However, Henry Ford appears to have a "change of heart". Just one week after the accident, Ford claims he will take the six cylinder racer to England to run on the banked three mile track there to attempt records. Unfortunately the racer doesn't go to England, but it appears Ford is "back in the racing game" shortly after he is "out of racing."

The following year, the racer is being prepared for the U.S. Grand Prix to be held in Savannah GA, however does not make that race either. I have not found another example of the racer running again (but "never say never").

Rob


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Maurice Dyer on Sunday, October 13, 2013 - 10:26 pm:

Ford had the same problem at the Elgin Road Races (1910-1933)in Illinois. He was allowed to compete only once, when a 'light' car class was formed, but only two cars entered. In 1933, in conjunction with the Chicago Worlds Fair, Ford competed and won the first 'stock car race' with the new V8. These races are documented at the Elgin Area Historical Museum.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Rob Heyen - Nebraska on Monday, October 14, 2013 - 04:48 pm:

Another article confirming that Henry Ford was still working on the six cylinder racer. This article appeared in the "Washington Post", August 6th, 1909. Looks as if HF doesn't "hate" the six cylinder engine yet, but I'm still looking.... :-)



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