OT - Ford Six Cylinder Racer, 1904 - 1909

Topics Last Day Last Week Tree View    Getting Started Formatting Troubleshooting Program Credits    New Messages Keyword Search Contact Moderators Edit Profile Administration
Model T Ford Forum: Forum 2013: OT - Ford Six Cylinder Racer, 1904 - 1909
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Rob Heyen - Nebraska on Monday, October 21, 2013 - 11:06 am:

I'm wrapping up a review of the Ford six cylinder racer. Following is some information on the racer I thought interesting.

Youtube version:
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=KltTI2L_MuE

General chronological history of the racer:

The racer was completed in December 1904, and first raced in January 1905 (coincidently one year following Henry Ford's one mile world record run of 39 2/5th seconds or 91.3 mph with his four cylinder Arrow/999 racer)

The new Ford racer had it's best times vs. existing records in the summer of 1905. At Cape May NJ in August 1905, Henry Ford drives the racer to tie Walt Christie's record 1 km time of 25 seconds. Unfortunately, Christie breaks his own record at the same event, keeping the Ford racer from entering the record books with the tie.



The following month, Frank Kulick drives the Ford racer to a record "one mile competition" record against A. Cambell driving a Darracq. However, race judges ruled the Ford crossed the rolling start line before the Darracq, disallowing the record. The Ford racer then beat the Darracq racer in the rematch, however did not break the record. At the same meet, the Ford also set a course record of 38 3/5 second (94 mph), also setting a new Ford racer record in the mile, beating the Ford record set by 999 a year earlier.



In 1907, the racer is revamped, and at least one version of the racer uses the Ford "trademark" three point front system:



Then, following the well known wreck of the racer in October 1907, Henry Ford is widely quoted saying Ford will "no longer race".

However, within a few weeks, Henry Ford says the Ford six cylinder racer will be taken to England to race on the three mile surfaced and banked track:



Then, in 1908, Ford says the six cylinder racer will race in the Savannah GA Thanksgiving Day races.



And in 1909, Ford says the six cylinder racer will compete at the new Indianapolis Speedway:



As late as August 1909, a report by one of Ford's largest dealers about the Ford six cylinder racer and it's preparation for the upcoming Indianapolis Speedway races:



The Ford six cylinder racer does not appear to have raced in any races following the 1907 wreck (however, there is mention of a 1908 St. Paul MN race the racer may have competed in ).

The legacy of the Ford six cylinder racer includes:

The last racer Henry Ford competed with. Accomplishments while Henry Ford was driving included tying Walter Christie's 1 km record in 1905.

The last racer Henry Ford is documented driving for time (that I've found), running a 55 second mile in late September or early October 1907.

Record, or record runs, including tying the 1 km record, setting a new competition one mile record (later disallowed), both in 1905. Unofficially timed beating the record for one mile circular track at 49 seconds (the existing record was 51 seconds), October 1907.

A displacement just under 1200 cubic inches, rated as high as 150 hp by 1908, and still referenced as a Ford racer as of August 1909.

Lastly, longevity. This racer was the primary Ford racer between 1905 and 1908, still being prepared will into 1909.


Posting is currently disabled in this topic. Contact your discussion moderator for more information.
Topics Last Day Last Week Tree View    Getting Started Formatting Troubleshooting Program Credits    New Messages Keyword Search Contact Moderators Edit Profile Administration