Two more articles (from Mark Dill Website, http://www.firstsuperspeedway.com/articles/ford-quits-track-racing )
I thought both, from the "Indianapolis Star" newspaper, give great detail and insight into Henry Ford's decision to quit racing in 1907, and resume in 1909.
The first account documents the wreck of the Ford six cylinder racer, and Ford's subsequent decision to withdraw from racing.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/dl1fjm8x92ruk03/Ford%20Gives%20Up%20Racing%201907.pdf
The second article (with supporting clips from the "Indianapolis News" and "Washington Post") give a detailed account of Ford's decision to resume racing, with the six cylinder racer, in mid 1909.
One thing to consider, by this time Ford Motor Company is squarely in the middle of the rollout of the Model T.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/e6qhierqxjmfu3q/Ford%20%22Six%22%20to%20Race%20at%20Indy%201909.pdf
I don't believe there is any longer a good argument that Henry Ford dislikes the six cylinder racer or car, at least as of mid 1909. I also believe this racer is the same machine warehoused at The Henry Ford. Wouldn't it be something to bring this racer back to life?
It speaks volumes that Henry Ford never attempted to market or sell a six cylinder car after cancelling production of the Model K in 1907, and spending 1908 selling off the left over production from the previous year.
I don't believe that Ford ever raced a six cylinder car after that either, although Henry obviously may have told a gullible news man that it might happen.
To bad you weren't there, being so "un gullible". You'd have called Henry on the spot.
Geeeesh
Rob,
I am easily persuaded - let's see evidence that it happened - there isn't any is there?
More "gullible" reporting:
In July 1908, Frank Kulick says he has been to Savannah GA checking the course for the fall races, saying he will "drive a six cylinder Ford" in the Thanksgiving race.
Prior to this, Frank Kulick drives a Ford six in a reliability run, April 1908 (6 months after his accident, and Henry Ford's claim that Ford would not race again).
In August 1908, Kulick again represents Ford at the Kalamazoo races:
Frank Kulick wins one race, driving a six cylinder Model K:
Meanwhile, shortly after Kulick's accident the fall before, Henry Ford said he would take a six cylinder racer to England to run at the Brooklands, a three mile surfaced and banked track:
Henry Ford told a "gullible" reporter this only nine days after The Kulick crash, and less than a week after claiming Ford would not race again.
One race I'm attempting to track down, that may be the only race the Ford six cylinder racer ran after the wreck, was a race referred to in this article. If anyone is able to find any information about it I would greatly appreciate it:
The highlighted portion of the article (dated September 6, 1908) says Frank Kulick has been requested at an upcoming race "with the car he drove at St. Paul". Christie (Walter) and Oldfield (Barney) are mentioned as other drivers attending, so I believe this is an attempt to get Kulick and the Ford racer to attend too. However, I haven't found any results of a pre September 6 1908 race at St. Paul MN mentioning Kulick and the Ford (although they must exist, since this article says Kulick raced a Ford there).
Rob