Entertaining Henry Ford & a Model T story

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Model T Ford Forum: Forum 2014: Entertaining Henry Ford & a Model T story
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Rob Heyen on Saturday, July 12, 2014 - 04:06 pm:


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ricks - Surf City on Saturday, July 12, 2014 - 04:57 pm:

Classic!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Royce in Georgetown TX on Saturday, July 12, 2014 - 06:07 pm:

There are lots of fun stories about Henry. I was reading in the Ernest Liebold oral history section about how Henry was upset because people would flag down his car (always a closed Model T, even when Ford was not offering closed body styles) and ask Henry for money, or a job.

So Henry asked Liebold to buy him a set of "false whiskers" so that he might be able to make his drive to and from Highland Park without being recognized. After the first day of using the disguise Henry realized he wasn't going to fool anyone. He was still driving a very unique closed Model T, and the false whiskers didn't hide that.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By John Page on Saturday, July 12, 2014 - 11:48 pm:

If you enjoyed the stories posted above, you will probably also find these two books relating to Henry Ford interesting.

" Henry Ford and Grassroots America " by Reynold M Wik. & " The Public Image of Henry Ford " by the well known Ford Historian David L Lewis.

Regards, John Page, Australia


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Tim Wrenn on Sunday, July 13, 2014 - 09:31 am:

That's why I admire ol' Henry so much...from what I have read, with plenty more to do, he seemed like a down to earth failry un-assuming guy. I like that and try to be the same. I tell people, I am what I am. Just enjoy life for it's far too short to try to impress people. I'm not easily impressed anyway.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By John E Cox on Sunday, July 13, 2014 - 10:39 pm:

I enjoy reading all of the Henry said this and Henry said that quotes. I think that most have been invented over the years by other than Henry Ford.
I you read Royce's 'Henry ford being dishonest'
Item in the list above it appears that he may have been suffering from a mild case of megalomania.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Rob Heyen on Monday, July 14, 2014 - 12:18 am:

I would like to read the transcript Royce describes. I've glanced through E. Liebold's transcript and have been unable to find the reference so far (I'm on about page 1050 of over 1500 pages of transcript by Mr. Liebold.

Maybe Royce would be so kind as to list the page(s) his reference is taken from?

Meanwhile, a few other Liebold recollections:

I would of course like to know more about the "special bodied" cars and, of course, the "six cylinder" car that evidently was around FMC for some time. It should be noted Mr. Liebold came to FMC in 1910, so this should not be a Model K. If there was an experimental, or special six cylinder sedan, the notion of Henry Ford "hating" the six cylinder may be challenged?



Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Rob Heyen on Monday, July 14, 2014 - 12:39 am:

A few more Liebold excerpts:

Henry Ford suggesting the hiring of a handicapped man (affliction) that he (HF) was supporting:



Ford explaining his profit share/$5 per day plans:



And the "history is bunk" statement. It appears that Henry Ford decided at the same time he said this that he would create a museum to represent history as he felt it should be portrayed. As a result of his dream (and funding) we have "The Henry Ford" and Greenfield Village:





Mr. Liebold also covers many Ford controversial events, such as the Peace Ship, the Jewish issues, hiring and firing, and many more topics that may interest Ford enthusiasts and researchers.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Rob Heyen on Monday, July 14, 2014 - 11:02 pm:

Found it! As with many stories, the "whiskers" story doesn't sound so outlandish when placed in context. On page 22, Mr. Liebold explains that Henry Ford is besieged by people asking for things as he approached the office on a side street. He suggests trying a disguise of a fake beard, and after a week decides it doesn't work and discards it:



The interesting part of this excerpt is, Ford is spotted due the car he is driving, "He drove a closed car long before the closed cars were being put in production. Is this the same car, a six cylinder sedan, that Liebold mentions on page 1123 (below)?



The time period must be after 1910 (when E. Liebold started with FMC) and before 1915 (the transcript says "long before closed cars were put in production).

Much to learn........


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Wayne Sheldon, Grass Valley, CA on Tuesday, July 15, 2014 - 03:35 pm:

Fascinating stuff! Thank you Rob!
Drive carefully, and enjoy, W2


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Keith Townsend ; ^ ) Gresham, Orygun on Monday, August 04, 2014 - 02:21 am:

This in only a 2 door sedan, but it certainly is not stock. Look at the cowl area. Four cylinder? Six cylinder?



http://www.ebay.com/itm/12-By-18-Black-White-Picture-1914-Ford-Model-T-center-do or-has-side-lights-/221509081796?pt=Vintage_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=ite m3392f85ac4&vxp=mtr

: ^ )


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Keith Townsend ; ^ ) Gresham, Orygun on Monday, August 04, 2014 - 02:29 am:

Here is the pic...



Whadaya think?

: ^ )


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By John Stokes on Monday, August 04, 2014 - 04:34 am:

Rob,

'History is bunk."

This is so often quoted out of context, or in part only. The full statement is... "History is bunk. The only history that is worth a tinker's dam is the history we make today."

I could not agree more, with Henry Ford.

John


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Rob Heyen on Monday, August 04, 2014 - 05:34 am:

Keith,
An interesting car. The cowl, and possibly body seem longer than a standard T. Does anyone recognize the background building? The hogshead doesn't seem any farther back than on a standard T though (but the angle of the photo makes that difficult to determine.

Are the lights all brass, or painted and brass? Maybe a sedan prototype?
Thanks for posting,
Rob


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Royce in Georgetown TX on Monday, August 04, 2014 - 07:31 am:

We've discussed it several times in the past. It is a prototype 1915 center door. Sure would not be surprising to find that Henry or Clara or Liebold or Edsel were its operator.

The ebay seller is simply printing pictures from the Henry Ford online archive collection. Here are some others showing similar or possibly the same car:




Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Keith Townsend ; ^ ) Gresham, Orygun on Monday, August 04, 2014 - 10:39 am:

The artist's drawing is certainly the same car, as is the rear quarter photo since the same building is in the background. Notice the positions of the valve stems, reflections, etc. I would highly suspect that the car wit the electric lights is the same car, with "refinements."

: ^ )


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Fred Dimock, Newfields NH, USA on Monday, August 04, 2014 - 11:33 am:

A friend told me about a show called Drunk History that is on the Comedy Channel and available on-demand from Comcast.

I'm thinking they should do a Henry Ford segment!


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