Well, our K is packed up ready for the trip to Michigan. One of the reasons I went this route is because the new owner will tour with our K (OK, his K now). Dan and Sue plan on being at the Early Ford Registry Tour in Paynsville MN prior to New London to New Brighton, then NLtoNB, followed by the Old Car Festival and Hershey. In other words, that K will be out just as much as when Dean and I toured with it.
Now, our new car. It is newer, and faster than our old Model K, because it was made a few months later, and lighter. The top speed is listed at 70mph. On the other thread speculation ranged from an Edsel to Model Ts with bling. Actually, Eric Hylen hit the nail on the head. The only two cars that would get my attention were a Model B and Model K Roadster. And I wouldn't have sold our K touring for a Model B.
Our new Car:
This car has a known history, all the way back to the first owner. The original owners were the Knight family, one of the most prominent families in Rhode Island at the turn of the century.
This Model,K Roadster has resided in museums for a good portion of the second half of it's life, including the Larz and Imperial Palace collections:
Photographed beside Dan's new Model K, the wheelbase of the two cars are the same. The front seat sits back further, and the steering column is set at a more severe angle. With the cowl and low seating, the hood looks even longer and more imposing than on the touring car.
I look forward to experiencing, and sharing, this interesting Ford with other old car enthusiasts. I'm very fortunate. Not because I have a new toy, but because I have so many good friends, on this forum and throughout the "old car world" to share my good fortune with. Thanks for riding along,
Rob
Nice acquisition.
Rich
Congratulations Rob. Great looking car.
Congratulations, Rob. She's a beauty! I wish you many delightful miles with her.
Well Steve, I guess this answers your question in the other thread! , No changes necessary!
Well I was confused about the sell of such a nice car, but you got 1 of similar type.
What are the plans for this 1? New paint or?
Fantastic auto, Great History, Priceless!
Good for you Rob,looking forward too learning more about it serial number and etc.
Thank you guys. I was up at 3, so time for bed. I'll post more tomorrow about the car (of course),
Rob
That's beautiful. Congrats on the trade.
Beautiful car, Rob. Congratulations on the new purchase, and getting the older one in such great shape that it can be enjoyed by even more people. I'm looking forward to more information on the Model K and this car in particular. I wish you many happy (s)miles!
Congrats, and please post like you have in the past! I look forward to seeing the only model k that is tour worthy! Im exicted for you and hope to see it in person some day.
Congrats Rob. Neat to see a sporty Model K. Now you can travel beyond neckbreak speed.
Congrats Rob, nice find! I'm ready for a ride!
Rob, WOW WOW WOW. How cool to have been able to bring one K back and now the second. The right guy to own and bring back to life cars this nice. Not many can care and repair on your level. Thank you for doing such a nice job to cars we all love. So are the wheels taller on the roadster? Is your mother in law going to ride in the back basket? Scott
Rob
If I remember right you also have a spare Model K engine. Are you trying to breed your Model K's? Do you need one for each of your daughters?
As a kid, I read with much interest a column in Old Car Weekly about a guy who chased down early cars. Can't remember the
writer's name at the moment, but I was fascinated with his barn and ravine finds of cars like this. Crazy cool early cars just left
to rot somewhere and saved by crazies who were big on the tour scene. Being out west, this was really foreign (the tour scene),
but the finding of such ancient relics was so fun to read along with.
What is this car's history, or your old one ? Were either ever derelict and later restored ? Photos of their pre-restoration state ?
Thanks in advance.
Bloody hell Rob,now I have to come back over the big river to see your new Model K, WOW bigtime Rob as we would say you lucky bugger, we hate your guts. That means I am as jealous as hell but so pleased for you my good friend. Regards Doug
Congratulations, Rob! -The stars have kissed you on the forehead once again. -Enjoy (and post lots and lots of photos)!!!
Rob,
I don't know what to say other than WOW. You are a lucky and blessed man.
Looks like Serial #822
-Don
Likewise, wow...coowie cobber!!!
Oh, yeah! That is nice! And worth it. I guess this means that there will be three model Ks touring in this country on a regular basis, plus one in Australia.
Definitely, more photos and videos as time goes on!
Drive carefully, and do enjoy that beast! W2
Congratulations Rob! You have so much knowledge from your first K that you should be able to sort any problems and really enjoy your new one. I'm really happy for you.
Congrats, Rob. I'm glad everything worked out. Although I sure am going to miss seeing that thing in the window. Will you bring it to Hershey next year?
Fantastic!
Rob, That's a wonderful car with a very interesting history, it used to be right here in our town in Vermont while Elmer Bemis owned it. Congrats.
Sweet! I want one!
Great twist to the story.
Super sporty car.
Can't wait to see some new u tubes next spring of it on the road.
Congrats.
And good luck with it.
Larry
Rob you must be so pleased. The happy owner of a lovely roadster and even better, Royce says he wants one. Congratulations. Am I right in assuming that your new roadster will be the only one in the world to escape museum display and be regularly driven? Now the opportunity will arise for 3 K's to be on tour together. I want to be there.
Nice. Looks like a lot of fun.
Rob,
Congratulations! I’m so glad to see your passion for the Model K Ford is still burning brightly! I think that will help all us learn even more about those early cars. You are very blessed to have the history of the car going all the way back to when it was new. For so many of our cars we can only go back one or two recent owners and then the trail goes cold.
Below is from a 1907 Model K sales brochure for those not familiar with the Model K “Six Forty” Runabout (a.k.a. (also known as) six-cylinder roadster, Gentleman’s Runabout; -- all three terms were used in the first 4 lines):
In Trent’s 1903-very early 1909 database the earliest Model K 640 Roadster he has listed is # 650 shipped May 20, 1907. [That data base has approximately 20-22% of the cars shipped and is based on the accounts receivable ledgers. The majority of the ledgers are still missing – but the ones that are available give a good estimate of when cars were shipped and give the actual date when the listed serial numbers were shipped and where they went. It is available on Bruce McCalley’s “Model T Comprehensive Encyclopedia available from: http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/331880/333725.html?1357665853 It is also available on the DVD that comes with Carl’s book “Pate’s Early Ford Automobile Encyclopedia” available from the club at: http://modeltstore.myshopify.com/products/pates-early-ford-automotive-encyclopedia-1903-1909 ; or direct from the author at: http://www.earlyfordcars.info/ as well as some vendors.]
Again, congratulations on your new Ford! We look forward to learning more about it and the Model Ks in the future.
Respectfully submitted,
Hap l9l5 cut off
Maybe the three Ks will be repainted dark gray and prowl the next NL-NB like a wolf pack of U-boats. When they see a one-lung Oldsmobile or Cadillac driving alone, they'll hunt it down and eat it. The little cars will have to travel together in tight bunches for protection!
Very nice. Is it going to get a full restoration treatment like the other K? I was very impressed at the speed the other one was restored.
Good morning men. Thank you again for all the well wishes and questions regarding our Ford 6-40.
A few tidbits:
Scott, yes, the K roadster had 28 inch wheels (36x4 tires) while the touring had 26 inch (34x4).
Badger Dave, our "extra" engine was a victim of the deal, so it's gone now.
Burger, I have some specific history on this car, I'll post it later.
Doug and John P. down under, sounds if I may see you at the Old Car Festival next year. Maybe in Lincoln NE visiting the Museum of Speed too?
Don W., #823
Wayne, yes, three Ks now routinely touring in the U.S. (when ours it up and running). Bob T. who posts regularly on this forum tours with his K in Australia. There is another K running downunder however I don't know if the owner takes it out any longer.
If the stars align correctly, we may have all three plus as least one other at the Old Car Festival. I'm hoping we are able to convince THF to bring out their K and even the six cylinder racer. That would be quite a group of Ford six cylinder vehicles.
Dan B., I hope we are able to be back at Hershey next fall with our "new" K. We are also working with the AACA museum to have their K, along with the three touring Ks all at Hershey. We have the potential of two more Ks being there, possibly giving us six in one place at one time.
David G., the late Elmer Bemis K roadster is at a museum now. It's the same roadster that participated in the Anglo-English tour in the mid 50s. It is a few serial numbers older than our K.
Warwick, yes, as far as I know, our new K will be the only touring roadster. However, I know the roadsters in Alaska and at the AACA museum do run (or have been driven over the last several years).
Hap, as always, your research is unparalleled (I hope to be like you when I grow up ). The article mentions Ford will build 50 roadsters. The highest number of roadsters built by Ford (that I've found so far) is 200. Ford articles and ads began saying only 25 would be built, then 50, then 100, and finally 200. I've also found articles saying by the summer of 1908 only Model S and Model K roadsters were being built at Ford was gearing and tooling up for Model T.
Gil, you better attend New London to New Brighton again next year to check on the Ks. And yes, they hunt in packs, and bring their young along too:
Photo courtesy THF, all rights apply
Last tidbit, yesterday was a fun gathering at Dean Yoder's farm. My question, in the picture below, which guy is from Canada?
Ed, sorry, missed your post. I hope we don't need too much to put the "new" K on the road. The compression seemed good. With Dean's help, we'll soon know how the drive train is, and go from there. I believe I'll be able to "spiff" up the exterior to be presentable. In a few years a paint job may be necessary, but not now.
Wait,Royce want's one! I wonder if he knows of all the transmission trouble?? With a grin-Bud.
Rob,
When I read the article that Hap posted it states it's a "Gentleman's" Runabout. I think you know where I'm going with this....
Congratulations again, Rob. You now have the opportunity to bring another one back to life. What a thrill!
And the best thing about it is that it's Razorback Red! (The picture of it in profile even looks a little like a Razorback. )
Sorry Mike
That is Nebraska Cornhusker Red.
Almost on par with Wisconsin Badger Red, but one step below in quality. At least it was last year. Later this year we will see if Nebraska is better than Wisconsin.
My son lives here in Wisconsin and he would be right at home with that Canadian. Shorts, T-shirt, and a bottle of beer when it is 40 degrees out.
I wonder if Rob is going to relegate that old Model N to the back of the barn. Upstaged by his big brother, the 'K'.
36 inch tires. 6-40 engine.
Faster than a red corvette (driven by Holly).
More powerful than a Thomas Flyer.
Able to leap small rivers in a single bound.
And who disguised as Rob Heyen........
Rob,
I look forward to learning about the provenance on your new K.
Congratulations,
Trent
Did the Buffalo stay on the touring? Or did it get held back for the roadster? If it went on the touring, what is on the roadster?
I've seen that car years ago when it was in the Imperial Palace?? collection.
I've been trying to work out a trade to get one of those for my girlfriend. Been close a few times but once they see her..............
Congratulations, Rob! I look forward to seeing more pictures of it and someday seeing it in person.
Keith
Great looking car Rob!
Congratulations Rob !!!
I can’t wait to see her in person! I also need a picture of my S Roadster beside her to show the difference in size!
Bruce
This photo does not show the size difference.
side view S & K
Great photos, Dean!
The colors, the handles. The cars look so much alike. And yet? So different. The side view does give an idea of the difference!
I keep looking in here hoping for more wonderful comments, and great photos. Nice model S! Being worked on? Restored?
Thanks all.
To sleep. Perchance to dream.
Drive carefully, and enjoy, W2
Thanks again guys. Wayne, Dean may tell a bit more on the S, but it's true, the world (North American Continent anyway) Model T traveler is working on another pre-T.
Trent, I'll have a little history about this K on another thread,
Rob
Here is Wills in his K in 1906
Darel, and I would guess these are his, or her parents (or else this car is really slow.........):
Rob - Kind of interesting (& confusing) about wheel/tire sizes:
The head-to-head photo of your old and new K's at Dean Yoder's farm make the wheel/tire size difference obvious. The confusing thing to me is that while your old car has the 34x4 tires, and the newer car has the 36x4 tires, however, unless the picture is deceiving, that picture of C. Harold Wills in his 1906 Model K appears to have the bigger 36x4 tires.
Also, that old photo of the two K's leading the Ford "parade" in the snow appears to have the same wheel/tire size difference as your old and newer Model K's.
Not that any of this wheel/tire size thing really makes any difference, but it is interesting,.......harold
Harold, it's a 1907/08 K "6-40" (roadster). Also, the rumble seat is removed, leaving a flat deck. Our new car actually had 37x4.5 tires, so they are even a little higher profile than a 36 inch tire.
(Tourings came with 26 inch wheels, while Roadsters had a 28 inch wheel)
Rob - One other meaningless (but interesting) observation in having fun comparing photos in this thread:
The indoor color photo of your new Model K and the two photos of the 1906 K, one with C. Harold Wills aboard, and the second with the older couple aboard,.....obviously, the two old photos are identical as the camera was probably was setting on a tripod which wasn't moved for both photos, however, the color photo of your new car was taken at exactly,....and I mean "EXACTLY" the same distance and camera angle, both vertically and horizontally! Those photos were taken approx. 100 years apart, and as far as distance and "camera angle" they are about as identical as is humanly possible! What are the chances of that, huh? Again, meaningless, but interesting,....FWIW,....harold
Sweet! I want one too.
Should I???? Or shouldn't I???
Probably not.
But I did.
Sorry Royce! I just had to poke a little fun at you!
I'm looking forward to parking my little Maxwell next to it. Your wheelbase is 114" and mine is '72, a full foot shorter than Dean's Model S. Please don't squish me.
Eric,
I hate to say it, but actually 120" wheelbase. The 1906 K had 114 inches and it was increased to 120 for the 07/08 version.
I'll be careful......