OT - Finishing history of Ford K Roadster (part 2)

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 2015: OT - Finishing history of Ford K Roadster (part 2)
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Rob Heyen - Eastern Nebraska on Tuesday, October 13, 2015 - 02:04 pm:

part two of a thread I began before Hershey, first link below:
http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/506218/575684.html?1444755798

Dutee Wilcox Flint was the Ford agent for RI and parts of Massachusetts. In this 1918 article about his Ford dealership, Flint said he had sold 43 Model K and 300 Model N in 1906 and 1907:


Breaking down those numbers, commissions on Model K and Model N:


Meanwhile, in September, 1907, Dutee Flint suffered his third garage fire over the last few years:



Among the cars destroyed were two Model K, "Ford, six-cylinder, property of C. Prescott Knight" and the Ford described as "Mr. Sawin's handsome car." In the earlier thread, Mr. Sawin was listed as an owner of a 1906 Ford Model K.

So, what does all this have to do with our Model K? C. Prescott Knight, and later his son, Web Knight, were the original owners of our K. If our Model K, #823, was produced in approximate order of engine number, it was probably an August or September 1907 car. It appears the Model K the Knight's lost in this fire was replaced with our Model K Roadster, making it the second K the Knight family owned.

As mentioned in the first thread, the Knights were one of the wealthiest families in New England. Webster Knight III would serve in the Navy during WW1, later marrying the daughter of a a U. S. Senator who served as Vice President during the Hoover administration. The Knight's would own their K Roadster until donating it to the Larz Anderson museum in 1964.

And, in Warwick, RI., life would go on as usual. The annual Rhode Island hill climb was again held at the Knight farm in November, 1907:


Dutee Flint competed with a Ford runabout and six, winning with the runabout and placing second with the Ford Six (K). The K time was faster than several larger and more expensive cars, as I would expect.... :-)

As a side note, I've now spoken with two old car enthusiasts who knew Web Knight, and remember his Model K Roadster.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Wayne Sheldon, Grass Valley, CA on Tuesday, October 13, 2015 - 04:08 pm:

Interesting stuff! I wish I had a good car that I could trace the history back to one of the original owners. A beautiful and fascinating car regardless. Knowing so much of its history, and somewhat significant history at that, makes it all the better.
Thank you Rob for sharing the journey.
Drive carefully, and do enjoy that incredible car! W2


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Chad Marchees _____Tax Capital, NY on Tuesday, October 13, 2015 - 05:14 pm:

Rob, these stories are so fascinating. I think it is really neat particularly in the fact you can trace the history of your car through out its life. Thank You for sharing.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jason Kuczynski on Tuesday, October 13, 2015 - 05:39 pm:

That is too cool. I was wondering what happened to part two. Duh, should have known you were at Hershey! ;)

Thanks!

jk


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