I've read that George Holley (Holley Bros.) and Henry Ford were great friends throughout their careers. I know that Holley Bros. made two important parts of the Model K, the beautiful brass/copper colored tapered steering column, and the state of the art Holley Magneto, designed by Spider Huff, the first working capacitive discharge ignition system, and used exclusively on the Model K through it's three year production run.

A little research indicated the Holley's initially built a 5.5 horsepower vehicle and in1902 won a race between Boston and New York:


In 1904, the Holley's advertise Cadillac cars, still located in Bradford PA:


After moving to Detroit, another Cadillac for sale in 1905:


Also in 1905, incorporation as "Holley Brothers:


Sometime during this period, Henry Ford and George Holley became business associates. Ford chose the Holley Bros. to build and market the Huff magneto (patent assigned to Henry Ford). The magneto was offered as an option on the Thomas 40 hp and Grout cars, and sold as an aftermarket accessory.

In 1906 George Holley owned both a Model K and Model N:

Reverse of photograph:

(photo courtesy of The Henry Ford, all rights apply)

In late 1906, one of the first Model N owned by George Holley is "borrowed:"


In 1907, as recorded on the "Holley Foundation" webpage, a six cylinder car using a Holley magneto won a 24 hour race, beginning "Holley's association with race cars that win". Of course Ford fans know that car was a Ford Model K:


And in the early fall of 1908, the Holley Bros. advertise a Ford Model R for sale:


I hope anyone reading this has had a happy Thanksgiving,
Rob

Prankishness? Is that what they called joy riding in 1907?

Happy Thanksgiving! And thank you Rob.

As a side bar the Holly Carburetor Company in Bowling Green Kentucky has a restored 1903 Holly automobile in their lobby.

just sayin'

brasscrguy

A removable steering wheel would most certainly discourage " borrowing " ....



Freighter Jim

There is a restored Holley Automobile here in New Zealand.

It appears the Holley car was a well built early machine. A YouTube video of one:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=pJpxa4lH53Y

I think one of the Dodge Brothers also helped to discourage stealing cars!!!!!!!! Bud.

Bud, you have a good memory. That thread was last Thanksgiving:
http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/411944/497038.html?1417038348

The Dodge brothers provided another method to discourage auto theft, although it is reactive instead of proactive. A brief recap:

A favorite place is the Gillmore Red Barns down buy K-zoo,Mi. On a display of Dodge brothers cars there is a sgin telling how the brothers took a mans crutches and beat him with them! Bud.

Brasscarguy,

I just drove past the site of the former Holley plant in Warren, MI today and reminisced about the 1903 Holley that was in their lobby at one time. It looks as if it made to Bowling Green.

The only thing left at the Warren site is a "hill" that apparently was used as part of a test track at one time. Otherwise, it's just a clear field.