100 year ago today, 03-05-1921. However, this story begins in 1906.

[Rob]

This really is a 100 year old story (today), but we need to start at the beginning.

During the summer of 1906, Ford Motor Company sent a batch of Ford six (Model K) motors across the river to Ford of Canada. The ledger below from Ford Canada tells us the now completed Model K number #211 (bottom of photo) is shipped to New Zealand during October 1906. Model K #210 is shipped at the same time, to go on to Australia:

The N and K are advertised in NZ in this November 1906 advertisement:

This NZ article mentions that the Model K as well as first Model N will arrive the following week in NZ:

This photo of the newly landed Ford six appeared in "Progress" newspaper March 1, 1907, labeled as the "the first six cylinder car to arrive in the colony:

We know the Model K remains unsold, being shown at an upcoming auto show at North Palmerston in early 1908.

Not exactly the conspicuous start one might expect for a story told 115 years later.
Next, the "lost years."

[Rob]

The next information found about Ford six ("K") #211 when we learn two cars are being liquidated by auction belonging the the Automobile Co. of New Zealand. By now the K 211 is three years old and probably destined to be lost to history.

The 1906 Model K was vastly improved for 1907, primarily because there were several deficiencies in the initial design of the car. As will be seen, truss work was added under the frame, the wheelbase increased from 114 to 120 inches, horsepower increased 20% by increasing compression, radiator capacity increased, flexing added to the power shaft to flywheel connection, and many other improvements. FMC passed the cost increases along, raising the retail price from $2500 in 06 to $2800 in 1907.

As a result, there weren't many 1906 Model K survivors, compared with the 07 and 08 models. Still, Ford was the largest seller of six cylinder cars in 1906, and repeated as the leader in 1907.

As mentioned earlier, this would be the end of the story for most 1906 Ford Model K. But this Model K surfaces again, only because of a letter from John Hearne of Auckland, New Zealand, to the Vintage Car Club of New Zealand (VCC). His article appeared in the April/May 1979 VCC magazine is (below). Mr. Hearne possessed a photo, but was unaware of what make and model the car was, reporting that he thought it was imported around 1919:

Along with this photograph:

This is indeed our 1906 Model K. Notice the thinner radiator, and no truss work under the frame. It appears the car lived to fight another day. It now sports large self generating acetylene lamps and a new speedster/racer body.

Trouble is, I couldn't find a "Jim Crabbe" identified as a past owner, within 300 miles of Marton NZ.

The hunt continues.........

[Bud Delong]

Rob, that speedster looks to be a real scorcher!! Bud.

[Rob]

Bud,
It should have been, looks like very little weight.

John Hearne received several reply's to his 1979 photo and letter questioning what this car was. The response below from Henry Gaisford confirmed the driver and owner of the Ford six speedster was Jim Crabbe, of Marton. We also learn "it was painted red."

I was still unable to find information for a "Jim Crabbe" of Marton NZ, so began to search similar spellings.

Leslie James Crabb of Marton, NZ. More research indicated he and his brother were indeed avid sportsmen and shooters:

Below is a photo of the Ford six racer, possibly in Marton or Auckland. It was misidentified as a Knight speedster but is clearly our Model K with speedster body. I colorized the photo to give an idea what it may have looked like in the day:

L. J. Crabb served in WWI, was wounded and hospitalized, returning to Marton after the war:

Next, theres more in store for this old car..........

[Rob]

L. J. (Jim) Crabb went on to live a long life, passing in 1993 at the age of 98.


Another response to John Hearne's letter to "Beaded Wheels" in 1979 from Dick Messenger of Auckland indicated the racer was indeed a Model K, and mentions that the racer "was at Muriwai c. 1923, but did not take part in any events." He went on to write that the racer disappeared after that day, and he later saw the engine at a salvage yard, where the engine was in an auto parts store "for a number of years."

The Model K racer changed hands sometime prior to 1921, and according to Mr. Messenger, it was at, but did not participate in the races there.

Time to find out what "Muriwai" was, and what "events" occurred there.

[Rob]

The Muriwai Beach races began in 1921 and ran for several years. The first New Zealand Cup race was held in 1921, as well as several other race events. Meanwhile, George A. Haydon, one of the two representatives for Ford in the Auckland area, had purchased the six cylinder Ford racer. Haydon, along with his competing area Ford rep J. W. Andrew, also of Auckland.

Once again, Beaded Wheels magazine of NZ gave me a direction to search in with this Dec/Jan 1984 article by Douglass Wood. In this article about the Muriwai Beach Races, author Wood discusses successes achieved by both Model Ts and As over the years. On the first race in 1921, he wrote "in March 1921,that a "special racing Ford" was entered." "The less said about this car the better." "It was a non-starter, it was a six cylinder 1906 Model K with a sporting body, and it lived down to it's reputation by falling apart before the events commenced."

Want to find a way to fire me up? That did it! My first question would be "So, how did the other 1906 vintage racers do at the races? The answer is obvious, there WERE NO OTHER EARLY CARS IN THESE RACES! One of two Ford dealers for the entire region of Auckland thought enough of a 1906 Ford six cylinder racer to enter it in the first New Zealand Cup race.

Below is an article about the upcoming March 5 1921 races, listing entrants. Haydon's Model K racer wasn't entered in the Ford only races. It wasn't eligible, that race was for stock (except some speed equipment) Model T's. He entered the Ford six in the major event, the NZ Cup Race. The article below appeared the day of the race, with information about the upcoming races. It listed the racers entered in the Cup race. Two Essex, two Hudson, two Cadillac, a Premier, one each Chandler, Napier, Pierce Arrow, Lancia, Daimler and A FORD.

The day of the race, the Ford did indeed fail to start. It, along with the other competition had arrived several days before the races, and along with the other cars was practicing and tuning up. Between 5,000 and 6,000 spectators attended, with an estimated 1,500 private automobiles along with busses bringing spectators to the beach.

Below is another photo of our Ford six, at the beach, or on the road between the beach and nearby town. As indicated, it did fail to start the race:

The photo is from the Bill T'inson collection, and the caption said "Showing one of a few purpose-built Ford racing cars".

I realized something at this point. I don't believe people at the races realized Ford had made a six cylinder car, and by 1921 it appeared to be a "one off" or "purpose built Ford racer." As such, it was almost ridiculed, instead of being recognized for what it was, a 1906 Ford still able to approach a starting line with modern racers. Below, from the same Bill Tinson collection, the winning Cadillac:

And, an excerpt from a news account of the race we learn what actually caused the Ford six racer to miss the race:

The 1906 Ford six racer had a broken drive (Cardan) shaft.

This normally should be the end of the story. The 1984 Beaded Wheels story doesn't report anymore about the lowly Model K beach racer. We know that was probably the last of this Model K, that had lasted so long, still working until the last.

However, that's not how these stories end.

There may just be one more race left in this old girl.................

[Wayne Sheldon]

Wonderful stuff! This K special has intrigued me for several years. I have a couple photos of it on my computer (harvested from the internet a few years back) and have read some of the information before. It is nice to see this tied up and corroborated nicely. People don't realize that automotive technology had been changing so rapidly in those decades, that racing a 1906 car in 1920 would be like trying to build and competitively race a 1950s car today using 1950s technology racing against the best the 1st century now has to offer. That it broke a driveline after fully fourteen years of hard abusive use on the roads of those days is and was nothing to be ashamed of! I suspect that you are correct in your assessment that the reporters of the day thought it was some factory special that it was not.

[Bud Delong]

The stile and the wheels remind me of the Marmon Wasp!! Bud.

[KeithG]

Great story, Rob and outstanding investigative work on your part! The historian in each of us, including you, now wonders if this car or parts of it still exists? Any thoughts on this? No doubt you've searched but not found anything about the current status of this car or you would have mentioned it here, right?

Anyway, excellent job!

Keith

[JohnStokes]

Well, Rob - this will blow your little cotton socks off...
Here is a photo taken yesterday at Muriwai Beach, west of Auckland, of the winning Cadillac of 1921. She was returned to the beach for the centenary, by Howard Nuttrass. The name of the driver in 1921 was....

[JohnStokes]

No photo attached in that previous post - for some reason, I am unable to do so. I checked the FAQs and cannot see what the problem might be.

[JohnStokes]

A little on the New Zealand Motor Cup, written by Howard Nattrass, grandson of the driver of the 1921 winning car...

"100 years ago today - 5th March 1921, the first New Zealand Motor Cup race took place on Muriwai Beach, Auckland. The race was a 25 mile drag race and was won by Howard Nattrass in a Cadillac. The race was extended to 50 miles the following year (1922) and three turns were introduced for the benefit of the spectators. In 1923 the race length was 50 miles again but five turns were used.
The cup was won outright in 1928 (after 3 consecutive wins) by R B Wilson, ESQ. In 1953, he 1953 donated it to New Zealand International Grand Prix Inc, on condition that it be competed for annually in the Auckland Grand Prix race under its original title.
The cup was won in its 100th year by Shane Van Gisbergen at the 2021 New Zealand Grand Prix held at Hampton Downs.
NZIGP Legends Club, MotorSport New Zealand and HRC Events had organised a celebration on Muriwai beach this morning with many of the cars and drivers that have won the NZ Motor Cup over the last 100 years in attendance but unfortunately due to COVID it has been postponed."

(To explain the Covid comment, unfortunately Auckland had a small Covid outbreak in the community last week and, as we have done in NZ from the outset, it was dealt with early and hard - the danger is now over so the Covid level there is about to return to normal. When this happens, it does affect events - but NZ has managed Covid very effectively.)

[JohnStokes]

Keith G - please allow me to answer your question on whether any of the car remains.
The short answer is 'no'.
The slightly longer answer is that the car ended up at a car dismantling business called AutoParts, which was the first such business to be opened in NZ (in the early 20s, without checking). It arrived at AutoParts in a dismantled condition. The owner of the business stored most of it right at the back of the premises, along with other unusual or valuable cars from the past, but the engine he chose to display in the front window. There it stayed for years.
Eventually (without checking dates) he gave up on the project. Possibly parts of the chassis were sold - we don't really know. What we do know is that he offered the engine to the biggest Ford dealer in Auckland, John W Andrew Ltd, and they declined the offer. So - are you sitting down? - the motor was put on the back of the AutoParts truck, taken to the tip and dumped.

[Rob]

Keith, Bud and Wayne, thank you for your information and participation. John, as always, thank you for bringing us a touch of NZ. As I mentioned earlier, maybe there is one race left in the old "purpose built Ford" as the press referred to the car (as mentioned). I believe the thought that it was a 15 plus year old production built car escaped everyone by the 20's.

"Nothing is written unless you decide to write it," Peter O'Toole ― Lawrence of Arabia

Time to write more..................

John S., I tried to locate a photo or story from yesterday (or is it two days ago in New Zealand) of the original N.Z. Cup winning Cadillac. I posted a pic from the original pic above, and will add this.

After my morning cup of coffee, I'll get back to "the rest of the story." And yes, there is more to this story.........


A few Bill Tinson photos from the original races. Top left of the photo, a Model T participant from the other Auckland Ford dealer (John mentioned him above).

Notice the Bean racer #20 below. It will be an important factor in the "rest of the story......"

[Rob]

Ok, time to wrap this one up........

The second New Zealand Cup and Muriwai Beach Race was planned for March, 1922. Below, an article listing initial entries. Once again, G. A. Haydon enters two events (Universal Car Co.), the Ford Car Race and Sprint Race.

Also entered in the Ford Race, the previous year winner, John W. Andrew and Son. Haydon (Universal Car) doesn't enter the New Zealand Cup (now 50 miles) this year. Besides Haydon's entry in the Sprint race, cup racers Hudson, Cadillac, Packard, Chevrolet, Pullan and Fiats are entered.

Could it be?

Race Day:

Did our 1906 Ford six make the race? We see (below) Universal Car Co. came in 2nd (only two Fords raced) behind fellow Ford dealer J. W. Andrew and Son.

In the Sprint Race, 1 1/2 miles, a Packard runs 1st, with a Cadillac 2nd., the same order as the New Zealand Cup.

And.............the Universal Motor Company (Ford) car is listed as "also started."

Could it be? Or has the Model K been permanently retired. We might never have known.

However, notice the Light Four Cylinder Car Race. F. G. Ferrell comes in 2nd, driving an English made Bean. The same Bean racer #20 we mentioned earlier.

Now, 'the rest of the story."


Fortunately for history's sake, Bill Tinson was at the 1920 and 1921 races, taking photos. And, we know a Bean racer did not enter the 1921 races.


And we have this photo:

Colorized close up. To the front right I believe is a Swift racer (#11), then the Bean racer #20, and in the background? A red six cylinder Ford racer. The K racer did indeed start in the 1922 races.

As I wrote earlier, I'd put this 1906 racer up against any other 1906 car racing in 1922.


This Model K did make the news one more time. I'll post that next and finish.

[Rob]

Finishing up with what i have.

In July 1926 G.A. Haydon advertised "Ford Racer, fastest in New Zealand; very low price." Could this be the old racer, making one last move? I don't know.

In 1933, the old racer makes an article one last time:

This time it is the end of the story (for now).

[JohnStokes]

Great sleuthing Rob! A big thank you.
I've had a quick read and the immediate two matters that come to mind are...
1) The photo of the K racer, parked outside a stone building on a slight incline (or is that a decline!) that you've colourised is definitely not Marton. Marton is completely flat - great for playing lawn bowls but hopeless for skiing! In fact, I may even know the building in Auckland but that needs checking.
2) Auckland Ford agents - this is important, so bear with me.
W Souter & Company (Souters) were the first Ford agency in the Auckland area. They had a massive area to service, so they appointed sub-agents and, in Auckland central, there were three such sub-agents. One was John W Andrew & Sons. One of those sons was Stan Andrew, whose name is also synonymous with the Muriwai racing - he was a talented engineer and entered the Rajo-equipped T racer known as JWA (but, I digress again!).
The second of the three agents was G A Haydon; the third was Carlaw & Jones.
In 1919 the Gibbons family, who by now owned the distributorship licence for Ford in New Zealand (ie CMC - The Colonial Motor Company), bought shares in Carlaw & Jones and the name was changed from Carlaw & Jones to The Universal Motor Company. There was no relationship whatsoever between G A Haydon and Carlaw & Jones/Universal Motor Company.
Effective 1 January, 1927 John W Andrew & Sons and The Universal Motor Company merged - because CMC held only 30 percent of the shares, the CMC-owned Universal name was dropped. (The John W Andrew & Sons business continues in Auckland to this day.)
This begs the question, what was the car G A Haydon was selling in July, 1926?
It almost certainly isn't the K as the Stan Andrew Rajo-equipped JWA car set the NZ speed record in the 1924 Muriwai races.
It would be great to get to the bottom of the story - your research is wonderful and I will continue to do what I can, when I can, to assist so as your publication is without question.
Best wishes - John

[JohnStokes]

The winning Cadillac...

[JohnStokes]

The winning Cadillac!
I finally managed to post the pic - but not before the system wiped out my earlier attempts and verbage.
In a nutshell, the winning car from 1921 has survived! What's more, it is in the same family ownership.
A commemoration event had been planned for Muriwai, a black sand beach, for Friday (Thursday, US time) but, because of a Covid outbreak in Auckland, the city was placed into a temporary lockdown and all events in that city had to be postponed or cancelled - including the Muriwai commemoration.
Not to be outdone Howard Nattrass, who lives north of Auckland, took the car to a beach near him instead - a white sand one called 90 Mile Beach.

[Wayne Sheldon]

Great stuff Rob H and John S !!
Than you both.
Amazing to see the K racer there a year after breakdown and presumed junked!

[KeithG]

Thank you John S. and Rob for your updates on this most interesting story. We can say it's a shame that this "K" didn't survive, but that's the way it often goes.

Keith

[Rob]

Thanks guys. John, I suspect you will come across more info as you research. I'm eagerly awaiting arrival of your book.

Now, on to others. Ford sent Model K to eight foreign countries that I'm aware of between 1906 and 1908. Today, Model K reside in five countries that I know of, plus a K motor in one of the Scandinavian countries.

[JohnStokes]

Rob - will you follow up on the Model K held at Invercargill's "Transport World"?
FYI - Bob Trevan in Queensland, Australia knows Jim Cooper and is also very au fait with that K.
John

[Rob]

John, maybe #892. I'll check with Bob T. and Francis R. Thursday. Thanks again for your research and posts,
Rob

[JohnStokes]

Just a little more on the New Zealand Motor Cup.
I don't like the (condescending) phrase, 'punching above our weight', but that is exactly how New Zealand can be viewed in the global motor sport arena. We have produced some incredible success stories - the latest being Scott Dixon, and look out for Scott McLaughlin. Going back in time, Chris Amon, Denny Hulme and, of course, Bruce McLaren (McLaren was on the development and test-driving teams for the Ford vs Ferrari GT40 win in 1966. They were the trio at the top of world motorsport in the 60s.
But the really BIG names also came to New Zealand to compete - Jim Clark, Ken Wharton (who died here in a tragic crash), Stirling Moss, Jackie Stewart, Australian Jack Brabham and many more.
We really have been punching above our weight!
Here is a link to an excellent article that explains the advent of the NZ Motor Cup...
https://talkmotorsport.co.nz/nzcircuit/ ... HltN5RIlSQ
John Stokes
Proudly from New Zealand!