New London to New Brighton, here we come (I hope)

[Rob]

Heading home with a 1905 Ford. Thanks to many who frequent this forum including Kim D. (and many friends of Kim’s who helped get this car on the road), Dean Y. Huey V., Peter Fawcett, Kieth T., and many I’m in sure I haven’t mentioned.

I’m finally becoming aquatinted with this unique piece of early Ford history. Many things about the “B” remind me of “T,” that was still a few years from going up on the design board. Four cylinder, enclosed Ford patented three point differential, and many other features.

Driving this car is kind of a cross between driving 2 cylinder and Model T. It’s a lower rpm motor with a big flywheel, so I’m learning to shift early at relatively low rpm and let the flywheel carry the car into high speed. The motor really lugs down without stalling, again maybe due to the big flywheel.

Looking forward the top the adventure.

Below is a link to a 3:00 video starting and driving:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/ybwl5eofuo4jm ... 2.mov?dl=0

[1912touring]

Beautiful car. Thanks for sharing.

[perry kete]

Great little video of the car and I hope it's only one of many yet to come.

Good luck and best wishes on the New London to New Brighton run!

[Wayne Sheldon]

Been looking forward to following this wonderful saga! It is about time someone (nobody would be better than Rob!) began showing Henry Ford's early big cars were real contenders in the automotive marketplace of their day! Rob has done a wonderful job changing the hearts and minds of hundreds of automotive historians and thousands of hobbyists about the true worth of the model K. Hopefully the model B can get more respect from here on out.

[Rich Eagle]

It is always a treat to see the Model B. Wouldn't we all love to have one.
Thanks for letting us enjoy yours.
Rich

[DHort]

Great job Peter. The car looks stunning. No cross fit training tonite for Rob.

The Model K is just going to collect dust now in the back of the garage.

[Rob]

Thanks guys. At Deans soon. Hope to have the B out and let Dean try it out a bit. Every time we "play" with it we'll get a few more kinks and bugs out. While I enjoy the pure speed and power of the Model K, this car has an elegance about it that's difficult to describe. When driving, it truly is a crossover between a 2 cyl Ford and an NRS or T. Not as quick as a T, but more so than the model F. While the roominess is similar to the F, there's a real substance to that big motor out in front. I'm learning, just as with the K, that there needs to be very little acceleration in low, and then a smooth shift to high with a slight let up on the throttle. Then the big flywheel takes over, just as with a one or two cylinder, and pulls one up into high gear. Then it's just comfortable touring. Now to get some time behind the wheel......

Below, an early B (step plates, angular rear door, straight front frame crossmember). Henry Ford at the wheel with FMC President John Gray beside him. I presume Gray's family members in back (or a big night out in Detroit...... ):

[DHort]

Better keep an eye on Dean. He likes to run cars across the creek bed.

[KeithG]

Wow! It's wonderful that you've got this "B" and that it will be driven for all to see and to get the bugs out. I'll look forward to seeing it at the OCF - it will be fun!
Keith

[Rob]

Thanks Keith, have it registered. Now hope it’s up to NL/NB and then on to Detroit.

Below, trying to determine front wheels alignment . This is one of the few photos I’ve found showing a direct view of the front tires (one in this case). It looks yo me like a similar camber to a T. (Our K and N look similar)

Henry Ford, Clara in the back of a Model B:

Courtesy THF, all rights apply.

[Darren J Wallace]

Beautiful car Rob! What is the aluminum looking thing on the dash do?

[KimDobbins]

That aluminum cover is over the cutout in the dash for the timer. That cover makes it really tight to get a coil box to fit properly on the dash. The top floor board had to be notched to get it all to fit. Hope you and dean can get the front end set up properly. Great to see it on the road!

[Rob]

Thanks for the quick explanation Kim. For anyone reading who isn't familiar with this Model B, it's number #51 (with a #52 stamped on the crankshaft I believe) that Kim had up an running a few years ago. I was along when Kim was doing research on Model B at Benson Library, THF, but at that time, had no idea I might someday be associated with it. Had Kim not performed his "magic" to get the car up and running, including rebuilding, paint and body work, and manufacturing some parts, I would have never considered taking on such a big commitment.

As it turns out, this car, like the Model K, holds a significant amount of curiosity for me.

Also, I was talking with another Early Ford friend, and he reminded me that the Model B at THF does work. I've heard the last time it was out (Old Car Festival several years ago) that the transmission went out on it, but I'm not sure about that. Also, Cecil Ralston (RIP) owned this B at one time, and had another, that is still in the family, and I know is running. I do believe this is the only B that is about to be on the touring and driving "stage."

Below, both sides of the firewall. The timer drive is almost on the firewall, just forward, and the timer protrudes through, and is covered by the aluminum cover, as Kim mentioned. On the prototype car, the timer advance rod was on the back side (driver side) of the firewall:

Front end, with the axle ready to go on:

A number on the front axle. Again, the steel is nowhere as strong as a T, evidenced by the nicks and gouges made in the axle over the years. When pulling on the axle in a vise, I think one person would be able to cold bend it, unlike later models. This was the first Ford model with a solid I-beam front axle:

Three of us bent the axle in a vice cold. The steel was obviously not as strong as later K,N,R,S axles, and nothing like a T. Good evidence of the difference Ford's metallurgy work made as Ford models evolved:

[Retro54]

Rob, this is fascinating! Great to see you bring another alpha car to the touring circuit.

Andy