MTFCA Forum

Rob

Thanks Keith. Finally landed for the night in Chatham. Heading to Fawcett Restoration in the morning to work on the “new” old car you helped me with.
Have a great week,
Rob

Rob

Chris, When Ford announced the Model T in late 1907 (and showed prototypes), they also announced the intention to bring out a “light six” touring car. I believe they realized the Model T “platform” would fit all needs (moderate price, food power to weight ratio), and eliminate the need for additiona...

Rob

In August, 1906 "Motor Way" ran a story about Ford Motor Co. that included mention of Henry Ford's desire to build a "high powered five-passenger touring car selling at a moderate figure - a figure heretofore not considered possible." 8402B9B6-EB0A-4FC6-B85D-37CCB25481E7.jpeg It's 1:45 a.m. in Nebra...

Rob

My opinions, with a few facts sprinkled in. I've been working on this for some time, and am going to call this portion "Follow the Money." We are fortunate to have monthly audit reports for Ford Motor Co., beginning with March, 1906, and continuing into 1908. With Ford Motor Co. (FMC) fiscal and mod...

Rob

I was (still looking) hoping to come up with a photo of John Wehn, possibly with one of his early cars. I'm curious what the 1905 30 hp car was. Winton was one candidate, and was sold in Denver at the time. This is what an August/September 1906 Model K would have looked like. Not the early style rad...

Rob

In early September 1906, J.W. Wehn purchases the fourth Ford Model K (I've found) in Nebraska. Reports indicate the car was purchased in Denver. DB2F99F5-BC88-4DF5-9155-D141CE4EE159.jpeg FBF0E16F-388E-44E9-80FD-17C036E3E63F.jpeg Over the next two years, the Ford Six received a good workout, driving ...

Rob

By 1905, the Wehn family own several banks in western Nebraska, as well as the first phone company to establish lines between Alliance, Bridgeport and North Platte. By 1905, they also own an automobile. In late September, 1905, Herbert Wehn, John's son, is involved in a wreck while racing his automo...

Rob

In 1893, we learn John Wehn has relocated to fAlliance Nebraska to fill a United States land office (administering the Homesteaders Act) position. This was a sought after political appointment office. Alliance is in far northwest Nebraska, almost 400 miles from Wehn's southeast Nebraska home: 7190E3...

Rob

Many may recall I like to research the people who owned our early cars, and attempt to understand their lives, as well as the impact early cars had upon the culture at the time. This story takes place in my own backyard, in Nebraska. John W. Wehn was born in Pennsylvania in 1849. To put this in pers...

Rob

Thanks for the reminder. I had been procrastinating….

Rob

Congratulations! Herzliche Glückwünsche! Ein wunderbares Abenteuer. Sie alle verdienen es, für Ihre unglaubliche Reise gelobt zu werden.

Thank you for sharing your journey,
Rob

Rob

Dave, My "master list" has board meeting minutes up to July 1911. However, there are board meetings missing throughout the sequence. I know there are a set that were typed, and there are a meeting or two in that set I don't have. The set I have are from Accession 512, Box 4, Folders 1 -7 at THF Bens...

Rob

I know Franklin was one of the leading makers during the early years. Their six cylinder air cooled model came out the same year as Ford’s (1906), and was probably the 3rd leading maker of sixes (behind Ford and Stevens). It was a 30 hp motor, and I think fairly well received and reviewed.

Rob

Pat, Interesting points. I wish we had more information on the development, and ultimate rejection (after all signs, including presentation to shareholders and write ups in motoring journals indicate the air-cooled car was a go) of the Ford air-cooled proposition. It is interesting, and may be nothi...

Rob

That’s wonderful news Bernd, although many of us will be sad to no longer look forward to your daily travel reports. Your accomplishment is a testament to your group, and the incredible Ford Model T, that still, with strong will of the owners, is able to cross vast distances. Thank you for your repo...

Rob

Miles, yes, Ford planned and built the plant. Once the plan was approved (stockholders meeting) the buildings were built and the plant operational in short order. The BOD minutes include quite a lot of detail regarding fire controls, costs, etc. This page from the minutes included the notice, signed...

Rob

Thank you for the update, and for taking us along on your great adventure.

Rob

Thank you for posting Rich. As always, your posts bring a smile.

Rob

Dan, George and Darel, all good questions and points. George, no, I haven't had any success, although I tried to find info back when we discussed it. Hopefully, like many early auto history bits and pieces, something will surface. I'm amazed at the undocumented items still not cataloged at THF, so o...

Rob

Michael,
Send a pm or email me direct, robheyen1 at sign gmail.com
Rob

Rob

Thanks for the update Bernd, safe travels today. What a great adventure you have all had. Thank you for taking us along,
Rob

Rob

Many of us are aware there was an air-cooled Ford touring planned for 1904. However, I certainly didn't know we were so close, until recently connecting a few pieces of the puzzle. Several newspapers and magazines carried information of a planned 12-16 hp Ford air-cooled touring car planned for mid ...

Rob

Looking forward to todays report. I hope all is well with our intrepid "T" travelers.

Rob

Thanks Dave, pics please.

Rob

Thank you for the update. Good luck and continued safe travels.

Rob

Great pics, as always. Thank you for your time and effort posting them. Great views into the early part of the last century. Happy 4th of July.

Rob

Couldn’t get much….

Rob

Thanks guys.

Harold, the "customer is always right......."

Without my musical editing (and thank you for the compliment):

https://www.dropbox.com/s/fbm43i8d5yhg3 ... g.mp4?dl=0

Rob

Thank you for the update. Looks like relaxing in the pool was well deserved. We look forward to hearing and seeing the remainder of your remarkable journey.

Rob

Tim, your sterling personality is coming through a bit strong this evening. Too much holiday cheer?

Come on now, let's all enjoy Independence Day.

As for “caring,” one might take the time and initiative to notice who started this thread. “Part 2.” Of course, why ruin a good rant with facts?

Rob

Dropbox link:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/2ipwmcuoec3y8 ... e.mp4?dl=0

Rob

Class. Pure class.

By the way, Ich schätze, unsere Freunde aus Deutschland kennen sich mit Verkehrsgeschwindigkeiten aus. Sie haben eine Fahrbahn namens Autobahn.

The key word here is “Autobahn.”

Rob

John, I couldn't agree more. When they were in Lincoln, I was impressed by the camaraderie, innovativness and sense of adventure these travelers possess. I can't imagine undertaking this trip as a U.S. citizen, let alone as a person from another country with English as a second language. I am impres...

Rob

Thanks Keith. Definitely on my bucket list.

Rob

Starting a "Part 3" page. Included is the "Fox News 13" broadcast from Salt Lake City that was only partially uploaded before. Click on the link below to see the full three minute news clip: https://www.dropbox.com/s/8bri2sv63mk6elo/Video%20Jul%2003%2C%201%2044%2050%20PM.mov?dl=0 Still shot from the...

Rob

I noticed the "Fox News 13" broadcast from Utah stopped in mid sentence at 1:09 minutes. I contacted the station and it turns out there was an upload glitch, and there are two more minutes to the broadcast. Below is a dropbox link to the full video. The original link may also work too (haven't tried...

Rob

Keith,
I’ve not been on a national tour. About how many miles are averaged a day, and what are common mph averages?
Thank you for posting,
Rob

Rob

Beginning with his racers, Henry Ford recognized the importance of horsepower to weight ratio. His first racers were no fluff, all motor and no creature comfort "space eaters," evidenced by Arrow and 999, the 20 hp "skeleton racer," a creation made up of two 1904 Model A 10 hp motors, and his 1100 h...

Rob

Great pics and event. Thank you to all the photographers and Keith for posting.

Rob

Bernd,
Thank you for the update. Your adventure is incredible to read about, and I am sure, makes many of us envious (myself included). Safe travels, and thank you for keeping us posted.

Rob

Greats updates Bernd. Thank you. I wish I had accompanied you for awhile. What a grand adventure. Please continue to post as you proceed west.
Safe travels,
Rob

Rob

Michael, I have an old copy picked up on eBay. It’s been a good resource for production numbers. I also have Beverly Rae Kimes (RIP) book, “The Cars Henry Ford Built,” but have many issues with much of the early Ford history. That’s another topic for a potentially long and contentious thread…. :shock:

Rob

Michael,
I agree. I’ve found six cylinder cars were the rarest of the larger expensive cars (making the “six” even more of a rarity). Only about six automakers sold six cyl. models in 06(U.S.), but the number jumped to over twenty in 1907.
Thanks for your post,
Rob

Rob

This must have been a good seller when published on 1907. There are many copies as low as three dollars on tbay. I finally bought one. It was quick light fluff. Not sure why it appealed….. 739DBA75-DB95-4606-A7CE-21ABFFE9A95C.jpeg The love interest, Miss Marian Standish: F9F7EE64-4C28-493B-A4E2-AFE6...

Rob

I have to admit this wasn't the first time I've encountered a car and real estate for trade. While the Model K was eventually going to almost zero in value, if a person owned a quarter (160 acres) of dryland western Kansas land, or a Model K, they would probably be worth about the same today. I gues...

Rob

I was looking for a few early Ford ads and articles in Newspapers.com, and came across this. A Ford Model A, with options, for sale in Detroit, January 15, 1905: 28C8A011-29E7-4EF2-91C4-92767FA4D929.jpeg The owner offers to "take a trial spin" (who would have thought going for a "spin" was already p...

Rob

Thank you for the update. If you have time, include more photos please. You have finally left Nebraska. On to the sea. Safe travels.

Rob

Video photo collection from the Lincoln Nebraska/Museum of Speed stop. Music includes “Lili Marlene,” the most popular war song of WWII according to some sources. Performed in both Deutsch and English, it was a favorite of both Axis and Allied troops. Click on the link to view the short video: https...

Rob

Ford quickly capitalized on the record win with a publication of their own. Fortunately, several of these pamphlets describing the race exist today. Click on the link below to hear our own Bob Coiro narrate part of the Ford Motor Co. advertising pamphlet describing the 24 hour victory: https://www.d...

Rob

In two of the articles above, Ford advertised that they would sell any car directly from the track for list price. The reason for this was to demonstrate that the cars were stock models, not special racers, such as both one of the two Thomas and one Pope were specially built racers. However, some mo...

Rob

Thanks David. As the photos show, the 24 hour races were quite an affair. Each team had tents (pits) with parts, supplies, and everything (hopefully) to keep the cars on the track. By the end of the race at Detroit, the Model K Ford had set a new world 24 hour record, traveling over 300 miles farthe...

Rob

On June 21, 1907, Ford Motor Company entered three cars in a 24 hour race at the Michigan State Fairgrounds. A total of ten cars entered, with the race beginning at 10:00 pm on the longest day of the year (June 21). At this time, Ford Motor Company was the largest automaker in the world, and produce...

Rob

It will be interesting to hear their thoughts regarding open vs. closed. Personally (although it included no windshield) I find that no top takes its toll on me with wind and sun. I do like how much easier an open car seems on the motor, simply pushing less weight and on these windy days, less wind ...

Rob

John, They were able to respoke one wheel. I think they slathered two others with linseed oil. I believe they had enough new spokes for three wheels, but were only able to press one together. That was a “back alley” affair because the shop owner doesn’t allow customers in the shop. We literally had ...

Rob

This video shows all ten, in their five T’s, heading west onto U.S. Highway 6 just west of Lincoln after leaving Myron and Barb Smith’s place this morning. Just as on the original Ocean to Ocean race in 1909, there’s a Ford Model K piloting the start. As it should be….. 8-) Click on the blue link to...

Rob

Starting a new thread for the T travelers from Germany.

Below is a link to the first thread, From Coast to Coast.”
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=29295

Below, west of Lincoln Nebraska on June 21, “the longest day.”

Rob

I’m starting a “Coast to Coast” Part 2. The intrepid travelers are about to meet the midpoint of their tour across the country, and scrolling through two forum pages for updates is a little tedious. The center of the contiguous United States is claimed in a few locations, primarily Lebanon KS, just ...

Rob

Happy Birthday Darel. Now I know why I’ve always considered you a gentleman and scholar. You are an asset to the hobby, and I suspect everyone you’ve had contact with in your 90 years say the same, regardless of their walk of life.
Enjoy your day,
Rob

Rob

Rob

Rob

George,
I think the route is “fluid.” They told me they don’t make hotel reservations until the afternoon of the day. Today they plan to make Broken Bow.

This morning’s pics.
Guten Morgen;

Rob

Today I had the pleasure of meeting our transcontinental Teutonic friends. What a delightful and intrepid group. I am impressed by their attitude at this stage of their trip. It was hot and windy, and they rolled in, spent the day at Speedway (Rich and all the Dossants were great), and seemed in gre...

Rob

Mike Vaughn? Steve Hughes........? I was going through a few colorized photos. First, Henry Ford entering the church for Alexander Y. Malcomson's funeral. He was an honorary pallbearer, and postponed a planned vacation in order to attend. FMC CFO James Couzens is on Ford's left (right of photo): 4FE...

Rob

"Near Detroit,…… a young speed maniac named Ford”. "The New York Times," January 15, 1904

Rob

Last one for now. I've found two times Ford racers made the front page of foreign magazines. Both times, this French magazine featured Ford. First, Henry Ford driving the six cylinder racer: D9CF85FF-9534-48AD-870B-4C9D0E6CA986.jpeg The second, in 1911, when FMC sent a Ford Special to France. French...

Rob

Last for now......... A few pics of the last, largest, Benz beating 410 ci racer. This photo was taken at the Ford Detroit Branch in the winter of 1911/12, still wearing it's #5 from the September race with the Benz: B36AAFC4-9AC0-4EC3-9831-88472B2A0DF0.png While it's difficult to see, the big Ford ...

Rob

More photos This is a photo of the Ford Special that raced in the Syracuse races in 1910, one of Ford's first after returning to track racing in 1910. Specs listed with races reported this motor was a 201 c.i.: B93F782D-0460-431D-8CB6-CD5B430EF250.jpeg This is one of the few photos I've found of the...

Rob

David, A few responses (I'd say "answers," but it seems every time I think I know something regarding history, more information surfaces that proves some portions incorrect....... :shock: ). Mentioning Frank Kulick's year of death reminded me that even that was a "moving target." One recent article ...

Rob

David, I’ll get back tomorrow with pics. The racer was originally white,,as were most of the “Specials.”

Rob

David, As always, thank you for your many articles, and the wealth of information you have, and continue to bring to the hobby. I wish I had the dimensions of the seat you've obtained earlier....... :shock: Fortunately, there are several drawings at Benson LIbrary (THF) showing components/parts from...

Rob

For anyone interested, my two part article, edited by Natalie Weaver for The Model T Times awhile ago. Part 1 link: https://www.dropbox.com/s/o82q61ihwp7z6kc/MTT%201.PDF?dl=0 Part 2: https://www.dropbox.com/s/psrkq4h8v96bxb6/MTT%20Article%202.PDF?dl=0 Covers, part 1 and 2: 2ABC7D87-EAC7-48AF-846D-58...

Rob

Thanks for the pics and info. THF mislabels the first photo. It was taken after Frank Kulick and the last Ford Special, built during the late summer, made its first appearance in September 1911, defeating the fastest car in the world, the Blitzen Benz. The Benz, at the time held many of the circular...

Rob

Mark, It's surprising how many miles people put on these early cars. I just came across a Ford Model C in which an owner claimed to have put almost 40,000 miles in a year. I don't know if thats accurate, and it seems like an incredible number of miles, even today. Maybe it was a typo and should have...

Rob

Wayne, You do read every bit......... I haven't read this article for years, and went through again and caught "Charlie" too. I've often wondered (and found examples) how accurately names were reported "in the day." Imagine, a 'cub" reporter of many small town newspaper (and often multiple small tow...

Rob

David, Thank you for the update. It appears the K tourabout (some Ford dealers and branches offered the K roadster in a tourer or tourabout in 1908) at Seal Cove was owned at one time by Waterman. That doesn’t mean he didn’t own more than one K, as several have (myself included). That K is quite int...

Rob

Wayne, my pleasure. A few more that didn't make the 5 pic limit on my earlier post. March 15, 1908, the Storz brothers prepare to pace the German N.Y. to Paris car: 2C47162D-A934-4DBF-BA13-D181F8845FDD.jpeg Below, excerpt from the Omaha Ford agent 1908 parts ledger. The Storz K gets parts, including...

Rob

Erik, it still exists. In fact, two exist. One is currently on display at “The a museum of Speed” in Lincoln, NE.

Obviously there is more to this story……

Rob

Erik, Thanks for the links (I think....., lot's of old stuff showed up back then). The Bemis Model K each have a special place in my heart. The Bemis touring eventually was owned by my good friend the late Tim Kelly. His wife Joan and son Jeff and family toured with it at the BBC tour a few weeks ag...

Rob

Frank Kulick, one of Ford's first employees and famed race car driver was selected to drive the 10 millionth "T" across the country (as mentioned before). A few pics I included in a "Kulick" article earlier this spring. Frank and wife Mary Kulick drove the car across the country, following the route...

Rob

Found a local article regarding the 1908 State Fair races. 30D8B135-E2CB-4E26-9A06-571FE75C0375.jpeg Race summaries: 3FAF9656-18FF-4C5F-9EBD-013C8D1BB739.jpeg In the recap of the ten mile race, the "K" Roadster defeated a Buick, averaging just over 42 mph. The time was the best of ten mile races wit...

Rob

Bob, that's interesting. I"m learning L. H. Lived in NJ and FL as well as Virginia during his career. Turns out the answer to L.H. DeGraaf and his involvement with this Model K went back to at least 1908. He raced a "six cylinder Ford," beating a Buick in a ten mile race at the Virginia State Fair. ...

Rob

The first thing I found was that L. H. DeGraaf had been involved with selling automobiles from the earliest start of the industry. Leland H. DeGraaf started work for Winton prior to 1900. But the question remained, did he buy new, or own this Model K roadster? 46E20176-6A2E-47C0-845C-D98766E2FEB8.jp...

Rob

This is the second Ford Model K I've found that claimed to have put over, or close to 200,000 miles on. This is from 1916, so the likelihood this car still exists is pretty good. When I first came upon this article, I thought, "ok, is this accurate?" "Did the person in named, L. H. DeGraaf, really o...

Rob

The article below includes a spot on Mark Twain, as well the "new" Ford Model B. I'm often intrigued by the place our Fords played in the history of the early 20th century, as this country and the world changed, in large part due to the changes brought by motor cars in general and Fords in particula...

Rob

Give the customer what they want……..

W/o chatter:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/5hpgurqd9x3jd ... 5.MOV?dl=0

Thanks guys.

Rob

I left early yesterday for Minneapolis, meeting Bruce V.S. in Minnetonka. Bruce rebuilt a Bosch magneto we are trying on the K. It ran great, but needed a break at the local DQ. Made it home about midnight, and hope to have the car out and about in Lincoln this coming weekend: https://www.dropbox.co...

Rob

David, Looking forward to your articles. John Manley also raced his Model K at the state fair that year, winning a twenty mile contest with a crowd estimated over 40,000. Uhlery, the Stanley owner the Ford beat, bought a Model K shortly after the race, advertising his Stanley Steamer for sale. There...

Rob

David,
I sent an email. There is another seat that sold on a deaccession sale on another site. Looking forward to your article on the seat.
Rob

Rob

David,
Thank you. That means a lot coming from you. Thank you for your many contributions to our hobby.

Rob

If anyone who read part 1 is interested, the link below has part 2. Frank Kulick was one of Henry Fords first five employees with FMC, and the only one hired by HF himself. Kulick was the face of Ford racing, and along with Henry Ford, probably the best known of all Ford employees between 1904 and 1...

Rob

May, 1906: A559FF22-B831-4CA1-B4B8-AA97C352C778.jpeg DE679FBC-C85C-433C-9063-5DFB71C49925.jpeg December 1906: 209B6738-3D35-455F-9529-CADE649E4CAE.jpeg My guess has been that ethanol was a “consistent” commodity compared with the different mixtures of gasoline. I believe gasoline was also rising in ...

Rob

Kevin, you are a craftsman. Thank you for posting.

Rob

It would be interesting to know the engine number of this N, as well as history if known. Thank you for posting.

Not 1906, but a Model N made U.S. newspapers in 1908 for a Swiss hill climb victory over several European competitors:

Rob

We’re finishing two Model K’s in Canada this week for the BBC Tour. So far, so good….. https://www.dropbox.com/s/jrb1eda5alf7ue7/6-40%20ready%20for%20BBC%202022.mp4?dl=0 5CC6D8BF-97C6-4D95-A9C6-4CEA023971BD.png https://www.dropbox.com/s/kk62vueyy3hg064/Canadian%20K%20ready%20for%202022%20Touring.mp4...

Rob

John, That is one of Ford’s special racers, sent to France to compete in the light car, Grand Prize and Mt. Ventoux hill climb in 1911. The light body racer seen was entered in the light car competition, and at the last minute disqualified because it was required to add weight since it was non-stock...

Rob

I saw one at Fort Knox, the “home of armor” back in the 80’s:

http://justacarguy.blogspot.com/2018/02 ... l.html?m=1

Rob

This photo of Frank Kulick comes from a group of photos family photos. Does anyone recognize the make and vintage of the air/water plane in the background?

Thank you,
Rob

Rob

Richard,
My mistake. I believe this is our car when it was located and moved in the mid 1960's. Sorry I don't have another shot of it (preferably from the front):

Rob

Richard, Unfortunately, I don't have photos of Model B that have languished prior to being restored. I know B #1, Porter Collection, now on display at Piquette, has photos of it lying in "repose" in several locations on a farm in Missouri. However, the pieces may be enough to interest you for painti...

Rob

I was tied up with a few things today. I’ll put up a few “B” pics, and get back “on track” tomorrow. This first “B” is an early running board style. Running boards appeared shortly after Jan 1, 1905 (about 50-60 B were built/sold prior to Jan 1, 1905). The first B with running boards I’ve seen in ph...

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