As we approach the 110th anniversary of the New York to Seattle Race, another photo surfaces.

[Rob]

As a "Model K" guy, it's always intrigued me that Henry Ford chose/allowed a Model K to lead the racers out of New York to St. Louis at the beginning of the race. As with most contests of the period, a prestigious lead car was always selected as the Pilot Car to enforce any controls and set the pace in endurance contests. A question that should be asked is, why a Ford Model K? The model was discontinued after 1908. Henry Ford obviously had set course with the versatile Model T.

A little background. The Model K that led the racers from New York was owned by Ford Motor Company. Robert Teves, the driver, was a Ford New York Branch salesman who had specialized in Model K sales.

For more context, this was not a "half rate operation." The trailblazer selected for the New York to Seattle race was non other than the same Thomas Flyer that had won the New York to Paris race the year before. This was not a low end production. And Henry Ford was involved up to his eyeballs. He had endorsed this contest, and entered two cars. Initially many automakers entered the contest, but one of the leading associations of the day pulled their endorsement, and participation shiriveled to five contestestants. Still, public interest was palpable, and the media covered the race from start to finish.

I've said in previous posts that this was probably the most widely distributed photo of a Model K ever, the pilot car for the race:

As seen in Newspapers across the U.S.:

Leading the racers from N.Y. City Hall:

However, I had to go to France to find another view of the Model K pilot, and Ford Number 1, in this photo and description:

This is how the world saw Ford and the race to Seattle.

[DHort]

So Rob, are you going to lead the parade this year? Did they ask you?

Did the Model K lead all the way to St Louis, or did it stop in Detroit or somewhere in between?

[Wayne Sheldon]

We have been having fun reading American articles about racing and hill climbs in France. So I guess now it is turnabout and fair play to read a French article about an American race!
Nice photos of the K model, and '09 racer number one before it got so beat up!

[John Warren]

A stripped down version of the model K ah. Thanks

[Ruxstel24]

We have mention of the Thomas Flyer...
But nothing of the Hannibal 8 ?
The Professor is not very happy !!

[Rob]

Dave Hj, I've not spoken with the organizers. I would have loved to participate, but schedule and logistics wouldn't work, so I didn't check. Some may recall that we drove our K roadster "stripped down" like the Ocean to Ocean pilot car the first year as we sorted it out. I may try to tag along a few days when the racers reach the center U.S..

The Model K led the racers as far as Chicago. In fact, two Model K led the Ford racers into Chicago. Tom Hay, Ford Branch Manager in Chicago, met the Fords and Pacemaker K in his Ford Six near Goshen IN and led them Into the windy city (2nd paragraph):

This account mentions that the K pilot car was in the lead as the racers entered Chicago. At the end, it mentions that four of the six race participants are using Firestone tires. The K pilot is included in this tally. It also mentions that the Stearns car has left New York as a participant. However, the Stearns car and crew never become a factor, and I don't think they made it out of New York state.

This article describes the long run from Chicago to St. Louis the next day. Roads were bad, and it took the Fords 23 hours to make the trip, driving all night. No mention is made of the Ford K pilot, and the pacemaster does not arrive in the Ford. I don't know if the Model K left Chicago to return to New York, or what happened. With all the accounts of the race along the way, I doubt the car broke down or became stuck. My suspicion is the cars were so spread out there was not much need for a lead pilot any longer, but that's just speculation:

Another photo showing two Fords and one of the other racers leaving New York City:

[Bud Delong]

Nice post Rob!! I think the pace car was not a striped down model K but rather a 6-40 Ford Roadster? Yes the Itala dropped out of the race in Cheyenne,Wyo,but after it was hit by a train!!! Bud,who thanks whoever got me posting!.

[Rob]

Bud. Welcome back! You had us worried.

Ford initially called the 1906 Model K "6-40" for it's six cylinder forty horse motor. By early 1907 that was shortened in refeeences to "Ford Six." Then, with the rollout of the runabout (yes, it was initially called a runabout, not roadster by Ford), 6-40 was again used, now for the new body style runabout/roadster.

I'll put up a progression of Ford model advertising for K and NR and S at some point.

Again, good to hear from you Bud.

[Wayne Sheldon]

Good to see you back Bud!
Let us think about this a moment. A half a dozen cars, racing cross country as fast as they can! With a Ford 6-40 as a guide, leading the way ahead of all of them. Perhaps they are all racing with the wrong cars?
Regardless, the only cars able to keep up with the 6-40 Ford are the two little Fords.
Great stuff Rob, thanks again!

[Rob]

Wayne,
Your comment reminded me of a couple of paragraphs that appeared in the July 1, 1909 Ford Times regarding the Ford 6-40 and the "midget competitors" during the run:

[Bud Delong]

I think the model T's did so well because of the mud and what passed for roads? Also Henry was at the time trying to sell the model T.I am at a loss for words as how i could look at the picture of the 6-40 for almost 60 years and not think about it being striped?? Bud.

[Duey_C]

I'm missing a detail and got stuck on it.
The Ford K led the racers. The Thomas Flyer was the trailblazer.
What is the difference?