MTFCA Forum

Did Henry Ford run for President in 1917 or later? I have heard of a Touring car with Ford for President on it? Thanks for any suggestions.

I'm not sure I'm the right person to comment on this, but no he didn't run for President.

There was some thought he might, and some may have painted slogans on their cars with that in mind, but he was dissuaded from doing so.

While it wasn't a book about Ford's (Presidential) aspirations, I recall I may have read something about this in "The Vagabonds: The Story of Henry Ford and Thomas Edison's Ten-Year Road Trip" by Jeff Guinn. I'm sure there will also be other publications that touch on this aspect of his life.

Luke is right. This tells more if you want to read it. 1924 Election
https://historynewsnetwork.org/article/138750

Henry did benefit from his popularity with rural America... he had quite an active political pull and he was entered into primaries and won success in becoming candidate for state office. This was from 1914-1929.*

Supporters ran Henry in presidential primaries in Michigan and Nebraska in 1916, he actually won the presidential primary in Michigan. Supporters ran him for senator in Michigan in 1918 and support for president in the Chicago nominating convention in 1920. Some urged him to lead a third party!
There was a movement to put Ford in the presidents office during the farm depression years of 1920-23, that is why you see the old license plate toppers with 'Ford for President'.

After 1929 Ford moved away from active politics, but in 1928 he suggested Will Rogers might make a good president, however Henry supported Hoover in 1928 and 1932.

*Henry Ford and Grass-roots America, Reynold M. Wik, 1972, Univ of MI Press.

Will Rogers presented a convincing argument for Henry Ford on this Victor record

https://archive.org/details/78_will-rog ... ia0055792a

How Fortuitous

My friend just bought such a car.

He just contacted me yesterday about transporting it.

It is on my schedule to haul


FJ

Here’s the very rare campaign pins.
Henry ran for the senate as well, but did no campaigning.
He lost by a small margin.

Does anyone recall seeing this car at Greenfield Village ?

It would’ve been at least 30 years ago.

The back of the car has lettering promoting Henry Ford for
Governor which would indicate the car was used for
at least one campaign.

There is a letter from Ford Motor Company
( which I have not seen ) authenticating
the car.

This information - combined with the appearance of a
unrestored example in largely original condition
indicates that this might have
come from Greenfield Village.


FJ