Pre-Ts in color
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Pre-Ts in color
Haven't posted in a while. Various pre-T and racing Fords.
Frank Kulick, one of FMC's first few employees at the wheel of Henry Ford's third racer, 1904. This racer made, and held several mile and multi-mile records for several years in the light and middle weight divisions. The racer ran in meets between Chicago and New York during the late summer and fall of 1904, and consisted of two Model A (I believe actually Model F size) two cylinder motors, sharing one flywheel. This racer falls between Ford creations 999 and Arrow, preceding the six cylinder racer:
Another view. Notice how close the chain runs to Kulick's right leg:
Below, 1906 Ford Model K:
1905 Ford Model B:
Frank Kulick again, driving the 10 millionths Ford Model T across the U.S. in 1924:
Frank Kulick, one of FMC's first few employees at the wheel of Henry Ford's third racer, 1904. This racer made, and held several mile and multi-mile records for several years in the light and middle weight divisions. The racer ran in meets between Chicago and New York during the late summer and fall of 1904, and consisted of two Model A (I believe actually Model F size) two cylinder motors, sharing one flywheel. This racer falls between Ford creations 999 and Arrow, preceding the six cylinder racer:
Another view. Notice how close the chain runs to Kulick's right leg:
Below, 1906 Ford Model K:
1905 Ford Model B:
Frank Kulick again, driving the 10 millionths Ford Model T across the U.S. in 1924:
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Re: Pre-Ts in color
The following photos were taken at the Atlantic beach races held in late August and a week later in September, 1905. This was the last time Henry Ford drove one of his racers for official times. The page below describes a portion of the meet, with a photo at the bottom of the page of Henry Ford astride his over 1,000 cubic inch six cylinder racer. While no world records were set at this meet, Henry Ford drove to an American record tying 25 second kilometer. However, Walter Christie, driving his front wheel drive racer, set a new world record in the event the same day, keeping Ford out of the record books. A Ford Model F can be seen at the right of the photo:
Several photos survive from this meet, that included Louis Chevrolet driving a Fiat, and A. L. Campbell with his Darracq. Below, Henry Ford waiting with his racer beside the Darracq:
New York FMC branch manager Gaston Plaintiff and Henry Ford watch as several men, including Frank Kulick (center, crouched down facing away) work on the Ford racer:
Below, Louis Chevrolet with his Fiat. The Ford Model F is seen on the left:
A.L. Campbell speaks intently with Ford MC branch manager Gaston Plaintiff (left). The following week, Campbell and his Darracq team will protest a Ford world record performance, and the record, and Ford six, will be denied entry into the record books:
Several photos survive from this meet, that included Louis Chevrolet driving a Fiat, and A. L. Campbell with his Darracq. Below, Henry Ford waiting with his racer beside the Darracq:
New York FMC branch manager Gaston Plaintiff and Henry Ford watch as several men, including Frank Kulick (center, crouched down facing away) work on the Ford racer:
Below, Louis Chevrolet with his Fiat. The Ford Model F is seen on the left:
A.L. Campbell speaks intently with Ford MC branch manager Gaston Plaintiff (left). The following week, Campbell and his Darracq team will protest a Ford world record performance, and the record, and Ford six, will be denied entry into the record books:
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Re: Pre-Ts in color
Plaintiff and Henry Ford with two other onlookers:
Henry Ford at speed:
Ford six motor:
Darracq motor and Gaston Plaintiff:
Ford Model F as Chevrolet walks by:
Henry Ford at speed:
Ford six motor:
Darracq motor and Gaston Plaintiff:
Ford Model F as Chevrolet walks by:
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Re: Pre-Ts in color
Wow, Rob, great stuff. I love your posts but never stop to thank you for them. It's excellent that someone takes the time to colorize the photos. It adds a whole new dimension to the era. I think we all have a mistaken impression that the WWI and before times were boring, because all we have ever seen of them are black and white photos. But the cars, women and flowers then were just as beautiful as they are now.... And I have to start wearing a tie when I drive my speedster.
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Re: Pre-Ts in color
I love the colorized old pictures it brings everything to life when you look at them.
So what you are saying in the last picture you posted is that " Ford just got passed by a Chevy!"
So what you are saying in the last picture you posted is that " Ford just got passed by a Chevy!"
1922 Coupe & 1927 Touring
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Re: Pre-Ts in color
There were also actual color photographs from the era. The process was Autochrome Lumière, invented in 1907. Do a Google search for "Autochrome", switch to Images, and you'll see a lot of them. Add "WWI" to the search, and you'll see a new perspective of 1917.
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Re: Pre-Ts in color
Thanks guys. A few more:
A colorized page from the beach races. I'm frequently surprised how color ads life to old print photos.
Frank Kulick stamping one of the numbers on the 15 millionth Model T motor:
Not sure about the next two. A 1906 Model K, with perforations in the hood (non-stock). One is labeled "1908," and at first I wondered if this was a prop, explaining different passengers in the same car and background. However, the camera appears to be positioned slightly different in each shot (the tree vegetation may indicate different seasons, and the angle may be a bit different). Regardless, interesting:
A colorized page from the beach races. I'm frequently surprised how color ads life to old print photos.
Frank Kulick stamping one of the numbers on the 15 millionth Model T motor:
Not sure about the next two. A 1906 Model K, with perforations in the hood (non-stock). One is labeled "1908," and at first I wondered if this was a prop, explaining different passengers in the same car and background. However, the camera appears to be positioned slightly different in each shot (the tree vegetation may indicate different seasons, and the angle may be a bit different). Regardless, interesting:
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Re: Pre-Ts in color
Excellent shots Rob! Thank you for sharing!
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Re: Pre-Ts in color
This is an awesome post! Beautiful job doing the coloring!
Read in the book "Ford - Decline and Rebirth" by Allan Nevins, how Frank Kulick got the boot from the Ford Motor Co., vie Harry Bennet asking him to diagnose an engine noise by riding on the running board, and then accelerating around a corner, and Kulick rolling off the car and into the middle of the street, with Bennet laughing and telling him he was fired as Kulick staggered to his feet, and Bennett drove away, leaving Kulick standing there.
NOT one of Henry Ford's proudest moments.
Read in the book "Ford - Decline and Rebirth" by Allan Nevins, how Frank Kulick got the boot from the Ford Motor Co., vie Harry Bennet asking him to diagnose an engine noise by riding on the running board, and then accelerating around a corner, and Kulick rolling off the car and into the middle of the street, with Bennet laughing and telling him he was fired as Kulick staggered to his feet, and Bennett drove away, leaving Kulick standing there.
NOT one of Henry Ford's proudest moments.
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Re: Pre-Ts in color
Lovely pictures Rob. Thanks for sharing. just curious, are there any original surviving examples of the 1906 "Tulip" bodied K around? I know Bob Trevans body is a replica, and it seems most of the pictures you have posted of surviving K's are the later style body? Hows that T racer going?
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Re: Pre-Ts in color
Warwick,
Let me get to your question first. It appears there are 5 1906 tulip bodied Model K remaining, and two may have original bodies (or portions thereof). Two 1906 K have been converted over time to a speedster (Pioneer Village, Nebraska), and a "roadster" at with a 1906 frame, motor unknown. At this point, I believe there are 26 Model K in existence, along with an additional 4 or 5 motors, again to the best of my knowledge.
It's difficult to determine exactly in some cases whether a K is an 06 or 07/08. The 06 was significantly different, with lighter frame, none flex output/flywheel connection, no cylinder thrust side external oil lines, shorter wheelbase, etc etc. I know of one K motor that was "altered" from #489 (sold new in Omaha NE in 1907) to a "1906" motor, re-stamped and otherwise adulterated and put into a 1906 frame. In another case, a roadster crankcase was "swapped" from a roadster to a touring, changing an otherwise numbers matching roadster (also sold new in Omaha) to a questionable car going forward (unless one is aware of the change made by a previous owner).
Fortunately, over two and a half percent of Model K exist (26 of the original 1,000), which in and of itself is remarkable.
Bill, I think I'll start another thread soon regarding the "ignominious" firing, and other points about Frank Kulick, along with new information about him and his career with Ford, and life after. As with many aspects of Ford Motor Company "history," it may not be all that we've been lead to believe (in other words, there's more to the story........).
Cheers,
Rob
Let me get to your question first. It appears there are 5 1906 tulip bodied Model K remaining, and two may have original bodies (or portions thereof). Two 1906 K have been converted over time to a speedster (Pioneer Village, Nebraska), and a "roadster" at with a 1906 frame, motor unknown. At this point, I believe there are 26 Model K in existence, along with an additional 4 or 5 motors, again to the best of my knowledge.
It's difficult to determine exactly in some cases whether a K is an 06 or 07/08. The 06 was significantly different, with lighter frame, none flex output/flywheel connection, no cylinder thrust side external oil lines, shorter wheelbase, etc etc. I know of one K motor that was "altered" from #489 (sold new in Omaha NE in 1907) to a "1906" motor, re-stamped and otherwise adulterated and put into a 1906 frame. In another case, a roadster crankcase was "swapped" from a roadster to a touring, changing an otherwise numbers matching roadster (also sold new in Omaha) to a questionable car going forward (unless one is aware of the change made by a previous owner).
Fortunately, over two and a half percent of Model K exist (26 of the original 1,000), which in and of itself is remarkable.
Bill, I think I'll start another thread soon regarding the "ignominious" firing, and other points about Frank Kulick, along with new information about him and his career with Ford, and life after. As with many aspects of Ford Motor Company "history," it may not be all that we've been lead to believe (in other words, there's more to the story........).
Cheers,
Rob
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Re: Pre-Ts in color
Regarding Warwick's post above about remaining 1906 Model K, this may be part of the issue of "what constitues a 1906 vs. 1907/8 Model K." Ford Motor Company may have helped create the confusion. In early 1907, as the New York FMC branch advertisement mentions, several 06 K were taken in on trade (in this case by the New York FMC branch) for new, improved 1907 K. FMC had a policy of refurbishing the 06's, including making some changes to 07 features. The photo below may be an example of one of these 06 K with 07 upgrades. This K appears to be in a showroom and the other car in the background may be a Ford runabout. While the K is definitely an 06 with tulip body, it has several 07 "upgrades" including wider larger capacity radiator and under frame trussing added (as per 1907 and 08) along with 07/08 style headlamps:
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Re: Pre-Ts in color
favorite one Gold Was Just A Windy Kansas Wheatfield
The past is a great place and I don't want to erase it or to regret it, but I don't want to be its prisoner either.
Mick Jagger
Mick Jagger
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Re: Pre-Ts in color
A few more.....
This is the Ford Special racer sent to France to compete in the 1911 Grand Priz and other races. The auxillery exhaust ports are open, allowing exhaust out the left side of the hood (1st pic). Thé racer is taking part in the Mont Ventoux hill climb, where it placed 1st in it's class, and 2nd overall. The distance and grade of the course were very similar to the later Pikes Peak course in the U.S.
This car photo is listed "Henry Ford's second car, 1899" at Benson Library (courtesy THF, all rights apply):
This one is says "Henry Ford's 3rd car, 1901" (photo courtesy of THF, all rights apply).
This is the Ford Special racer sent to France to compete in the 1911 Grand Priz and other races. The auxillery exhaust ports are open, allowing exhaust out the left side of the hood (1st pic). Thé racer is taking part in the Mont Ventoux hill climb, where it placed 1st in it's class, and 2nd overall. The distance and grade of the course were very similar to the later Pikes Peak course in the U.S.
This car photo is listed "Henry Ford's second car, 1899" at Benson Library (courtesy THF, all rights apply):
This one is says "Henry Ford's 3rd car, 1901" (photo courtesy of THF, all rights apply).
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Re: Pre-Ts in color
Rob, The 06 K by the tree one picture has a top while the other doesn't. Thanks Bud.
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Re: Pre-Ts in color
Bud,
Great catch! I've looked at these two pics for some time, trying to determine if it was a photo "prop' of some kind, and completely missed the top. Some large cars (including several Model K) were used as livery cars. Maybe this was part of a local package provided by a hotel or something. They are definitely the same car, but now I believe different seasons, possibly taken in different years. I see the pic with the top has headlamps and sidelamps too, while the first photo doesn't.
Thank you,
Rob
Great catch! I've looked at these two pics for some time, trying to determine if it was a photo "prop' of some kind, and completely missed the top. Some large cars (including several Model K) were used as livery cars. Maybe this was part of a local package provided by a hotel or something. They are definitely the same car, but now I believe different seasons, possibly taken in different years. I see the pic with the top has headlamps and sidelamps too, while the first photo doesn't.
Thank you,
Rob
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Re: Pre-Ts in color
Just thought it should be mentioned that that 'tree' is one of the most photographed 'trees' in the world. Located in Stanley Park in British Columbia Canada, it is pretty much a huge hollowed out tree trunk. People have been parking horses, carriages and stage coaches in front of that tree since the mid/late 1800s. A lot of photos are taken of automobiles parked as the model K is some distance in front of the tree. Other photographs have cars backed into the hollow tree which makes the tree look considerably larger!
Just speculation offhand, the model K likely belongs to a local hotel or other business that caters to tourists and has their pictures taken in front of the tree. Not only is the top missing in the one photo, but the wheels have changed color (and I don't think that is a factor of the colorization program?). I am pretty sure I have seen a couple other black and white pictures of this same model K in front of this same tree before (I remember the unusual hood).
Wonderful pictures Rob! Thank you.
Just speculation offhand, the model K likely belongs to a local hotel or other business that caters to tourists and has their pictures taken in front of the tree. Not only is the top missing in the one photo, but the wheels have changed color (and I don't think that is a factor of the colorization program?). I am pretty sure I have seen a couple other black and white pictures of this same model K in front of this same tree before (I remember the unusual hood).
Wonderful pictures Rob! Thank you.
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Re: Pre-Ts in color
Wayne,
Thanks for your help. Down another big, long rabbit hole........
Yes, it does seem to be a well photographed tree. Some sources called it "the big tree." As a result I found a higher resolution photo of the first K pic, as well as several other early cars, and the names of the people in each Ford photo.
A photo of Earl Grey, Governor General of Canada:
Earl Grey also appeared on a Ford Times cover in 1908, but that's another story for another time........
Unknown visitors to "the big tree:"
Thanks for your help. Down another big, long rabbit hole........
Yes, it does seem to be a well photographed tree. Some sources called it "the big tree." As a result I found a higher resolution photo of the first K pic, as well as several other early cars, and the names of the people in each Ford photo.
A photo of Earl Grey, Governor General of Canada:
Earl Grey also appeared on a Ford Times cover in 1908, but that's another story for another time........
Unknown visitors to "the big tree:"
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Re: Pre-Ts in color
The pictures in Stanley Park. The second one an Oldsmobile and the fifth one another Oldsmobile a big difference in just a few years.
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Re: Pre-Ts in color
Earl Grey? Any relation to the tea I occasionally drink? Guess I need to google that?
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Re: Pre-Ts in color
Google says it is named after Charles the 2nd Earl Grey, British Prime Minister from 1830 to 1834. The things one learns because of our love of antique automobiles and their connections to history in general.
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Re: Pre-Ts in color
Wayne,
Always a connection to another bit of history. Thank you for looking into the "tea" connection. Of course, the context of tea to us, and residents of the Commonwealth countries is probably much different........
I believe this Model K, seen on two different occasions at "the big tree" in Stanley Park, may also be present in this May Day, 1907 photo taken in New Minster, B.C. (Vancouver):
A closeup of the cars perforated hood and three tier bale handled sidelamp, next to the known 1906 Model K. The known K doesn't have a battery box on the left, and the "May Day" photo car has a battery box on the right running board (Model K battery boxes were usually on the right side, but sometimes on the left, depending on personal preference):
And the two rear wheels, both with similar rim clamps:
The rabbit hole keeps getting deeper and darker................
Always a connection to another bit of history. Thank you for looking into the "tea" connection. Of course, the context of tea to us, and residents of the Commonwealth countries is probably much different........
I believe this Model K, seen on two different occasions at "the big tree" in Stanley Park, may also be present in this May Day, 1907 photo taken in New Minster, B.C. (Vancouver):
A closeup of the cars perforated hood and three tier bale handled sidelamp, next to the known 1906 Model K. The known K doesn't have a battery box on the left, and the "May Day" photo car has a battery box on the right running board (Model K battery boxes were usually on the right side, but sometimes on the left, depending on personal preference):
And the two rear wheels, both with similar rim clamps:
The rabbit hole keeps getting deeper and darker................