Henry Ford's 999, Chick Magnet?

[Rob]

I thought this article regarding women (there will be a second mentioned later) and Henry Ford's famous 999 racer. In this first case, reporter Eleanor Wild (pseudonym?) describes her successful effort to ride Ford's race car. As it turns out, this is very early in the long life of Henry Ford's most famous racer:

The photo below was reportedly taken at Grosse Pointe MI about the same time as this story was written. Tom Cooper is at the tiller, with Henry Ford standing beside the great racer:

[Rob]

Eleanor Wild may have been the first, and fastest woman to ride 999, but she wasn't the last.


Leah Russell was a nationally known actress at the turn of the last century:

In 1904, Miss Russell takes a ride on 999, "The New Orleans Item," New Orleans:

"Motor-Car Journal, London, England:

Miss Russell took her interest in Ford racer 999 one step further...........

[Wayne Sheldon]

Rob, THAT was a wonderful piece to read! I read it all, I read it slowly, the images of each scene fully forming in my head! The lady writes quite well, and I could almost feel the tires dance upon the track as the car flew around the curves.
Of course, it helps that I have driven my model T speedster at similar speeds around half-mile dirt tracks before

This piece helps to illustrate a concept I have mentioned many times in the past. Putting history in the context of its time. Most people in those days had never really experience speeds like that at any point in their lifetimes up to that point! Even cross-country passenger trains rarely exceeded 45 mph! And most passengers spent that whole time inside passenger cars that resembled their own parlor at home, and also insulated them from the outdoors nearly as well!

The rush, the excitement, the wind in their face like nothing they ever felt before! The future was coming! And it was coming faster than anybody thought possible just ten years before.

[Rob]

Wayne,
I just saw your post as I was writing the one below. As always, thank you for your perspective and placing historical events in context. History is wonderful place to become lost in........
Thank you for posting,
Rob


Another description of Miss Russell's New Orleans ride on 999:

But as mentioned earlier, she took her interest in speed a little further:

999 and Arrow continued to race through 1907, an extraordinary life for a racer. Next week many of us will see one of the two Ford Cooper racers, Arrow, at The Henry Ford.
Cheers,
Rob

[Wayne Sheldon]

More neat stuff!
I wonder how often she drove the car? And did she own both 999 and Arrow?
Also wonder what the deal was about ownership and the car being held?

Don't you have better things to do? Like driving a couple of your cars in upcoming activities?

[Duey_C]

What fresh air.
"out for a spin"!! That's an OLD phrase! Let's go for a spin! A semi-modern version.
Hahaha! Such a fun ride! Pun not intended.
No nonsense gals! I've never met a female that would faint at such speed, maybe it was expected back then with their delicate nature and all..... Actually, that may have been true about their "delicate" nature. I guess.... For some....
Leah didn't actually drive the 999 did she she? I realize it was first stated in a British press release but really?
Aside from that silly question, I need to say your sleuthing skills are-I won't say unmatched-are extraordinary.
On all subjects you cover, thank you for the digging and for the likely mindless hours sorting.
Back to my own madness.

[Rob]

Thanks guys. Wayne, you're right, I need to get out the door, and on the road to Detroit. First stop, Dean Yoder's in eastern Iowa.

I've been surprised over the years to see so many references to 999 (and by association, Arrow) over the early years of Ford. Below are a few of the last articles about the racer.

1908, owner Dana Burks:

1914:

The article above mistakenly reports the original 999 was completely wrecked in 1903, shipped back to Detroit and junked.

[Rob]

Long as we're here.......
Below, a couple of colorized photos of Ford's Arrow racer following the wreck at the Milwaukee state fair in September, 1903, in which inexperienced driver Frank Day was killed. Tom Cooper had the racer sent back to Henry Ford for repairs. Ford revamped the racer, including adding a steering wheel turning system, and placing the seat on the left side of the racer. In early 1904 Ford set the world mile record, driving this racer on Lake St. Clair, becoming the first man to drive a gasoline powered automobile over 90 mph while officially timed.

I believe Arrow had V shaped intake manifolds (second photo below), while 999 had vertical to horizontal intakes:

I also believe (memory?) Arrow was racing mate 999, and Ed Huff was driving that racer with Frank Day at the tiller of Arrow when this wreck occurred.

[tdump]

Strange,the radiators are different sometimes in pictures.
I just wish I was younger or in better health,I have always wanted to build a close replica,I bet that would BE FUN to drive.