The first Ford timed at 100 mph, as it looks today.

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Rob
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The first Ford timed at 100 mph, as it looks today.

Post by Rob » Fri Oct 13, 2023 2:26 pm

We were fortunate to see the 1100 cubic inch Ford six cylinder racer at THF, off site, during Old Car Festival. Firsts for this racer include the first timed 100 mph run, a beach race trophy, and the last known racer Henry Ford raced. It’s also the last known racer Henry Ford took out on the track, demonstrating it to his branch managers in 1907. That was only days before it came apart, almost killing Ford driver Frank Kulick, as he attempted a world mile speed record on the Michigan Fairground track.

Click on the Dropbox link to see the video (courtesy of Bruce Balough):
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/q473ae5v ... vffmw&dl=0

89AA299A-22BA-4B44-8C2E-55A4AEBE513D.jpeg
This is also Fords longest lived racer. Ford began racing it in January 1905, and it was rebuilt in 1909 in anticipation of racing in timed events at the inaugural Indianapolis Speedway. As seen in the video, the racer wasn’t completely rebuilt, and didn’t make the races.
ABEC508E-8B52-4EAD-B7AA-23499CBC4221.jpeg

Shortly before Kulick’s near fatal attempt at the 53 second circular track record, Henry Ford demonstrated his “speed creation” to his branch managers at their annual gathering in Detroit:
2235C5D1-9AD6-4AB5-8944-5EB6C8FCCAD3.jpeg
Atlantic City beach races, September 1905. Frank Kulick defeated A. L. Cambell driving his Darracq for this heavyweight class trophy. Ford had just set the Mile competition record against Cambell, but the Darracq team protested and the race was rerun.
19607BBA-1BC5-41CE-A3F8-0E08CF94CAD2.jpeg
Of course, we all know Henry Ford hated the six cylinder car.
Last edited by Rob on Fri Oct 13, 2023 4:51 pm, edited 1 time in total.


M.Sinclair
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Re: The first Ford timed at 100 mph, as it looks today.

Post by M.Sinclair » Fri Oct 13, 2023 4:36 pm

Rob,
Kind of unrelated but I’ve heard that there’s a K in the back of the Henry Ford is there any truth to that and if there is what condition is it in? And also next to the 100mph car was that a Brush) I saw the coil springs and thought it looked like one. Great video I wish the opened the rest of the collection up more.

Matthew

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Rob
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Re: The first Ford timed at 100 mph, as it looks today.

Post by Rob » Fri Oct 13, 2023 4:53 pm

Matthew,
Yes, and yes. I’ll get back on “that K.” It’s a “Special K” story (and I’m not talking about breakfast cereal).
Cheers,
Rob


Erik Johnson
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Re: The first Ford timed at 100 mph, as it looks today.

Post by Erik Johnson » Fri Oct 13, 2023 9:53 pm

At one point in the video, one gentleman indicates the racer has 34 x 3.5 tires. Am I correct?

Do you know what brand they are?


KeithG
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Re: The first Ford timed at 100 mph, as it looks today.

Post by KeithG » Fri Oct 13, 2023 10:54 pm

Thanks for sharing this with us, Rob! And thanks to Bruce Balough for videoing it for us to see. Really looking forward to the story about the "Special K"!!!.

Keith
'14 Touring, '26 Roadster Pickup, '27 Fordor, '27 Touring
Motto: It's hard to build a garage that's tooooo big! :D


KeithG
Posts: 661
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Board Member Since: 1999

Re: The first Ford timed at 100 mph, as it looks today.

Post by KeithG » Fri Oct 13, 2023 10:55 pm

Thanks for sharing this with us, Rob! And thanks to Bruce Balough for videoing it for us to see. Really looking forward to the story about the "Special K"!!!. :)

Keith
'14 Touring, '26 Roadster Pickup, '27 Fordor, '27 Touring
Motto: It's hard to build a garage that's tooooo big! :D

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