Pre T: Model B, things I've learned so far.........

[Rob]

I used to call the Model K, and probably would have lumped the Model B in as well, the Neanderthal of Ford.

A few excerpts from Wikipedia on Neanderthal:
"Neanderthals had more robust and stockier builds than typical modern humans"
"The total population of Neanderthals remained low"
"there is evidence that Neanderthal technology was more sophisticated than was previously thought."

However, that was partly a "self defense" claim, as I attempted to make the case that the Model K was a noble although doomed pre-T model. The reality is, I"m beginning to see what I believe is the evolution to the Model T through Model B, K and then N,R and S. When I think about it, there seems to be little of Ford models A, C and F that carry over to the Model T. On the other hand, after finally having a bit of 'B" time, I see many things of the Model B that we'll see for the next twenty plus years in Fords.

First, both the front and rear axles have "Ford" written all over them. The first Ford model to use drop forged I beam construction front axles, the "B" is also the first enclosed drive Ford with Henry Fords own three point design. Ford Motor Co. contracted with American Ball Bearing Co., initially for 250 Model B axles (Board of Directors minutes, April 4, 1904 and November 15, 1904). These were based on Ford patented differentials, and will be used for decades on Ford cars going forward. I was curious why a Cleveland company was selected to build the Model B differential, and found that American Ball Bearing was a well known front and rear axle builder by this time. Below is advertising for some of their work for Ford and other auto makers is indicated in this June 1905 multi-page advertisement in "Motor Age" magazine:

[Rob]

Continuing on (limit of 5 pics per post):

Ford is the only maker listed with differential patent mention: "Rear axle design includes the drive shaft and steady rod mechanism devised and patented by Mr. Ford."

While we often comment about Ford being an "assembled car," I suspect we don't often consider Oldsmobile and Cadillac, two of the largest car makers of the time, as also having assembled many of the components of their cars (at least I had not).

More to learn...........,
Rob

[DHort]

AO Smith company is known for making car frames. You would always see flatcars of frames leaving the plant and heading to Detroit. A Google search states they made frames for Peerless, Cadillac, and Ford. I suppose it is then possible the Model B frame was made here.

Reading the above ads, one also notes that Hyatt made bearings for many of those cars. It makes one wonder if the bearings used in a Ford were the same bearings used in those brands as well.

[Rob]

Dave,
Yes, A.O. Smith supplied some frames, but I'm not sure regarding Model B. Below is a 1941 newspaper article including a photo of A. O. Smith Henry Ford in a 1907/08 Model K. By 1941, the press has it wrong, writing the Model K was not a "financial success," when independent audits show the car was remarkably profitable, even leading sales and keeping Ford "in the black" in 1906. The article also mis-labels the car a 1906. The article is quite long. To see the entire piece click on the link below:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/jyl5wco7zkvpw ... K.pdf?dl=0

I think some have doubted if Smith supplied N frames, however this large independent Ford Manufacturing Co. account seems to indicate a good portion of components were purchases from Smith. We are fortunate to have these audits, as well as Canadian Tariff information that tells us who Model N and K suppliers were, and how much they charged FMC for each component. However, I don't have that information for Model B.

Courtesy THF, all rights apply

[Rob]

One thing I should add, Ford, probably like most manufacturers, didn't operate in a vacuum. The four cylinder motor saw a marked increase in numbers for 1905. This New York auto show article in "Motor Age" shows domestic cars increased four cylinder vertical motors from 82 to 127 between 1904 and 1905. Ford, like many automakers, offered a four cylinder car for the first time that year:

With foreign cars added, the number increased from 82 in 1904 to 204 four cylinder models in 1905. It looks like it was a "four cylinder year," as 1907 was called a "six cylinder year" in publications two years later.

[TrentB]

Mr. Ford’s patent for the rear axle is U.S. Patent number 747,909, granted on December 22, 1903.

Respectfully Submitted,

Trent Boggess

[Rob]

Trent, thank you for posting the patent number. As we discussed, it is the same patent Ford sued Cadillac for later, in 1909. I haven’t looked for the disposition of the suit.

[dllr28bl]

Rob,

The Model B Ford engine and the early Cadillac 4 cylinder engines looked like mirror images with their polished copper water jackets. I think Ford came out with their 4 cylinder first and I wondered if Cadillac stole Ford’s design?

Cadillac 4 Cyl..jpg (32.39 KiB) Viewed 2202 times

[Rob]

Dan,
I'm not sure who was first, but from the few specs I've read it looks like they sealed differently. A few other cars had copper water jackets at the time too. One of the benefits I read was that freezing didn't ruin the jug(s), just possibly split the copper jacket. While Cadillac kept copper jackets for several years, I suspect it would have been time and labor sensitive for Ford to try to use this system with the numbers they were ramping up to build (Model N the next year was forecast at 10,000).

[Duey_C]

I try to keep myself out of these discussions and simply drool.
What a beautiful sans carb photo of the 4-1/4 X 5 283!

[hull 433]

That car is in good hands.

[Pat Branigan Wisc]

My Brother was working on a 1907 G Cadillac when he passed away. That car was extremely well designed for it's time, It having a brass radiator out front really stands out. The four cylinder with those copper water jackets and aluminum crankcase look great. It being a three speed should perform very well for the HP to weight ratio.