Ford: The Man and the Machines (109)From its foundation at the turn of the 20th century, the introduction of the first moving automobile assembly line, and the successes and innovations of its different models, the Ford Motor Company has survived and thrived as one of the world's oldest auto manufacturers. Join us as we examine the legacy of the industrialist and American icon, Henry Ford.
Ford Motor Company Facts:
- Henry Ford was born in Greenfield Township, Mich., in 1863.
- Before he manufactured automobiles, Henry Ford was employed as an engineer by the Edison Illuminating Company in Detroit.
- Ford's first racecar was entered in a race at Grosse Pointe, Mich., on October 10, 1901. Ford won the race.
- The first Model T Ford was built on September 17, 1908.
- In 1909, two stripped down Model T Fords beat several higher-powered cars—taking first and third place in a transcontinental race from New York to Seattle.
- The Fordson tractor was named in honor of Henry Ford's son, Edsel.
- The last Model T (number 15,007,033) was built on May 31, 1927.
- The Model A was the first American car to feature standard safety glass.
- On April 14, 1931, the 20 millionth Ford rolled off the assembly line.
- Edsel Ford was 25 years old when he became President of the Ford Motor Company on December 31, 1918.
- Henry Ford II became president of the Ford Motor Company on September 21, 1945.
- The Crown Victoria originally sold for $2,375.
- More than 100,000 Edsels were built between 1957 and 1959.
- President Kennedy had such a passion for Thunderbirds, he included 50 of them in his inaugural procession in 1961.
- Jimmy Clark won the 1956 Indianapolis 500 in a Ford-powered Lotus.
- Ford won Le Mans four years in a row (1966-1969) with the GT40.
- Within four months of its introduction, more than 100,000 Mustangs were sold.
- The largest engine ever offered in the Mustang was a 429-cubic-inch V8.
Ford During the War:
- Ford stopped the production of all civilian vehicles in February 1942 to concentrate on military contracts.
- The M-8 Light Armored Car was developed by Ford and Army ordnance.
- The Willys-Overland Co. of Toledo, Ohio, also built the Jeep during World War II.
- The Willow Run factory, specifically built in 1942 to manufacture aircraft, is nearly a mile long.
- Ford also produced a tremendous variety of motorized gun carriages.
Resources:
Books:
Henry's Lady: An Illustrated History of the Model A Ford. (Ford Road Series)
by Ray Miller, Glenn Embree
The Legendary Model A Ford: The Ultimate History of One of America's Great Automobiles
by Peter Winnewisser
Ford, the Dust and the Glory: A Racing History, 1901-1967
and
Ford: The Dust and The Glory (A Racing History, Vol. 2: 1968-2000)
by Leo Levine
Edsel Ford and E.T. Gregorie: The Remarkable Design Team and Their Classic Fords of the 1930s and 1940s
by Henry L. Dominguez
Websites:
The Henry Ford Museum
Dearborn Michigan
www.hfmgv.org
Ford Motor Company
www.ford.com
The Model-A Ford Club of America
www.mafca.com
The Peach State Edsel Club
http://edsel2.freeyellow.com
Edsel and Eleanor Home
www.fordhouse.org
Ford Racing
www.fordracing.com
