Ford 999
Encyclopedia
The Ford 999 was a nameplate attached to two distinct but similar racers built by Henry Ford
during the early 20th century. Though they began as separate entities, they were virtually mechanically identical and parts (and, ultimately, names) were swapped between them as needed, making the identities and legacies inseparable.
. In March 1902, Ford left this original company over disputes with his stockholders and Henry Leland, taking with him $900 and schematics for a planned racer. In Ford's absence, Leland took over the company, and made it into the Cadillac Motor Company
later in 1902.
Henry Ford collaborated with bicycle racer Tom Cooper and a team of several assistants to create two similar racing cars that were as yet unnamed. They were painted red and yellow, respectively. The result was a huge engine
with a bare chassis
attached to it, with no bodywork
whatsoever. Both of the cars were extremely heavily engineered, with an 18.8 L inline-4 engine, 230-lb
flywheel
, a bore of 7.25 inches (184.2 mm) and a stroke of 7 inches (177.8 mm). Power was quoted anywhere from 70 to 100 hp. There was no rear suspension
, no differential, and steering
was controlled by a crude pivoting metal bar. The total cost of the project was $5000.
Though Ford's name was attached to the cars and the ensuing legend, he had ironically sold his stake in them for $800 to Barney Oldfield
and Cooper when the cars had refused to start during a test drive two weeks before the first race. Ultimately, Ford would abandon his share of the racing money, but would reserve the right to promotions and publicity of the cars, which secured his image behind their eventual successes. He meanwhile built up Ford Motor Company
, which surpassed Winton in terms of production by the end of 1903.
In summer of 1902, Cooper and Oldfield carried out further work and got the red one working. The red one was named 999 for the Empire State Express No. 999. No. 999 was a type 4-4-0
American
steam locomotive
which had famously set a world speed record of 112.5 mi/h on May 10, 1893, making it the first man-made vehicle to exceed 100 mi/h under its own propulsion. The yellow one was named Arrow for the connotations of a sleek arrow
flying through the air.
, and went on to tour America and score many other victories. Cooper retained ownership of the car for its racing career, while Oldfield ultimately pursued a racing career with Winton
, against whom he had raced at the outset.
On January 12, 1904, Henry Ford personally drove the rechristened 999 to a speed of 91.37 mi/h on Lake St. Clair, a land speed record. It stood for only a month, but this was ample time to bring more good publicity for Ford's new company
.
Henry Ford
Henry Ford was an American industrialist, the founder of the Ford Motor Company, and sponsor of the development of the assembly line technique of mass production. His introduction of the Model T automobile revolutionized transportation and American industry...
during the early 20th century. Though they began as separate entities, they were virtually mechanically identical and parts (and, ultimately, names) were swapped between them as needed, making the identities and legacies inseparable.
Creation
Henry Ford had an early interest in racing cars, having built and driven in 1901 a 26 hp model that won a race against Alexander Winton and other challengers. It was from the proceeds of this race that Ford created the Henry Ford CompanyHenry Ford Company
The Henry Ford Company was the second company for Henry Ford, founded November 3, 1901. It resulted from the reorganization of the Detroit Automobile Company, his first unsuccessful attempt at automobile manufacture a year before. In March 1902, Ford left the company following a dispute with his...
. In March 1902, Ford left this original company over disputes with his stockholders and Henry Leland, taking with him $900 and schematics for a planned racer. In Ford's absence, Leland took over the company, and made it into the Cadillac Motor Company
Cadillac
Cadillac is an American luxury vehicle marque owned by General Motors . Cadillac vehicles are sold in over 50 countries and territories, but mostly in North America. Cadillac is currently the second oldest American automobile manufacturer behind fellow GM marque Buick and is among the oldest...
later in 1902.
Henry Ford collaborated with bicycle racer Tom Cooper and a team of several assistants to create two similar racing cars that were as yet unnamed. They were painted red and yellow, respectively. The result was a huge engine
Engine
An engine or motor is a machine designed to convert energy into useful mechanical motion. Heat engines, including internal combustion engines and external combustion engines burn a fuel to create heat which is then used to create motion...
with a bare chassis
Chassis
A chassis consists of an internal framework that supports a man-made object. It is analogous to an animal's skeleton. An example of a chassis is the underpart of a motor vehicle, consisting of the frame with the wheels and machinery.- Vehicles :In the case of vehicles, the term chassis means the...
attached to it, with no bodywork
Coachwork
Coachwork is the body of a horse-drawn coach or carriage, a motor vehicle , a railroad car or railway carriage. Usually reserved for bodies built on a separate chassis, rather than being of unitary or monocoque construction...
whatsoever. Both of the cars were extremely heavily engineered, with an 18.8 L inline-4 engine, 230-lb
Pound (mass)
The pound or pound-mass is a unit of mass used in the Imperial, United States customary and other systems of measurement...
flywheel
Flywheel
A flywheel is a rotating mechanical device that is used to store rotational energy. Flywheels have a significant moment of inertia, and thus resist changes in rotational speed. The amount of energy stored in a flywheel is proportional to the square of its rotational speed...
, a bore of 7.25 inches (184.2 mm) and a stroke of 7 inches (177.8 mm). Power was quoted anywhere from 70 to 100 hp. There was no rear suspension
Suspension (vehicle)
Suspension is the term given to the system of springs, shock absorbers and linkages that connects a vehicle to its wheels. Suspension systems serve a dual purpose — contributing to the car's roadholding/handling and braking for good active safety and driving pleasure, and keeping vehicle occupants...
, no differential, and steering
Steering
Steering is the term applied to the collection of components, linkages, etc. which will allow a vessel or vehicle to follow the desired course...
was controlled by a crude pivoting metal bar. The total cost of the project was $5000.
Though Ford's name was attached to the cars and the ensuing legend, he had ironically sold his stake in them for $800 to Barney Oldfield
Barney Oldfield
Berna Eli "Barney" Oldfield was an automobile racer and pioneer. He was born on a farm on the outskirts of Wauseon, Ohio. He was the first man to drive a car at 60 miles per hour on an oval...
and Cooper when the cars had refused to start during a test drive two weeks before the first race. Ultimately, Ford would abandon his share of the racing money, but would reserve the right to promotions and publicity of the cars, which secured his image behind their eventual successes. He meanwhile built up Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company is an American multinational automaker based in Dearborn, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit. The automaker was founded by Henry Ford and incorporated on June 16, 1903. In addition to the Ford and Lincoln brands, Ford also owns a small stake in Mazda in Japan and Aston Martin in the UK...
, which surpassed Winton in terms of production by the end of 1903.
In summer of 1902, Cooper and Oldfield carried out further work and got the red one working. The red one was named 999 for the Empire State Express No. 999. No. 999 was a type 4-4-0
4-4-0
Under the Whyte notation for the classification of steam locomotives, 4-4-0 represents the wheel arrangement of four leading wheels on two axles , four powered and coupled driving wheels on two axles, and no trailing wheels...
American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
steam locomotive
Steam locomotive
A steam locomotive is a railway locomotive that produces its power through a steam engine. These locomotives are fueled by burning some combustible material, usually coal, wood or oil, to produce steam in a boiler, which drives the steam engine...
which had famously set a world speed record of 112.5 mi/h on May 10, 1893, making it the first man-made vehicle to exceed 100 mi/h under its own propulsion. The yellow one was named Arrow for the connotations of a sleek arrow
Arrow
An arrow is a shafted projectile that is shot with a bow. It predates recorded history and is common to most cultures.An arrow usually consists of a shaft with an arrowhead attached to the front end, with fletchings and a nock at the other.- History:...
flying through the air.
Racing career
Oldfield, despite having absolutely no driving experience, learned how to race the 999. In his October 1902 debut, a five-mile (8 km) race known as the Manufacturers' Challenge Cup, despite a strong challenge from Winton once again (which was the rematch for which Ford had originally planned), Oldfield easily won. The 999 set a course speed record at the track at Grosse PointeGrosse Pointe
Grosse Pointe refers to a coastal area in Metro Detroit, Michigan, United States that comprises five adjacent individual communities. From southwest to northeast, they are:*Grosse Pointe Park, city*Grosse Pointe, city*Grosse Pointe Farms, city...
, and went on to tour America and score many other victories. Cooper retained ownership of the car for its racing career, while Oldfield ultimately pursued a racing career with Winton
Winton Motor Carriage Company
The Winton Motor Carriage Company was a pioneer United States automobile manufacturer based in Cleveland, Ohio. Winton was one of the first American companies to sell a motor car.-1896:...
, against whom he had raced at the outset.
Icy speed record
Arrow also had a successful racing career, but her most famous instance was to come. She was crashed in September 1903 during a race, killing the driver Frank Day. However, Henry Ford bought back the broken car and repaired it with the intent of performing a speed run on a frozen lake. He renamed it 999, as the original red car had been retired already, and the press referred to it as the "new 999," "Red Devil," or a combination of the two.On January 12, 1904, Henry Ford personally drove the rechristened 999 to a speed of 91.37 mi/h on Lake St. Clair, a land speed record. It stood for only a month, but this was ample time to bring more good publicity for Ford's new company
Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company is an American multinational automaker based in Dearborn, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit. The automaker was founded by Henry Ford and incorporated on June 16, 1903. In addition to the Ford and Lincoln brands, Ford also owns a small stake in Mazda in Japan and Aston Martin in the UK...
.