Zenith Updraft Set-up For Model T Ford

From Motor Record Magazine 1921.

Henry Ford 150th Celebration.

2013 marks the 150th anniversary of Henry Ford's birth in 1863. Lots of things are either in the planned or still in the planning stages. Check the official Henry Ford 150 site for more info.

Henry Ford 150 Celebration Link

Major Site Update

Henry Ford keeping warm by the fireplace. We're keeping warm by the computer.

Now that cooler weather has set in and garage time is getting shorter, I have been working on a major site update. So far I have 50+ new entries ready to post and will be doing just that over the next few days. As you come to expect here at Vintage Ford Facts, quite a bit of the things I will be posting are not well known or easily researched.

While some automotive history sites carpet bomb a site with new content, we prefer a more laid back approach. Our content here is unique in that we don't rely on photo heavy posts with little substance. Rather we try to present information that would not otherwise be known unless you have a large Ford reference collection.

Thanks for reading and feel free to contact me with any questions.

-Luke Dahlinger
Vintage Ford Facts

The New Ford

Edsel Ford with a very early '28 Roadster in front of the Ford Engineering Building.

                             
On this day in 1927 the New Ford Model A was introduced to the public. Replacing the Model T and under hushed rumors for months the car was met with huge crowds at debuts in most large cities. In New York City, the local Ford branch rented Madison Square Garden just to be able to handle the large crowds.

Cars were in such demand many dealers were forced to make do with large posters, speeches about the new car, copious amounts of literature, but no actual car! It would be a couple months before every dealer had at least one car for demonstration purposes.

The Model A was a major change from the Model T, instead of the planetary transmission so well known in the T, the Model A featured a sliding gear transmission modeled after the higher priced Lincoln. Enterprising dealers offered driving classes to former owners of Model T's.

A wide array of body colors was offered, unheard of on a low priced car, same for the Houdaille Shock Absorbers which were put on at Henry Ford's insistence.

The model A also holds the honor of being the first car produced at the mighty Ford Rouge Plant in Dearborn. Prior Detroit assembly line operations was at Highland Park.

Model A showed what Henry & Edsel could do when they worked together as a team. Edsel was responsible for the body and other cosmetic things while Henry worked on the chassis with his staff of engineers.

Production of the Model A ceased in early 1932 after a short 4 year run.

The Model A Ford remains one of the most popular collector cars out there today. They were known for being a fine car when new and that still holds true today. Model A's are one of the very cars from the 20s & early 1930s that can be driven anywhere and parts are still easily obtained. I own a few of them myself and wouldn't trade them for any price.

Piece of Ford history up for sale.

While this isn't the normal post here at Vintage Ford Facts, it is certainly interesting.

This property was given to Ray & Evangeline Dahlinger by Henry Ford in the early 1920s. The Dahlingers not only worked for Henry Ford personally, but they were his confidants and neighbors.

Henry Ford was known to give lavish gifts to his friends and employees. This property and many others like it in Michigan survive to this day. We are working on compiling a list of these surviving properties.

Craftsmen from Greenfield Village built the windmill, which is topped by a propeller from a Ford Tri-motor. It's rumored Charles Lindbergh stayed in this windmill on a couple occasions. Based on the photos it appears the main house has had little alteration over the years. John Dahlinger in his book "The Secret Life of Henry Ford" goes into some detail about this particular property. You can find this book at most online used book sellers for a nominal price.

Check out this link for photos. It's located at 4951 Lakeshore in Lexington, MI. I do not advise unannounced arrival however. It would be best to check with the listing real estate agent and go from there.

Ray & Evangeline Dahlinger Lake Huron Home

Highland Park Plant Virtual Tour

               

Here's an interesting link to all Ford history enthusiasts. These photos show interior and exterior photos of the remaining structures at the Highland Park Plant. Keep in mind most of the plant is off limits to the casual visitor so this is a rare look at one of the most significant buildings in not only Ford history but the history of the United States. Click the link below.

Highland Park Plant Tour - Slideshow

The closest virtual tour we have for the Highland Park plant during production is Arnold & Faroute's Book "Ford Methods & Ford Shops" which was compiled in the 1914-1916 period- the heyday of the Highland Park plant.

June 4 1896 - A Red Letter Day in Ford History

Henry Ford in the Original Quadricycle. New York 1906

 Henry Ford Had worked on the Quadricycle in his off time from his job at Detroit Edison.  Ford's Co-worker and friend ed "Spider" Huff also played a large role in the creation of this ride. Many nights were spent with Ford's wife Clara in the converted coal shed toiling on this new car.

The car still exists and is under glass at the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, Michigan.

Chickasha Pre-War Swap Meet 2012

Getting back in the mood to update this blog!  The editorial staff of Vintage Ford facts attended the Chickasha Meet in Oklahoma this March.  First time I ever attended and I will be back!

Here's a few selected views of Ford and Ford goodies at Chickasha. Will likely post more photos in a subsequent post.

Nice selection of Model A Fenders. A few of these went home with me for my projects.

mid 30s Ford Porcelain sign

1933 or 1934 Ford Tudor Sedan

Part of the NOS haul that came back to Florida with me.

Nice 26-7 T Sedan

Rare original Ford filmstrips!

1935 Ford Phaeton

Have any of these laying around?

Looking for issues of Model A News, The Restorer, Vintage Ford, and V-8 Times to complete my collections. Doesn't matter if you have one or 1000, as I trade duplicate issues with others who are trying to build complete sets.

If you have extras of these or have some laying around that you don't know what to do with, please let me know.

I will be glad to make an offer and take them off your hands!

My email is LS-Dah-lin-geratgmail.com  (Remove the hyphens and replace "at" with @)