Ford Motorsports Records
The Ford Motorsports records are made up of correspondence, press releases and other textual materials, photographs, proof sheets, and negatives maintained by the Lincoln-Mercury Public Affairs Department documenting Ford Motor Company's involvement in racing and performance testing.
Scope and Content Note
The Ford Motorsports records are arranged in three series and are made up of correspondence, press releases and other textual materials, photographs, proof sheets, and negatives maintained by the Lincoln-Mercury Public Affairs Department documenting...
MoreThe Ford Motorsports records are arranged in three series and are made up of correspondence, press releases and other textual materials, photographs, proof sheets, and negatives maintained by the Lincoln-Mercury Public Affairs Department documenting Ford Motor Company's involvement in racing and performance testing.
The Events and Automobiles series, 1957-1968, covers Ford-Lincoln-Mercury involvement in races, durability runs, and rallies such as the Cape Horn to Fairbanks Durability Run, Comet Durability Run and Comet drag racing, East African Safari Rally, Le Mans race, Indianapolis 500 pace car program, and Mobilgas Economy Run. Ford's entry in many of these events was the Mercury Comet. In addition the series contains information on the road trip, "Aventura Alaska-Brasil," taken by William and Renée Carroll and the Lincoln Continental executive limousine.
The Drivers series, 1967, consists of biographical information on race car drivers Don Nicholson and Dan Gurney. Other information on drivers, including photographs, can be found in other parts of the collection.
The Summary Information series, 1962-1963, consists of summary information on racing events as well as automobile and engine specifications.
LessCollection Details
Object ID: 2007.1.1930.0
Creator: Ford Motor Company. Lincoln-Mercury Public Affairs Department
Inclusive Dates: 1957-1968
Size: 1 cubic ft. (3 boxes)
Language: English
Collection Access & Use
Item Location: Not Currently On Exhibit
Access Restrictions: The collection is open for research.
Credit: From the Collections of The Henry Ford. Gift of Ford Motor Company.
Keywords
Digitized Artifacts From This Collection
In many cases, not all artifacts have been digitized.
Contact us for more information about this collection.
Ford Motorsports Records--East African Safari--Photography--Item 1
Artifact
Photographic print
Summary
The East African Safari Rally tested a car's and driver's endurance. During the 1960s, the rally's course covered thousands of miles passing through Kenya, Tanganyika (Tanzania) and Uganda. Drivers could expect punishing road conditions. Mud or dust was commonplace. Many cars that entered did not finish. Peter Walker, pictured here, competed on one of the American teams in 1964.
Keywords
Object ID
2007.1.1930.2
Location
By Request in the Benson Ford Research Center
Get more details in Digital Collections at:
Ford Motorsports Records--East African Safari--Photography--Item 1
What is The Henry Ford?
The national attraction for discovering your ingenuity while exploring America’s spirit of innovation. There is always much to see and do at The Henry Ford.
Ford Motorsports Records--East African Safari--Photography--Item 6
Artifact
Photographic print
Summary
The East African Safari Rally tested a car's and driver's endurance. During the 1960s, the rally's course covered thousands of miles passing through Kenya, Tanganyika (Tanzania) and Uganda. Drivers could expect punishing road conditions. Mud or dust was commonplace. And dodging wild animals could be expected. In 1964, the first American teams entered the grueling competition driving Mercury Comet Calientes.
Keywords
Object ID
2007.1.1930.7
Location
By Request in the Benson Ford Research Center
Get more details in Digital Collections at:
Ford Motorsports Records--East African Safari--Photography--Item 6
What is The Henry Ford?
The national attraction for discovering your ingenuity while exploring America’s spirit of innovation. There is always much to see and do at The Henry Ford.
Ford Motorsports Records--East African Safari--Photography--Item 8
Artifact
Photographic print
Summary
The East African Safari Rally tested a car's and driver's endurance. During the 1960s, the rally's course covered thousands of miles passing through Kenya, Tanganyika (Tanzania) and Uganda. Drivers could expect punishing road conditions. Mud or dust was commonplace. And dodging wild animals could be expected. In 1964, the first American teams entered the grueling competition driving Mercury Comet Calientes.
Keywords
Object ID
2007.1.1930.9
Location
By Request in the Benson Ford Research Center
Get more details in Digital Collections at:
Ford Motorsports Records--East African Safari--Photography--Item 8
What is The Henry Ford?
The national attraction for discovering your ingenuity while exploring America’s spirit of innovation. There is always much to see and do at The Henry Ford.
Ford Motorsports Records--East African Safari--Photography--Item 11
Artifact
Photographic print
Summary
The East African Safari Rally tested a car's and driver's endurance. During the 1960s, the rally's course covered thousands of miles passing through Kenya, Tanganyika (Tanzania) and Uganda. Drivers could expect punishing road conditions. Mud or dust was commonplace. And dodging wild animals could be expected. In 1964, the first American teams entered the grueling competition driving Mercury Comet Calientes.
Keywords
Object ID
2007.1.1930.12
Location
By Request in the Benson Ford Research Center
Get more details in Digital Collections at:
Ford Motorsports Records--East African Safari--Photography--Item 11
What is The Henry Ford?
The national attraction for discovering your ingenuity while exploring America’s spirit of innovation. There is always much to see and do at The Henry Ford.
"Mercury/Comet Performance News," September 22, 1966
Artifact
Newsletter
Date Made
22 September 1966
Summary
Ford Motor Company returned to racing in a big way in the 1960s with its "Total Performance" campaign. The marketing push put Ford vehicles into every major form of American motorsport. The automaker promoted its Mercury Comet for NHRA drag racing's stock classes. Comet's drag-ready factory options included larger engines, heavy-duty suspensions, and heavier tires.
Keywords
Object ID
2007.1.1930.24
Credit
From the Collections of The Henry Ford. Gift of Ford Motor Company.
Location
By Request in the Benson Ford Research Center
Get more details in Digital Collections at:
"Mercury/Comet Performance News," September 22, 1966
What is The Henry Ford?
The national attraction for discovering your ingenuity while exploring America’s spirit of innovation. There is always much to see and do at The Henry Ford.
Brochure, "Comet Performance for '65"
Artifact
Brochure
Date Made
1965
Summary
Ford Motor Company returned to racing in a big way in the 1960s with its "Total Performance" campaign. The marketing push put Ford vehicles into every major form of American motorsport. The automaker promoted its Mercury Comet for NHRA drag racing's stock classes. Comet's drag-ready factory options included larger engines, heavy-duty suspensions, and heavier tires.
Keywords
Object ID
2007.1.1930.25
Credit
From the Collections of The Henry Ford. Gift of Ford Motor Company.
Location
By Request in the Benson Ford Research Center
Get more details in Digital Collections at:
Brochure, "Comet Performance for '65"
What is The Henry Ford?
The national attraction for discovering your ingenuity while exploring America’s spirit of innovation. There is always much to see and do at The Henry Ford.
Dan Gurney in 1967 Mercury Cougar (#98), Kent 300 at Pacific Raceways, Kent, Washington, October 8, 1967
Details
Dan Gurney in 1967 Mercury Cougar (#98), Kent 300 at Pacific Raceways, Kent, Washington, October 8, 1967
Artifact
Photographic print
Summary
A group of "pony cars" make the turn at the 1967 Kent 300, Pacific Raceways, Kent, Washington. Consumer model "pony cars" were small, sporty four-seaters with big engines. This photograph shows Dan Gurney driving a Mercury Cougar chased by a group of Mustangs and a Camaro.
Creators
Place of Creation
Object ID
2007.1.1930.1
Credit
From the Collections of The Henry Ford. Gift of Ford Motor Company.
Location
By Request in the Benson Ford Research Center
Get more details in Digital Collections at:
Dan Gurney in 1967 Mercury Cougar (#98), Kent 300 at Pacific Raceways, Kent, Washington, October 8, 1967
What is The Henry Ford?
The national attraction for discovering your ingenuity while exploring America’s spirit of innovation. There is always much to see and do at The Henry Ford.
Ford Motorsports Records--East African Safari--Photography--Item 2
Artifact
Photographic print
Summary
The East African Safari Rally tested a car's and driver's endurance. During the 1960s, the rally's course covered thousands of miles passing through Kenya, Tanganyika (Tanzania) and Uganda. Drivers could expect punishing road conditions. Mud or dust was commonplace. Many cars that entered did not finish. Ray Brock, pictured here, competed on one of the American teams in 1964.
Keywords
Object ID
2007.1.1930.3
Location
By Request in the Benson Ford Research Center
Get more details in Digital Collections at:
Ford Motorsports Records--East African Safari--Photography--Item 2
What is The Henry Ford?
The national attraction for discovering your ingenuity while exploring America’s spirit of innovation. There is always much to see and do at The Henry Ford.
Ford Motorsports Records--East African Safari--Photography--Item 4
Artifact
Photographic print
Summary
The East African Safari Rally tested a car's and driver's endurance. During the 1960s, the rally's course covered thousands of miles passing through Kenya, Tanganyika (Tanzania) and Uganda. Drivers could expect punishing road conditions. Mud or dust was commonplace. And dodging wild animals could be expected. In 1964, the first American teams entered the grueling competition driving Mercury Comet Calientes.
Keywords
Object ID
2007.1.1930.5
Location
By Request in the Benson Ford Research Center
Get more details in Digital Collections at:
Ford Motorsports Records--East African Safari--Photography--Item 4
What is The Henry Ford?
The national attraction for discovering your ingenuity while exploring America’s spirit of innovation. There is always much to see and do at The Henry Ford.
