Henry Ford and Oliver Barthel Driving the Ford Sweepstakes Racer on West Grand Boulevard, Detroit, Michigan, August 1901
Add to SetSummary
The 1901 "Sweepstakes" race car may have been Henry Ford's brainchild, but he had help bringing it into being. Oliver Barthel, a friend of Ford's and an engineer, was the car's principal designer. Years later Barthel recalled that, just before this photo was taken, "Sweepstakes" had hit 72 miles per hour in a trial run.
The 1901 "Sweepstakes" race car may have been Henry Ford's brainchild, but he had help bringing it into being. Oliver Barthel, a friend of Ford's and an engineer, was the car's principal designer. Years later Barthel recalled that, just before this photo was taken, "Sweepstakes" had hit 72 miles per hour in a trial run.
Artifact
Photographic print
Subject Date
August 1901
Keywords
Collection Title
On Exhibit
By Request in the Benson Ford Research Center
Object ID
33.483.1
Credit
From the Collections of The Henry Ford.
Material
Paper (Fiber product)
Technique
Gelatin silver process
Typewriting
Color
Black-and-white (Colors)
Dimensions
Height: 8.25 in
Width: 10 in
Inscriptions
Typewriting on back reads: Mr. Ford and Mr. Oliver E Barthel Taken by Alwood [sic] & Co., Commercial photographers the latter part of August 1901 on the North Grand Boulevard just west of Second. The west end of the Fisher Building would have shown in the right background if it had been build then. Picture taken just after completing a trial run over a measured half mile and timed with an electrical timing device. The speed attained was 72 miles per hour. Engine was a two cyliner 7 x 7 horizontal opposed engine.e. Original picture and information obtained from Mr. Oliver E. Barthel, Consulting Engineer, Dime Bank Building, Detroit. 10-13-33
Share Anywhere
Use this Artifact Card to share this great find with others. From historic images to vivid descriptions, a record of rich detail is bundled inside a single card.
