Barney Oldfield Driving the Ford "999" Race Car, 1902-1903
THF116239 / Barney Oldfield Driving the Ford "999" Race Car, 1902-1903
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Artifact Overview
After building this massive racing car in 1902, Henry Ford was reluctant to drive it. He hired a bicycle racer named Barney Oldfield, who would win many races at the controls of the Ford "999." Both men built careers on the car's success--Oldfield became America's first nationally famous race driver and Ford gained support for his next venture: Ford Motor Company.
Artifact Details
Artifact
Photographic print
Subject Date
1902-1903
Collection Title
Location
By Request in the Benson Ford Research Center
Object ID
84.1.1660.P.188.5252
Credit
From the Collections of The Henry Ford. Gift of Ford Motor Company.
Material
Paper (Fiber product)
Linen (Material)
Technique
Gelatin silver process
Color
Black-and-white (Colors)
Dimensions
Height: 7.5 in
Width: 11 in
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articleBarney Oldfield: America’s Racer
During the early years of the automobile, most Americans knew the name of race car driver and celebrity Barney Oldfield.