Henry Ford Driving the Quadricycle near Cass Park in Detroit, 1896

THF116550 / Henry Ford Driving the Quadricycle near Cass Park in Detroit, 1896
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Artifact Overview

This photograph shows Henry Ford, age 33, with his Quadricycle in Detroit in the fall of 1896. He built his first gasoline powered vehicle with help from some friends in a shed behind a house he and his wife, Clara, rented.

Artifact Details

Artifact

Photographic print

Subject Date

1896

Location

By Request in the Benson Ford Research Center

Object ID

84.1.1660.1218

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: 4.625 in
Width: 3 in

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    The Quadricycle was Henry Ford's first attempt to build a gasoline-powered automobile. It utilized commonly available materials: angle iron for the frame, a leather belt and chain drive for the transmission, and a buggy seat. Ford had to devise his own ignition system. He sold his Quadricycle for $200, then used the money to build his second car.