William Clay Ford in 1953 Indianapolis 500 Pace Car, Ken Schuntz in "999" Racer, Ford Test Track, April 1953
THF130893 / William Clay Ford in 1953 Indianapolis 500 Pace Car, Ken Schuntz in "999" Racer, Ford Test Track, April 1953
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Artifact Overview
Ford Motor Company celebrated its 50th anniversary in 1953 and was invited to provide the pace car for that year's Indianapolis 500. Six weeks before the race, William Clay Ford and Ken Schuntz posed on the company's Dearborn test track with the pace car, a 1953 Ford Sunliner, and the "999," a race car built by Henry Ford in 1902.
Artifact Details
Artifact
Photographic print
Subject Date
14 April 1953
Collection Title
Location
By Request in the Benson Ford Research Center
Object ID
84.1.1660.P.833.101747
Credit
From the Collections of The Henry Ford. Gift of Ford Motor Company.
Material
Paper (Fiber product)
Technique
Gelatin silver process
Color
Black-and-white (Colors)
Dimensions
Height: 8 in
Width: 10 in
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Artifact1902 Ford "999" Race Car, Built by Henry Ford
Henry Ford hired a fearless bicycle racer named Barney Oldfield to drive "999." Although he had never driven a car, Oldfield learned quickly and won his first competition. He went on to become America's first nationally famous racing hero, known for his thrilling exhibition races and the trademark cigar he chewed to protect his teeth in a crash.
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article1953 Ford Sunliner Pace Car
Learn about our 1953 Ford Sunliner, the Official Pace Car of the 1953 Indianapolis 500—and find out more about the race and the history of pace cars.