Ford Model T Race Car Crossing the Missouri River during the New York-Seattle Transcontinental Race, 1909

01

Artifact Overview

Ford Motor Company promoted its Model T by entering two cars in a 1909 race from New York to Seattle. It was a demanding contest at a time when roads were nearly nonexistent. After 23 days, the #2 Model T won the race. It was later disqualified on a technicality -- but the little Ford had already made big headlines by then.

Artifact Details

Artifact

Photographic print

Date Made

1909

Subject Date

1909

Location

By Request in the Benson Ford Research Center

Object ID

84.1.1660.514

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: 2.25 in
Width: 3.125 in

Inscriptions

handwritten notation in pencil on back: Racing cars on Ferry at Glasgow. No. 1 just coming off. 99 O-2575 black ink stamp on back: Photo By Ford Motor Co. Central Staff Photographic Dearborn, Michigan