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- Henry Ford and Ed (Spider) Huff Driving the Ford Sweepstakes Racer at Grosse Pointe, Michigan, October 10, 1901 - Henry Ford and Ed "Spider" Huff driving Sweepstakes, Ford's first race car, to victory over Alexander Winton at the Grosse Pointe Race Track, a horse racing track, Grosse Pointe, Michigan, October 10th, 1901. After several other cars dropped out, the race pitted the then unknown Ford against Alexander Winton who, in 1901, was one of the most well-known and successful automobile manufacturer in the country. After Winton's car developed mechanical problems, Henry Ford, with Ed Huff crouching on the side board manually lubricating and fueling the car, won the race. Ford used the notoriety from the race to gain financial investors who helped fund his second car company, the Henry Ford Company, in 1902.
- October 10, 1901
- Collections - Artifact
Henry Ford and Ed (Spider) Huff Driving the Ford Sweepstakes Racer at Grosse Pointe, Michigan, October 10, 1901
Henry Ford and Ed "Spider" Huff driving Sweepstakes, Ford's first race car, to victory over Alexander Winton at the Grosse Pointe Race Track, a horse racing track, Grosse Pointe, Michigan, October 10th, 1901. After several other cars dropped out, the race pitted the then unknown Ford against Alexander Winton who, in 1901, was one of the most well-known and successful automobile manufacturer in the country. After Winton's car developed mechanical problems, Henry Ford, with Ed Huff crouching on the side board manually lubricating and fueling the car, won the race. Ford used the notoriety from the race to gain financial investors who helped fund his second car company, the Henry Ford Company, in 1902.
- Maine Automobile Association Badge, 1920-1932 - Twentieth-century motorists who belonged to automobile clubs attached badges or emblems to their vehicles. These membership badges were displayed prominently on radiators, license plates, bumpers, or elsewhere on the car. The badges helped identify members and promoted the organization. Enameled badges, like this one, were used by members of the Maine Automobile Association in the 1920s and 1930s.
- 1920-1932
- Collections - Artifact
Maine Automobile Association Badge, 1920-1932
Twentieth-century motorists who belonged to automobile clubs attached badges or emblems to their vehicles. These membership badges were displayed prominently on radiators, license plates, bumpers, or elsewhere on the car. The badges helped identify members and promoted the organization. Enameled badges, like this one, were used by members of the Maine Automobile Association in the 1920s and 1930s.
- Ford Model T Stuck in Mud during the 1909 Transcontinental Race - Ford Motor Company promoted the Model T's reliability by entering two cars in the 1909 Transcontinental Race from New York to Seattle. It was a demanding contest over rough country at a time when roads were nearly nonexistent. After 23 days, one of the Model Ts reached Seattle first. It was later disqualified due to repairs made en route.
- 1909
- Collections - Artifact
Ford Model T Stuck in Mud during the 1909 Transcontinental Race
Ford Motor Company promoted the Model T's reliability by entering two cars in the 1909 Transcontinental Race from New York to Seattle. It was a demanding contest over rough country at a time when roads were nearly nonexistent. After 23 days, one of the Model Ts reached Seattle first. It was later disqualified due to repairs made en route.
- Detroit Automobile Club Sign, 1920-1935 - The Detroit Automobile Club was established in 1916. Over the years, the club arranged auto tours, lobbied for motorist-friendly legislation, promoted road and highway improvements, and encouraged tourism in Michigan. Its work continues today under the banner of the Auto Club Group, the second-largest AAA club in North America.
- 1920-1935
- Collections - Artifact
Detroit Automobile Club Sign, 1920-1935
The Detroit Automobile Club was established in 1916. Over the years, the club arranged auto tours, lobbied for motorist-friendly legislation, promoted road and highway improvements, and encouraged tourism in Michigan. Its work continues today under the banner of the Auto Club Group, the second-largest AAA club in North America.
- Racing Program, "Merrimack Valley Course," Lowell, Massachusetts, 1909 - Lowell, Massachusetts, hosted automobile races in 1908 and 1909 on a 10.6-mile circuit laid out on city streets. The four-mile straightaway along Pawtucket Boulevard had originally been built for harness racing. <em>Motor Age</em> described a 1909 race on the Merrimack Valley Course as "one of the greatest of its kind," but the competitions were not successful financially.
- 1909
- Collections - Artifact
Racing Program, "Merrimack Valley Course," Lowell, Massachusetts, 1909
Lowell, Massachusetts, hosted automobile races in 1908 and 1909 on a 10.6-mile circuit laid out on city streets. The four-mile straightaway along Pawtucket Boulevard had originally been built for harness racing. Motor Age described a 1909 race on the Merrimack Valley Course as "one of the greatest of its kind," but the competitions were not successful financially.
- 1958 Edsel Citation Hardtop - The public didn't know what to make of the Edsel's styling. Like other fashionable 1950s cars, it was big (over 18 feet long) and colorful (161 paint combinations), with four headlights and lots of chrome. But the grille -- ah, the grille. Edsel stylists said it echoed classic 1930s cars. Wise guys said it looked like a Buick sucking a lemon. After only 27 months, Edsel production ceased.
- 1958
- Collections - Artifact
1958 Edsel Citation Hardtop
The public didn't know what to make of the Edsel's styling. Like other fashionable 1950s cars, it was big (over 18 feet long) and colorful (161 paint combinations), with four headlights and lots of chrome. But the grille -- ah, the grille. Edsel stylists said it echoed classic 1930s cars. Wise guys said it looked like a Buick sucking a lemon. After only 27 months, Edsel production ceased.
- Shelby Cobra 289 Driven by Dan Gerber at Bahamas Speed Weeks, November - December 1965 - Dave Friedman has captured and preserved auto racing history through his photography. His work -- and his collection of works by other photographers -- documents key races, vehicles, drivers, and teams. The 12th Annual Bahamas Speed Weeks ran from November 27 to December 5, 1965, and included several trophy races. Friedman's photographs record the fast-paced events at Nassau's Oakes Field Course and the relaxing atmosphere at nearby tropical settings.
- 28 November 1965 - 06 December 1965
- Collections - Artifact
Shelby Cobra 289 Driven by Dan Gerber at Bahamas Speed Weeks, November - December 1965
Dave Friedman has captured and preserved auto racing history through his photography. His work -- and his collection of works by other photographers -- documents key races, vehicles, drivers, and teams. The 12th Annual Bahamas Speed Weeks ran from November 27 to December 5, 1965, and included several trophy races. Friedman's photographs record the fast-paced events at Nassau's Oakes Field Course and the relaxing atmosphere at nearby tropical settings.
- Player's 200 Race, Mosport Park, Canada, June 1964 - Dave Friedman captured and preserved auto racing history through his photography. His work -- and his collection of works by other photographers -- documents key races, cars, drivers, and teams. This photo is from the 1964 Player's 200 Race, held at Canada's Mosport Park near Toronto, Ontario, on June 6. Bruce McLaren earned the overall win with his Oldsmobile-powered #47 Zerex Special.
- 05 June 1964 - 06 June 1964
- Collections - Artifact
Player's 200 Race, Mosport Park, Canada, June 1964
Dave Friedman captured and preserved auto racing history through his photography. His work -- and his collection of works by other photographers -- documents key races, cars, drivers, and teams. This photo is from the 1964 Player's 200 Race, held at Canada's Mosport Park near Toronto, Ontario, on June 6. Bruce McLaren earned the overall win with his Oldsmobile-powered #47 Zerex Special.
- 1981 Ford Escort GLX Sedan - Most Americans weren't very interested in small cars -- until 1973, when Middle Eastern oil-producing countries cut back on oil exports. Gas prices skyrocketed in the U.S., and shortages led to long lines at service stations. Many people still wanted big American-style cars, but more and more actually bought small four-cylinder, front-wheel-drive, European-inspired cars like this Ford Escort. "The new world car" evoked the Model T's slogan: "the universal car."
- 1981
- Collections - Artifact
1981 Ford Escort GLX Sedan
Most Americans weren't very interested in small cars -- until 1973, when Middle Eastern oil-producing countries cut back on oil exports. Gas prices skyrocketed in the U.S., and shortages led to long lines at service stations. Many people still wanted big American-style cars, but more and more actually bought small four-cylinder, front-wheel-drive, European-inspired cars like this Ford Escort. "The new world car" evoked the Model T's slogan: "the universal car."
- Ford Model T Race Cars during the New York to Seattle Transcontinental Race, June 1909 - These Ford Model Ts are headed from New York to Seattle in America's first transcontinental race. Six cars battled over 4,106 miles of bad roads, trails, and wilderness. The Model Ts took first and third (though one was later disqualified for an illegal mid-race axle change), illustrating their hardy ability to surmount deep ruts, big rocks, and muddy terrain.
- June 01, 1909
- Collections - Artifact
Ford Model T Race Cars during the New York to Seattle Transcontinental Race, June 1909
These Ford Model Ts are headed from New York to Seattle in America's first transcontinental race. Six cars battled over 4,106 miles of bad roads, trails, and wilderness. The Model Ts took first and third (though one was later disqualified for an illegal mid-race axle change), illustrating their hardy ability to surmount deep ruts, big rocks, and muddy terrain.