Henry Ford developed his first gasoline buggy in the closing years of the 19th Century, a primitive quadricycle powered by a twin-cylinder engine. Commercial motorcar production did not however get underway until 1903 when the Ford Motor Co. was founded. The first commercial offering was the twin-cylinder-engined Model A, a well-designed and up-to-the-minute car with the engine positioned under the passenger seating, driving to the rear axle by chain. Unlike the contemporary mass-produced Oldsmobile, the Model A featured wheel steering with buggy-type suspension giving the car a comfortable ride. Production was established in a disused wagon works in Mack Avenue, Detroit. The Model A found a ready market and Henry Ford’s dream was underway. It was still to be some time before Ford put into practice his one model mass production techniques. By 1906 Ford was building his own engines and all manufacturing processes were taking place in-house. The Model N Runabout appeared in 1906, powered by a 15hp four-cylinder engine, mounted in a light but robust chassis and carrying two-passenger coachwork. The deluxe Models R, introduced in February 1907 and the later Model S were derived directly from the Model N and were the undoubted forerunners of ‘The Universal Car’, the Model T Ford. One of the rarest of all Fords, total production of the Model R ran to approximately 2,500 units. This example was acquired by Frank Cooke approximately 40 years ago from a New Hampshire museum but has not been used since acquisition. It is powered by a four-cylinder, in line engine with cylinders cast in pairs and with bore and stroke of 3 ¾ in x 3 3/8 in, displacing 149cu.in. The car features right-hand steering with transverse front suspension and full elliptic rear springs with coil spring dampers. It is equipped with brass Gray and Davis kerosene side lamps and gas headlamps, Waltham dash clock, an Attwood Manufacturing gas generator and ignition is provided by Connecticut Electrics and a Bosch magneto. The coachwork is liveried in dark green with red wheels and chassis detail and black fenders and is equipped with a fold-down top. The deep-buttoned leather upholstery may well be the original. This rare Model R survivor appears to be to original factory specification in all major respects and will benefit from careful restoration and recommissioning following 40 years resting at North Brookfield.
Henry Ford developed his first gasoline buggy in the closing years of the 19th Century, a primitive quadricycle powered by a twin-cylinder engine. Commercial motorcar production did not however get underway until 1903 when the Ford Motor Co. was founded. The first commercial offering was the twin-cylinder-engined Model A, a well-designed and up-to-the-minute car with the engine positioned under the passenger seating, driving to the rear axle by chain. Unlike the contemporary mass-produced Oldsmobile, the Model A featured wheel steering with buggy-type suspension giving the car a comfortable ride. Production was established in a disused wagon works in Mack Avenue, Detroit. The Model A found a ready market and Henry Ford’s dream was underway. It was still to be some time before Ford put into practice his one model mass production techniques. By 1906 Ford was building his own engines and all manufacturing processes were taking place in-house. The Model N Runabout appeared in 1906, powered by a 15hp four-cylinder engine, mounted in a light but robust chassis and carrying two-passenger coachwork. The deluxe Models R, introduced in February 1907 and the later Model S were derived directly from the Model N and were the undoubted forerunners of ‘The Universal Car’, the Model T Ford. One of the rarest of all Fords, total production of the Model R ran to approximately 2,500 units. This example was acquired by Frank Cooke approximately 40 years ago from a New Hampshire museum but has not been used since acquisition. It is powered by a four-cylinder, in line engine with cylinders cast in pairs and with bore and stroke of 3 ¾ in x 3 3/8 in, displacing 149cu.in. The car features right-hand steering with transverse front suspension and full elliptic rear springs with coil spring dampers. It is equipped with brass Gray and Davis kerosene side lamps and gas headlamps, Waltham dash clock, an Attwood Manufacturing gas generator and ignition is provided by Connecticut Electrics and a Bosch magneto. The coachwork is liveried in dark green with red wheels and chassis detail and black fenders and is equipped with a fold-down top. The deep-buttoned leather upholstery may well be the original. This rare Model R survivor appears to be to original factory specification in all major respects and will benefit from careful restoration and recommissioning following 40 years resting at North Brookfield.
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.jpg "Source: Christie's")
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
