1901 Ford Sweepstakes
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 1901 Ford Sweepstakes Race Car | 1901 Ford Sweepstakes Race Car 1901 Ford Sweepstakes Race Car Photo By: Douglas Wilkinson Location: The Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, Michigan. by Douglas |
1901 Ford Sweepstakes
In 1901 Henry Ford and several assistants built this vehicle they named "Sweepstakes". Ford drove the car to victory in the first and only race he ever drove.
That victory proved to be a turning point for Ford because it brought him fame and also financial backing for future business ventures. It was a key step toward the founding of Ford Motor Company in June 1903.
1901 Ford Sweepstakes Specifications
- Ash wood frame with steel plates
- 539-CID, horizontally opposed flat 2-cylinder cast-iron engine
- 7-Inch bore, 7-inch stoke
- 26 horsepower (1901 calculations)
- 900 RPM redline
- 2-Speed planetary transmission with reverse and 1st-gear band
- Chain drive to differential in rear axle (1.56:1 ratio)
- Solid axle front and rear suspension with trussed reach-rods and full-elliptical steel leaf springs front and rear
- 2-Wheel mechanical brakes
- 96-Inch wheelbase
- 56-Inch track, front and rear
- Worm drive gear steering
- 28 x 4-Inch wire-spoke steel wheels
- 4-Inch diameter tires
- 2,200-lb total vehicle weight
- 72 miles per hour top speed (claimed in test)
Photo By: Douglas Wilkinson
Date: June, 2005
Location: The Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, MI
Copyright: 2005 © Douglas Wilkinson - All rights reserved
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