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1902 Ford “999” Racer
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1902 Ford “999” Racer | March 21, 2008
This is the historic 1902 Ford “999” Racer.

Although it was not America’s first race car, it may have been the first to attain a legendary status. Driven by Barney Oldfield, the Ford 999 won the Manufacturer's Challenge Cup in 1902. The win gave Ford the credibility and publicity needed to advance his car company into a major manufacturer. Oldfield, by the way, was a bicycle racer who had never driven an automobile before he drove 999 in an earlier race. The 999 was named after a famous New York Central locomotive.

The Twin of the 999 was another racer named the Arrow. On January 12, 1904. Henry Ford himself drove the Arrow to a new world land speed record of 91.4 mph. Both the 999 and the Arrow were built by Henry Ford, assisted by C.H. Willis and E.S. Huff, with financial backing by Thomas Cooper.

As you can see, the 999 is a minimalistic car with no body, no hood, and rides on a wood chassis. The car has an 18.8 liter, inline 4-cylinder engine worthy of approximately 50 hp. The car cost $5000 to produce – a considerable sun in 1902.

This car is now owned by the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, MI. Two week ago, the car was displayed at the Amelia Island Concourse. Here it sits the day before the show unguarded in a hotel parking garage.

Shortly before his death, Henry Ford is said to have remarked to Barney Oldfield: "You made me and I made you." Oldfield shook his head and replied "Old 999 made both of us."
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