Henry Ford's X-8 Engine

Henry Ford & staff worked on several prototype engines to replace the Model T engine. Perhaps the most famous of them all was the X-8 Engine. This motor has been well documented over the years. A few examples still exist- one is on display in the Powerhouse at Henry Ford's Fairlane Estate in Dearborn, another is located in Speedy Bill's Museum in Lincoln Nebraska, and a third is in the possession of Eli Apolzon. There are rumors of a couple more in private hands, but I am unable to confirm this. Henry Ford Museum conducted a few auctions over the years and lots of rare Ford items such as these motors have made it out in the general public. If anyone has any idea, let me know and I will update my dataset. To see some great photos of this rare engine click on the links below.
Eli Apolzon's X-8 Engine Page
Hemming's Blog Entry on Experimental Ford Engines
Here at Vintage Ford Facts we delve a little deeper into all things Ford. Here's a bit more about these engines with a couple of era photos below.

In his reminiscences Gene Farkas remembers Henry Ford coming to him around 1920 and saying "I know you'll laugh, but I want to build a cross shaped engine with eight cylinders, let's get busy on it!" And they did get busy- around 10-12 of these engines were built. The first two were water cooled and had dual camshafts. Later improvements brought on were pressurized oiling, battery ignition and other features that predated current Ford thinking.

One of the X-8 Engines was installed in an Oldsmobile Chassis, as it was too big to fit in a Model T chassis, and while speed & performance were good, the bottom cylinders & plugs being exposed to road dirt & moisture caused alot of problems with fouling spark plugs, etc.

Edsel Ford had a speedboat outfitted with a later version of an X-8 engine, but it too gave trouble and the project was abandoned. Even though Henry Ford really wanted to see the X-8 become a reality, time was of the essence to build a car to replace the Model T, the X-8 was destined to become yet another part of the wonderful Ford Motor Co. history.

Below are two period photographs of the X-8 Engine:

Thomas Edison's Fordson Tractor

After a short break for the holidays, we are back with a vengeance here at Vintage Ford Facts.

It's well documented that Henry Ford & Thomas Edison were friends. What is not well documented is the fact that not only did Thomas Edison receive Model A #1 in 1928, but also a Fordson Tractor!

If you click the link below it will take you a great article and some photos on this unique piece of Ford history...

Gas Engine.com page on Edison's Tractor

Albert Kahn Designed Ford Building New York City 1919

From "The Architectural Review" in 1919.




 

Interesting Read on Champion X Spark Plugs.

From a 1915 Issue of "Trade-Mark Reporter" comes this interesting article.

Now For Something Completely Different!

You will see on the left hand side of the page a listing of museums containing at least one Model T Ford or Model A and other assorted old cars. 

This was a project started by the crew over at the Model T Ford Club of America Forum. I've since adopted this project and plan to keep it updated with current information. If you know of a museum not listed that has some Model T's & other old Fords, let me know and I will add them

Forum members at Fordbarn.com have been of great help in submitting locations not listed previously.

If you have an interest in these two sites, you can click on the links below and join up if you like.
Fordbarn.com Forums
Model T Ford Club of America Forum

Let me also take this time to mention after a lazy couple of days just posting pictures and goofing off in general, I have a good meat & potatoes type post coming tomorrow along with a peek at more vintage literature. As always- check back often as I normally do 2-3 entries a day.

Ford Parts Counters. The Stuff Dreams Are Made of!

A set of photos from various Ford Parts Counters.  Look at the NOS, The Fluid Cans, the Ford BBQ grills in boxes, the posters, signs, hell I want it all!

STOLEN CAR ALERT 1911 EMF PITSBURG, CA

This came to my attention this morning over at the Model T Ford Club Of America Forum. I thought it should be posted here for more exposure.

If you see this car, truck or trailer in your area notify the authorities. Below is the pertinent information.

Everything was at my home in Pittsburg. Police reports have been made.

The truck is a white Ford F250 1996 with a white camper shell. It is a 2-door cab and a half with a short bed. License Plate Calif #5M67546. Mileage is about 40,000. Very clean and loaded.

The enclosed trailer is a black color 16' x 8' x 7' with a rear door ramp, tandem axle, with the large HCCA decal on the top right corner of the rear door. License #4GV7121 and is California permanent trailer tag. Trailer has an electric winch mounted inside.

The EMF ia a 1911 5-passenger touring complete car black fenders and burgundy body, excellent brass with speedometer (Stewart & Clark 26). All brass have cloth covers. License # HC 4978. Engine # 22959.

Also in the pick-up are a pair of all brass Solar 1177 headlights for a 1911 Chalmers. There is CMC on the bonnet. Lights have burners and glass reflectors.
Please respond to me at"imnuts4fords(AT)comcast.net" Thanks. Feel free to forward to friends and other car clubs. Thanks.

Don & Joyce Azevedo

Scans from 1934 Henry Ford Museum & Greenfield Village book.

More treasures from my personal collection, this is a few scans from a 1934 guide to Greenfield Village & Henry Ford Museum.  I will be posting more scans later, but these are to whet your appetite!

The Model A Ford in the Depression.

Here are a series of photos showing how these Fords were put through hell & back but kept on going. Maybe one of these cars is in someone's garage today?

Model T Ford Dealer Circa 1926

Let's take a tour through a Ford dealership in 1926.

Most Modern Equipment didn't include respirators in those days!

I'd wager a good bet that is KRW Equipment & Fixtures!

Highland Park Plant Postcards

More from my Collection. I suspect the color one is circa 1918 and the Sepia Toned one circa 1930.

Model T Powered Generator

While rummaging through the Archives here at Vintage Ford Facts, I found some photos of a Model T powered generator.  I do not recall the source of these, but I've had the photos for a good 10 yrs or more.

The Fairlane Mansion Field Room

Everyone knows Henry Ford's Fair Lane Estate is located in Dearborn, Michigan. What many may not know is the "Field Room" contained Cypress wood from Florida. Here's a 1916 Advertisement proclaiming that fact.

Edsel Ford at the 1940 World's Fair

Edsel Ford behind the wheel of the 28,000,00th Ford, a 1940 Fordor Sedan.

This photo was taken at the Ford Exhibit at the New York World's Fair in 1940.

1928 Model A Fords on the 'test track'

Another gem from the Detroit archives, here's new Model A Fords getting thru the paces. I can hear the driver of the Sedan going over the lumber mat saying "rides too hard, put on shock absorbers."

Detroit's Old Car Parade 1925

Shows lots of neat cars(even if they aren't all Fords!)

Brake Test Detroit style- 1925

Here's a neat film showing cars & truck undergoing at speed brake tests.  Looks like the Model T needs some Rocky Mountain brakes!

The New Ford is here! 1928 film footage

Here's a rare film from 1927 showing the 15 millionth Model T being driven off the line by Edsel Ford with Henry Ford as passenger. Also shows Edsel Ford driving a brand new Model A Roadster, Henry stamping #1 on the first production A motor and more! Those standing around the Model A Motor are Charles Sorensen fiddling with the water pump, Henry, Edsel, and Ed Martin. Enjoy....

Ford Branch Plants-Part 2 Seattle, Washington

Ford used branch assembly plants all over the United States from 1915 on.

I covered the Jacksonville Assembly plant in a prior post here at this link.

Jess over at Vintage Seattle has some great photos of the Seattle Washington Ford plant as it stands today. You can view his page on the first Seattle Ford plant here. 

The second Ford plant in Seattle was built at 4730 (now 4735) Marginal Way. This was an Albert Kahn designed plant built during 1930-32, but the plant was only used for 8 years upon which the property was turned over to the US Army. The Long Beach plant which I also covered in prior posts here and here. supplied sheet metal parts and other stampings to the Seattle plant. The 'new' plant at Marginal Way now serves as office space & other uses under the umbrella name "Federal Center South Complex".

In the next installment I will cover the Ford Assembly plants in Atlanta, GA, Richmond, CA and others.

Highland Park Ford Plant Tour - 1914

These are postcards from my personal collection, showing a synopsis of how Model T Fords are made. Enjoy.