1931 Ford Airport Bus

As we covered in a prior post here, Henry Ford built an airport with the purpose of passenger transport.

While most of the items from this experiment are not around in Modern Times- One remaining artifact is an extremely low mileage 1931 Ford "Airport Bus".  Tom Wesenberg posted these photos over on the Ford Barn Forums  If you have an old Ford you should join the Fordbarn as there is alot of great info to be had there.

From a technical standpoint, note the unique radiator(and Fordson nomenclature- typically reserved only for tractors) and Lincoln style fenders. There is a 1928-early 1929 Drum style tail light but the bus was built in 1931. The cowl & gas tank is completely inside the bus which means fueling of the bus had to be a unique procedure!

This particular bus resides at the Anoka County Airport in Blaine, MN and is viewable only during air shows or other special events. All photos below are courtesy of Tom Wesenberg.

Homes of Ford Executives - Harry Bennett

Periodically we take a look at the homes of Ford Executives from the 1903-1940 era here on Vintage Ford Facts.  We covered Charles Sorensen's homes at this link.

This time around we are taking a look at Harry Bennett's houses known as "The Castle" and "The Lodge"
                

      Harry Bennett in the early 1940s.
Retro Kimmer over at her blog RetroKimmer.com has some excellent entries on The Bennett Castle and Lodge. Her site is well worth checking out!
Retro Kimmer's Harry Bennett Castle Photos from 1984
Retro Kimmer's Harry Bennett Lodge Photos
Retro Kimmer's Letter from Harry Bennett's Grandson
Be sure to watch the castle tour video in the 2nd link. It's very interesting!

Among other homes he had included a Pagoda shaped waterfront house in Grosse Ile, MI and rumored to have a couple hideaway style houses throughout Michigan, but this is unconfirmed.

Upon his departure from Michigan, Bennett settled in Desert Hot Springs, California at the end of a very long road that bears his name to this day. This house recently came up for sale, but I am unsure if it sold or not.

We will be doing another feature on Harry Bennett in the very near future so be sure to check back!

Making Toys from Model T Parts

This is a unique set of toys made from Model T parts. From a 1923 issue of Ford News.

Ford Artificial Leather and the Production Thereof..........

In yet another 1923 issue of Ford Times, the production of Artificial Leather is discussed along with photographs. You can click on the page and using the enlarge button will make the text bigger.

WWI AM - Henry Ford's Venture Into Radio

With Ford's increasing wealth coupled with a constant curiosity, Ford decided to make the venture into the field of radio, at that time a new technology.  One of Ford's most able executives Fred Black, recalls how it started.
"Henry Ford came into my office one day and asked me what I knew about radio. I told him not much aside from what I read in the papers."  Ford replied "well it's a damn good time to learn, you make me one of these wireless outfits."  Black was fit to be tied, almost to the point of quitting the company. With the help of a newly hired man by the name of  Edward Chambers who had experience in the US Navy wireless corps and by taking a night school class on radio, Chambers & Black built a pair of radios that would transmit between their houses. This was the beginning of WWI-AM.

In early 1922 WWI-AM was ready to broadcast on a normal schedule, broadcasting at 250 watts. Ford was pleased with these humble beginnings and in October 1922, he made mention of of plans to build 400 similar radio stations in various cities. Over the years talent was pulled from the Ford factories and offices with such variety as bird calling imitations, the Ford Hawaiians band, The Ford Motor Company Band in which none other than Harry Bennett played in and other acts as you'll see below.

By 1923 the radio dial was getting crowded with the start of WWJ-AM (still in operation today) out of Detroit, radio stations ran by the Detroit News and Detroit Free Press as well as other local stations. This crowded dial along with the fact of keeping the equipment updated and FCC intervention prompted Ford to quit his radio venture in 1926.  The old WWI building in Dearborn is still standing, but I'm not aware of what it's current use is.

Henry Ford is shown sitting and Fred Black is the dark haired man wearing headphones. This photo is of the old wireless setup.

From a 1923 issue of Ford News....

Ford Dealer Banquet 1933

Here's a couple photos of a Ford dealer banquet from 1933. How'd you like to have those Ford signs for your collection? Or the original Henry Ford portrait?

Model T & A Fords Used As Rail Cars.

Here's a nice selection of Model T's and Model A Fords used on railroads.