Ford 999

Ford 999
Overview
Production	2
Assembly	Detroit, Michigan
Designer	Henry Ford
Layout	FR layout
Powertrain
Engine	1155.9 in3 (18.9 L) inline-4

The Ford 999 was a nameplate attached to two distinct but similar racers built by Henry Ford during the early 20th century. Though they began as separate entities, they were virtually mechanically identical, and parts (and ultimately names) were swapped between them as needed, making the identities and legacies inseparable.

Henry Ford had an early interest in racing cars, having built and driven in 1901 a 26 horsepower (19 kW) model that won a race against Alexander Winton and other challengers. It was from the proceeds of this race that Ford created the Henry Ford Company. In March 1902, Ford left this original company over disputes with his stockholders and Henry Leland, taking with him $900 and schematics for a planned racer. In Ford's absence, Leland took over the company, and made it into the Cadillac Motor Company later in 1902.

Henry Ford collaborated with bicycle racer Tom Cooper and a team of several assistants to create two similar racing cars that were as yet unnamed. They were painted red and yellow, respectively. The result was a huge engine with a bare chassis attached to it, with no bodywork whatsoever. Both of the cars were extremely heavily engineered, with an 1156 cu.in.(18.9 L) inline-4 engine, 230-lb flywheel, a bore of 7.25 inches (184 mm) and a stroke of 7.0 inches (180 mm). Power was quoted anywhere from 70 to 100 horsepower (75 kW). There was no rear suspension, no differential, and steering was controlled by a crude pivoting metal bar, similar to a straight handlebar on a mountain bicycle, but with upright handgrips at the ends to operate it. The total cost of the project was $5000.

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