Henry Ford wins his one and only race versus the foremost driver of his day to secure investors for his car company. In 1901 the automobile industry was in its infancy, with cars viewed as expensive novelties for the wealthy, not unlike the very high-end, luxury cars of today.

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.

In this new permanent exhibition, you'll be transported to the winner's circle through interactive displays that include historic race cars, a multisensory theater, a pit crew challenge, racing simulators and more.

This is Henry Ford's first race car. After his first auto company failed, Ford turned to racing to restore his reputation. He raced "Sweepstakes" against Alexander Winton on October 10, 1901, and, to everyone's surprise, the novice Ford beat the established Winton.

Henry Ford built his 1901 "Sweepstakes" race car with help from friends Oliver Barthel and Edward Huff. Advanced for its day, "Sweepstakes" featred a rudimentary form of fuel injection, and spark plugs fitted with porcelain insulators.

Aug 2, 2024 · Henry Ford’s 999 racing car was a groundbreaking achievement that not only demonstrated Ford’s engineering prowess but also played a pivotal role in his rise to prominence in the automotive industry.

Jan 12, 2023 · Nearly 60 years after Ford’s 999 established a world speed record, legendary racer Dan Gurney had an opportunity to drive the car himself, and he came away impressed with both the machine and the man, Henry Ford.

Jul 11, 2024 · While Ford fielded numerous race car drivers in the decades to come, this was the only race he decided to take on himself, at the 1-mile oval of the Grosse Pointe Race Track in Michigan.

Oct 12, 2020 · Henry Ford only raced one time, that at the wheel of a little, ugly car he called “Sweepstakes” against the renowned race car driver, and almost sure-bet-to-win, Alexander Winton. It was reported that Sweepstakes could obtain speeds of over seventy miles an hour on public roads around Detroit.

Race Cars. 1906 Locomobile "Old 16" Race Car. Driving “Old 16” in the 1908 Vanderbilt Cup race, George Robertson scored the first victory by an American car in a major international auto race in the United States.