Henry Ford's First Car

Henry Ford's First Car AG WORLD 27-5-23 We spotted this home-built antique car at the recent Farm Fest show near Redwood Falls, Minn. It was built by Roger Moe of Springfield, Minn., and is designed to look like the first car Henry Ford ever built, in the early 1900's. "I saw a photo of the car in an encyclopedia and tried to build it as close as I could," says Moe. "The original car didn't have an awning, which I added for shade because we often drive the car in parades. My wife and I dress up in antique looking clothes to add to the old-time effect. I wear a bowler hat and she wears a garden party hat." He started with the frame and axles off a Ford Model T car and added a plywood "body". The car rides on four motorcycle wheels. Power is supplied by a throttle-governed antique gas engine, with a camshaft belt-driving a hydrostatic transmission off a Sears riding mower. "The engine runs on E85 (ethanol) fuel and delivers anywhere from 3 to 5 hp, depending on whether it's idling or revved up," says Moe. The driver sits on a padded seat made for Moe by an Amish craftsman. Moe uses a tiller to steer. The car also has a horn, a small fan to cool the driver, and Model T kerosene lamps on front that serve as headlights. Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Roger Moe, 36911 200th St., Springfield, Minn. 56087 (ph 507 723-5947; email: ram@tier-3.net).

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