Bill Ford Jr. brings oldest surviving Ford back into family fold

Zach Bowman — Sat, 15 Dec 2012 08:00:00 EST

We're quickly approaching the 150th anniversary of Henry Ford's birth, and the company he founded is celebrating in a number of ways. Great-grandson Bill Ford Jr. did his part by purchasing the oldest known Ford vehicle, a 1903 Model A, and returning it to its birthplace.

While the Model A was purchased at auction back in October, the red Rear Entry Tonneau just recently received an official unveil at an employee event. Ford partnered with the MotorCities National Heritage Area and the Henry Ford Heritage Association to create a year-long calendar of events celebrating Henry Ford and his company.

This particular Model A is car number 3, chassis number 30. Prior to rejoining the Ford family, it had enjoyed just five owners in its 109-year history. Originally sold to a butter maker from Iowa for the princely sum of $850, the Model A was sold to a Swiss Ford dealer in 1961. The dealer displayed his purchase in the Ford European Center in Cologne, Germany until 2001, when it was finally sold to John O'Quinn in 2007 before Ford Jr. took possession this year.

Check out the both press releases below, along with a full schedule of the planned celebrations. You can also head to the anniversary mini site for more news.

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Bill Ford Jr. brings oldest surviving Ford back into family fold originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 15 Dec 2012 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Oldest remaining Ford is up for sale... yet again

Chris Tutor — Sat, 08 Sep 2012 10:01:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Auctions, Ford

For the third time in five years, the oldest known surviving Ford is for sale. The red, meticulously restored, 1903 Ford Model A is one of Ford Motor Company's first three cars ever produced and over the past 109 years, has had only five owners.

You could be the sixth owner at the RM auction in Hershey, Pennsylvania next month, but be warned: the last time this car changed hands in 2007, it sold for $693,000. For a car that originally sold new for $850, and without adjusting for inflation, that's a more than 81,000% appreciation.

The car's original owner was Herbert L. McNary, a butter maker from Britt, Iowa. Another Iowan, Harry E. Burd, acquired the Ford from the McNary family for $400 for it in the 1950s. Burd had the car restored and sold it to a Swiss Ford dealer in 1961. It remained there until 2001, when it was bought anonymously and shipped back to the States. John O'Quinn was the well-heeled buyer at the aforementioned 2007 auction. His estate offered it up again in 2010, but it was a no-sale when bidding topped out at $325,000.

So, what will bidders in Hershey be going after? Model A Chassis No. 30 is a 72-inch wheelbase four-seater, powered by a horizontally opposed, 100-cu.-in. two cylinder with a whopping 8 hp. That's eight horses, probably less than your lawnmower. But that probably doesn't matter since it's not likely the next buyer will do much cruising in this one-of-a-kind machine.

Oldest remaining Ford is up for sale... yet again originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 08 Sep 2012 10:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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