Ford Motorsports Records


Scope and Content Note

The Ford Motorsports records are arranged in three series and are made up of correspondence, press releases and other textual materials, photographs, proof sheets, and negatives maintained by the Lincoln-Mercury Public Affairs Department documenting...

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The Ford Motorsports records are arranged in three series and are made up of correspondence, press releases and other textual materials, photographs, proof sheets, and negatives maintained by the Lincoln-Mercury Public Affairs Department documenting Ford Motor Company's involvement in racing and performance testing.

The Events and Automobiles series, 1957-1968, covers Ford-Lincoln-Mercury involvement in races, durability runs, and rallies such as the Cape Horn to Fairbanks Durability Run, Comet Durability Run and Comet drag racing, East African Safari Rally, Le Mans race, Indianapolis 500 pace car program, and Mobilgas Economy Run. Ford's entry in many of these events was the Mercury Comet. In addition the series contains information on the road trip, "Aventura Alaska-Brasil," taken by William and Renée Carroll and the Lincoln Continental executive limousine.

The Drivers series, 1967, consists of biographical information on race car drivers Don Nicholson and Dan Gurney. Other information on drivers, including photographs, can be found in other parts of the collection.

The Summary Information series, 1962-1963, consists of summary information on racing events as well as automobile and engine specifications.

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Collection Details

Object ID: 2007.1.1930.0
Creator: Ford Motor Company. Lincoln-Mercury Public Affairs Department 
Inclusive Dates: 1957-1968
Size: 1 cubic ft. (3 boxes)
Language: English

Collection Access & Use

Item Location: Not Currently On Exhibit

Access Restrictions: The collection is open for research.

Credit: From the Collections of The Henry Ford. Gift of Ford Motor Company.

Digitized Artifacts From This Collection

In many cases, not all artifacts have been digitized.
Contact us for more information about this collection.

Ford Motorsports Records--East African Safari--Photography--Item 1

  Details

Ford Motorsports Records--East African Safari--Photography--Item 1

View in our Collectionson thehenryford.org 

Artifact

Photographic print

Summary

The East African Safari Rally tested a car's and driver's endurance. During the 1960s, the rally's course covered thousands of miles passing through Kenya, Tanganyika (Tanzania) and Uganda. Drivers could expect punishing road conditions. Mud or dust was commonplace. Many cars that entered did not finish. Peter Walker, pictured here, competed on one of the American teams in 1964.

Object ID

2007.1.1930.2

Location

By Request in the Benson Ford Research Center

Get more details in Digital Collections at:

thehenryford.org

Ford Motorsports Records--East African Safari--Photography--Item 1

View in our Collectionson thehenryford.org 

What is The Henry Ford?

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  Details

Ford Motorsports Records--East African Safari--Photography--Item 6

  Details

Ford Motorsports Records--East African Safari--Photography--Item 6

View in our Collectionson thehenryford.org 

Artifact

Photographic print

Summary

The East African Safari Rally tested a car's and driver's endurance. During the 1960s, the rally's course covered thousands of miles passing through Kenya, Tanganyika (Tanzania) and Uganda. Drivers could expect punishing road conditions. Mud or dust was commonplace. And dodging wild animals could be expected. In 1964, the first American teams entered the grueling competition driving Mercury Comet Calientes.

Object ID

2007.1.1930.7

Location

By Request in the Benson Ford Research Center

Get more details in Digital Collections at:

thehenryford.org

Ford Motorsports Records--East African Safari--Photography--Item 6

View in our Collectionson thehenryford.org 

What is The Henry Ford?

The national attraction for discovering your ingenuity while exploring America’s spirit of innovation. There is always much to see and do at The Henry Ford.

VIEW CALENDAR

  Details

Ford Motorsports Records--East African Safari--Photography--Item 8

  Details

Ford Motorsports Records--East African Safari--Photography--Item 8

View in our Collectionson thehenryford.org 

Artifact

Photographic print

Summary

The East African Safari Rally tested a car's and driver's endurance. During the 1960s, the rally's course covered thousands of miles passing through Kenya, Tanganyika (Tanzania) and Uganda. Drivers could expect punishing road conditions. Mud or dust was commonplace. And dodging wild animals could be expected. In 1964, the first American teams entered the grueling competition driving Mercury Comet Calientes.

Object ID

2007.1.1930.9

Location

By Request in the Benson Ford Research Center

Get more details in Digital Collections at:

thehenryford.org

Ford Motorsports Records--East African Safari--Photography--Item 8

View in our Collectionson thehenryford.org 

What is The Henry Ford?

The national attraction for discovering your ingenuity while exploring America’s spirit of innovation. There is always much to see and do at The Henry Ford.

VIEW CALENDAR

  Details

Ford Motorsports Records--East African Safari--Photography--Item 11

  Details

Ford Motorsports Records--East African Safari--Photography--Item 11

View in our Collectionson thehenryford.org 

Artifact

Photographic print

Summary

The East African Safari Rally tested a car's and driver's endurance. During the 1960s, the rally's course covered thousands of miles passing through Kenya, Tanganyika (Tanzania) and Uganda. Drivers could expect punishing road conditions. Mud or dust was commonplace. And dodging wild animals could be expected. In 1964, the first American teams entered the grueling competition driving Mercury Comet Calientes.

Object ID

2007.1.1930.12

Location

By Request in the Benson Ford Research Center

Get more details in Digital Collections at:

thehenryford.org

Ford Motorsports Records--East African Safari--Photography--Item 11

View in our Collectionson thehenryford.org 

What is The Henry Ford?

The national attraction for discovering your ingenuity while exploring America’s spirit of innovation. There is always much to see and do at The Henry Ford.

VIEW CALENDAR

  Details

"Mercury/Comet Performance News," September 22, 1966

  Details

"Mercury/Comet Performance News," September 22, 1966

View in our Collectionson thehenryford.org 

Artifact

Newsletter

Date Made

22 September 1966

Summary

Ford Motor Company returned to racing in a big way in the 1960s with its "Total Performance" campaign. The marketing push put Ford vehicles into every major form of American motorsport. The automaker promoted its Mercury Comet for NHRA drag racing's stock classes. Comet's drag-ready factory options included larger engines, heavy-duty suspensions, and heavier tires.

Object ID

2007.1.1930.24

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford. Gift of Ford Motor Company.

Location

By Request in the Benson Ford Research Center

Get more details in Digital Collections at:

thehenryford.org

"Mercury/Comet Performance News," September 22, 1966

View in our Collectionson thehenryford.org 

What is The Henry Ford?

The national attraction for discovering your ingenuity while exploring America’s spirit of innovation. There is always much to see and do at The Henry Ford.

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  Details

Brochure, "Comet Performance for '65"

  Details

Brochure, "Comet Performance for '65"

View in our Collectionson thehenryford.org 

Artifact

Brochure

Date Made

1965

Summary

Ford Motor Company returned to racing in a big way in the 1960s with its "Total Performance" campaign. The marketing push put Ford vehicles into every major form of American motorsport. The automaker promoted its Mercury Comet for NHRA drag racing's stock classes. Comet's drag-ready factory options included larger engines, heavy-duty suspensions, and heavier tires.

Object ID

2007.1.1930.25

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford. Gift of Ford Motor Company.

Location

By Request in the Benson Ford Research Center

Get more details in Digital Collections at:

thehenryford.org

Brochure, "Comet Performance for '65"

View in our Collectionson thehenryford.org 

What is The Henry Ford?

The national attraction for discovering your ingenuity while exploring America’s spirit of innovation. There is always much to see and do at The Henry Ford.

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  Details

Dan Gurney in 1967 Mercury Cougar (#98), Kent 300 at Pacific Raceways, Kent, Washington, October 8, 1967

  Details

Dan Gurney in 1967 Mercury Cougar (#98), Kent 300 at Pacific Raceways, Kent, Washington, October 8, 1967

View in our Collectionson thehenryford.org 

Artifact

Photographic print

Summary

A group of "pony cars" make the turn at the 1967 Kent 300, Pacific Raceways, Kent, Washington. Consumer-model "pony cars" were small, sporty four-seaters with big engines. This photograph shows Dan Gurney driving a Mercury Cougar chased by a group of Mustangs and a Camaro.

Object ID

2007.1.1930.1

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford. Gift of Ford Motor Company.

Location

By Request in the Benson Ford Research Center

Get more details in Digital Collections at:

thehenryford.org

Dan Gurney in 1967 Mercury Cougar (#98), Kent 300 at Pacific Raceways, Kent, Washington, October 8, 1967

View in our Collectionson thehenryford.org 

What is The Henry Ford?

The national attraction for discovering your ingenuity while exploring America’s spirit of innovation. There is always much to see and do at The Henry Ford.

VIEW CALENDAR

  Details

Ford Motorsports Records--East African Safari--Photography--Item 13

  Details

Ford Motorsports Records--East African Safari--Photography--Item 13

View in our Collectionson thehenryford.org 

Artifact

Photographic print

Summary

The East African Safari Rally tested a car's and driver's endurance. During the 1960s, the rally's course covered thousands of miles passing through Kenya, Tanganyika (Tanzania) and Uganda. Drivers could expect punishing road conditions. Mud or dust was commonplace. And dodging wild animals could be expected. In 1964, the first American teams entered the grueling competition driving Mercury Comet Calientes.

Object ID

2007.1.1930.14

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford. Gift of Ford Motor Company.

Location

By Request in the Benson Ford Research Center

Get more details in Digital Collections at:

thehenryford.org

Ford Motorsports Records--East African Safari--Photography--Item 13

View in our Collectionson thehenryford.org 

What is The Henry Ford?

The national attraction for discovering your ingenuity while exploring America’s spirit of innovation. There is always much to see and do at The Henry Ford.

VIEW CALENDAR

  Details

Ford Motorsports Records--East African Safari--Photography--Item 2

  Details

Ford Motorsports Records--East African Safari--Photography--Item 2

View in our Collectionson thehenryford.org 

Artifact

Photographic print

Summary

The East African Safari Rally tested a car's and driver's endurance. During the 1960s, the rally's course covered thousands of miles passing through Kenya, Tanganyika (Tanzania) and Uganda. Drivers could expect punishing road conditions. Mud or dust was commonplace. Many cars that entered did not finish. Ray Brock, pictured here, competed on one of the American teams in 1964.

Object ID

2007.1.1930.3

Location

By Request in the Benson Ford Research Center

Get more details in Digital Collections at:

thehenryford.org

Ford Motorsports Records--East African Safari--Photography--Item 2

View in our Collectionson thehenryford.org 

What is The Henry Ford?

The national attraction for discovering your ingenuity while exploring America’s spirit of innovation. There is always much to see and do at The Henry Ford.

VIEW CALENDAR

  Details