Who built the first Ford race car?
Henry Ford built the first Ford vehicle—the Quadricycle—in 1896, marking the birth of Ford's long-running interest in speed and engineering. This early machine wasn't a production car or a racing entry, but it set the foundation for Ford's future in performance and competition.
Defining the question: what counts as a Ford race car
The phrase "Ford race car" can be interpreted in several ways. The earliest official racing cars produced by Ford Motor Company began after the company was established in 1903, with vehicles designed for competition. However, Ford's founder, Henry Ford, built the Quadricycle in 1896 as his personal testing platform for speed and engineering—an important precursor to Ford's later racing programs.
Two ways historians view it
Some historians reserve the term "race car" for Ford models built explicitly for competition by the company. Others describe the Quadricycle as the germ of Ford's racing DNA because it focused on performance engineering, which later informed production and racing designs.
The Quadricycle: Henry Ford's first vehicle
In June 1896, Henry Ford assembled the Quadricycle in a shed behind his Detroit home, with limited help from a few friends and shop workers. It was a lightweight, four-wheeled vehicle powered by a small gasoline engine of roughly four horsepower. The Quadricycle demonstrated Ford's methodical approach to engine power, drivetrain, and handling, and is widely recognized as Ford's first automobile.
What it looked like and how it worked
The setup featured four bicycle wheels, a simple chain drive, and basic controls. It was not designed for mass production or fast speeds, but it embodied the experimentation that would fuel Ford's later breakthroughs in efficiency and performance.
From prototype to Ford's racing legacy
Ford would formalize its business as the Ford Motor Company in 1903 and pursue racing as a strategy to prove technology and boost brand visibility. Over the decades, Ford's racing programs grew into a global legend, culminating in the GT40 Le Mans victories in 1966 and a long track record of performance engineering.
The long arc of Ford in motorsport
Beyond Le Mans, Ford has competed in drag racing, rallying, and circuit racing worldwide, leveraging innovations from mass production to light-weight performance, aerodynamics, and turbocharging. The company has used racing as both a proving ground and a marketing engine for consumer vehicles.
Summary: The person credited with building the first Ford vehicle—and thus the origin of Ford's racing heritage—is Henry Ford, who built the Quadricycle in 1896. It wasn't a race car by modern standards, but it started the company's enduring commitment to speed, engineering, and competition.
Who made the first Ford race car?
1902 Ford "999" Race Car, Built by Henry Ford
Henry Ford hired a fearless bicycle racer named Barney Oldfield to drive "999." Although he had never driven a car, Oldfield learned quickly and won his first competition.
When did Ford make their first race car?
I'm Matt Anderson curator of transportation at the Henry. Ford. We're looking at an operating replica of Henry Ford's first race.
How much is a 1967 Ford GT40 worth?
The value of a 1967 Ford GT40 Mk III can vary greatly depending on its condition, mileage, options, and history. Typically, you can expect to pay around $3,600,000 for a 1967 Ford GT40 Mk III in good condition with average spec.
Why was the Ford GT40 banned?
Following the fast 1967 24 Hours of Le Mans, the FIA changed the rules to ban unlimited capacity engines, imposing a 3 litre capacity limit as in Formula 1 on the prototypes, ruling out the 427 cu in (7 L) Ford V8, the 4 litre Ferrari 330P4 and others.
