1896 Ford Quadricycle Quadricycle

Henry Ford worked at the Edison Illuminating Company in Detroit, Michigan where he served as Edison's Chief Engineer. While there, Ford began building his first car. The cylinders for the engine were sourced from a length of scrap pipe from a steam engine that was cut in half and bored out the correct diameter. An Old Lathe provided the flywheel and the wheels and seat were sourced from bicycles. In the front was a horn that came from a domestic doorbell.

Ford completed his car in June of 1896 and when he tried to get it out of his workshop, he found that the door was too narrow. Using an ax, he demolished the frame and removed some bricks which allowed him to free the vehicle onto the street.

A few months later, Ford sold his Quadricycle for $200. Only one example was ever built.

By Daniel Vaughan | Dec 2016