Ford Turns 100

Part 1

by Chris Martin
7/7/03

When you think of Ford Motor Company's involvement in drag racing the first name that comes to most people's mind is Bob Glidden. Glidden had many successful cars including a (shudder) Chrysler Pro Stocker, but the most dominant car he had was arguably the Fairmont. Here is rare shot of that Glidden Pro Stocker without a "1" on the window. (DRO file photo)

We are also including this photo of the Glidden's trophys taken at his friend and fellow Pro Stock racer and engine builder Steve Schmidt's Indy shops. (photo by Jeff Burk)

ord Turns 100. I'll bet those two words and number tease the "nasty" button on the cynics out there or at least the Chevy and Mopar fans.

"Ford Turns 100?"

Miles per hour? When?

Their factory speedos haven't gone past 60 in 50 years. You've forgotten "Fix Or Repair Daily?"

Okay, okay. Going strictly by fan number count, the GM fans hold sway in just about any racing discipline, but Ford has made mighty contributions in its 100 years of auto production and competition, and many of them have come in drag racing. Hence this micro-salute. Take a look at just a few of their accomplishments through this centennial period.

The first NHRA eliminator winner? Calvin Rice in the J.E. Riley & Sons Mercury Flathead fuel dragster at the 1955 NHRA National Drag Racing Championships.

First single digit elapsed time? How about Art Chrisman and Leroy Neumayer's roadster run of 9.40 at Santa Ana on February 3, 1953. Chrisman also ran the sport's first 140 that same year.