The Flivver King: A Story of Ford-America

Although in 1903 people do not yet believe that the automobile is useful rather than a mere novelty, they are enthusiastic about car races. Ford decides to impress them. He builds a car called “999” with a four-cylinder engine and 80 horsepower, then hires Barney Oldfield, a bicycle racer, to race it at Grosse Pointe. Abner comes to watch the race, which Oldfield easily wins.

24-year-old Abner is in the midst of a crisis: he is frustrated with the nepotistic foreman at his current job at a tool company, and is in love with Milly Crock. To marry Milly and have children, Abner needs money. At the same time, he is an enthusiastic cyclist and admires the speed of Ford’s vehicles. He decides to ask Ford for a job.

Ford, who is now 40, is also in the midst of a crisis: though the car is beginning to catch on, and other makers are setting up factories, he is frustrated by his lack of business success. Ford’s friend Malcomson, impressed by the 999’s success on the race track, proposes that he and Ford set up the Ford Motor Company. Malcomson contributes to the start-up costs and the two men find enough investors to start the business.