It seems the Model T Ford was, and went, everywhere. Even the 2nd Rallye de Monte Carlo

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Rob
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It seems the Model T Ford was, and went, everywhere. Even the 2nd Rallye de Monte Carlo

Post by Rob » Thu Mar 21, 2019 5:54 pm

This began as a look into the Ford Special racer sent to compete in France from Ford Motor Company in 1911. The Ford France representive, Henri Depasse, competed in several events with the intrepid little racer in 1911 and 1912, at the same time Frank Kulick was driving Ford Specials to wins in the U.S..

However, Depasse didnt' stop with racing and hill climbing events. In addition to entering two French Grand Prix and numerous hill climbs, he sent Ford Model T into competitions throughout France and even Algeria, placing first in a rally there in 1912.

This, however, may be one for the history books.

The first Rallye de Monaco (later changed to Monte Carlo), conceived by the Automobile Club of Monaco, was held in 1911. The idea was to have cars leave from all four corners of Europe, with timed departure dates, arriving at about the same time in Monte Carlo. Adding to the difficulty of motoring across borders and the Alps, the rally was held in January. Contestants had to maintain a minimum speed (or be disqualified), and were awarded points for speed, number of passengers, along with several other factors. Consideration was given to closed cars, as they were heavier but afforded more comfort. Points for distance traveled, comfort, luggage space and aesthetics were factored into the final score.

The first Rally in 1911 began with 23 entrants, 16 finishing.

In 1912, interest grew, and over 80 cars were initially entered, with over 60 beginning the rally in late January. Cars began with scheduled departures from as far away as St. Petersburg, Russia (3,2257 km), to as close as Turin, Italy (544 km). The minimum allowed speed, including stops, was raised from 10 km/hr in 1911 to 15.5 km/hr in 1912. The departing cities and dates:
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Twenty seven entrants departed Paris at 8:00 in the morning. Below is a description of the start that appeared in the Parisian newspaper "l'Auto," translation by Mr. Google:

"The departure from Paris
The appearance which appeared yesterday morning, at seven o'clock, the. Palace de la Concorde, in front of the Automobile Club de France, was really rejoicing, comforting even, I’d say. Twenty-three cars were there, in three rows, surrounded by a string of agents, holding a large crowd of spectators, come to attend the departure of the Rally of Monaco.
Around cars, we met again, some of the old days, and if the fatigues of the last nine years lived had a little aged our silhouettes, we would have thought postponed to the times of weighing Paris-Berlin and Paris-Vienna . The good days of yesteryear could they come back?
This time, they were no longer racing cars, but honest cars that were going to leave, all the latest models, with the most elegant and luxurious coaches. It was not a departure, it was a real exhibition.
Silent, the engines at a standstill, they were waiting for the excellent Lumet, commissioner of teh chronometer in this case, to give the start signal, which he did it 8 hours accurate.
The. The cordon of agents moved away, and the whole lot set off at a good pace through the Palace de la Concorde, offering us the spectacle of a very pretty parade. Happy travelers. They went through the icy fog of the morning towards the sun and the blue sea, it was decided, to see the next morning, the sun rise on the Mediterranean."

Unfortunately, of the 27 cars listed starting from Paris, Henri Depasse's Ford didn't make the start.

Photo of the start from Paris that appeared in the British journal "The Autocar:"
IMG_2892.PNG
But I thought this was a story about a Model T?

It is, and a special Model T at that........ 8-)

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Re: It seems the Model T Ford was, and went, everywhere. Even the 2nd Rallye de Monte Carlo

Post by Rob » Thu Mar 21, 2019 7:51 pm

As reported by l'Auto, the Ford entry was delayed and didn't begin the rally until 12:30, long after the other cars had departed. The starting point, Place de la Concorde, happens to have been the location of King Louie XVI and Marie Antionette's execution:
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Meanwhile, the competors were moving toward Monaco. The Russian entry, (below) travelling the farthest, reported they were making good progress, as long as the wolves didn't get them:
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If anyone would like to read more about the Russian entry, the Russo-Baltique, The dropbox pdf link will take you to a two page description of the car and their journey:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/yn6g23dg7k8bg ... r.pdf?dl=0

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Re: It seems the Model T Ford was, and went, everywhere. Even the 2nd Rallye de Monte Carlo

Post by Rob » Fri Mar 22, 2019 7:52 am

European along with U.S. Journals and newspapers carried reports about the rally. The reports below appeared in Motor Age:
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The article above makes mention of the Ford entry: "Among the Paris contingent was one inside-steering Ford car which found itself without a driver at the last moment. Another man was ordered to come from Brussels and was able to get away with the car at noon, or 4 hours behind his official time. The American reached Lyons at 10 o'clock after having run for 5 hours with headlights. The following morning it set out again, spending a day and a half the night on the road, finishing with an average speed of 16 miles an hour, night stops included. This gave it a clean score under the speed regulation."

There was one other U.S. entry, an E.M.F, which was disqualified due to a speed average below the required 15.5 km/per hour requirement.
IMG_2899.PNG

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Re: It seems the Model T Ford was, and went, everywhere. Even the 2nd Rallye de Monte Carlo

Post by Rob » Fri Mar 22, 2019 8:31 am

Of the over 60 entrants (over 80 initial applicants), our Ford came in 27th. According to the article above, only 35 of the beginners qualified at the end of the rally. As with the inaugural 1911 run, there were many critics of the judging and point allocation.

This article from Motor Age sums up the results:
IMG_2898.PNG
Next, surviving photos of some of the participants. Notice the Ford is listed as "inside steering."

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Re: It seems the Model T Ford was, and went, everywhere. Even the 2nd Rallye de Monte Carlo

Post by Rob » Fri Mar 22, 2019 10:55 am

Some of the competing cars:
IMG_2902.PNG
Translation: THE AUTOMOTIVE RALLY OF MONACO
THE RAID OF THE GOBRON-BRILLIE 40-HORSES OF DENONCIN
Robert Denoncin, who left Paris on January 22, for the 1,020 kilometers that separated him from Monaco, is the only competitor who made the course in one go, arriving 1st of the Parisians in Monaco 4 hours in advance on his next immediate. This is a great success for the 40-horse Gobron-Brillié he was driving.
IMG_2903.JPG
N.W. (Nesselsdorfer Wagenbau-Fabriks-Gesellschaft A.G.), according to Wikipedia, is the second oldest continuous operation auto maker in the world (now Tatra, on the Polish/Slovak border).
IMG_2794.JPG
This Rolls-Royce started from Paris, placing fourth on the 1912 Rally.
IMG_2905.JPG
1st place: Julius Beutler driving a Berliet

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Re: It seems the Model T Ford was, and went, everywhere. Even the 2nd Rallye de Monte Carlo

Post by Rob » Fri Mar 22, 2019 11:00 am

A group of participants. I believe this photo was taken at the Hotel Orient in Paris before the start. However, it may be at the end of the Rally, before or after the final required parade. If following along, look at the partial view of a car at the right bottom of the photo.

We've found our Ford:
IMG_2786.JPG
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It doesn't look like any early 1912 Model T I've seen before........

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Re: It seems the Model T Ford was, and went, everywhere. Even the 2nd Rallye de Monte Carlo

Post by Rob » Fri Mar 22, 2019 1:30 pm

I've had these photos for a couple of weeks, and finally noticed the T on the Rally (corner of photo above) was enclosed. Still, I couldn't find a photo of the entire car. One can make out the inside strap to raise and lower the door window, and it has what appear to be electric lights

So, I contacted Benson Library at THF to learn if there was any information, letters or other correspondence between Henri Depasse and Ford Motor Company. They checked, and replied there was only a scrapbook, with several pages of photos, including one with a "Rallye Automobile Monaco" placard.

We had our man, er, car, right down to the belt striping. The 1912 Ford Model T on the Monte Carlo Rally:
IMG_2906.PNG
Courtesy THF, all rights apply.


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Re: It seems the Model T Ford was, and went, everywhere. Even the 2nd Rallye de Monte Carlo

Post by Wayne Sheldon » Sat Mar 23, 2019 12:46 am

I like that Ford! And a great story also.
Thanks Rob.

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