Cars owned, designed by Edsel Ford at Glenmoor

There will be a special display of well-known and historic 1934 Ford
hot rods. It will include This 1934 Ford Model 40 Special Speedster
custom-built for Edsel Ford. From the John O'Quinn Collection.

This year, the event features “The Automobiles of Edsel Ford” — automobiles whose design he influenced, as well as automobiles he actually owned. Edsel Ford, the only son of Henry Ford and president of Ford Motor Co. at the time of his death in 1943, is considered one of the most underrated automobile executives to have lived.

Unlike his father, who was a mechanic at heart, Edsel Ford understood design and assisted in the creation of some of the most beautiful automobiles of the 1920s and ’30s. Although he influenced the design of numerous Ford and Lincoln automobiles and was responsible for the launch of the Mercury brand, he was perhaps best known for the Lincoln Continental.

Expect to see the truly special at Glenmoor, such as this 1914 Renault
EF Victoria by Locke, owned by John W. Rich Sr.
Frackville, Pennsylvania

Among Edsel Ford’s personal cars to be displayed is his 1941 Lincoln Continental cabriolet and two custom-built speedsters — one from 1932, the other 1934. A 1938 Lincoln Brunn limousine and 1934 Ford Brewster town car from the Edsel & Eleanor Ford House collection will also be displayed, as well as an original, unrestored 1922 Hispano-Suiza touring car with coachwork by Brunn.

Recognizing the design talents of Edsel Ford, there will also be many automobiles displayed whose design he oversaw. The original prototype of the Lincoln-Zephyr Continental, built in 1939, will be on display, as well as a diverse grouping of Fords, Lincolns and Mercurys from the 1920s through the early ’40s.

The 2009 Gathering will also celebrate the 75th anniversary of an American icon with a display of well-known and historic 1934 Ford hot rods. This special group of 1934 Ford hot rods was assembled by well-known automobile journalist Ken Gross, one of the top authorities on American hot rods and customs.

Among the vintage Ford hot rods on display will be such legends as the Pierson Brothers coupe now owned by Bruce Canepa, the So-Cal Speed Shop coupe now owned by Bruce Meyer, the Mooneyham & Sharp coupe (554) now owned by Don Garlits and the Arnett/Granatelli coupe now owned by Bill Couch. Others on display will be the original Bill Hines’ “Golden Nugget” owned by Larry Jordon, the ex-Don Ferguson coupe owned by Ross Myers and Dick Munz Bonneville racer. These legendary hot rods have never appeared together at an automotive concours east of the Mississippi.

Also displaying a Ford hot rod will be Jim Farley, Ford’s most senior marketing officer, reporting directly to Allan Mulally, Ford president and CEO. Farley is group vice president of Global Marketing and as of Sept. 1, also heads up Ford operations in Canada, Mexico and South America. Farley’s hot rod formerly belonged to Gross.

Moray Callum, executive director of Ford Americas Design, will serve as the 2009 Grand Marshall for the Gathering. Callum has overall responsibility for the design of all cars and trucks designed in Ford’s North and South America studios and guides the design of Lincoln and Mercury products.

For more information about the Glenmoor Gathering call (330) 966.3600 or visit the web site at www.GlenmoorGathering.com.