Benson Ford

Benson Ford Sr. (July 20, 1919 – July 27, 1978), originally named Edsel Ford II, was an American businessman in the automotive industry, a vice-president of Ford Motor Company, and National Co-chairman of the National Conference of Christians and Jews. Benson Ford remains famous for: being the first prominent person in the Ford family to actively preach religious harmony between faiths through his NCCJ co-chairmanship (in direct contrast to his grandfather Henry Ford); through the internationally famous Benson Ford Research Center in Dearborn, Michigan, which bears his name; and the now historic 1924 Great Lakes freighter Benson Ford Ship named after him, now known as the Benson Ford Shiphouse, in Put-In-Bay, Ohio. Benson was also noteworthy as being the one member of the Ford family most closely associated with Lincoln-Mercury, rather than Ford, where under Benson's guidance the experimental Lincoln Futura Car was developed, which later became the most famous and recognizable car in the world for several years, television's Batmobile driven by Batman (TV series) actor Adam West.

In addition to being a vice-president of the Ford Motor Company, and Lincoln-Mercury Director, Benson was chairman of the Board of the Edison Institute, chairman of the Board of Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, Michigan, and was the prominent key National Co-chairman of the National Conference of Christians and Jews, an organization espousing religious tolerance which evolved into one of the most important religious tolerance organizations in the United States today.^[1] Benson was a son of Edsel Ford I, and the grandson of Ford Motor Company founder Henry Ford I.^[2] He was a vice-president of the Ford Motor Company, Chief Director of the Lincoln-Mercury division 1948 to 1956, and Director of the Lincoln-Mercury (Fomoco) Dealer Policy Board from 1956 to 1978.^[3]

Early life and education[]

Edsel Ford family home on Lake St. Clair

Benson Ford was born in Detroit, Michigan, to Eleanor Clay Ford and Edsel Ford on July 20, 1919. He, his brothers Henry II. and William, and sister Josephine, grew up in Indian Village, and at the Ford's Gaukler Point estate in Grosse Pointe Shores, Michigan, on Lake St. Clair. Benson's early education was at the Liggett School, and the Detroit University School, before attending the Hotchkiss Academy in Connecticut, graduating in 1938. He was accepted into Princeton University, and attended Princeton for two years, but opted to leave college early to begin his career at Ford Motor Company. In his early years at Ford, he first worked in the experimental garage at the Ford Engineering Laboratory, and later moved around to different departments, learning as many aspects of the company as possible.

Personal life[]

Benson married Edith McNaughton, daughter of Lynn McNaughton, a former vice president and general manager at motor car rival Cadillac, on July 9, 1941, in Christ Church Detroit. The couple had two children, Benson Jr. in 1949, and Lynn in 1951. The Fords enjoyed boating and owned several boats, including a succession of yachts named Onika. Benson was an active photographer and golfer. After a 1957 heart attack, Benson remained in relatively ill health in his last two decades, until his final heart attack in 1978.

Career[]

During Benson's early days as an engineer at Ford, he helped build one of the company's first experimental jeeps, along with his brother, Henry Ford II. During World War II, Benson was twice rejected from service as status 4-F, due to blindness in his left eye. However, Benson persisted in his desire to serve his country and would not give up. Despite his left eye blindness, Benson insisted and persisted, and was finally allowed to enlist in the United States Army in 1942, despite his left eye blindness, eventually rising through the ranks from enlisted man to officer status by distinguished service. Benson eventually achieved the rank of Captain, the highest military rank achieved by any member of the Ford family. When his father Edsel, Ford Motor Company President, died of cancer on May 26, 1943 (during World War II), Benson continued continued his service the Army for the duration of the war, in contrast to his brother Henry Ford II, then in the United States Navy, who was honorably discharged from the service to take over leadership at Ford Motor Company on request of the United States Government following the death of his father Edsel in 1943, assuming the presidency of Ford on September 21, 1945. Benson Ford was named a Vice-President of the Ford Motor Company at a Ford Motor Company meeting on June 1, 1943, In Absenia. Captain Benson Ford separated from the Army in 1946 honorably discharged at the end of all wartime hostilities, and came home. Once he left the Army, Benson returned to Ford Motor Company as a vice-president of the company, and as an auto executive headed the Lincoln-Mercury Division, later becoming Chairman of the Lincoln-Mercury (Fomoco) Dealer Policy Board.^[4][5]

Lincoln Futura Concept Car[]

Benson Ford's unique Lincoln Futura, later known as The Batmobile, briefly became the most famous car in the world

Based on a concept from the creative mind of Benson Ford at Lincoln-Mercury, and under his direction, The Lincoln Futura, an experimental futuristic concept car, was developed and designed by William M. Schmidt at Lincoln-Mercury. With designs completed, the car was hand built by Gia in Italy for 250 thousand dollars.^[6]Benson triggered a sensation with it at 1955 auto shows. The concept car featured push-button transmission controls, a 300-horsepower V-8 engine, a 38 cubic inch lincoln engine and powertrain, a Lincoln Mark II chassis. and a double-dome canopy roof. Though Lincoln-Mercury opted not to mass produce the Lincoln Futura, the sensational unique car would make Benson Ford famous, as he drove the car on the streets of New York City for curious crowds lining the streets in wonder, brought the car to auto shows across the United States, and appeared in newsreels promoting the new invention. Benson opted not to mass produce the car at Lincoln-Mercury, but the car's appearances made an indelible impression and was a great publicity stunt for Benson Ford and Lincoln-Mercury.

Hollywood customizer George Barris took notice, and eventually bought the Futura from Ford in 1959. A few years later, Benson Ford's Lincoln Futura would become world famous again as Barris turned Benson Ford's Futura car from pearlecent white to black color, and into the original Batmobile for the new 1966-1968 Batman television series. In 1966, the new Batman (TV series) became one of the first television series produced in full color by William Dozier, with the Lincoln Futura driven by Batman actor Adam West, briefly making the Lincoln Futura Batmobile the most famous and recognizable car in the world, and making unknown Batman actor Adam West the best known television actor in the world because of the car he drove in bat costume, along with his front seat costumed masked sidekick Robin, unknown actor Burt Ward.^[7][8] In 2013, Barris sold the original Benson Ford Futura Car turned Batmobile for 4.6 million dollars.^[9]

Death of Henry Ford[]

After the death of his grandfather Henry Ford on April 7, 1947, at Fair Lane, Benson Ford was seen exiting The Episcopal Cathedral Church of St. Paul (Detroit) holding the arm of his widowed grandmother Clara Ford from the funeral service on April 10, 1947.^[10]

Charitable activities[]

Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, Michigan

As Vice-President of the Ford Motor Company, Benson and his wife Edith were involved in many prominent charities and civic organizations, including the YMCA, Boy Scouts, and, with wife Edith, the United Torch Fund Drives. Benson served as a trustee for the Edison Institute, serving as chairman of the board from 1947 to 1951, Henry Ford Hospital Chairman of the Board, Henry Ford Trade School, and the Ford Foundation among others. He also worked for religious tolerance and in 1951 was named Protestant national co-chair of the National Conference of Christians and Jews.^[11]

Benson Ford joined the Henry Ford Hospital Board of Trustees in 1946, and succeeded his grandfather Henry Ford as its president in 1947. As President of the hospital Board of Trustees, Benson was instrumental in securing a one hundred million dollar grant from the Ford Foundation in 1973. One of Benson's primary interests was furthering the advances being made in medical research. The Education and Research Building at Henry Ford Hospital, a large research laboratory facility, was dedicated in his name.^[12]

Death and survivors[]

Benson Ford Sr., with a history of heart problems, died of a heart attack on July 27, 1978, a week after his 59th birthday, aboard his yacht "Onika", docked at the resort community of Cheboygan, Michigan (originally an Ojibwe Chippewa Anishinaabe indigenous settlement, later resettled as Duncan City) where he was living at the time, primarily summers, and at other times, on Lake Hudson, near the northern tip of Michigan's Lower Peninsula. His wife Edith was with him on their yacht when he suffered his fatal heart attack. Benson is buried in Woodlawn Cemetery in Detroit, Michigan, with his brother William Clay Ford Sr., chairman of the Board of the Henry Ford Museum and owner of the Detroit Lions football team (Died 2014), and sister Josephine Clay Ford, a noted philanthropist (died 2005). However, not his eldest brother Henry Ford II "Hank The Deuce", President, CEO, and chairman of the Board of Directors of Ford Motor Company (died 1987), who was married three times, and who chose instead to be cremated, with his ashes scattered on the Detroit River.

His widow, Edith McNaughton Ford, president and owner of the Key Largo Anglers Club in Key Largo, Florida, and a member of the Board of Trustees of Henry Ford Hospital for 36 years, died in a Detroit hospital after a long illness, reported to be cancer of the throat, on August 9, 1980, age 60, and is buried alongside Benson. After her husband's death, Edith was living on Lake Shore in Grosse Pointe Shores, Michigan. During her final 24 months, she was named executrix of her late husband Benson's will, and eventually inherited 50 million of the 100 million dollar estate. She and the remaining Ford family fought off a 25 million lawsuit against her and members of the family by her son, Benson Ford Jr., who alleged financial mismanagement and sought a seat on the Ford Motor Company Board of Directors.^[13][14] In 1986, at age 36, Benson Ford Jr. went to work at Ford as a management trainee.^[15]

Benson's children are still active in the Ford Motor Company as Ford family shareholders. The living Ford family members control the company via ownership of a special class of stock–B shares. The family claims the stock-B shares structure is justified because it takes the long view by focusing on Ford family interests and their continued involvement in Ford Motor Company affairs. Alternatively, many investors would make their stock decisions based on short-term earnings and rapid changes in the share price, a very different perspective. The Ford family owns less than two percent of the company's shares, but controls 40 percent of the voting power through a special class of stock. There are 71 million Class B shares, about three-fourths of which are held in a voting trust. The rest are held by individual family members. The family has a pact that Class B shares put up for sale will first be offered to other family members. Lynn Ford Alandt, Benson Ford Jr., Edsel B. Ford II, William Clay Ford Jr., and Alfred Ford (also known as Ambarish Das) oversee the trust that holds these shares.^[16][17] Benson Ford Sr.'s daughter Lynn Ford Alandt also remains active in Ford family affairs as: Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Edsel and Eleanor Ford House in Gross Pointe Shores; as a member of the Fair Lane Board of Trustees, home of Henry and Clara Ford now undergoing restoration; as a trustee at The Henry Ford Museum; as President of the Benson and Edith Ford Charitable Fund; and through the Lynn & Paul Alandt Charitable Foundation.^[18][19][20]

Historic Benson Ford Shiphouse[]

Years after his passing, Benson Ford remains famous for the forward deck house of the Great Lakes Freighter 1924 Benson Ford Ship named for him, known today as the Benson Ford Shiphouse in Put-In-Bay, Ohio, which has miraculously survived a century of history to become a private summer home (not open to the general public as it is a private residence). Put-In-Bay is a village on South Bass Island on Lake Erie in Ohio. In 1924, the Benson Ford ship was built and launched on April 26, 1924, for the Ford Motor Company, designed and used for transporting iron ore and other materials across the Great Lakes. Powered by a 3,000 bhp, four-cylinder, two-stroke, single-acting Sun-Doxford opposed piston diesel engine, 23 5/8” bore x 45 5/8” stroke per piston (91 ¼” total combined stroke), built by the Sun Shipbuilding Company, Chester, Pennsylvania, the Benson Ford Ship had rated service speeds of 11 knots or 12.7 miles per hour. The maiden voyage of the Benson Ford took place on August 2, 1924, with a coal load from Toledo, Ohio, being transported to Duluth, Minnesota, and then returning to the Ford Rouge plant in Dearborn, Michigan, with a load of iron ore.^[21]

The Benson Ford Ship made news when it ran aground twice in 1959. It was sold in 1981 to Frank J. Sullivan, and renamed the John Dykstra II. After being stripped of salvageable parts, Sullivan had originally intended to salvage the ship, and rebuild the Benson Ford as a refurbished barge. In 1992, Sullivan decided to rebuild the ship into a vacation bed & breakfast. When licensing for the potential unique ship inn could not be obtained, the Benson Ford was resold five years later as a private residence.

The Benson Ford Shiphouse, once again renamed the Benson Ford, was renovated to be lived in as a private home. A four-story summer home, the ship has 7000 square feet of living space, and includes five bedrooms, a living room, five full bathrooms, a garage, family room, dining room, a galley, a garage, and the pilot house lookout. It is sometimes rented for private functions. The Benson Ford Shiphouse can be seen on a cliff at a distance on land by individuals traveling to Put-In-Bay village on South Bass Island riding the Miller Ferry.^[22]

Benson Ford Research Center at Henry Ford Museum[]

Benson Ford's name also remains prominent today at renowned The Benson Ford Research Center at the famed Henry Ford Museum, also known as the Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation and Greenfield Village, Dearborn, Michigan, as the research center is named after Benson Ford. To honor his dedication to the Edison Institute, his living children, Benson Ford Jr. and Lynn Ford Alandt, provided major financial support to establish the Benson Ford Research Center. The Benson Ford Research Center, internationally famous to automobile historians and auto buffs alike, is home to the world's most comprehensive resource for researching collections and stories of the late Henry Ford, the history of the automobile industry and American innovation, its ingenuity and resourcefulness, and home to research experts who maintain, interpret and enhance the collections. The Benson Ford Research Center remains closed to visitation by the general public and outside researchers during the Coronavirus Pandemic for in-person research, tours, visits, and educational programs, until further notice. However, research center staff members are still present, and are responding to mail, email and telephone research inquiries.^[23]

Time newsmagazine cover[]

On May 18, 1953, the three sons of the late Edsel Ford were depicted on the cover of Time driving in a Ford convertible, with Benson Ford (at left), William Ford (at center) and Henry Ford II driving (at right) with the caption "Benson, William & Henry Ford. One more car to passon the road ahead." In the rear, on the road, behind the Ford car with the three Ford grandchildren, at a far distance away, the late Ford Motor Company founder Henry Ford is depicted driving his original open top 1896 Quadricycle, which started the auto revolution. The Time newsmagazine cover is significant because it confirms the ongoing prominence, importance, influence, involvement, and equal significance of all three of Henry Ford's male grandchildren at Ford in the developmental future of the Ford Motor Company.^[24]

References[]

External links[]

• Archival footage of Ford Motor Company Vice-President Benson Ford
• Conference of Christians and Jews Re-elects National Officers
• About the Benson Ford Research Center - The Henry Ford
• Benson Ford Research Center
• Official Site Benson Ford Shiphouse: The Ship On The Bay
• Official Ford Benson Ford Car Dealership
• Archival footage of Benson Ford and wife Edith driving Lincoln Futura car in Manhattan
• Benson Ford at Find a Grave