Henry Ford's Experimental Laboratory Room Fair Lane Powerhouse X engine Fordson Tractor Model T V8

Henry Ford repairing a watch - Fair Lane Experimental Laboratory Powerhouse Henry Ford Estate

he Experimental Laboratory Room was the setting for a project planned as a revolutionary replacement to Henry Ford's Model "T". . .

focal point for research at Fair Lane was Henry Ford's Experimental Laboratory. Located on the top floor of the Powerhouse, this area was used from approximately 1919-1924 as a place where work could be conducted in seclusion, away from prying eyes. The Experimental Laboratory Room was a precursor to the Ford Engineering Laboratory constructed in 1923 on Oakwood Boulevard, adjacent to the Henry Ford Museum.

The Experimental Laboratory Room was the setting for a project planned as a revolutionary replacement to Henry Ford's Model "T".

The Secure Stairway leading to
Henry Ford's Experimental Laboratory.

CLICK HERE > The "X" engine, if successful, would have out surpassed anything the competition had to offer.

The revolutionary
"X" Engine

Beginning in 1919, Ford assigned his highly skilled engineers to the development of a radically new engine. The "X" engine, if successful, would have out surpassed anything the competition had to offer.

One basic reason that the Model "T" stayed in production so long was that Mr. Ford wanted his next car to be just as groundbreaking. It was the problems and frustrations of developing the "X"-engine that caused Ford to prolong the replacement of the

Model "T", and allowed the competition to gain market share. By 1927 Ford finally gave way, going full force with an all-new "interim" car, the Model "A". A popular and well-built vehicle, the Model "A", however, never came close to the success of the Model "T". All was not in vain, as experience obtained with the failed "X" engine was helpful in the creation of Henry Ford’s famous (and successful) V8 of the 1930's.

Through the years this room was the source of prototypes of many vehicles including, in 1938, a later version of the Fordson Tractor.

* Please note that the Experimental Laboratory is not open to public tours.

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