Benson Ford Sr. (July 20, 1919 – July 27, 1978), originally named Edsel Ford Jr, was an American businessman in the
automotive industry
The automotive industry comprises a wide range of company, companies and organizations involved in the design, Business development, development, manufacturing, marketing, selling, Maintenance, repairing, and Custom car, modification of motor ve ...
, 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
Henry Ford (July 30, 1863 – April 7, 1947) was an American Technological and industrial history of the United States, industrialist and business magnate. As the founder of the Ford Motor Company, he is credited as a pioneer in making automob ...
); 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
The Lincoln Futura is a concept car promoted by Ford's Lincoln brand, designed by Ford's lead stylists Bill Schmidt and John Najjar, and hand-built by Ghia in Turin, Italy, at a cost of $250,000 (equivalent to $ in ).
Displayed on the auto s ...
car was developed. The Futura later became the most famous and recognizable car in the world for several years, television's
Batmobile
The Batmobile is the fictional land vehicle driven by the superhero Batman, used both to patrol Gotham City looking for crime and to engage in car chases or vehicular combat with the city's criminal underworld. The Batmobile is one of a suite o ...
driven by ''
Batman
Batman is a superhero who appears in American comic books published by DC Comics. Batman was created by the artist Bob Kane and writer Bill Finger, and debuted in Detective Comics 27, the 27th issue of the comic book ''Detective Comics'' on M ...
'' actor
Adam West
William West Anderson (September 19, 1928 – June 9, 2017), known professionally as Adam West, was an American actor. He portrayed Batman in the 1960s ABC series of the same name and its 1966 theatrical feature film, reprising the role in ...
.
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. Benson was a son of
Edsel Ford I, and the grandson of Ford Motor Company founder
Henry Ford I. He was a vice-president of the
Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company (commonly known as Ford) is an American multinational corporation, multinational automobile manufacturer headquartered in Dearborn, Michigan, United States. It was founded by Henry Ford and incorporated on June 16, 1903. T ...
, chief director of the Lincoln-Mercury division 1948 to 1956, and director of the Lincoln-Mercury (Fomoco) Dealer Policy Board from 1956 to 1978. He also served on the Ford Motor Company Board of Directors. Benson Ford was president of the Ford Motor Company Fund, a non-profit that makes substantial contributions to charitable activities, from 1961 until his death.
Early life and education

Benson Ford was born in Detroit, Michigan, to
Eleanor Clay Ford and
Edsel Ford
Edsel Bryant Ford (November 6, 1893 – May 26, 1943) was an American business executive and philanthropist, who was the only child of pioneering industrialist Henry Ford and his wife, Clara Jane Bryant Ford. He was the president of Ford Motor C ...
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
Grosse Pointe Shores (officially Village of Grosse Pointe Shores, a Michigan City) is a city in Wayne County, Michigan, Wayne and Macomb County, Michigan, Macomb counties in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 2,647 at the 2020 United ...
, on
Lake St. Clair
Lake St. Clair () is a freshwater lake that lies between the Canadian province of Ontario and the U.S. state of Michigan. It was named in 1679 by French Catholic explorers after Saint Clare of Assisi, on whose feast day they first saw the lake. ...
. Benson's early education was at the
Liggett School and the Detroit University School (his father's alma mater) before attending the
Hotchkiss Academy in Connecticut, graduating in 1938. The family would travel to Europe together every few years. Winters were often spent at their residence in Hobe Sound, Florida (north of Palm Beach). In the summer the family traveled by private rail car to their oceanside estate at Seal Harbor, Maine.
While growing up, Benson and his siblings spent a lot of time with Henry and Clara Ford at the Ford's
Fairlane Estate. Activities included driving gasoline powered cars scaled to their size, camp outs, tree climbing, and tending to a half-acre farm created by Henry for their use. Henry taught them practical, hands on skills. The Fords also built them a cottage scaled to their size which was filled with presents for the children each Christmas. Inside the mansion, they enjoyed the bowling alley and indoor pool. The fun continued on Ford Motor Company property. Henry II and Benson were given the use of Henry's chauffeur. They were allowed to run riot with Henry's blessing and encouragement. They drove trains at the Rouge. On Saturdays they would go with Henry to the engineering laboratory where they would drive Model Ts inside the building and shuffle time cards. One time they took over the cash register in the cafeteria and gave out money to employees.
Early days at Ford Motor Company
After attending Hotchkiss, Benson 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 with Henry II at the Ford Engineering Laboratory starting in the dynamometer room testing engines. Ford Engineer Lawrence Sheldrick, said that the boys, "didn't pull any punches about getting their hands dirty ... and their clothes all messed up".
While in the Engineering Lab they worked for Leonard Williams, a no-nonsense black foreman who taught them how to tear apart engines. 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
Henry Ford II (September 4, 1917 – September 29, 1987), commonly known as Hank the Deuce, was an American businessman in the automotive industry. He was the oldest son of Edsel Ford I and oldest grandson of Henry Ford. He served as president ...
. Sheldrick took Edsel to watch the tests of the first completed jeep model, and arranged for Henry and Benson to drive it out of a patch of tall grass and underbrush right up to their father. "He got the biggest bang out of that ... He was awfully proud of his boys." Sheldrick commented. Benson later moved around to different departments. His father believed the boys need to learn as many aspects of the company as possible from the "concrete floor up". This became the guiding premise when new Ford's enter the company. In his final stockholder meeting in 1979 Henry Ford II summed up the approach "the ownership of Class B stock is no passport to a top position in Ford ... It confers no special privilege ... If any other member of my family achieves a senior position the company, it will be through merit ...There are no Crown Princes in the Ford Motor Company".
Personal life
Benson married Edith McNaughton, also of Grosse Pointe, daughter of Lynn McNaughton, a former vice president and general manager at motor car rival Cadillac, on July 9, 1941, in Christ Church Detroit. Miss McNaughton lived next door to the Fords in Detroit, and they attended kindergarten together. The couple had two children, a son, Benson Jr. born on October 5, 1949, and a daughter Lynn born on July 3, 1951. They made their home in Grosse Pointe Shores, Michigan.
The Fords enjoyed boating and owned several boats, including a succession of yachts named Onika. Benson was an active photographer and golfer. He loved racing and drove the Indianapolis 500 pace car three times. He drove a Mercury in the 1950 race, a Mustang in 1964, and a Comet Cyclone GI in 1966.
Benson suffered from angina, a painful heart condition. After a 1957 heart attack, Benson remained in relatively ill health in his last two decades, until his final heart attack in 1978. Like his brothers, Benson also struggled with alcoholism.
World War II service
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, as a private. Benson completed officer's candidate school in Fargo, North Dakota, and was commissioned a second lieutenant in June 1943. In December 1943 Benson was stationed in San Francisco at the Fourth Air Force Headquarters. Shortly thereafter he was made aide-de-camp to Brigadier General Samuel M. Connell and was transferred into the Army Air Corps. In October 1944 Benson was transferred to the Newfoundland Base Command of the United States Air Corps for 13 months. Through meritorious service Benson eventually achieved the rank of captain in January 1945. This was the highest rank achieved by any member of the Ford family. When his father
Edsel
Edsel is a discontinued division and brand of automobiles that was produced by the Ford Motor Company in the 1958 to 1960 model years. Deriving its name from Edsel Ford, son of company founder Henry Ford, Edsels were developed in an effort to ...
, Ford Motor Company president, died of cancer on May 26, 1943 (during
World War II
World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...
), Benson continued his service the Army for the duration of the war. His brother
Henry Ford II
Henry Ford II (September 4, 1917 – September 29, 1987), commonly known as Hank the Deuce, was an American businessman in the automotive industry. He was the oldest son of Edsel Ford I and oldest grandson of Henry Ford. He served as president ...
, then in the United States Navy, who was honorably discharged from the service after his father's death to take over leadership at Ford Motor Company on request of the United States government. Henry II assumed 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. Captain Ford separated from the Army in February 1946, honorably discharged at the end of all wartime hostilities, and came home. Once he left the Army, Benson returned to Ford Motor Company.
Return to Ford
After World War II Ford was re-organized in the image of General Motors into profit centers and a line and staff components. On January 30, 1948, Benson was elected a vice president of the company and appointed the director of the newly formed Lincoln-Mercury Division, carrying on in his father's foot-steps. In October of the same year, he was named general manager of the division.
He joined his brothers Henry Ford II who was named Ford President in 1945, and William, who in 1955 became head of the Continental Division. Together, they shattered the belief that the third generation kills companies. Together, they modernized the company and re-stored Ford's pre-war glory. As his health declined Benson became Chairman of the
Lincoln-Mercury
Mercury was a brand of medium-priced automobiles that was produced by American manufacturer Ford Motor Company between the 1939 and 2011 motor years. Created by Edsel Ford in 1938, Mercury was established to bridge the gap between the Ford and ...
(Fomoco) Dealer Policy Board. Benson was very supportive of Henry II and always had the company's best interest at heart. The Policy Board position was an ideal fit given his experience with Lincoln-Mercury and his personality. Benson was good-natured, a consummate charmer, and could make anyone feel like his friend. While Henry ran the company Benson became the Ford that pressed the flesh. He loved to travel. Benson was good humored and was astute at remembering names of people, as well as their wives' and children.
Lincoln-Mercury highlights
Benson Ford was involved with the development of the 1949 Ford. The 1949 is often described by historians as "The car that saved Ford Motor Company". It was Ford's first vehicle not based on a pre-war design. Benson was on the committee that selected the final
Eugene Gregorie design. The car was unique for its "fenderless" design and its large flat side panels. Benson explained the positioning of Mercury in the market in 1950, "From the viewpoint of the total Ford Motor Company, what should Ford owners graduate to? The next logical choice would be a Mercury." The Mercury version was unique from the Ford and the sleek, rakish design was based on upscale Lincoln products. It just looked fast. It was. The 1949 Mercury took sales from 47,142 Mercury cars in 1948 to 301,319 for 1949, a nine-fold improvement. The 1949–1951 Mercury with 110 HP was a favorite with young car enthusiasts. The large side panels were also perfect for after-market customization and the engine was easily modified to improve performance. Benson Ford accomplished the goal of making Mercury competitive in the medium priced car markets. Benson drove a 1950 Mercury convertible as the Indianapolis 500 pace car in 1950. Ford sold nearly a million Mercurys in three years. The Mercury also got a boost in 1955 when the coupe version was featured in the film, ''
Rebel Without a Cause
''Rebel Without a Cause'' is a 1955 American coming-of-age melodrama film, directed by Nicholas Ray. The film stars James Dean, Natalie Wood, Sal Mineo, Jim Backus, Ann Doran, Corey Allen and William Hopper. It is also the film debut of ...
'', starring James Dean. During his tenure Mercury introduced several innovations. The 1955 Montclair Sun Valley featured a tinted plexiglass panel for the front half of the roof and the Mercury Monterrey was offered with a vinyl roof.
Racing
On the Lincoln side, 1953, Benson oversaw a dramatic increase in horsepower from 160 to 205. This made Lincoln the first American production car since the 1920s to exceed the 200 hp barrier. Benson Ford made the decision to partner with Bill Stroup to enter a team of 1953 Lincolns in the 1952 Pan-American Road Race. It was a 1934 mile trek considered to be one of the toughest races on the planet. Lincolns capture first, second and fourth in the touring division of the race that year. Not content, Benson brought the winning driver to meet with Ford engineers to identify areas for improvement. With the improvements Lincoln captured the first four spots in 1954, the last year of the race. Benson's efforts were in keeping with a racing tradition started by his grandfather who beat Henry Winton in the "sweepstakes" race in 1901. Ford also began its NASCAR participation during Benson Ford's tenure with a mixture of Fords and Mercurys. Ford won the Manufacturer's Cup in 1956 and 1957.
Lincoln Futura concept car

Based on a concept from the creative mind of Benson Ford at Lincoln-Mercury, and under his direction, the
Lincoln Futura
The Lincoln Futura is a concept car promoted by Ford's Lincoln brand, designed by Ford's lead stylists Bill Schmidt and John Najjar, and hand-built by Ghia in Turin, Italy, at a cost of $250,000 (equivalent to $ in ).
Displayed on the auto s ...
, 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. Benson triggered a sensation with it at 1955 auto shows. The concept car featured push-button transmission controls, a 300-horsepower V-8 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 pearlescent white to black color, and into the original
Batmobile
The Batmobile is the fictional land vehicle driven by the superhero Batman, used both to patrol Gotham City looking for crime and to engage in car chases or vehicular combat with the city's criminal underworld. The Batmobile is one of a suite o ...
for the new 1966-1968
Batman
Batman is a superhero who appears in American comic books published by DC Comics. Batman was created by the artist Bob Kane and writer Bill Finger, and debuted in Detective Comics 27, the 27th issue of the comic book ''Detective Comics'' on M ...
television series. In 1966, the new ''
Batman
Batman is a superhero who appears in American comic books published by DC Comics. Batman was created by the artist Bob Kane and writer Bill Finger, and debuted in Detective Comics 27, the 27th issue of the comic book ''Detective Comics'' on M ...
'' became one of the first television series produced in full color by
William Dozier
William McElroy Dozier (; February 13, 1908 – April 23, 1991) was an American film and television producer, writer and actor. He is best known for two television series, ''Batman'' and '' The Green Hornet''.
Early life
Dozier was born in Omaha, ...
, with the Lincoln Futura driven by Batman actor
Adam West
William West Anderson (September 19, 1928 – June 9, 2017), known professionally as Adam West, was an American actor. He portrayed Batman in the 1960s ABC series of the same name and its 1966 theatrical feature film, reprising the role in ...
, briefly making the Lincoln Futura Batmobile the most famous and recognizable car in the world, and making unknown Batman actor
Adam West
William West Anderson (September 19, 1928 – June 9, 2017), known professionally as Adam West, was an American actor. He portrayed Batman in the 1960s ABC series of the same name and its 1966 theatrical feature film, reprising the role in ...
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
Burt Ward (born Bert John Gervis Jr. ; July 6, 1945) is an American actor, animal welfare activist and businessman. He played Dick Grayson's Robin, the sidekick of Batman (played by Adam West), in the television series ''Batman'' (1966–1968) ...
. In 2013, Barris sold the original Benson Ford Futura Car turned Batmobile for 4.6 million dollars.
Death of Henry Ford
After the death of his grandfather
Henry Ford
Henry Ford (July 30, 1863 – April 7, 1947) was an American Technological and industrial history of the United States, industrialist and business magnate. As the founder of the Ford Motor Company, he is credited as a pioneer in making automob ...
on April 7, 1947, at
Fair Lane
Fair Lane was the estate of Ford Motor Company founder Henry Ford and his wife, Clara Ford, in Dearborn, Michigan, United States. It was named after an area in Cork, Ireland, where Ford's adoptive grandfather, Patrick Ahern, was born. The ...
, 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.
Charitable activities

As Vice-President of the
Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company (commonly known as Ford) is an American multinational corporation, multinational automobile manufacturer headquartered in Dearborn, Michigan, United States. It was founded by Henry Ford and incorporated on June 16, 1903. T ...
, 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. Mr. and Mrs. Ford were extremely active in the United Community Funds and Councils of America (now known as the United Way). Benson served as a director for the organization and in 1961 served as the National Chairman of the United Community Campaigns of America. 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, a Ford Foundation trustee from 1947–1976, and as the Detroit Symphony Orchestra director. He also worked for religious tolerance and in 1951 was named Protestant national co-chair of the National Conference of Christians and Jews.
Benson Ford joined the
Henry Ford Hospital
Henry Ford Hospital (HFH) is an 877-bed tertiary care hospital, education and research complex at the western edge of the New Center, Detroit, New Center area in Detroit, Michigan. The flagship facility for the Henry Ford Health System, it wa ...
Board of Trustees in 1946, and succeeded his grandfather
Henry Ford
Henry Ford (July 30, 1863 – April 7, 1947) was an American Technological and industrial history of the United States, industrialist and business magnate. As the founder of the Ford Motor Company, he is credited as a pioneer in making automob ...
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
The Ford Foundation is an American private foundation with the stated goal of advancing human welfare. Created in 1936 by Edsel Ford and his father Henry Ford, it was originally funded by a $25,000 (about $550,000 in 2023) gift from Edsel Ford. ...
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.
Benson Ford was a director and or chairman for countless organizations including The National Safety Council, the Traffic Safety Association of Detroit, The Automotive Safety Foundation, Greater Detroit Committee for Project Hope, the Dermatology Foundation, the Citizens Conference on State Legislatures and the village of Grosse Pointe Shores. As a reflection of his love of fishing, golf and community Benson Ford was also a member of the Everglades Club in Palm Beach, the Key Largo Anglers club, Country Club of Detroit, Detroit Athletic Club, Detroit Club and Grosse Pointe Club.
Awards and recognition
Mr. Ford received numerous citations for his contributions to religious and racial tolerance. In 1951 he was selected by the Detroit Junior Board of Commerce as the "Outstanding Young Man of 1951". In 1961 Benson received the annual Knight of Charity Award presented by Maryglade College based on "unison in family life with person-to-person charity". In 1963 he received a Distinguished Service Citation by the Automotive Old Timers. This was followed in 1965 by the National Community Service Award of what is now the United Way for his long service at the national level in promoting united giving for community health and welfare services.
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
Cheboygan ( ) is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is the county seat and largest settlement of Cheboygan County. At the 2020 census, Cheboygan had a population of 4,770.
Cheboygan is situated on Lake Huron at the mouth of the Chebo ...
(originally an
Ojibwe
The Ojibwe (; Ojibwe writing systems#Ojibwe syllabics, syll.: ᐅᒋᐺ; plural: ''Ojibweg'' ᐅᒋᐺᒃ) are an Anishinaabe people whose homeland (''Ojibwewaki'' ᐅᒋᐺᐘᑭ) covers much of the Great Lakes region and the Great Plains, n ...
Chippewa
Anishinaabe
The Anishinaabe (alternatively spelled Anishinabe, Anicinape, Nishnaabe, Neshnabé, Anishinaabeg, Anishinabek, Aanishnaabe) are a group of culturally related Indigenous peoples of the Americas, Indigenous peoples in the Great Lakes region of C ...
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 Woodlawn Cemetery is the name of several cemeteries, including:
Canada
* Woodlawn Cemetery (Saskatoon)
* Woodlawn Cemetery (Nova Scotia)
United States
''(by state then city or town)''
* Woodlawn Cemetery (Ocala, Florida), where Isaac Rice and fa ...
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
Henry Ford II (September 4, 1917 – September 29, 1987), commonly known as Hank the Deuce, was an American businessman in the automotive industry. He was the oldest son of Edsel Ford I and oldest grandson of Henry Ford. He served as president ...
"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 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. In 1986, at age 36, Benson Ford Jr. went to work at Ford as a management trainee.
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. 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
The Edsel and Eleanor Ford House is a mansion located at 1100 Lake Shore Drive in Grosse Pointe Shores, Michigan, Grosse Pointe Shores, northeast of Detroit, Michigan; it stands on the site known as "Gaukler Point", on the shore of Lake St. Clai ...
in Gross Pointe Shores; as a member of the
Fair Lane
Fair Lane was the estate of Ford Motor Company founder Henry Ford and his wife, Clara Ford, in Dearborn, Michigan, United States. It was named after an area in Cork, Ireland, where Ford's adoptive grandfather, Patrick Ahern, was born. The ...
Board of Trustees, home of Henry and Clara Ford now undergoing restoration; as a trustee at The
Henry Ford Museum
The Henry Ford (also known as the Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation and Greenfield Village, and as the Edison Institute) is a history museum complex in Dearborn, Michigan, United States, within Metro Detroit. The museum collection contai ...
; as President of the Benson and Edith Ford Charitable Fund; and through the Lynn & Paul Alandt Charitable Foundation.
Historic Benson Ford Shiphouse

Years after his passing, Benson Ford remains famous for the forward cabin and pilothouse of the
Great Lakes
The Great Lakes, also called the Great Lakes of North America, are a series of large interconnected freshwater lakes spanning the Canada–United States border. The five lakes are Lake Superior, Superior, Lake Michigan, Michigan, Lake Huron, H ...
lake freighter
Lake freighters, or lakers, are bulk carriers operating on the Great Lakes of North America. These vessels are traditionally called boats, although classified as ships. Freighters typically have a long, narrow hull, a raised pilothouse, and the ...
''
MV Benson Ford
Lake freighters, or lakers, are bulk carriers operating on the Great Lakes of North America. These vessels are traditionally called boats, although classified as ships. Freighters typically have a long, narrow hull, a raised pilothouse, and the ...
'' named for him, known today as the ''Benson Ford '' Shiphouse on
South Bass Island, Ohio
South Bass Island is a small island in western Lake Erie, and a part of Ottawa County, Ohio, United States. It is the southernmost of the three Bass Islands and located 3 miles (4.6 km) from the south shore of Lake Erie. It is the third ...
near the village of
Put-In-Bay, Ohio
Put-in-Bay is a Resort town, resort village located on South Bass Island in Put-in-Bay Township, Ohio, Put-in-Bay Township, Ottawa County, Ohio, United States, west of Cleveland and east of Toledo, Ohio, Toledo. The population was 154 at the ...
, 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). In 1924, the MV ''Benson Ford'' was built and launched on 26 April 1924 for the Ford Motor Company, designed and used for transporting
iron ore
Iron ores are rocks and minerals from which metallic iron can be economically extracted. The ores are usually rich in iron oxides and vary in color from dark grey, bright yellow, or deep purple to rusty red. The iron is usually found in the f ...
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
Great Lakes Engineering Works in
Ecorse, Michigan
Ecorse ( ') is a city in Wayne County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 9,305 at the 2020 census.
Ecorse is part of the Downriver community within Metro Detroit. The city shares a northwestern border with the city of Detroi ...
. Her sister ship (and nearly identical), the MV ''Henry Ford II'' was also finished in 1924 and was built by the
American Shipbuilding Company of
Lorain, Ohio
Lorain () is a city in Lorain County, Ohio, United States. It is located in Northeast Ohio on Lake Erie, at the mouth of the Black River (Ohio), Black River about west of Cleveland. It is the List of cities in Ohio, ninth-most populous city in O ...
. The MV ''Benson Ford'' had rated service speeds of 11 knots or 12.7 miles per hour. The maiden voyage of the MV ''Benson Ford'' took place on 2 August 1924, with a
coal
Coal is a combustible black or brownish-black sedimentary rock, formed as rock strata called coal seams. Coal is mostly carbon with variable amounts of other Chemical element, elements, chiefly hydrogen, sulfur, oxygen, and nitrogen.
Coal i ...
load from
Toledo, Ohio
Toledo ( ) is a city in Lucas County, Ohio, United States, and its county seat. It is located at the western end of Lake Erie along the Maumee River. Toledo is the List of cities in Ohio, fourth-most populous city in Ohio and List of United Sta ...
, being transported to
Duluth, Minnesota
Duluth ( ) is a Port, port city in the U.S. state of Minnesota and the county seat of St. Louis County, Minnesota, St. Louis County. Located on Lake Superior in Minnesota's Arrowhead Region, the city is a hub for cargo shipping. The population ...
, and then returning to the Ford Rouge plant in
Dearborn, Michigan
Dearborn is a city in Wayne County, Michigan, Wayne County in the U.S. state of Michigan. An inner-ring Metro Detroit, suburb of Detroit, Dearborn borders Detroit to the south and west, roughly west of downtown Detroit. In the 2020 United States ...
, with a load of iron ore.
The MV ''Benson Ford'' made news when it ran aground twice in 1959. It was sold in 1981 to Frank J. Sullivan Jr., and renamed the MV ''John Dykstra II'', later the MV ''Frank J. Sullivan''. After being stripped of salvageable parts, Sullivan, Jr. had originally intended to salvage the ship, and rebuild the MV ''Benson Ford'' as a refurbished barge. In 1992, Sullivan, Jr. decided to rebuild the ship into a vacation bed & breakfast. When licensing for the potential unique ship inn could not be obtained, the MV ''Benson Ford'' was resold five years later as a private island 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 pilothouse 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. The Shiphouse is now owned by the Kasper family of
Sandusky, Ohio
Sandusky ( ) is a city in Erie County, Ohio, United States, and its county seat. Situated on the southern shore of Lake Erie, Sandusky is located roughly midway between Toledo, Ohio, Toledo ( west) and Cleveland ( east). At the 2020 United Stat ...
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
The Henry Ford (also known as the Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation and Greenfield Village, and as the Edison Institute) is a history museum complex in Dearborn, Michigan, United States, within Metro Detroit. The museum collection contai ...
, 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.
''Time'' magazine cover
On May 18, 1953, the three sons of the late Edsel Ford were depicted on the cover of ''
Time
Time is the continuous progression of existence that occurs in an apparently irreversible process, irreversible succession from the past, through the present, and into the future. It is a component quantity of various measurements used to sequ ...
'' driving in a Ford convertible, with Benson Ford (at left),
William Ford (at center) and
Henry Ford II
Henry Ford II (September 4, 1917 – September 29, 1987), commonly known as Hank the Deuce, was an American businessman in the automotive industry. He was the oldest son of Edsel Ford I and oldest grandson of Henry Ford. He served as president ...
driving (at right) with the caption "Benson, William & Henry Ford. One more car to pass on 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
Ford Motor Company (commonly known as Ford) is an American multinational corporation, multinational automobile manufacturer headquartered in Dearborn, Michigan, United States. It was founded by Henry Ford and incorporated on June 16, 1903. T ...
founder
Henry Ford
Henry Ford (July 30, 1863 – April 7, 1947) was an American Technological and industrial history of the United States, industrialist and business magnate. As the founder of the Ford Motor Company, he is credited as a pioneer in making automob ...
is depicted driving his original open top 1896
Quadricycle
The Quadricycle was an early form of automobile. Earliest models were propelled by a small steam engine, then designers switched to early internal combustion engines as they became available.
The word is derived from the fact that it had four ...
, which started the auto revolution. The ''Time'' 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
Ford Motor Company (commonly known as Ford) is an American multinational corporation, multinational automobile manufacturer headquartered in Dearborn, Michigan, United States. It was founded by Henry Ford and incorporated on June 16, 1903. T ...
.
References
External links
Archival footage of Ford Motor Company Vice-President Benson FordConference of Christians and Jews Re-elects National OfficersAbout the Benson Ford Research Center – The Henry FordBenson Ford Research CenterOfficial Site Benson Ford Shiphouse: The Ship On The BayOfficial Ford Benson Ford Car DealershipArchival footage of Benson Ford and wife Edith driving a Lincoln Futura in Manhattan*
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ford, Benson
1919 births
1978 deaths
Businesspeople from Detroit
American chief executives in the automobile industry
Ford executives
People from Cheboygan, Michigan
Family of Henry Ford
Hotchkiss School alumni
Military personnel from Michigan
United States Army officers