Henry Ford pioneered an era of change, but his rewards were never preserved. The founder of Ford Motor Company’s tale of success would inspire one and all listening. From not being given a chance to succeed to winning against all odds and changing the way the world looks at automobiles, Ford did it all. However, his most prized possession from 1901 remains a mystery to this day. Over a century later, Ford is a premier manufacturer in one of the most prestigious racing leagues in the world. Ford is the OEM of the historic NASCAR team Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing, and their co-owner Brad Keselowski had an interesting historical tidbit to share.

He revealed the history behind Henry Ford’s first-ever win, and how that catapulted the company’s growth. However, the memorabilia from that day is missing, but one fan seems to have unearthed a rare photo of the same. Responding to the fan’s post on X, Keselowski revealed its jaw-dropping monetary value.

Brad Keselowski’s big deal-worthy information

Keselowski reposted a post from Kevin Kennedy, retired managing partner of Campbell marketing and communication, Kennedy wrote on X, “Can’t really tell… only one photo of it. It is believed Henry took this photo himself since it was in a collection of other things of interest to him.” with an old classic excellent designed trophy as an authentic, pure Crystal Punch Bowl Set. Keselowski shared it as a repost and wrote, “Awesome, I’ve never seen a photo of the Infamous @Ford punchbowl set. I’m thinking this trophy is worth at least 10m, maybe up to 100m  for the right collector. It’s location a mystery lost to time…FYI @darrenrovell”

Darren Rovell is a sports business analyst, and he is famous for following the traces of history with sports and the old sports-related things that act as memorabilia and have a taste for the collectibles. But Brad Keselowski leaves room for thoughts around the value of this pretty antique trophy.

Keselowski recently appeared in a segment of the Dale Jr. Download podcast, ‘Business of Motorsports’ with Kelley Earnhardt-Miller, and revealed the origins of a Crystal Punch Bowl Set that Henry Ford won to kickstart his automobile legacy.

Keselowski told Kelley Earnhardt, “Henry Ford when he goes to run his first race is predicted to be last… Henry Ford wins the race, and the trophy was this beautiful Crystal Punch Bowl Set… That punch bowl set, sat in his house until the day He and his wife Clara passed away. They went through his house… They got rid of the punch bowl set because they just thought it was like a household item, like it literally went to like some estate auction… Winning that race funded Ford Motor Company.” A ripple effect etched in time, that was recently brought to light by Keselowski and backed up with photographic evidence from a fan on X. However, the full story behind the Crystal Punch Bowl justifies Keselowski’s $100 million valuation.

Why did Brad Keselowski value the lost trophy up to $100 million? 

The uniquely crafted trophy has a history behind it that led to the motor company empire of Ford. In 1901, Henry Ford participated in the first race of his career, and to everyone’s surprise, he won that. Reason? It’s simple, the firm determination to start his automobile business for car manufacturing. He noticed one thing, taking inspiration from the racing champion, Alexander Winton, who owned a Winton Motor Carriage Company.

Back in those days, people used to rate the best car according to their performance in the race. No doubt, after continuous drawbacks in accomplishing his automobile business, Henry made up his mind to participate in the race against famous racer Winton, who was so heavily favored that the race promoter called him up to ask how he wanted the trophy to be designed. Winton deferred to his wife, who birthed the idea of a Crystal Punch Bowl Set as a trophy.

Henry only had pursuits and following that, he made a Sweepstakes car with the help of his associates and earned good popularity after winning the race. The race was in the name of Henry and his car, so the 1901 race is today known as the Sweepstakes race held in Michigan. Henry not only got the support of the powerful financier for his business to scale up, but a beautifully crafted Crystal Punch Bowl Set Trophy as per the taste of Winton’s wife, the estimated winner for the 1901 race by the organizer based on his lookout for his previous performances and nobody had a clue of Ford, until he showed up in the race. 

Henry was awarded the Crystal Punch Bowl Set and got funded for his business. And from there on the Ford Motor Company laid the foundation stone for their legacy today. The Ford family has taken great care of the business from where Henry Ford left for them, but the only thing they couldn’t take care of was the memorabilia of that masterpiece that has helped them reach the milestone of success where they are today. Still in search of the same, that trophy keeps an important place in the organization and they can pay millions to get it back. But, till that good time comes, they have to satisfy themselves with the beautiful old picture of it.