Ford
Brief History
Henry Ford was a son of an Irish immigrant, he grew up on a Michigan farm, learned the machinist trade and went to work for the electric company in Detroit. By the end of 1893 he had achieved the elevated position of chief engineer.
Henry Ford built his first experimental car in 1896 - It had 2 cylinders, chain drive and would do 20 mph. He built a second car the next year, and in 1899 quit Edison Electric Co. to help organize the Detroit Auto Co. He later formed the Ford Motor Co, and in 1909 introduced the immortal Model T - “The car that put America on wheels”. The Model T had an 18-year run and in 1925 cost $260.00, total production was 16 million cars. The Model A was introduced in 1928, it was a fine car, with one of the first applications of safety glass in an automobile in 4 years Henry sold 5 million cars. In 1932 Ford introduced a 3.6 litre V-8 engine, which was basically unchanged through 1953. The original model made in 1932 was an extremely fine machine and is still used as the basis for many hot-rods. The real importance of the Ford V-8's lay in their snappy performance. They offered good road speed and jolting acceleration at a modest price. These unassuming cars could pace mile after mile with bigger, more expensive American automobiles. Historically the V-8 was the first fully mass-produced, low-priced V-8 in the world.
In keeping with the trend toward greater power a new line was added in 1939. This was the Mercury. Essentially it was a larger Ford, with somewhat similar styling. But the bored-out engine gave it exciting acceleration. After World War II the Ford cars began to follow the trend to uniformity that swept like a wave over the entire American automobile industry. Fins sprouted from the rear, the body lines became box-like and a host of willing push-button gadgets appeared to do the driver's bidding. The horsepower climbed as the engines grew and gas consumption figures rose like the temperature of the old Model T on a hot day.
Then came the Thunderbird. It started as a two seater sports car with a large engine. But it was really neither a sports car nor a passenger machine. The compromise was too great. As a sports car it had speed but none of the precision handling and swift cornering ability that the European machines have. It was saved by enlarging it into a plush four-seater with expensive appointments to appeal to buyers who want a sporty looking car with American comfort.
In 1954 Ford introduced its first overhead valve engine and became deeply involved in the big 3 horsepower race throughout the 50's & 60's. When Carroll Shelby joined Ford he developed the Cobra, which became the fastest production car in the world.
When Henry Ford died in 1947 he left a huge and thriving industry to his family, but he left a larger legacy to the world. When he first began his system of assembly line mass production in the early years of the twentieth century his slogan was
“Watch the Fords Go By.”
Today, thanks to him, we can say, “Watch the Cars Go By.”
