A Look Back at the Cars and Trucks That Defined an Era
The Ford Motor Company has been manufacturing autos since 1903, giving the automaker over 120 years to design and manufacture iconic American cars and trucks. Let’s take a look at some of the top contenders.
Over the years, the Ford Motor Company has introduced some truly unique cars and trucks that have helped define American culture. Some, like the Ford F-150 and Ford Mustang, are still available today.
Instead of focusing on Ford’s current successes, let’s look back at its most famous and iconic cars and trucks from decades past.
1. 1908 Ford Model T
There is no vehicle as important as the Ford Model T. Launched in 1908, it was the first mass-produced vehicle priced low enough to make it accessible to buyers who didn’t count themselves among the extremely wealthy.
The Model T may not have been the most luxurious or high-performance Ford, but it’s undoubtedly among its iconic vehicles. It remained in production for 15 years and sold over 15 million models.
2. 1953 Ford F-100
Ford’s F-Series is still America’s best-selling pickup line. The 1953 Ford F-100 was the first pickup marketed post-war to ordinary Americans for daily driving. With creature comforts like armrests and sun visors, it was a huge hit.
Today’s F-150, F-250, and F-350 trucks wouldn’t be what they are without their origins in the humble F-100. Today’s lavishly appointed models go well beyond what Americans could have imagined in 1953, but they’re only here because Ford took a risk over half a century ago.
3. 1955 Ford Thunderbird
The 1955 Ford Thunderbird was the automaker’s response to Chevrolet’s two-seater Corvette but quickly outsold its rival. The Thunderbird was one of Ford’s most iconic luxury-focused offerings, and the lineup soon expanded to include a wide array of body styles.
The Thunderbird nameplate was officially retired in 2005 after a brief comeback in the early 2000s, giving this iconic car a 50-year run.
4. 1965 Ford Mustang
The original pony car, the 1965 Ford Mustang, was created to accommodate the buying habits of the Baby Boomers, but it remains the world’s best-selling sports car even today. Powerful yet practical, the Mustang is one of the automaker’s most iconic cars still in production.
The Mustang name is so recognizable that Ford repurposed it for its Mustang Mach-E EV crossover SUV. The move was controversial, particularly given that the latest generation of true Mustang is still in demand, but it shows the power of the sports car’s branding.
5. 1966 Ford GT40
The Ford GT40 remains one of America’s most famous race cars ever built. Designed in response to a business deal gone south with Enzo Ferrari, the Ford GT40 had one purpose: to beat the Italians.
In 1966, the GT40 won a decisive victory at Le Mans, making Ford the first American automaker to take first place at the podium and earning the race car its rightful place among the automaker’s most iconic vehicles.
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