Ford Rouge Factory Tour - Vehicles
5 artifacts in this set
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5 artifacts in this set
Automobile
Falling sales and pleas from his staff finally convinced Henry Ford to retire the Model T in 1927. Workers and factories sat idle for six months while Ford retooled for the replacement car. The new Model A was more mechanically advanced and stylish than its predecessor. It was a hit too, with nearly five million sold over four model years.
Automobile
The 1932 Ford was attractive, but its real innovation sat under the hood. Henry Ford insisted on an affordable V-8 engine to upstage Chevrolet's low-priced six. By casting his engine's crankcase and cylinders as a single unit, Ford cut production costs and held his car's starting price under $500. Ford's enduring engine stayed in production until 1953.
Automobile
Ford's 1949 model was the company's first all-new car after World War II. The car's "envelope" body, with integral fenders and smooth slab sides, was a fresh break from previous designs. The "spinner" in the center of the grille suggested an airplane propeller, and it was an early example of the aviation themes that characterized postwar American cars.
Automobile
To customers, Thunderbird was a "personal car" that combined a sporty feel with the comfortable appointments of a prestige model. To Ford, Thunderbird was a "halo car" that attracted customers to showrooms. It sold well with buyers who enjoyed the pure fun of driving. Some of that fun was traded for practicality when Thunderbird grew to four seats for 1958.
Automobile
The 1965 Ford Mustang is one of the most significant vehicles built at Ford Motor Company's Rouge complex. With its sporty look, reasonable price and endless number of options, the car appealed to a wide cross-section of buyers. More than a million Mustangs were sold within two years of the car's April 1964 introduction.
This is user-generated content and does not reflect the views of The Henry Ford.