When America Needs A Better Idea: An Alternate Ford Corporate History

1978
  • kernals12

    Banned
    ford-fairmont11.jpg

    The 1978 model year saw a reshuffling of Ford's lineup. The Granada was dropped in the US while continuing on in Europe. The redesigned European Granada was sold in the US as a downsized Torino. This car would be a huge hit for Ford. In the US it sold 600,000 models, outselling even the Oldsmobile Cutlass. In Europe it was compared favorably to the Volvo 240.

    1024px-1979_Ford_Bronco_%2823517469006%29.jpg

    The Ford Bronco was upsized from a compact off roader to a full sized model based on the F-series
    204701-1000-0@2x.jpg

    Lee Iaccoca was dismissed as company President by Henry Ford II after 17 years at the helm which included successful product launches including the Cardinal and Mustang.
     
    Last edited:
    1979
  • kernals12

    Banned
    fordcaprimkiii_750_500_70.jpg

    The Capri was refreshed with more agressive bodywork to regain its sporting image.
    1979-ford-mustang-ghia-the-luxury-fox-front-side-view.jpg

    The Mustang was redesigned as well.


    1985_F-150.jpg

    The F-series was redesigned

    1979 saw Iran's government overthrown by revolution in favor of a radical Anti-American Islamist theocracy that went so far as to hold employees at the US embassy as hostage. The chaos knocked that country's oil production offline. The world was plunged into yet another energy crisis.

    images

    Henry Ford II resigned as CEO after over 30 years of service. Philip Caldwell replaced him, the first CEO outside of the Ford Family since John S Gray sold his shares to Henry Ford in 1906.

    Ford bought a 24.5% share of struggling Japanese automaker Mazda.
     
    Last edited:
    1980
  • kernals12

    Banned
    1980 was not a good year for Detroit. Car sales plunged to their lowest since 1961 amidst recession, rising interest rates and gas prices. All of the Big 3 posted losses with Chrysler being forced to seek assistance from Washington. Losses deprived the company of money needed for new models.

    images

    The Thunderbird was downsized onto an extended wheelbase Cardinal platform, the result was ugly and sales suffered accordingly.



    upload_2018-6-22_21-1-45.jpeg

    W Edward Deming, who helped create the Toyota Production System, was hired as a consultant by Ford with the goal of improving quality. The company changed its tagline to "Quality is Job #1".. Their strategy was not to achieve Toyota levels of reliability but to make the cars look and feel like Toyota quality through smoother, quieter engines and improved fit and finish.

    The company outlined its "One Ford" strategy to consolidate its worldwide offerings by 1990.
     
    Last edited:
    1981
  • kernals12

    Banned
    08840168cb37980d8078d45edda6ced1.jpg

    The Escort was all new and put in the US market for the first time. It featured the first of Ford's new 4 cylinder engines that were co-engineered with Mazda to ensure smoothness and reliability. The engine was mounted transversely to increase interior space.
     
    1982
  • kernals12

    Banned
    1982 was a quiet year in Dearborn in contrast to all the changes that the 1983 model year would bring.
     
    1983
  • kernals12

    Banned
    1983 was a big year for Ford with 5 new models. The company ran a profit for the first time since 1979.

    upload_2018-6-22_23-16-45.jpeg

    The Fiesta was updated with new headlights and engines.

    VEH380.jpg

    Composite headlights with replaceable bulbs were legalized for the first time since 1940 in the US allowing for aerodynamic and stylish headlight assemblies. The first car to take advantage was the replacement for the Cardinal/Cortina, the Tempo/Sierra. The new car was more spacious thanks to a longer wheelbase and a transverse engine setup but sold below expectations at first due to the controversial styling.

    ford-ltd-1983-7.jpg

    The Granada/Torino was renamed as the LTD and restyled with a new streamlined body. The full sized LTD was renamed as the Crown Victoria. Despite the stylish new look, the car was sitting on a dated rear wheel drive platform even as its competitors, the Chevrolet Celebrity and Dodge Aries, had moved to front wheel drive. It became clear that Ford needed a new midsized car.

    upload_2018-6-23_10-23-1.jpeg

    The Thunderbird gained stylish and aerodynamic styling helping boost sales.

    280px-1st-Ford-Ranger.jpg

    The Mazda-based Courier was replaced by the Ranger light pickup truck. The compact Bronco was revived as Bronco II.
     
    Last edited:
    1984
  • kernals12

    Banned
    Barrett-JacksonLasVegas2016_IMG5107_35.1_Ford_1983_Mustang%20GT_Convertible_1FABP27F9DF144293_.jpg

    The Ford Mustang ragtop was revived. This was the first Ford convertible since 1973.

    1984_dodge_caravan-pic-45815-1600x1200.jpeg

    In 1984, Chrysler brought out the Plymouth Voyager and Dodge Caravan. These were small vans with front wheel drive. They offered station wagon versatility but in a smaller more fuel efficient package. This was a problem for Ford since they had dominated the station wagon market with their Country Squire for so long. Ironically, way back in 1973, Ford built a prototype of a shrunk Econoline which was basically a minivan but it was rejected.
     
    Last edited:
    1985
  • kernals12

    Banned
    1985 was another quiet year for the blue oval. The decks were being cleared for the 1986 model year.
     
    1986
  • kernals12

    Banned
    86-taurus1.jpg

    1986 brought Ford's most important new car since 1949, the Taurus. Replacing the LTD, it was front wheel drive and very aerodynamic. It shot to the top of the sales charts quickly. The car's design process was revolutionary, with exterior and interior designers working side by side, reverse engineering of competing Japanese models, and special attention to interior user friendliness. Ford's problems disappeared overnight.
    4600050123_large.jpg

    Based on the new Taurus came Ford's first minivan, the Aerostar.


    Capri-1_2101657b.jpg

    Out with the old, in with the new: the last Capri rolled off the assembly line in West Germany that December. The market for cars like the Capri had evaporated in favor of hot hatches, including Ford's own Escort XR3i.

    DSC09926_zpsbw5yfg7c-940x629.jpg

    The Capri's inspiration, the Mustang, which was almost switched to Front Wheel Drive was kept on rear wheel drive after a massive outcry by enthusiasts and a giant drop in gas prices.
     
    Last edited:
    1987
  • kernals12

    Banned
    32310979854_979a1b5726.jpg

    The Sierra/Tempo was freshened for 1987. Wraparound front indicators and a new notchback sedan model made it look more conventional. By now, the aero-look that it had pioneered was widespread allowing it sell very well.

    220px-Ford_F-150_--_09-07-2009.jpg

    The F-series was redesigned with the aerodynamic family look.
     
    1988
  • kernals12

    Banned
    1988 saw no new models for Ford.

    The big automotive news was Chrysler's purchase of AMC, giving them access to the profitable Jeep brand.
     
    1989
  • kernals12

    Banned
    Ford-Fiesta-Saloon-web-image.jpg

    The Fiesta got its first full redesign since its launch in 1976. Most notably, it gained a 5 door model.
    1989_ford_thunderbird_lx-pic-1377626015928451451-640x480.jpeg

    The Thunderbird was redesigned. By this point, the market for big coupes was expiring.
    1989_ford_probe-pic-37762-1600x1200.jpeg

    The front drive coupe that was to be the new Mustang was sold as the Ford Probe, named after a series of concept cars from the late 70s and early 80s. A twin to the Mazda MX-6, it sold well.

    280px-1st_Ford_Taurus_SHO_--_10-03-2009.jpg

    Ford brought out a sporty version of the Taurus known as the SHO or Super High Output. The Yamaha 3.0 Liter V6 put out 220 horsepower and turned a humble grocery getter into a sports sedan.
     
    Last edited:
    1990
  • kernals12

    Banned
    The UAW agreed to switch new hires to a 401k plan. This helped Ford shed pension costs.

    For 1990, all cars had to have either a driver's airbag or automatic seatbelts. Despite the annoyance, most automakers chose the cheaper seatbelt option.
     
    Last edited:
    1991
  • kernals12

    Banned
    1996_ford_escort_4dr-hatchback_lx_fq_oem_1_300.jpg

    The Escort was redesigned with significant input from Mazda.

    1991_ford_explorer-pic-7560050905631752564-1600x1200.jpeg

    The Bronco II was replaced by the Explorer. Ford started a revolution by selling a 5 door model. The high driving position and rugged off road looks kicked off the SUV boom. The Explorer's impact in the 90s would be comparable to the Mustang's in the 60s.
     
    1992
  • kernals12

    Banned
    1992_ford_taurus_sedan_lx_fq_oem_1_400.jpg

    1992 brought a redesign of the Taurus. It was an evolutionary design as there was no reason for radical change. Changes included standard antilock brakes and driver's airbag and an even more aerodynamic shape.

    1992-ford-crown%20victoria-frontside_foviclx921.jpg

    The Crown Victoria was given the aero treatment, most controversial was the lack of a front grille, which would be changed for 1993.

    1992-ford-f150%20regular%20cab-frontside_ftpur921.jpg

    The F-series, the best selling nameplate in America, was redesigned, as was the SUV version, the Bronco.
     
    1993
  • kernals12

    Banned
    7781195.jpg

    The Tempo/Sierra was replaced by the rounded off Contour/Mondeo.

    1993-ford-probe-frontside_fopro931.jpg

    The Probe was redesigned.
     
    Last edited:
    1994
  • kernals12

    Banned
    1994-ford-mustang-svt-cobra-review-car-and-driver-photo-561783-s-original.jpg

    1994 brought a new Mustang for the first time since 1979.

    440px-Ford_Windstar.jpg

    The aging Aerostar was replaced by the Windstar.
     
    Last edited:
    1995
  • kernals12

    Banned
    280px-Ford_Fiesta_MK4_%281995-1999%29_front.jpg

    The Fiesta was redesigned.

    280px-Ford_Galaxy_front_20080331.jpg

    The Galaxy was introduced as an MPV for the European market.

    For 1995, all new cars had to have airbags.
     
    Last edited:
    1997
  • kernals12

    Banned
    2000-ford-taurus-frontside_fotaused001.jpg

    The Taurus was all new for 1997 with Ford's "new edge" design.

    6a00d83451b3c669e2014e8a4cd797970d-800wi

    The F-series was redesigned

    1997_ford_expedition_4_dr_eddie_bauer_suv-pic-5054902632023341249-640x480.jpeg

    Ford brought out a replacement for the Bronco, the Expedition. Meant to be a larger Explorer, it was a major cash cow for Ford.

    1997-ford-thunderbird-frontside_fotbd971.jpg

    The last Thunderbird rolled off the Lorain, Ohio Assembly Line on September 4, 1997 with the words "That's all folks!" across the hood. It was the end of one of the most iconic nameplates.
    ford-ka_782_6.jpg

    The Ka was introduced to the European market as a youth oriented small car with funky styling.
     
    Last edited:
    Top