Question of the Day: What Was Ford’s Best Year Ever?
With strong product launches like the new Fiesta and Kuga aimed at a world audience, Ford Motor Company’s assertion that it is on the road to financial recovery doesn’t seem as hard to believe. Ford has showed a lot of nice cars and trucks this year, so we’ve been wondering how it stacks up against model years past?
You tell us; what single year do you think was the best ever for The Blue Oval? Leave your answer, and join the debate, in comments.
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Comments
94 Taurus owner
1986-1999 somewhere between there.
Al
1966, LeMans win, 289 hi po Mustang, and Cobras. Some good cars and races through 1970.
Dustin B.
I've never been a fan of most Fords for various reasons with a couple exceptions...
Obviously when 1964 rolled around and they brought out the Mustang, they created a cult. During the 1964-1968 timeframe they built their most sought after cars. Arguably, the 67' Shelby GT500 and GT350's among a few others.
Cicero
64-71 Mustangs, Cobras, Torinos etc
HoldenOwner
Don't think they ever had one! 8-)
chartguy
It was before I was born, my mother was 3. 1932 was the apogee for Ford, and I like Fords.
Throopspeed
I answered this question before I opened the comments and I am still 2nd! Al nailed it with 1966. Mustang Fastbacks, Shelby GT350's, Cobras, GT40s, winning LeMans to boot, Lotus' with Ford power at Indy, 427 Galaxy's in NASCAR, heck 427 Fairlanes and Comets at the drags. The mid-60's were exciting times for Ford lovers. They would do well to meditate on that energy...
David J Corcoran
As far as recently, I'm a big fan of their 1993 product line. The good Taurus was sitll in full force, the Explorer was starting to really catch on, the Escort and Crown Vic had recently been redesigned as long as the Econoline/Club Wagon, the F-150 had just been refreshed, we saw the new Ranger come out and all were quality products (except maybe the Escort)
All time I'd say somewhere between 65 and 67
Ducati Minor
1967. The Shelby name was still grand, the GT40 was roaming Europe, the Ford brand was still strong, and the Mustang was coming close to becoming a world-class grand tourer. The year wasn't perfect for Ford, of course. The Mustang had grown and the Shelby GT Mustangs no longer served as stripped-down sports cars (as the '65 GT350 truly was).
My favorite Ford year, however, was 1969. The Mustang abandoned its lean and balanced roots in favor of a more muscular frame and the offering of a sturdy 7.0 L V-8 with the Boss 429. Ford betrayed the 1964 ideals, but the Mustang was a true muscle car in consequence with the Boss specials and the Mach 1. Keep in mind, however, that the 'Stang stayed in its first incarnation from 1964 to 1970. In that period, Chevrolet rolled out two Camaros and Plymouth had three Barracudas.
Brett
I have never liked Fords, so I would have to agree with chartguy that the zenith of Ford inovation had to be the Model A in 1932. Everything since has been a tepid response to market pressures and fairly unremarkable, Ford's racing program not withstanding.
X3 SoB
1964&1/2 was the best year to happen to Ford's product line, with the Mustang being the largest shining star since the Model T and the Model A. Every other mass production piece has been a half-hearted effort with the possible exception of the first generation Focus. Ford's European efforts, on the other hand, have been much more vigorous and innovative, and still are. It's really too bad that Ford thinks that Americans don't know any better and deserve substandard products. It's this sort of short-sightedness that has tanked Ford's stock and led to "The Way Forward", a dubious and glib marketing plan that is also rather half-hearted. Ford has lost its "Way" for a long time now.
Josh
Post WWII was pretty good. 1929-1932 wasn't bad either (the deuce roadster has been copied more than just about any car on earth). I've always liked 1956 ford pickup/panels too.
Josh
i didn't read any of the rest, sorry if I restated anything...
Larry
After going back mentally over the Fords I'm had brushes with ('39 on) I have to say now is probably as good as they've been for product quality.
That said, the fiercest Fords I personally knew of were '61-'63 sheriff's cruisers with 390/330 solid lifter engines-- 1-2 shift was 50 mph and 2-3 at 102, at which time it would still shove you back in the seat -- hard!
bepsf
1965
That year, Ford had just introduced the Mustang as well as the all-new full-sized Galaxie and Mercury also had just introduced their all-new full-sized models that year.
southern
The 50s.
Back when the Japanese were building cars out of beer cans and not yet exporting them to the states, and Euro cars like Fiats, Austins and Goliaths were under powered junk.
Ducati Minor
bepsf,
The 'Stang came out in April 1964 as a '64 edition.
SAAB95JD
Honestly, though the 60's are the years most folks are remembering fondly, Ford was probably at it's most successful in the Model-T days... they were practically the only show on the road!
MeanMrMstrd
Duh, Don't like Fords! Duh, Don't like Chevys! Duh, Don't like Ferrari'! Duh, Don't like Chrysler, well maybe that one, gawd how lame that whole "I'm a Ford man, my dad was a Ford man!" or whatever car make... BS is!
It's all good, enjoy the fun. I'll take a 1953 Ford Woody thank you.
rrochell8
The Mustang came out in the summer of '64 but was considered a '65 model. It was an early launch. New cars then usually came out in the fall. For some reason, people call the car a 64 1/2. I guess because it was actually built in that year...but it was a new 1965 car.
DOWNSHIFTER
Maybe next year.
Wayne
1940 without a doubt.
Dane
Now, in Europe.....
Never better choice....
ziggy
1906
z1rider
1923. Highest output year for Model T. Over half of all vehicles in the world were Ford's. 20 years before, the average American never ventured more than 25 miles from their birthplace. Ford provided FREEDOM in ways never imagined. Whether you like Ford products or not, if you have ever traveled very far by car you should pay tribute to Henry.
06YellowGT
1986
The Taurus was introduced, and it started a design revolution for mass-marketed vehicles that everyone followed. Pretty sure it wasn't their "best" year, but it was a very successful introduction which layed the groundwork for many years to come. Perhaps the most "significant" year.
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