Yank automakers often take the brunt of the feedback for producing models that are hideous, pointless, or even downright dangerous. Ford has had its share of beasts through the years in addition to several winners including the present Mustang for which demand cannot be met. For the joys of it let’s take a look at some of the Ford models that have been derided down through the years.
Model T – What?! How can the automobile that introduced mass production make the list? Well, the automobile was fine, but Mr. Henry Ford’s statement, “you can have any color you need so long as it is black” has been attributed with the upward push of General Motors [who gave its buyers a choice in colors] which finally unseaetd Ford as the top automaker in the world. No, the Model T was fine, but Mr. Ford’s marketing strategy was not.
Edsel – In September 1957, Ford launched a new division – Edsel – and introduced to America one of the most peculiar looking autos. Wearing a “horse-collar” formed grille – some compared it with a toilet seat – the Edsel line was hyped by Ford and confounded by buyers fervently. Expecting to build 200,000 Edsels in its first year of production, only 63,000 were built. Other “radical” aspects of the Edsel included a “floating” speedometer that glowed upon reaching a specific speed and an awkward push button transmission with controls attached to the heart of the steering wheel. Even with a quick refresh finished in time for the following model year, the Edsel limped along only to be pulled one month after the 3rd model year vehicles were released.
Pinto – Hey, even I owned one! With a 2.3L inline four cylinder paired with a 4 speed manny tranny, the Pinto was Ford’s answer in the 1970s to the onslaught of Japanese cars flooding the market. The compact rear wheel drive coupe, three door hot hatch, or wagon sold fairly well until disaster hit : the revelation the Pinto’s gas tank was capable of exploding during a rear impact scared buyers away. Mercifully pulled after the 1980 model year; replaced by the favored Escort.
Mustang II – Ford tainted the Mustang name in the 1970s with this forgettable and ugly model. Resembling a swollen and stretched Pinto, the Mustang II was puny, poorly made, and a terrible competitor against its arch rival, the Camaro. All was forgiven by the early 1980s with the return of a newly designed Mustang. Today’s Mustang, on the other hand, is a sold-out success story as it took its styling cues from a Mustang of another time : the fastback cars of the late 1960s and early 1970s.
Before you point your finger at Ford, don’t forget to recall some actually unmemorable models, foreign and domestic. The Toyota Wagon was panned for its ugly styling and for having an engine that needed to be dropped from the engine bay in order to do a tune ; the Chevy Vega – a Pinto wannabe ; AMC’s Pacer – the Jetson’s car; the Suzuki Samurai and Isuzu Rodeo – flip over experts ; the Yugo – a thinly redone 1960s time Fiat ; and countless other automobiles not worth the mention. You hope that automakers learn from their mistakes, but do not count on it. Perhaps in another generation we are going to see a really forgettable Ford show up, but for now there is not one in the line up…hooray for that!.
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