Ford has been a master at building everyday cars to appeal to keen drivers, and it’s also made more than its fair share of cars with good looks. Here’s our pick of the best-looking Ford models from around the world, arranged in chronological order.
The Ford Model T that went on sale in 1908 barely changed throughout the car’s long life. Its clean lines established the general layout and style of most cars to come for the next three decades with flowing wings, prominent radiator, and the engine at the front. Loathe to spend money on unnecessary development, Ford kept the Model T as basic as it could get away with. As a result, the price actually came down during its production life and it helped Ford produce more than 15 million by the time the last T rolled off the line in 1927.
The Model A was charged with replacing the Ford Model T, so no pressure, then. Fortunately, the Model A mixed just the right level of affordability with handsome looks and rugged durability – all key elements set out by the earlier Model T. Produced in multiple countries around the world, the Model A’s appealing lines were applied to a huge variety of body shapes including saloon, convertible, coupe, roadster, pick-up, and station wagon. By the time it was replaced by the Model B in 1932, the Model A had posted sales of 4.85 million and firmly entrenched Ford as a global car maker noted for good looking, low-cost cars.
View Price on AmazonThe ‘V8’ name was never used by Ford in period for its Model 18, but the name stuck with customers and drivers as it summed up in an instant what engine powered this unadorned, nice looking car. It also went very well with the 221 cubic inch V8 ‘Flathead’ motor that made this the world’s first mass production V8-powered car. A tiny number of V8s were produced in the UK totaling 911 and there was also a V8-40 model with V-shaped radiator grille. A mark of well regarded these cars were in period is they quickly became a staple of the post-war US hot rod and custom scenes.
Taking its styling inspiration from the V8-40 that was due in 1933, Ford in Europe launched the Model Y in 1932 with clean lines and an understatedly sporting V-shaped front grille. There wasn’t much sporting about the 933cc straight-four engine, but that didn’t put off 157,668 people choosing the Model Y up to the end of production in 1937. Most Model Ys were sold as the Tudor saloon which had two doors and the usual flowing wings of this era of car. If you wanted more practicality, there was the Fordor saloon, which was a pun on the ‘four door’ name, but these sold in much smaller numbers than the two-door version.
Source: autocar.co.uk
