10 best Fords EVER sold – including iconic Model T first launched in 1908, legendary 60s Mustang and notorious Bronco
THE influence of the Ford on the motoring world cannot be understated.
Its methods for large-scale manufacturing and workforce management – including popularising the assembly line – coined the term “Fordism”.
Its postwar innovations contributed to the rise of the middle class, particularly in America, with its mass production and affordable pricing opening up car ownership to the masses.
Last year the US-based company produced 4.4 million cars. But which of its motors are best?
Model T
The Model T was first available to the public in 1908 and would remain in production for nearly two decades.
It is regarded as the first mass produced automobile and was nicknamed “Tin Lizzie”.
It was crowned the most influential car of last century, ahead of the Volkswagen Beetle and Mini.
Henry Ford said of the Model T: “I will build a motor car for the great multitude. It will be large enough for the family, but small enough for the individual to run and care for.
“It will be constructed of the best materials, by the best men to be hired, after the simplest designs that modern engineering can devise.
“But it will be so low in price that no man making a good salary will be unable to own one – and enjoy with his family the blessing of hours of pleasure in God’s great open spaces.”
It was designed by Childe Harold Willis, Joseph A. Galamb and Eugene Farkas.
The Model T featured flowing wings, a prominent radiator and engine at the front – with its clean lines establishing the basic look of most cars for the next 30 years.
ZEPHYR
The Zephyr was created by the UK arm of the company in 1950 – and was the first to use the MacPherson strut independent front suspension.
It came in four-door saloon and five-door estate versions, but was never produced in the US.
It was sold as a more powerful six-cylinder saloon to complement the four-cylinder Ford Consul: from 1962 the Zephyr itself was offered in both four- and six-cylinder versions.
The Zephyr was notable for being the first Ford to use unitary construction rather than a separate chassis.
The extra rigidity saw it become popular for rallying.
ANGLIA
The Anglia 105E is a small family car and was the fourth model of its kind, having been first introduced in 1959.
An American-influenced styling included a sweeping nose line, muted tailfins, and on deluxe versions a full-width slanted chrome grille in between prominent “eye” headlamps.
It also featured a distinguishable reverse angle rear window so it could stay clear in the rain.
The 105E’s British designers used wind-tunnel testing and streamlining.
Acceleration was sluggish, though better than its predecessors, and boasted a four-speed manual gearbox with synchromesh on the top three forward gears.
Lotus Cortina
The Lotus Cortina was a high performance sports saloon, produced in the UK from 1963 to 1970 in collaboration with Lotus Cars.
It was originally promoted by Ford as the “Consul Cortina developed by Lotus”.
One early review described as a tin-top version of a Lotus 7.
There was a race-trim version, and with the road-going car revving to 8,000 RPM it could top out at 108mph, it was like a rocket compared to other motors of the day.
The Lotus Cortina is closely associated with racing driver Jim Clark and was the car of choice for Great Train Robbery mastermind Bruce Reynolds.
MUSTANG
The iconic Mustang began production in 1964 and is currently the longest-produced Ford car nameplate.
Its success led to competitors creating the Chevrolet Camaro, Pontiac Firebird and Dodge Challenger.
The original Mustangs shared chassis commonality with other Ford model lines and has always been a rear-wheel-drive car.
Executive stylist John Najjar suggested the name after the World War Two P-51 Mustang fighter plane, and it was initially developed in a record 18 months.
The definitive American Muscle Car, and has featured in many films over the years, including being driven by Steve McQueen in 1968’s Bullitt.
BRONCO
The Bronco was the first SUV developed by Ford from 1966.
It was originally designed as a compact off-road vehicle, and conceived as a more versatile alternative to existing 4x4s.
It came in wagon, pickup and roadster body styles, all with two doors.
The car became infamous in 1994 when former American football player OJ Simpson was involved in a slow-speed police chase in one.
It was discontinued two years later but Ford was adamant the Simpson incident had nothing to do with the decision.
FIESTA
The Fiesta is a supermini car first developed in 1976 as part of Ford’s project ‘Bobcat’ team shortly after the launch of the similar Fiat 127 and Renault Pinto.
10 years earlier, the company had initially decided against producing a new small car to rival BMC’s Mini, as the production cost was deemed too high, but the 1973 oil crisis caused a rise in the already growing demand for smaller cars.
Its production led to Ford building a new factory near Valencia in Spain.
Production ended in 2023.
ESCORT
The small family car first came out in 1968, with six generations of the popular motor coming out over 30 years.
It was often the bestselling car in Britain in the 1980s and 1990s, with a total of more than 4.1 million sold.
It was a follow up to the Anglia and Ford played it safe with the design.
The reverse rake rear window, covered headlights and fin-like rear wings were removed and used what would become known as a “Coke bottle design”.
The company described it as “the small car that isn’t”.
FOCUS
The Ford Focus was introduced in 1998 to the European market as a replacement for the Escort.
A versatile hatchback, it was an immediate success, winning Car of the Year 1999 in Europe and America.
Its fresh look and great handling received much praise.
During a review on Top Gear, Jeremy Clarkson said: “It is more spacious, quieter, more comfortable, much nicer to drive, more economical and possibly safer than any other car in its class. It is superb.”