Yank automakers sometimes take the brunt of the feedback for manufacturing models that are ugly, useless, or downright deadly. Ford has had its share of beasts thru the years in addition to several winners including the present Mustang for which demand can’t be met. For the fun of it let’s have 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 vehicle 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 thrust of General Motors [who gave its clients a choice in colors] which eventually dethroned 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 spookiest looking cars. Sporting a “horse-collar” formed grille – some compared it with a toilet seat – the Edsel line was hyped by Ford and defied by shoppers earnestly . Expecting to build 200,000 Edsels in its first year of production, only 63,000 were built. Other “radical” facets of the Edsel included a “floating” speedometer that glowed on reaching a specific speed and an awkward push button transmission with controls attached to the heart of the wheel. Even with a quick makeover completed in time for the next model year, the Edsel limped along only to be pulled one month after the 3rd model year cars 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 attack of Japanese cars flooding the market. The compact rear wheel drive coupe, three door hatch, or wagon sold reasonably well until disaster hit: the revelation the Pinto’s gas tank was capable of exploding during a rear impact frightened buyers away. Mercifully pulled after the 1980 model year; replaced by the popular Escort.
Mustang II – Ford tarnished the Mustang name in the 1970s with this forgettable and ugly model. Resembling a swollen and stretched Pinto, the Mustang II was feeble, poorly made, and an awful competitor against its arch rival, the Camaro. All was forgiven by the early 1980s with the return of a recently 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 age : the fastback autos of the late 1960s and early 1970s.
Before you point your finger at Ford, do not forget to recall some really unmemorable models, foreign and domestic. The Toyota Van was panned for its hideous 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 automobile ; the Suzuki Samurai and Isuzu Rodeo – flip over experts ; the Yugo – a thinly redone 1960s age 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 unmemorable Ford show up, but for now there isn’t one in the line up…hooray for that!.
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