Tag Archives: Ford

1911 Ford Model-T Torpedo Runabout

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The Ford Model-T Torpedo Runabout was first introduced in 1911. It featured a 20 horsepower, 4 cylinder, 4 cycle, 4 stroke engine with a 3 3/4 inch bore. They ranged in price from $645 unequipped to $725 fully equipped. Only 7,845 were produced that year. This was also the first year that Ford stopped using the all wooden body style and began using steel-paneled bodies on a wooden frame. There were two different models of the Runabout built; the Open Runabout and the Torpedo Runabout. Both models featured longer, curved fenders, longer hoods, longer steering columns, and lower seats. They came with a top, an automatic brass windshield, a speedometer, a tubular horn, and a tool kit. The Torpedo Runabout came with two doors, as opposed to the Open Runabout which had no doors. In 1911, the Model-T’s were given revised brass radiators and new wheels. During this model year, changes were also made to the engine. Exposed valves were replaced with valve chambers which were cast into the block. Steel doors were added to provide easier access for adjusting the valves. Ford also began using cast-iron rear axles and front axles with spindles and separate steering arms. The Runabouts came equipped with brass, gasoline powered headlamps and kerosene side and tail lamps. They featured round, rear deck mounted fuel tanks which held 16 gallons of fuel. That was six more gallons than the touring cars. The Ford Model-T Torpedo Runabout is considered to be the first sports car.

1958 Thunderbird Convertible

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The Thunderbird, also known as the T-Bird, helped usher in an era of personal luxury cars that favored style over practicality. The first generation of cars entered production in 1954. These sleek two-seat automobiles were a great success. Encouraged by this, Ford executives decided that a larger model would increase sales. The 1958 Thunderbird convertible was the first T-Bird model to have four seats. Although bulkier than its predecessors, the 1958 Ford Thunderbird still achieved widespread success and easily outsold the previous model.

In order to accommodate the new back seat, the 1958 Thunderbird convertible was expanded considerably. Nicknamed the “Squarebird” due to its shape, the new model had a longer 113-inch wheelbase and was over 800 pounds heavier. Style was just as important with the 1958 model as with older T-Birds. Along with its dual headlights and prominent tailfins, the 1958 Thunderbird was also given a bolder chrome grille. Although it was offered as both a hardtop and a convertible, the 1958 convertible was delayed, making it the rarest convertible from the second generation line.

The new features on the 1958 T-Bird weren’t just stylistic. The car also boasted a new 300 horsepower 352 cid V-8 engine. Most of the equipment was very basic, but buyers had the option of getting a heater and defroster, power equipment and exterior rear view mirrors. Other luxury convertibles at the time had tops that were power operated, but the 1958 T-Bird required another person to manually assist in lowering the top. Despite this, the 1958 Thunderbird convertible was not only popular in its time, but continues to be prized by collectors.

1970 Boss 302 Mustang

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The Boss 302 Mustang is a high performance vehicle which was produced by Ford in 1969 and 1970, and has been set to be re released in the 2012 year. The 1970 Boss 302 Mustang was initially built for Trans Am racing series, but was only made for a couple years due to high production costs, and due to the fact that it was only run in a few series during the time it was on the road. The 1970 Boss 302 Mustang featured a 302 cubic in, 4.9L, V8 engine; it also had a 4- speed manual transmission, and the original designer of the 1970 Boss 302 Mustang was Larry Shinoda.

The original 1970 Boss 302 Mustang had a unique design to the body of the car, including reflective c-stripe strips on the car for design, and he also eliminated the fender scoops that were found on the 1969 model of the 302 Boss. The unique design also had the option for horizontal rear window shades, drivers could add a blackout hood, and the 1970 Boss 302 Mustang was also one of the first ever production cars on the line to introduce the front spoiler design, as well as a rear deck wing, for more aerodynamics while driving. The car’s name, “Boss” was basically a tribute to the President of Ford. The 1970 model only produced 7,000 units, which sold for $3,720 on the market, and it was later discontinued early on in the following year of 1971.