The Most Iconic Fords of All Time
Throughout the 116-year Ford has been manufacturing cars, it has established itself as the leading quintessential American car brand. There’s no car that better represents every chapter of American history since the turn of the 20thcentury. From the market-defining Model T to the Mustang, to the F-Series truck that has long been American’s best-selling vehicle—Ford is responsible for an impressive amount of iconic, industry-bending cars. For that reason and many more, it is hard to narrow down a list of Ford’s most iconic cars of all time, but here’s a try:
The Model T
By the time the Model T was manufactured, cars had been around for years—but the Model T arguably had more of a historical impact than any of its predecessors because it was the car that made owning an automobile possible for the middle class. Due to assembly line production, the cars retailed for $250, well within the budget of a working-class family. Thus, Ford brought mobility to the masses.
The Model T and its variants were manufactured for almost twenty years, with 16.5 million copies sold around the world.
Ford V8
There are few Ford cars as beloved as the V8. The vehicle was Henry Ford’s response to the growing market competition. The V8 moved past the idea of simple transportation and explored what else a vehicle could do to satisfy buyers. It’s packed with power, style, and performance to boot.
The V8 was the first mass-market car to offer 65 horsepower—at that time in history, that power was utterly teeth-chattering. Although that milestone is impressive, the V8 made this list because it was the inspiration behind the famous “Deuce Coupe.”
Thunderbird
Has a more thrilling car ever hit the market? Made famous by the Beach Boys and American Graffiti, the Thunderbird is a love song in the form of a car. It was originally introduced in response to Chevrolet’s Corvette, yet the Thunderbird has its own unique qualities (like roll-up windows!). The Thunderbird didn’t quite fit in the “sports car” category, so Ford decided to market it as a “personal car” instead.
The Thunderbird had a long career as one of Ford’s most sought-after cars, it was finally taken off manufacturing lines in 1997.
Ford F Series
As mentioned earlier, the Ford F series trucks are America’s best-selling vehicles—so that speaks for itself. The earliest model debuted over 100 years ago, and it has kept itself in America’s hearts by delivering rugged durability at a competitive value. The Ford F Series has also evolved accordingly over time, so it always meets buyer needs.
If you’re interested in the history of the or in buying one of your own, visit the Ford dealership in Costa Mesa.
Ford Mustang
The Mustang is arguably Ford’s most famous car, if it isn’t, in fact, the most famous car in American history. It has long been the object of desire for many car enthusiasts and has populated many walls in poster form.
The Mustang was first introduced in 1964 and sold over 2 million units by 1969.
So, what made the Mustang America’s sweetheart? Its utterly unique design, for starters. The signature long hood and short deck are eye-catching, and it checks a lot of performance boxes for a car in its price range. And, when it comes down to it, a Mustang is exhilarating to drive, but it’s also not too much to handle.
The Mustang is still widely popular today, with no end in sight.
Ford County Squire
If nostalgia could be a car, it would be a County Squire. Long before SUVs dominated the family car market, there was the wagon. The County Squire is above all, simplistic and spacious—with its three rows: the front, the back, and the famous “way back.”
The County Squire was manufactured from 1950 to 1991. It is responsible for the introduction of safety features like the seat belt (!). The County Squire is an essential addition to this list because there isn’t another car out there that more accurately portrays all-American suburban family life.
Ford Escort
Escorts are known from their comfort, practicality and fuel efficiency. For these reasons and more, Ford refers to it as its “world car.” Indeed, its approachable price and practical nature have made it one of Ford’ best sellers for almost 40 years.
Ford Taurus
The Ford Taurus was one of American’s best-selling cars. It waged a long battle between the Toyota Camry and the Honda accord for buyers’ hearts and it arguably came out on top.
When the Taurus was unveiled in 1986, it was nothing like the car market had ever seen and has long since been considered a landmark vehicle. The Taurus was innovative and downright futuristic. For a long time, it was considered the “king of sedans.”
Ford GT
The GT was designed on Ford’s 100thanniversary—and it’s a celebration indeed. The GT is designed after the famed GT40, one of Ford’s most significant racecar. It has since been dubbed Ford’s “supercar” as it is powered by a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine that delivers a whopping 647 horsepower.
At its inception, the Ford GT instantly gained a place as one of Ford’s most iconic cars, because there had been nothing of its like before or after.
Ford Focus
Merging convenience, practicality, and affordability—the Ford Focus has earned its place as one of American’s favorite cars.
The Focus RS is especially powerful, given its 2.3-liter EcoBoost 4-cylinder engine, which delivers 350 horsepower and 350 lb.-ft. of torque. That’s a lot of gusto for a small car. When it comes down to it, the Ford Focus is so popular because it can fit seamlessly into almost any lifestyle.
If you have any more questions about the most lucrative Ford cars of all time, or if you’re interested in buying a new Ford F150, or a Ford Flex, stop by the Ford dealership in Costa Mesa.
