10 Fun Ford Facts

Many in Costa Mesa know and recognize the name Ford as a car brand typically seen on the roads, at stop lights, on highways, and in drive-thru lines. However, despite the familiarity of the American brand, many do not know the long history behind the name. This legacy is so much more than just a brand of cars, it is years of American History in one beloved brand.

1. The very first sale that the company made was in 1903 to a man named Dr. Pfenning. The vehicle was called, “The Model A.” The vehicle had a 2-cylinder engine and could reach the racing speeds of 30-miles an hour. It sold for a whopping $850, which would be the equivalent of about $2592.96 today.
2. It is still a family business, and is the second largest family business in the world. The CEO of the company is the founder’s great grandson, William Clay, also known as Bill.
3. Bill is also the current owner of the earlier mentioned vehicle sold to Dr. Pfenning.
4. In 1914, the founder offered his employees a significantly higher salary than other markets were offering, paired with a shorter work day. This not only minimized employee turnover, but also helped to create the middle class and a fair wages movement in America.
5. The Mustang was first debuted in 1964. The following Christmas the pedal powered toy mustang was a favorite among children’s gifts that season.
6. The next year, a mustang was transported in four separate pieces up a resident elevator and onto the observation deck of the Empire State Building. It was then reassembled and photographed. The vehicle was later reassembled inside of the building, where it remained for another five months.
7. The only vehicle that rocker legend Jim Morrison ever owned was a 1967 Shelby GT 500.
8. The F-Series has been ranked as the number one best-selling car in America consistently since 2013.
9. The Signature blue logo seen on these vehicles today was not introduced until the company was four years into the production of their cars.
10. Many attribute a huge portion of the company’s success to the founder’s invention of an assembly line. Henry began this line in 1913. It was a part-by-part line, seen today in various industries. It reduced the vehicle making process by nine and half hours. This innovation made the vehicle more affordable than it had ever been up until that time.

The next time a Ford F150 drives around Costa Mesa, people should consider that the vehicle is much more than just a truck. It is years, work, and facts that all work together to build this legacy in America.

Posted in Huntington Beach Ford Dealer | No Comments »