Ford has been a part of the Twin Cities since 1915, when 100 workers began assembling Model T's in an old warehouse that had been converted into an assembly plant. In 1925 the current Twin Cities Assembly Plant formally opened its doors, starting a legacy of pride and quality in the Ford brand in the city. Over the years the plant proved it could take care of itself – it forged power from a hydroelectric dam and manufactured its own glass from silica mines located deep below the earth. It altered and changed with the times, stopping production during the Great Depression and manufacturing military vehicles in World War II. The plant proved its versatility time and again by producing the F-Series truck along with full-size cars like the LTD, Galaxie, Country Squire, Country Sedan, Starliner, Del Rio, Fairlane, Crown Victoria, Crestliner, Sportsman, Deluxe Super Deluxe and Phaeton. Most recently, the Ranger compact pickup has rolled off its assembly line for the last 26 years. Through it all, the loyalty and dedication of the employees hasn’t wavered. Their contribution will never be forgotten.
Source: Ford
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
All-New 1967 Mustang Convertible Body Joins Growing Stable of Classic Ford-Licensed Restoration Parts
The 1967 Mustang convertible body shell is the fourth reproduction body licensed by Ford Motor Co.
Restorers can now build a “new” 1967 Mustang convertible with an all-new steel body
The 1967 Mustang convertible body is stronger than the original and can be outfitted with Ford’s big-block engines
With nearly 8.5 million built since first debuting in 1964, the Ford Mustang is America’s longest selling four-seat sports car
DEARBORN, Mich., Dec. 20, 2011 – The latest addition to the growing stable of classic Mustang bodies – the 1967 convertible – just might be the ultimate stocking stuffer this Christmas for restorers of America’s favorite sports car.
The 1967 convertible body shell, the newest officially licensed Ford Restoration part, is now available to order starting at $15,995. It is the fourth reproduction classic Mustang body available to restorers, joining the 1965 convertible, the 1967 fastback and the 1969 fastback.
To qualify as an official Ford-licensed restoration part, the 1967 body shell has to meet or exceed the fit, finish and quality of the original, said Dennis Mondrach, Ford Restoration Parts licensing manager. “The new 1967 convertible body shell gives restorers a super-solid foundation on which to build their dream pony car.”
Dynacorn International, manufacturer of the 1967 convertible body, worked to not only replicate the original 1967 convertible, but make it better. The body panels, for example, are stamped from modern automotive-grade virgin steel that is slightly thicker than the original, according to Jim Christina, Dynacorn general manager. Then, to further add strength, the panels are assembled using modern welding techniques. There are also newly engineered reinforcements in known stress areas to add strength and rigidity to the body, added Christina.
“These days, the chances are fairly slim of finding a restorable, rust-free 1967 Mustang that has never been wrecked,” said Mondrach. “As the value of classic Mustangs has increased over the years, garages, barns and scrapyards have been picked clean.”
Now, Mustang fans dreaming of restoring a classic 1967 convertible – or building one with a modern powertrain – won’t have to spend time and money getting an original 1967 convertible body into restorable condition. That expensive, time-consuming step can be skipped by starting with the new 1967 convertible body. “Some minor panel adjustment and alignment still has to be done, but the body comes rustproofed and primed and is otherwise ready for painting and assembly,” said Mondrach. More information about the 1967 body shell and all other Ford-licensed restoration parts can be found at
href="www.fordrestorationparts.com">www.fordrestorationparts.com.
1967 Mustang: More luxury, more power, more style
After a record-setting production run that saw more than a million Mustangs gallop out of Ford factory gates in just 18 months, the 1967 model was given a major redesign. The move helped keep Mustang ahead of the pack as new competitors from General Motors and Chrysler along with imported sports cars from Great Britain claimed a larger share of the mid-1960's youth market.
No part of the Mustang was overlooked in 1967. The body was widened, the hood lengthened, and the engine bay grew in size to accommodate an array of six engines ranging from a thrifty and peppy 200-cubic-inch inline six-cylinder all the way up to a thundering 390-horsepower 427 that came in the Shelby GT500. This helped launch an entirely new generation of big-block high-horsepower pony cars that fueled the growing muscle car mania.
The 1967 also got all-new sheetmetal, a redesigned grille, new taillights and a nifty option that put turn signals in the hood scoops. On the inside, the more luxurious interior took the Mustang in a new direction. Buyers could opt for a tilt-away steering wheel, a gauge package with a built-in tachometer, brushed aluminum trim on the dash, door panels and shifter console. There was also a roof console with map lights between the sun visors, and the 1967 was the first Mustang with built-in air conditioning that was packaged behind the dash, not under it.
Because more than 90 percent of the parts needed to restore a 1967 Mustang convertible are available new as Ford-licensed reproduction components, the 1967 convertible body can be built to just about any specification that was available when the car was new. Ford’s big-block engines from that era, including the 390, 427 and 428-cubic-inch motors, bolt right in with no modifications necessary. Also, the 1967 body can be used as a basis to build a replica of the Shelby GT350 or GT500 convertibles.
“The 1967 convertible body is supported by thousands of high-quality Ford-licensed restoration parts,” Mondrach said. “So, though it may be possible to build a 1967 Mustang using almost all new parts, we think most customers who buy the 1967 convertible shell will use it for high-performance applications, resto-mod projects or for show cars.”
Source: Ford
Limited-Edition Ford Racing History Artwork Unveiled at SEMA; Limited-Edition Print Sales to Benefit JDRF
Special limited-edition Ford Racing history artwork is unveiled at the annual SEMA show as part of the Ford press conference
Famed automotive artist Sam Bass created the artwork at the request of Edsel B. Ford II, with proceeds from sales of limited-edition autographed prints benefiting JDRF
Drivers and Ford race vehicles featured on the special artwork include Henry Ford (Sweepstakes), Trevor Bayne (No. 21 Fusion), Dan Gurney/A.J. Foyt (Ford Mark IV), Bob Glidden (NHRA Thunderbird), Jackie Stewart (Tyrrell F1), Jim Clark (Lotus-Ford Indy car), John Force (NHRA Mustang) and Parnelli Jones (SCCA Mustang)
LAS VEGAS, Oct. 30, 2012 – Just as Ford Racing drivers try to lock down major 2012 championships on the track and consumer holiday shopping begins off the track, Ford Motor Company is unveiling a special limited-edition Ford Racing history print today at the SEMA show that will be sold to benefit JDRF.
This special Sam Bass artwork celebrates Ford’s storied 111-year racing history, with proceeds from the limited-edition prints benefiting JDRF. Commissioned for his private collection by Edsel B. Ford II, great-grandson of Henry Ford, the original artwork dramatically portrays some of the greatest moments in Ford Racing history.
There will be only 500 numbered prints created, all hand-signed by Edsel B. Ford II and Sam Bass, and retailing for $449 on www.fordimages.com. All proceeds from sales will benefit JDRF.
Print No. 1 will be on display at the Ford stand at SEMA, and will be sold as part of a special online auction on eBay. The link to bid on Print No. 1 is http://item.ebay.com/180992921115. Both eBay and Channel Advisor are waiving their fees to support this charitable effort.
In addition, a collectible Fathead® peel-and-stick graphics piece featuring the artwork, Ford and JDRF logos will be available at the Ford merchandise trailer during the show.
The lower center of the artwork, in black-and-white, features Henry Ford himself, on top of his Sweepstakes racer, which he took to an upset win over Alexander Winton, the greatest racer in America, on Oct. 10, 1901. Ford’s victory, with mechanic Spider Huff perched on the side to assist him, helped him gain the investors to start Ford Motor Company in 1903. That race is considered the start of the Ford racing program. Below Ford is a rendering of the cut-glass punch bowl he received for winning that day, a prized racing artifact lost for more than 60 years.
To the left of Ford is the 1965 Indianapolis 500-winning Lotus-Ford 38/1 Indy car driven to victory by Jim Clark. The Lotus-Ford was the first rear-engine car to win Indianapolis and it changed the sport forever. Clark’s victory for team owner Colin Chapman was assisted by NASCAR’s Wood Brothers Racing team, which was brought in by Ford to pit the car that day.
Just above the Lotus is the famous No. 15 Boss Mustang driven by Parnelli Jones to the 1970 SCCA Trans-Am Championship. The late 1960's and early 1970's were considered the golden era of Trans-Am racing, and no car and driver better represent that era than Jones and his Bud Moore-prepared Mustang.
Just above Jones is the NHRA Mustang Funny Car of racing legend John Force. Force drove the Mustang to his record 15th NHRA title in November 2010, coming from behind on the final day to capture a victory for the ages. The championship – at age 61 – was even more special due to the fact Force had fully returned from serious injuries that almost ended his career just three years earlier.
To the right of Force and just below the Ford oval is Elf Team Tyrrell of Jackie Stewart, who took the Ford-powered car to his third and final Formula One World Championship in 1973. Stewart, certainly one of the greatest F1 drivers of all time, scored the final victory of his career with this car in Germany, ending with 27 wins in just 99 starts.
To the right of Stewart’s car is the Motorcraft Ford Fusion of Wood Brothers Racing, the longest-running NASCAR team in history. No. 21 is shown as a new 2013 model NASCAR Fusion at Daytona International Speedway, recalling the Woods’ most recent victory at the 2011 Daytona 500 with Trevor Bayne. That victory was the fifth Daytona 500 win for the Wood Brothers, and Ford’s 600th in NASCAR Sprint Cup.
Below the Fusion is the famous Motorcraft Thunderbird NHRA Pro Stock car of Bob Glidden. Glidden was the king of Pro Stock racing, ending his career with a then-record 85 victories. He also won 10 NHRA Pro Stock championships, including five in a row, with his family race team.
Finally, in the lower right corner is the Ford Mark IV race car that won the 1967 24 Hours of Le Mans. The No. 1 car remains the only all-American car, powered by an American engine, prepared by an American team with American drivers to win Le Mans overall. Racing legends A.J. Foyt and Dan Gurney drove the car to victory, the second of four Ford wins at Le Mans in the late 1960's.
Source: Ford
2013 Super Duty® Going Platinum.
Luxury and toughness come together in a way only a Ford F-Series Super Duty® can deliver. It's the new Super Duty Platinum, coming late 2012.
Featured is unique styling inside and out, with Platinum-color trim and lots of chrome and body-color cues. Illuminated 6-inch angular step bars too. Plus heated/cooled leather-trimmed front seats and a steering wheel wrapped in leather with heated wood.
The list of conveniences is just as impressive, headlined by premium features such as Ford SYNC® with MyFordTouch®, Navigation System with HD Radio and SiriusXM Satellite Radio. PowerScope® trailer tow mirrors and Remote Start System are also standard equipment.
And all this style and luxury ride on 20-inch cast aluminum wheels with painted pockets.
For the full preview of the 2013 Super Duty Platinum, click here.
Source: Ford
2012 Mustang Boss® 302 Laguna Seca: Best of the Best Honoree
Congratulations to the 2012 Mustang Boss® Laguna Seca for being named among the Best of the Best 2012: Coupes and GT's by the Robb Report.
Born in 1969, the Mustang Boss 302 was originally developed by Ford to rival its Chevrolet competition and compete in the Trans-Am series. Its second generation, in 2012, marked major revisions including powerful engine choices, a responsive 6-speed transmission and tailored interior options.
The 2012 Boss 302 Laguna Seca was upgraded even further. Additions like optional RECARO® racing seats, TORSEN® helical differential and front-air splitter make it the ultimate purpose-built track Mustang.
According to Robert Ross of the Robb Report, “In an age of paddle-shift automatics, button-controlled suspension modes, shift-mapping software, and driver-tuned exhausts, the Ford Mustang Boss 302 Laguna Seca is a welcome throwback to the get-in-and-drive days of its progenitor.”
Source: Ford
Monday, October 15, 2012
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