Ford has released an online treasure trove of photographs and brochures from the first 100 years of this iconic auto brand. There's a simple search function that allows you to enter the year and/or model in which you are interested, then offers a range of images and brochures from the Ford historical archives. Simply visit FordHeritageVault.com and begin your journey back in time!
Some of What We Found
This is definitely a self-guided tour through Ford's history and the path you choose to follow is largely going to be dictated by which Fords you and your family may have owned over the decades, or perhaps an interest is researching a vintage Ford model you've always wanted to own. For us, we hit some of the icons.
1957 Ford Thunderbird
It was tough to decide which Ford we wanted to research first: the classic 1957 Ford Thunderbird or the legendary 1965 Ford Mustang. We went with the classic and soon realized this was not going to be a short visit to the Ford Heritage Vault.
Yes, we definitely satisfied our urge to live through the exciting introduction of the 1957 T-bird, the last of the 2-seater sports car design that started in 1955, but that quickly made us realize we hadn't even considered the spectacular 1957 Ford Fairlane, which included the Skyliner edition, featuring the world's first "Hide-Away Hardtop". That's right, a fully retractable hardtop convertible, the roof of which folded away into the truck with the touch of a button. Imagine driving that through San Francisco Bay Area backroads on a warm summer day!
As we contemplated the amazing decade that the 1950's represented for automotive styling, we realized we could spend lots of time without getting to our 1966 Mustang.
1965 Ford Mustang
Technically, we should have started our search with the 1964.5 Mustang, which is how many people refer to the first production versions because they came out well before the normal 1965 model year. Nevertheless, they were all advertised and VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) coded as the 1965 Ford Mustang. But then we realized the folly of trying to limit ourselves to just one year of this enduring model line. There was the styling transition in 1969 to a more muscular, aggressive design, with the ever-so-cool Mustang Mach I. Then a move to the sleek, streamlined appearance introduced with the 1971 Mustang. We could have spent hours moving forward through the Mustang, which is Ford's longest running production vehicle. Luckily for those of us living in Northern California, where mild temperatures are gentle on classic cars, we still get to see some of these classic Mustangs cruising through town.
1948 Ford F-150
But how do you think about the heritage of Ford in this country without considering the amazing line of Ford trucks? It was the desire to explore the history of the Ford F-150 that finally shook us out of our preoccupation with the Mustang. The Ford F-150 debuted in 1948 and… well, you can see how we spent our afternoon.
We have to stop writing here, but you know we ultimately went back to the Ford Model T and then ping-ponged our way back toward the present.
Consider a Future Ford Classic
As much as we love the antique and classic Fords, we realize they aren't for everyday use. First, they're simply too rare and precious to risk on crowded Bay Area roads on a regular basis. Second, replacement parts are hard to find when original equipment wears out. Third, they simply don't offer the comfort and performance of today's modern automobiles. And fourth, they're not as safe and eco-friendly as the newest Fords. (They also can be really, really expensive)!
Fortunately, there are lots of exciting new Ford models that are destined to become highly desirable collector cars, if not become iconic classics of their own. Consider the new Ford Mustang Mach-E, the all-electric Ford F-150 Lightning, and the return of the Ford Bronco! These offer the comfort, performance, safety, fuel efficiency, and emissions reduction that drivers want today, with the promise of classic status in years to come.
We invite you to Visit Hilltop Ford in Richmond's Hilltop Auto Plaza and speak with our Ford enthusiasts about your favorite new model.
Hilltop Ford / San Francisco Bay Area
Hilltop Ford in Richmond, California, is your Bay Area Ford dealership. Hilltop Ford offers a friendly car buying experience with a great selection of new Fords, Certified Pre-Owned Fords, and high-quality used vehicles. Shop online or visit Hilltop Ford in Richmond, California. And when it comes time for your next Ford service, trust the experienced, factory-trained Ford technicians at the Hilltop Ford Service Center in Richmond, California.
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