by "JR1" (type35bugatti)
Published 02/12/2017 at 10:12
by "JR1" (type35bugatti)
Published 02/12/2017 at 10:12
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The British people seemed to think so. In a Top Gear poll Ford placed first in the car show’s poll for greatest car company of all time (Top Gear vetoed that decision but that is irrelevant).
Were the poll voters right is Ford the greatest company?
I think it was probably the right decision. Ford opened up the country to cheap automobiles by breaking the Selden patent. Ford also has a list of amazing automobiles:
Ford Model T (The first people’s car)
Ford Model A (First car with mass produced V8)
Ford F-Series (Best selling vehicle in US for almost 40 years)
Ford GT40 (First American made car to win Le Mans)
Ford Mustang (A car that brought power to the people)
Ford RS2000 (Street legal rally car)
Ford Escort (Another rally legend across the pound)
Ford Falcon (Australian muscle car icon)
Am I right? Am I wrong? What say you?
"My bird IS the word" (mybirdistheword)
02/12/2017 at 10:32, STARS: 1
I think so. To be the greatest manufacturer of all time volume is a consideration, you have the massive different consumer bases fomoco has served, the innovations, the variety, and their impact on world culture. I don’t think from a global perspective anyone else comes close.
"djmt1" (djmt1)
02/12/2017 at 10:32, STARS: 2
I haven’t thought about this in a while but for me it was always between Ford and Toyota. Ford has made more iconic cars but for me Toyota has made more truly great cars. Plus Toyota’s legendary reliability doesn’t hurt.
"Wacko" (wacko--)
02/12/2017 at 10:34, STARS: 2
Mustang II and all 80s Fords as a counterpoint
"daender" (daender)
02/12/2017 at 10:47, STARS: 1
Ford did a lot of cool experiments too.
Turbo 4 Mustang a forced-induction T-Birds? Done.
SVT versions of the Focus, Contour, and Lightning? Done.
Let’s not forget the batshit-crazy Cosworths, the Escort and Sierra.
"Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies" (jordanwphillips)
02/12/2017 at 10:58, STARS: 0
Every other American company’s shit from the late seventies, early eighties, counterpoint’s counterpoint.
"19JRC99" (19jrc99)
02/12/2017 at 10:58, STARS: 1
The Model A was not the first mass produced V8. The Model 18 was.
"19JRC99" (19jrc99)
02/12/2017 at 10:59, STARS: 2
Excuse you? 80s Ford Trucks were fantastic, and Foxbody Mustangs are a performance bargain.
"Wacko" (wacko--)
02/12/2017 at 11:03, STARS: 0
Then we must agree to disagree
"JR1" (type35bugatti)
02/12/2017 at 11:05, STARS: 0
That was my thought too. They brought power to the people, wheels to the people, and racing legends to the world.
"JR1" (type35bugatti)
02/12/2017 at 11:06, STARS: 0
Great in what way?
"JR1" (type35bugatti)
02/12/2017 at 11:07, STARS: 0
Any mass produced car company had a low point in the 80s though. There might be an exception or two but not many.
"JR1" (type35bugatti)
02/12/2017 at 11:08, STARS: 0
All great points. They really are a power to the people kind of company.
"Wacko" (wacko--)
02/12/2017 at 11:09, STARS: 0
The 80s was honda’s time to shine
"JR1" (type35bugatti)
02/12/2017 at 11:10, STARS: 0
I had never realized there is a distinction
"BeaterGT" (beatergt)
02/12/2017 at 11:12, STARS: 0
And here I was doubting American intelligence..
"19JRC99" (19jrc99)
02/12/2017 at 11:14, STARS: 1
The Model A actually ended production in 1931. The Model B (4 cylinder) and Model 18 (V8) came into production in 1932.
"RT" (rt-p)
02/12/2017 at 11:18, STARS: 0
Alright, Henry Ford made serious innovations with the production line, the GT40 story was awesome and as was the creation of the pony car - but to be honest, the majority of Ford products themselves have been a bit shoddy.
In America, just about every non-performance Ford from 1973-2009 has been outclassed by imports. Meanwhile in Ford of Europe, outside of RS and ST cars there’s not really anything too special. Ford made achievements, but the majority of their mass market cars are mediocre at best.
So, not the greatest.
"djmt1" (djmt1)
02/12/2017 at 11:23, STARS: 1
For me Ford has made 4 great cars those being:
Model T: Production line.
F Series: Ungodly amount of sales.
Ford GT: Underdog smashing the status quo in the teeth.
Mustang: Letting the everyman overcome his talent with power for 50 years.
Toyota on the other hand has made 7.
Hilux: Indestructible
Land Cruiser: Always dependable no matter where you are on the planet.
Corrola: The greatest selling car model ever.
Camry: Utterly dominant of its sector it spawned it’s own joke.
MR2: Letting the everyman pretend he owned a Ferrari.
LS400/Celsior: Underdog smashing the status quo in the teeth.
Supra: 2JZ Lyfe.
Like I said though Ford has made more iconic cars such as ones you listed where as Toyota has the Supra, the Land Cruiser and maybe the Celica.
"Frenchlicker" (frenchlicker)
02/12/2017 at 11:33, STARS: 1
Short answer: Yes
Longer answer: Hell yes
Longest answer: I don’t feel like going into it because I’m a Ford fanboy and my fingers will hurt.
"Frenchlicker" (frenchlicker)
02/12/2017 at 11:34, STARS: 0
Compared to almost everything on the market at the time as a counter counterpoint.
Also they get points from me for having a front end that has been one of the most popular pieces of kit for hot riders right next to the sbc.
"wiffleballtony" (wiffleballtony)
02/12/2017 at 11:35, STARS: 0
I’d hardly call the Corolla or Camry great.
"Frenchlicker" (frenchlicker)
02/12/2017 at 11:35, STARS: 0
That doesn’t count even though you are right.
"wiffleballtony" (wiffleballtony)
02/12/2017 at 11:35, STARS: 1
Absolutely correct.
"JR1" (type35bugatti)
02/12/2017 at 11:40, STARS: 0
Old Henry must not have wanted to change the design much.
"JR1" (type35bugatti)
02/12/2017 at 11:41, STARS: 1
In the grand scheme of things though they haven’t created more icons than Ford. Although I will admit the 80s/90s was Honda at its best.
"19JRC99" (19jrc99)
02/12/2017 at 11:42, STARS: 1
Well, the roof and grille shell changed. The frame did as well. Other than that, yeah, they were pretty similar.
"JR1" (type35bugatti)
02/12/2017 at 11:42, STARS: 0
Considering this was a British decision a decade ago I’d love to hear your counter argument.
"JR1" (type35bugatti)
02/12/2017 at 11:44, STARS: 0
In Europe is the Mondeo a top seller? I know Top Gear always mentioned it a good bit.
"djmt1" (djmt1)
02/12/2017 at 11:45, STARS: 0
They’re way better at being “People’s Cars” then say the Beetle, Mini or 500 which many would consider to be great cars. So they’re great as far as I am concerned.
"JR1" (type35bugatti)
02/12/2017 at 11:46, STARS: 0
Corolla and Camery I’m a little hesitant to say are great. Totally agree with the Land Crusier though. That and I think the Lexus LS is another high point for the company.
"JR1" (type35bugatti)
02/12/2017 at 11:49, STARS: 1
"djmt1" (djmt1)
02/12/2017 at 11:50, STARS: 0
They’re great for the same reason the F Series is. Cars are all about moving people at their discretion and the Camry and Corolla did that and some. They’re not glamorous but I’m sure the folks at Toyota HQ are incredibly proud with how successful the two have been.
"JR1" (type35bugatti)
02/12/2017 at 11:52, STARS: 0
Another good point about those I guess is they have mass-market appeal around the world.
"djmt1" (djmt1)
02/12/2017 at 11:54, STARS: 1
Exactly. That why I see them as better “People’s cars” then say the 500, Beetle or Mini which enjoy closed off markets.
"Frenchlicker" (frenchlicker)
02/12/2017 at 11:59, STARS: 1
Wait, google quintessential hot rod and look what comes up first
THE Little Deuce Coupe
Then it’s followed by several other Fords.
"WRXasaurus" (wrxasaurus)
02/12/2017 at 12:06, STARS: 2
Maybe they aren’t necessarily the greatest car company, but I feel like they have had more “performance” versions of ordinary cars then any other manufacturer.
"Bluecold" (Bluecold)
02/12/2017 at 12:26, STARS: 1
Well, I’d put at least Citroën, Alfa Romeo, and Lancia above Ford.
Mass-production doesn’t make a car company great. Drive to create truly era-defining cars does. Citroën, Lancia, and Alfa Romeo did just that, each with a completely own vision of what a car could and should be. Also, Ford never had to overcome adversity.
I think I’d also put GM above Ford as their styling drive in the 50's defined what an american car looks like to this day.
"wiffleballtony" (wiffleballtony)
02/12/2017 at 13:07, STARS: 0
I guess my hang up with them is the only thing that differentiated them from contemporary cars was reliability. And that time has long since past. At this point just about any non Chrysler will do exactly the same thing.
"wiffleballtony" (wiffleballtony)
02/12/2017 at 13:08, STARS: 0
I wouldn’t consider the F150 great either.
"19JRC99" (19jrc99)
02/12/2017 at 15:28, STARS: 0
I forgot. Not almost 40 years for the F-series, it IS 40 years now. 1977-2017.
The Best Never Rest, indeed. I see tons of old Ford trucks every time I’m in a rural area.
"RT" (rt-p)
02/12/2017 at 16:32, STARS: 0
Sort of. The Escort/Focus and Fiesta have always been a lot more popular so the Mondeos are usually fleet vehicles.
Also, the Transit is basically our equivalent F150.
"BeaterGT" (beatergt)
02/12/2017 at 21:21, STARS: 0
"JR1" (type35bugatti)
02/12/2017 at 22:10, STARS: 0
Yep that’s a station wagon. Here is another:
"duurtlang" (duurtlang)
02/13/2017 at 02:53, STARS: 0
Camry and corolla have mass market appeal across the world? Both aren’t even available in my Western European market. They’re decent cars and are good at what they do, but they haven’t had the unique societal impact cars like the Beetle, 500, 2CV or Mini had.
"RT" (rt-p)
03/14/2017 at 10:24, STARS: 0
Ford Europe in the 80s was much better. Well, mainly because of the Sierra Cosworth and RS200.
Even then, I’d say the 80s were a good time for almost every mass produced car company - just moreso European and Japanese companies.