Friday, July 31, 2009
Why Ford. Why Now.
If you've been considering a new-vehicle purchase or lease, now would be a great time to consider a new Ford. If you have already purchased from us we appreciate your business. Please pass this offer to family and friends.
Why Ford.
It’s simple. Ford quality can’t be beat by Honda or Toyota.* And it doesn’t stop there. We also have the most fuel-efficient midsize sedan in America** — Ford Fusion and the most fuel-efficient SUV† on the planet — Ford Escape Hybrid.
Why Now.
The government's CARS program, better known as "Cash for Clunkers," is offering a $3,500 or $4,500 incentive when you trade in a qualifying vehicle at our dealership.†† We are your Cash for Clunkers Specialist and no one makes it easier to recycle your ride.
Please contact us immediately; you may also be eligible for THOUSANDS of dollars in private offers this month that are compatible with all rebates and incentives.
*Based on RDA Group's GQRS cumulative survey at three months of service in three surveys of 2008 Ford and competitive owners conducted 9/07-5/08. **EPA-estimated 23 city/34 hwy/27 combined mpg, Fusion S, I-4 automatic. Midsize class per R. L. Polk & Co. Non-hybrid. †EPA-estimated 34 city/31 hwy mpg, Escape Hybrid FWD. Actual mileage will vary. Excludes vehicles built for Mazda. ††This is a government program, and rules are subject to change. Vouchers are available at participating dealers and are limited. Rebate varies based on vehicle age, ownership length and old/new vehicle fuel economy. Not all vehicles qualify. Offer good while voucher supplies last or until 11/1/09. See cars.gov or ford.com for complete details.
106 Years Ago
106 years ago a company
was founded on the premise that an automobile
should be affordable to everyone.
Today, that vision is as clear as ever. Because, while other automakers say no to leasing and no to financing, we are committed to helping you get behind the wheel of a brand-new car, truck, SUV or crossover. With Ford Credit, we offer outstanding personalized terms and options. For more information, go to fordvehicles.com.
Ford is also committed to help make driving more affordable for everyone, with the all-new 2010 41-city mpg Ford Fusion Hybrid, the most fuel-efficient midsize sedan in America It gets eight more miles per gallon in the city than Toyota Camry Hybrid. With the Built Ford Tough F-150. which delivers unsurpassed fuel economy in its class - 21 hwy mpg And with Escape Hybrid, the most fuel-efficient SUV on the planet.'
We're proud that Ford offers 15 car, truck and SUV choices that get 25 mpg or better.'
And, new from Ford, the EcoBoostTM V6 engine It is twin turbocharged with direct injection, so it delivers the power of a V8 with the efficiency of a V6: along with reduced emissions.
More affordable. More enjoyable.
Stay tuned for more innovations from the company that put America on wheels in the first place. We invite you to drive with us into a brighter future.
EPA-estimated 41 city/36 hwy mpg. Actual mileage will vary. Midsize class per P. L. Polk & Cc. 'EPA-estimated 15 City./21 hwy mpg, F-150 SuperCrew 4x2 with SFE Package. Class is non-hybrid, full-size pickups under 8,500 lbs. GVWR. Based on unadjusted city fuel economy from EPA (10/08) and VCA (5/08). EPA-estimated 34 city/31 hwy mpg. FWD. Actual mileage Will vary. Excluding vehicles built for Mazda. 4 Based on EPA-estimated hwy mpg and powertrain combinations. 5 Coming fall 2009 on 2010 Ford Taurus SHO.
was founded on the premise that an automobile
should be affordable to everyone.
Today, that vision is as clear as ever. Because, while other automakers say no to leasing and no to financing, we are committed to helping you get behind the wheel of a brand-new car, truck, SUV or crossover. With Ford Credit, we offer outstanding personalized terms and options. For more information, go to fordvehicles.com.
Ford is also committed to help make driving more affordable for everyone, with the all-new 2010 41-city mpg Ford Fusion Hybrid, the most fuel-efficient midsize sedan in America It gets eight more miles per gallon in the city than Toyota Camry Hybrid. With the Built Ford Tough F-150. which delivers unsurpassed fuel economy in its class - 21 hwy mpg And with Escape Hybrid, the most fuel-efficient SUV on the planet.'
We're proud that Ford offers 15 car, truck and SUV choices that get 25 mpg or better.'
And, new from Ford, the EcoBoostTM V6 engine It is twin turbocharged with direct injection, so it delivers the power of a V8 with the efficiency of a V6: along with reduced emissions.
More affordable. More enjoyable.
Stay tuned for more innovations from the company that put America on wheels in the first place. We invite you to drive with us into a brighter future.
EPA-estimated 41 city/36 hwy mpg. Actual mileage will vary. Midsize class per P. L. Polk & Cc. 'EPA-estimated 15 City./21 hwy mpg, F-150 SuperCrew 4x2 with SFE Package. Class is non-hybrid, full-size pickups under 8,500 lbs. GVWR. Based on unadjusted city fuel economy from EPA (10/08) and VCA (5/08). EPA-estimated 34 city/31 hwy mpg. FWD. Actual mileage Will vary. Excluding vehicles built for Mazda. 4 Based on EPA-estimated hwy mpg and powertrain combinations. 5 Coming fall 2009 on 2010 Ford Taurus SHO.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
2010 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 First Drive
Preventing The End of The World As We Know It
Source: by Rex Roy | AOL Autos
Posted: Apr, 17 2009
Ask anybody over 50 this question, "What's the coolest thing you've ever owned?" Without missing a beat, most people will mention a favorite car or truck. It's been this way for generations. Cars are cool. Americans love them, what they stand for, their technology, and the freedom they provide.
However, with the onset of Eco-Boomers coming of driving age, some are predicting the end of USA's love affair with the automobile. Trend watchers note that Eco-Boomers (those born between 1979 and 1994) identify more, and assign more social status to their cell phone or game consoles than the vehicle the already or may someday drive.
See Photos: Mustang Shelby GT500
To maintain The American Way, this trend must stop.
Reality vs. Fantasy
A potentially effective antidote is the 2010 Shelby GT500 from Ford Motor Company. This is the most powerful of all factory-produced Mustangs. The car was developed in association with the legendary Carroll Shelby, one of the world's most famous race drivers and car builders. The newest Shelby incorporates all of the modifications we wrote about when we previewed the new 2010 Mustang last fall, but goes further by adding more style and much more performance (225 more horsepower than the Mustang GT!).
Trend watchers and their Eco-Boomer study subjects may find their priorities rearranged with exposure to the GT500, coupe or convertible. While today's young adults have grown up in a world of virtual experiences, perhaps the reason for their ignorance about great cars stems from never hearing the primeval growl of a supercharged V-8. Once experienced, virtual YouTube video encounters over iPhones become sad substitutes.
Certainly nothing can replace the actual experience of rocketing from 0-120 mph in 12seconds; about the time it takes many vehicles to reach half that speed. No console can replicate the feeling 540 horsepower boosting you forward as if on a rocket sled.
Perhaps instead of mastering a driving game (emphasis on "game"), the Shelby GT500 will inspire Eco-Boomers to hone their skills behind a real steering wheel while mastering the shift pattern of a short-throw manual transmission. For those who never learned how to drive a stick, Ford doesn't offer an automatic transmission in the GT500.
Over exuberance with the GT500's throttle will send the Shelby's newly designed Goodyear Eagle F-1 Supercar tires up in smoke. Unless new gaming consoles include surround smell, nothing can prepare previously unassaulted nostrils for the acrid smell of molten rubber. Just like posting a high score in the virtual world, once you've developed the skill, hazing the tires becomes just as addictive in real life.
What’s Your Take?
Have you ever owned a muscle car?
GT500 Performance Hardware
The details of the 2010 Shelby GT500 are this: its 5.4-liter, double-overhead cam, 32-valve V-8 produces 540 horsepower at 6,200 rpm and 510 lb-ft torque at 4,500 rpm. The supercharger is mounted in the valley of the V-8, and sends highly compressed air through an intercooler to further increase the engine's power potential.
The standard six-speed manual gearbox has taller gear ratios in 5th and 6th for more economical highway cruising, so the GT500 is a relatively green performance car... try naming another four-passenger car with 540 horsepower that gets 22 mpg on the highway.
Suspension components are tuned to deal with the Shelby's formidable power. The suspension is stiff but not punishing. It soaks up bumps and broken pavement better previous Mustangs with live rear axles.
The car's uniquely programmed Advance Trac electronic stability control shows how this car with so much history has easily made the transformation into the modern electronic era (the first Shelby Mustangs were produced in 1965). Advance Trac boosts the Shelby's handling capability while providing an extra margin of dynamic safety, working in concert with racing style Brembo front brakes.
Regarding style, the Ford Shelby GT500 carries over the lines of the re-drawn 2010 Mustang... mostly. The new grill and aluminum hood are simplified and beefed up. A functional air extractor on the hood's leading edge helps rid the engine compartment of heat. The Shelby also gets unique forged 19-inch wheels on the coupe (18-inchers on the convertible). Its bold stripes can't be missed, even from the inside. The exterior stripes carry through the center sections of the leather-covered front and rear seats. Even the ball topping the short-throw shifter is striped.
While console players who have access to a reset button aren't interested in real safety, the new Shelby GT500 delivers on safety with a standard ABS, traction control, and four airbags. The GT500 also includes the SYNC infotainment interface with SYNC's 911 Assist.
The doorsill plates include an SVT logo (Special Vehicle Team worked up the GT500 within Ford) that glows when the ambient lighting is operational. Sirius NAV system with Travel Link is optional.
Salvation For Eco-Boomers
Powerful antidotes to awake Eco-Boomer's from their computer-induced comas should begin to reverse the generation's attachment to hand-held mobile devices and video games.
See Photos: Mustang Shelby GT500
Dodge fired the first salvo with their 2009 Challenger SRT8. Unfortunately, the muscle car's summer-2008 launch coincided with the bottom dropping out of the economy. Timing is everything, and not even the 425-horsepower HEMI engine could accelerate sales.
Chevrolet followed just last month with the re-introduction of the 2010 Camaro. When the high-performance Camaro SS hits the street, its 426-horsepower 6.2-liter V-8 should work like nitro glycerin for buyers who have been waiting for a car to jumpstart their automotive passion.
Ford expects Mustang enthusiasts to snap up the first of the Shelby GT500s when the car goes on sale this spring, but production will continue all year. Given the size of the Eco-Boomer generation (estimated to be a large as the Baby Boomers) and the historic ability of Shelby to provide a thrilling driving experience, the combination may lead to a swell of demand from drivers looking for excitement on pavement instead of from pixels.
At an as-delivered price just over $48,000, the 2010 Shelby GT500 certainly delivers. And there is no virtual substitute.
Source: by Rex Roy | AOL Autos
Posted: Apr, 17 2009
Ask anybody over 50 this question, "What's the coolest thing you've ever owned?" Without missing a beat, most people will mention a favorite car or truck. It's been this way for generations. Cars are cool. Americans love them, what they stand for, their technology, and the freedom they provide.
However, with the onset of Eco-Boomers coming of driving age, some are predicting the end of USA's love affair with the automobile. Trend watchers note that Eco-Boomers (those born between 1979 and 1994) identify more, and assign more social status to their cell phone or game consoles than the vehicle the already or may someday drive.
See Photos: Mustang Shelby GT500
To maintain The American Way, this trend must stop.
Reality vs. Fantasy
A potentially effective antidote is the 2010 Shelby GT500 from Ford Motor Company. This is the most powerful of all factory-produced Mustangs. The car was developed in association with the legendary Carroll Shelby, one of the world's most famous race drivers and car builders. The newest Shelby incorporates all of the modifications we wrote about when we previewed the new 2010 Mustang last fall, but goes further by adding more style and much more performance (225 more horsepower than the Mustang GT!).
Trend watchers and their Eco-Boomer study subjects may find their priorities rearranged with exposure to the GT500, coupe or convertible. While today's young adults have grown up in a world of virtual experiences, perhaps the reason for their ignorance about great cars stems from never hearing the primeval growl of a supercharged V-8. Once experienced, virtual YouTube video encounters over iPhones become sad substitutes.
Certainly nothing can replace the actual experience of rocketing from 0-120 mph in 12seconds; about the time it takes many vehicles to reach half that speed. No console can replicate the feeling 540 horsepower boosting you forward as if on a rocket sled.
Perhaps instead of mastering a driving game (emphasis on "game"), the Shelby GT500 will inspire Eco-Boomers to hone their skills behind a real steering wheel while mastering the shift pattern of a short-throw manual transmission. For those who never learned how to drive a stick, Ford doesn't offer an automatic transmission in the GT500.
Over exuberance with the GT500's throttle will send the Shelby's newly designed Goodyear Eagle F-1 Supercar tires up in smoke. Unless new gaming consoles include surround smell, nothing can prepare previously unassaulted nostrils for the acrid smell of molten rubber. Just like posting a high score in the virtual world, once you've developed the skill, hazing the tires becomes just as addictive in real life.
What’s Your Take?
Have you ever owned a muscle car?
GT500 Performance Hardware
The details of the 2010 Shelby GT500 are this: its 5.4-liter, double-overhead cam, 32-valve V-8 produces 540 horsepower at 6,200 rpm and 510 lb-ft torque at 4,500 rpm. The supercharger is mounted in the valley of the V-8, and sends highly compressed air through an intercooler to further increase the engine's power potential.
The standard six-speed manual gearbox has taller gear ratios in 5th and 6th for more economical highway cruising, so the GT500 is a relatively green performance car... try naming another four-passenger car with 540 horsepower that gets 22 mpg on the highway.
Suspension components are tuned to deal with the Shelby's formidable power. The suspension is stiff but not punishing. It soaks up bumps and broken pavement better previous Mustangs with live rear axles.
The car's uniquely programmed Advance Trac electronic stability control shows how this car with so much history has easily made the transformation into the modern electronic era (the first Shelby Mustangs were produced in 1965). Advance Trac boosts the Shelby's handling capability while providing an extra margin of dynamic safety, working in concert with racing style Brembo front brakes.
Regarding style, the Ford Shelby GT500 carries over the lines of the re-drawn 2010 Mustang... mostly. The new grill and aluminum hood are simplified and beefed up. A functional air extractor on the hood's leading edge helps rid the engine compartment of heat. The Shelby also gets unique forged 19-inch wheels on the coupe (18-inchers on the convertible). Its bold stripes can't be missed, even from the inside. The exterior stripes carry through the center sections of the leather-covered front and rear seats. Even the ball topping the short-throw shifter is striped.
While console players who have access to a reset button aren't interested in real safety, the new Shelby GT500 delivers on safety with a standard ABS, traction control, and four airbags. The GT500 also includes the SYNC infotainment interface with SYNC's 911 Assist.
The doorsill plates include an SVT logo (Special Vehicle Team worked up the GT500 within Ford) that glows when the ambient lighting is operational. Sirius NAV system with Travel Link is optional.
Salvation For Eco-Boomers
Powerful antidotes to awake Eco-Boomer's from their computer-induced comas should begin to reverse the generation's attachment to hand-held mobile devices and video games.
See Photos: Mustang Shelby GT500
Dodge fired the first salvo with their 2009 Challenger SRT8. Unfortunately, the muscle car's summer-2008 launch coincided with the bottom dropping out of the economy. Timing is everything, and not even the 425-horsepower HEMI engine could accelerate sales.
Chevrolet followed just last month with the re-introduction of the 2010 Camaro. When the high-performance Camaro SS hits the street, its 426-horsepower 6.2-liter V-8 should work like nitro glycerin for buyers who have been waiting for a car to jumpstart their automotive passion.
Ford expects Mustang enthusiasts to snap up the first of the Shelby GT500s when the car goes on sale this spring, but production will continue all year. Given the size of the Eco-Boomer generation (estimated to be a large as the Baby Boomers) and the historic ability of Shelby to provide a thrilling driving experience, the combination may lead to a swell of demand from drivers looking for excitement on pavement instead of from pixels.
At an as-delivered price just over $48,000, the 2010 Shelby GT500 certainly delivers. And there is no virtual substitute.
Can Your Car Last 1 Million Miles?
Source: by Lauren DeAngelis | USNews.RankingsAndReviews.com
Posted: May, 01 2009
2009 Car Rankings Best Cars for the Money More Cars That Could Be Killed This Year 6 Myths About GM, Ford, and Chrysler Americans are keeping their cars on the road longer than ever before. According to a March 2009 study released by R.L. Polk & Co., the median age of passenger cars in operation was 9.4 years in 2008 - a record high. That means that, assuming a car is bought new and driven 12,000 miles per year (which is about average), many Americans are logging 112,800 miles before selling or trading in their car.
Seems like a lot, right? In fact, according to J.D. Power and Associates, most Americans probably don't make it that long. They say the average length of time owners keep their cars before trading them in is 73 months -- about six years.
Million-Mile Masters
For a few very loyal car owners, however, six years isn't much. Take Irv Gordon, whose 1966 Volvo P1800 made the Guinness Book of Records in 1998 for its incredibly high mileage. Gordon, the car's original owner, has now logged more than 2.6 million miles on trips and in daily driving. In interviews, Gordon attributed his car's extreme longevity to regular maintenance and his use of genuine Volvo parts.
Then there's Wisconsinite Peter Gilbert, who has logged more than a million miles in his 1989 Saab 900 SPG. MSN reports the durable vehicle, now on display in a museum, still features its original engine and turbocharger.
And let's not forget that domestic cars hit the million-mile mark just as often as their foreign competitors. In 2008, Frank Oresnik (coincidentally, another Wisconsinite) was just short of hitting the million-mile mark in his 1991 Chevrolet Silverado truck. Left Lane News reports that the truck has gone though four radiators, three gas tanks, five transmissions and six water pumps, but never a new engine.
Dependability vs. Longevity
Surprisingly enough, Swedish brands, while traditionally known to rack up the miles, aren't exactly known for their dependability. According to the J.D. Power and Associates 2009 Vehicle Dependability Study, Buick and Jaguar rank highest, while Saab and Volvo rank below average. The study measures problems experienced by original owners of three-year-old (2006 model year) vehicles and is based on more than 46,000 individual responses. So how can Volvos and Saabs last so long? The answer is that dependability and longevity aren't interchangeable.
"You could have a car that's structurally very sound and will last a long time but has problems along the way," explains David Sargent, J.D. Power's vice president of automotive research. "In that sense, reliability and durability are very different."
How to Go the Distance
If you love your car, you might dream of making it to the one-million-mile mark, too. But can it be done? The consensus seems to be that with regular maintenance and the necessary parts replacements over the years, most modern cars can go the distance.
According to Edmunds, the top five ways to make your car run "forever" are: Follow your service schedule, check fluids and tire pressure regularly, go easy during startup, use a single high-grade fuel, and drive smart. If you don't know much about maintenance basics, there are plenty of online resources available, as well as your car dealership or your favorite mechanic.
Most experts agree the best way to make your car last longer is to religiously follow the maintenance schedule in your owner's manual. In addition, make sure to check vital fluids every three months (especially engine oil and radiator coolant), pay attention to your car's gauges, regularly wash the car, and store it in a covered place. Even good driving habits can help minimize regular wear and tear.
Longevity or Bust
A few makes have had enough high-mileage success stories that they've created official clubs to commemorate them. Examples include the Honda Mile Makers and Volvo High Mileage clubs, which are open to owners who have logged 100,000 miles or more. There's even an online petition for a Ford high mileage club. As of April 2009, it had 671 online signatures.
Still, just because these automakers have clubs doesn't mean other makes won't last just as long. There's no scientific way to predict which cars or makes will last the longest. Maybe the only way to know is to see for yourself. Keep an open mind, do your research, and maintain, maintain, maintain - and your million-mile ride just might make the news next.
Posted: May, 01 2009
2009 Car Rankings Best Cars for the Money More Cars That Could Be Killed This Year 6 Myths About GM, Ford, and Chrysler Americans are keeping their cars on the road longer than ever before. According to a March 2009 study released by R.L. Polk & Co., the median age of passenger cars in operation was 9.4 years in 2008 - a record high. That means that, assuming a car is bought new and driven 12,000 miles per year (which is about average), many Americans are logging 112,800 miles before selling or trading in their car.
Seems like a lot, right? In fact, according to J.D. Power and Associates, most Americans probably don't make it that long. They say the average length of time owners keep their cars before trading them in is 73 months -- about six years.
Million-Mile Masters
For a few very loyal car owners, however, six years isn't much. Take Irv Gordon, whose 1966 Volvo P1800 made the Guinness Book of Records in 1998 for its incredibly high mileage. Gordon, the car's original owner, has now logged more than 2.6 million miles on trips and in daily driving. In interviews, Gordon attributed his car's extreme longevity to regular maintenance and his use of genuine Volvo parts.
Then there's Wisconsinite Peter Gilbert, who has logged more than a million miles in his 1989 Saab 900 SPG. MSN reports the durable vehicle, now on display in a museum, still features its original engine and turbocharger.
And let's not forget that domestic cars hit the million-mile mark just as often as their foreign competitors. In 2008, Frank Oresnik (coincidentally, another Wisconsinite) was just short of hitting the million-mile mark in his 1991 Chevrolet Silverado truck. Left Lane News reports that the truck has gone though four radiators, three gas tanks, five transmissions and six water pumps, but never a new engine.
Dependability vs. Longevity
Surprisingly enough, Swedish brands, while traditionally known to rack up the miles, aren't exactly known for their dependability. According to the J.D. Power and Associates 2009 Vehicle Dependability Study, Buick and Jaguar rank highest, while Saab and Volvo rank below average. The study measures problems experienced by original owners of three-year-old (2006 model year) vehicles and is based on more than 46,000 individual responses. So how can Volvos and Saabs last so long? The answer is that dependability and longevity aren't interchangeable.
"You could have a car that's structurally very sound and will last a long time but has problems along the way," explains David Sargent, J.D. Power's vice president of automotive research. "In that sense, reliability and durability are very different."
How to Go the Distance
If you love your car, you might dream of making it to the one-million-mile mark, too. But can it be done? The consensus seems to be that with regular maintenance and the necessary parts replacements over the years, most modern cars can go the distance.
According to Edmunds, the top five ways to make your car run "forever" are: Follow your service schedule, check fluids and tire pressure regularly, go easy during startup, use a single high-grade fuel, and drive smart. If you don't know much about maintenance basics, there are plenty of online resources available, as well as your car dealership or your favorite mechanic.
Most experts agree the best way to make your car last longer is to religiously follow the maintenance schedule in your owner's manual. In addition, make sure to check vital fluids every three months (especially engine oil and radiator coolant), pay attention to your car's gauges, regularly wash the car, and store it in a covered place. Even good driving habits can help minimize regular wear and tear.
Longevity or Bust
A few makes have had enough high-mileage success stories that they've created official clubs to commemorate them. Examples include the Honda Mile Makers and Volvo High Mileage clubs, which are open to owners who have logged 100,000 miles or more. There's even an online petition for a Ford high mileage club. As of April 2009, it had 671 online signatures.
Still, just because these automakers have clubs doesn't mean other makes won't last just as long. There's no scientific way to predict which cars or makes will last the longest. Maybe the only way to know is to see for yourself. Keep an open mind, do your research, and maintain, maintain, maintain - and your million-mile ride just might make the news next.
Is This The Best Sedan In America?
Ford's 2010 Taurus Might Be Just That
Source: by Rex Roy | AOL Autos
In a time before four-door pickups, SUVs, minivans, and crossovers, families drove sedans. History's most famous out of production sedan names include Nova, Dart, LTD, Cutlass, Fury, Fairlane, Volare, and Valiant. A name that has just returned to the forefront of the automotive world is Taurus.
With a roomy interior, a powerful V-6 engine, 28 mpg on the highway, and a standard price tag starting around $26,000, this sedan will put a new shine on the sedan category. The new Taurus is so good that it may even attract current truck, SUV, and drivers in a way no other current sedan can.
From your reaction to stories that AOL Autos has already published about the 2010 Ford Taurus, we know that American drivers are interested in this all-new sedan. Read on for an in-depth look at this popular car, its features and competitors. And we won't neglect driving impressions.
Check out the new 2010 Ford Taurus
Meet The New No-Bull Taurus
The original Ford Taurus stampeded onto American streets as a 1986 model. The effect was seismic. The original was so good, it not only became the best-selling car in America, Hollywood took notice and used it as the basis for Robo Cop's patrol car (Now there's an endorsement!).
As the Taurus changed over the years, its horns were never as sharp. In its final years it went lame, becoming a pariah of rental car and municipal fleets. Finally, in 2007 the old bull was put out to pasture.
Under the leadership of Ford CEO Alan Mulally, the Taurus name returned, branded over top of the Five Hundred in 2008. The market reacted with a yawn because the freshening of the Five Hundred was far from being a full eight-second ride in the rodeo ring. Buyers knew the 2008 Taurus was little more than an ol'switcheroo.
But Mulally was on to something. He knew that Ford could open its gates again and let loose a winner. The 2010 Ford Taurus proves he was right.
Sizing Up The Bull
The 2010 Taurus is the new standard for full-size sedans, just as the 1986 Taurus set the standard for mid-size cars in its era. The 2010 edition is smaller than the traditional rear-wheel-drive Crown Victoria, and about the same size as the 2009 Taurus, Toyota Avalon, Chevrolet Impala, Chrysler 300, and Audi A8. Interior roominess is generally comparable between these vehicles, but the 2010 Taurus offers a cavernous trunk with over 20-cubic feet of easy-to-fill room.
While it is technically accurate to say that the 2010 Taurus is derived from the 2009edition, it is inaccurate to characterize the transformation as a casual refresh or minor update. The only major components that are carried over include the front suspension, parts of the body structure, and the efficient 263-horsepower 3.5-liter V-6 engine and six-speed automatic transmission (18 mpg city, 28 mpg highway). Most other mechanical components are new, including the design of the rear suspension that was lifted and retuned from the 2009 Lincoln MKS luxury sedan. (If you're going to share components between vehicles within a company, this is a good way to do it.)
The styling of this mainstream sedan is powerful. The giant VW Passat looks of the previous Taurus/Five Hundred model is gone, ditched in favor of a squared-off design that clearly says, "I'm an American, not a German wannabe." The roof is lower and the lines are pleasingly angular.
Inside, the five-passenger Taurus is clearly driver-focused. Up front, there are defined areas for the driver and front passenger. The instrument cluster presents information to the driver in three, deeply recessed gauges. Day or night, the readouts are easy to see. The way the dash slope away from the occupants gives the interior a feeling of openness. If you can't get comfortable using the power seat, adjustable pedals, and the tilt/telescopic steering column, you must be a very oddly shaped person, indeed.
In the rear seating area, the Taurus is wide enough to sit three across. With the front seats in their rear-most position (for a driver well over six-feet), room is tight for those in the rear, but with the front seat adjusted for a 6-foot driver, an average adult male riding in back enjoys plenty of space in front of his knees. The rear seat backs fold down to open up a truly huge cargo area, expanding the already large capacity of the trunk.
A large touch screen occupies the top of the center console on models with the optional navigation system. The touch screen is easy to use, even for Luddites. This brings up the point that Ford is using the 2010 Taurus to bring high-technology to the masses. Safety features like stability control, ABS, traction control, and six airbags are standard. So is the SOS post-crash alert system. After an impact that causes airbags to deploy, the SOS system unlocks all doors, turns on the hazard flashers, and sounds the horn.
Beyond these expected features, the Taurus also provides SecuriCode; a keyless entry system with a key pad on the driver-side B-pillar, and MyKey; a feature that lets parents program a specific key fob with restricted vehicle function, such as maximum speed and maximum radio volume. While this list is solid, it's the options on the 2010 Taurus that are unusual for a mainstream American sedan.
Whizz Bang: Some of the new options on the 2010 Ford Taurus
Adaptive Cruise Control: it maintains a set speed, but also keeps a driver-defined distance from vehicles ahead, and will use active braking when necessary to slow the Taurus to maintain that distance
Collision Warning: audible and visual alerts warn a distracted driver about a potential frontal collision and pre-arms the brakes to provide full power when the driver hits the brake pedal
Blind Spot Monitoring: Keeps an electronic eye on a driver's blind spots and warns drivers using an orange icon in the mirror and on the digital IP readout
Cross Traffic Alert: Helps drivers detects oncoming traffic approaching the vehicle from the side while reversing out of a parking space
SYNC: a voice-control technology that enables drivers to speak commands to the audio system and any connected devices such as a phone or MP3 player
Travel Link: a sophisticated suite of subscription services that provide real-time weather, traffic and shopping information - Multi-Contour seats; Seven air bladders constantly change pressure to keep those in front feeling alert and more refreshed during long drives
A shopper would be hard pressed to find these options available on an Audi, BMW, or Lexus, let alone a Chevy or Toyota with a starting price of $25,995. Call it a democratization of high technology. If you plan on test driving a new Taurus, give yourself some time to learn about and test these new technologies.
Saddling Up The Bull
From the driver's point of view, the 2010 Taurus is simply a winner. The dynamics are more engaging than a Toyota Avalon but still smooth and refined. The engine produces 263 horsepower, which is plenty to move this full-size sedan off the line smartly. Acceleration is smooth and plentiful. Mileage is acceptable for such a large vehicle, at 18 mpg city, 28 mpg highway for the front-wheel-drive models. Adding all-wheel drive subtracts 1 and 3 mpg.
The ride characteristics are sportier than you might expect from a big sedan. The Taurus feels taut but not high-strung. It's responsive without being the twitchy. Though there is some body roll, it is not objectionable. The steering is direct and precise, and provides plenty of feedback. Driving the 2010 Taurus feels natural and intuitive. Even though it's not quite equal of a Lexus LS 460, the interior is quiet and vibration free. Bumps and road acne are filtered out by the suspension, sub-frame isolators between the suspension and the body, and well-placed insulation.
The Meanest Bull In The Corral
If you're looking for more excitement, the performance-oriented Taurus SHO is available. The Super High Output edition of the 2010 Taurus is a serious performance machine at a starting price of about $38,000. It takes a sharp eye to distinguish between the SHO and the other Taurus models, the SE, SEL, and Limited. Look for the small spoiler on the trunk and the larger 19-inch aluminum wheels and wide high-performance tires.
Thanks to Ford's new EcoBoost technology, the SHO's exclusive twin-turbo 3.5-liter V-6 engine with direct fuel injection produces a staggering 365 horsepower. Ford engineers tell us that if the top speed were not limited to 133 mph, the SHO could hit over 160 mph with all of that power. Drivers averse to getting tickets will enjoy the engine's acceleration up to highway speeds and its ability to effortlessly pass traffic on two-lane roads.
This power is managed by a standard all-wheel-drive system that is tuned for safety, traction, and performance. The result is a stable, responsive feel that delivers impressive, drama-free performance. Mileage for the SHO is identical to the non-turbo AWD Taurus models, 17 mpg city, 25 mpg highway. This strikes us as amazing due to the engine's additional 102 horsepower.
Inside, all 2010 Taurus SHOs have leather-trimmed seats with suede inserts, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel with paddle-shifters. The drive begins by pressing the ignition. The engine fires immediately. It's quiet. Put the drive selector into A or M depending on whether you want to use the paddle shifters or not. In Auto, the heavy-duty six-speed automatic transmission shifts smoothly and without fuss. The SHO cruises quietly and offers no telltales about its performance potential. Wind and tire noise at get-a-ticket speeds are subdued. The overall feeling is that of a refined European sport sedan.
But if you slam the throttle open, the big Ford sedan rockets forward. There is no turbo lag. The engine's turbos are so small, that almost any time the engine is running, the blowers are ready to produce instant turbo boost. Modern engine electronics give the SHO 350 lb-ft torque from 1500 revs on up to near the horsepower peak (5,250 rpm). The torque curve really isn't a curve, it's a broad, flat plateau that results in effortless acceleration at any speed.
The SHO's chassis remains rock-solid under full power, helped by the distribution of torque to all four corners. Expect to hit 60 mph from a standstill in under six seconds, and with AWD, you'll never have to worry about wasting time because of spinning tires. The SHO's transmission shifts quickly, and according to its engineers, it changes gears faster than the automatic in a BMW 335i.
Some performance cars can punish their occupants, but the Taurus SHO doesn't. The ride is only slightly stiffer than the standard Taurus models. Hustling through a corner, the 2010 Taurus SHO leans a little before it takes a bite into the pavement. Once set, the feeling is balanced. There is a bit of understeer (push) and absolutely no oversteer (the feeling that the car is going to spin out trunk first). When pushed very hard, the front tires begin to squeal, a warning Ford engineers designed in as an audible warning that the car is getting close to its limit.
Rounding Up The Competition
Compared to other full-size sedans and the larger mid-size four-doors, the 2010 Ford Taurus is happy to lock horns with any challenger. Its styling is more distinctive than the Toyota Avalon or the Chevrolet Impala. The classy Chrysler 300 still looks good after all these years, but its profile is no longer fresh.
The Taurus's standard V-6 matches the competition in power and economy, while the SHO's EcoBoost V-6 engine squares off positively against the V-8 equipped Impala and 300 models. For those who want the added traction and all-weather safety of AWD, it is not offered by Toyota or Chevrolet in their mainstream sedans.
Optional technology clearly separates the new Taurus from its in-class competitors, but be careful as you check the option boxes because the cost for going high-tech can add up quickly and erase the Taurus's value positioning.
Conclusion
This new car proves that Ford's engineers and designers hadn't forgotten what a Taurus could be. CEO Mulally was correct in knowing that his team could breed another winner.
Just as things were decades ago, when sedans were the mainstay of family transportation, the 2010 Ford Taurus provides a compelling reason for families to once again consider a sedan.
Source: by Rex Roy | AOL Autos
In a time before four-door pickups, SUVs, minivans, and crossovers, families drove sedans. History's most famous out of production sedan names include Nova, Dart, LTD, Cutlass, Fury, Fairlane, Volare, and Valiant. A name that has just returned to the forefront of the automotive world is Taurus.
With a roomy interior, a powerful V-6 engine, 28 mpg on the highway, and a standard price tag starting around $26,000, this sedan will put a new shine on the sedan category. The new Taurus is so good that it may even attract current truck, SUV, and drivers in a way no other current sedan can.
From your reaction to stories that AOL Autos has already published about the 2010 Ford Taurus, we know that American drivers are interested in this all-new sedan. Read on for an in-depth look at this popular car, its features and competitors. And we won't neglect driving impressions.
Check out the new 2010 Ford Taurus
Meet The New No-Bull Taurus
The original Ford Taurus stampeded onto American streets as a 1986 model. The effect was seismic. The original was so good, it not only became the best-selling car in America, Hollywood took notice and used it as the basis for Robo Cop's patrol car (Now there's an endorsement!).
As the Taurus changed over the years, its horns were never as sharp. In its final years it went lame, becoming a pariah of rental car and municipal fleets. Finally, in 2007 the old bull was put out to pasture.
Under the leadership of Ford CEO Alan Mulally, the Taurus name returned, branded over top of the Five Hundred in 2008. The market reacted with a yawn because the freshening of the Five Hundred was far from being a full eight-second ride in the rodeo ring. Buyers knew the 2008 Taurus was little more than an ol'switcheroo.
But Mulally was on to something. He knew that Ford could open its gates again and let loose a winner. The 2010 Ford Taurus proves he was right.
Sizing Up The Bull
The 2010 Taurus is the new standard for full-size sedans, just as the 1986 Taurus set the standard for mid-size cars in its era. The 2010 edition is smaller than the traditional rear-wheel-drive Crown Victoria, and about the same size as the 2009 Taurus, Toyota Avalon, Chevrolet Impala, Chrysler 300, and Audi A8. Interior roominess is generally comparable between these vehicles, but the 2010 Taurus offers a cavernous trunk with over 20-cubic feet of easy-to-fill room.
While it is technically accurate to say that the 2010 Taurus is derived from the 2009edition, it is inaccurate to characterize the transformation as a casual refresh or minor update. The only major components that are carried over include the front suspension, parts of the body structure, and the efficient 263-horsepower 3.5-liter V-6 engine and six-speed automatic transmission (18 mpg city, 28 mpg highway). Most other mechanical components are new, including the design of the rear suspension that was lifted and retuned from the 2009 Lincoln MKS luxury sedan. (If you're going to share components between vehicles within a company, this is a good way to do it.)
The styling of this mainstream sedan is powerful. The giant VW Passat looks of the previous Taurus/Five Hundred model is gone, ditched in favor of a squared-off design that clearly says, "I'm an American, not a German wannabe." The roof is lower and the lines are pleasingly angular.
Inside, the five-passenger Taurus is clearly driver-focused. Up front, there are defined areas for the driver and front passenger. The instrument cluster presents information to the driver in three, deeply recessed gauges. Day or night, the readouts are easy to see. The way the dash slope away from the occupants gives the interior a feeling of openness. If you can't get comfortable using the power seat, adjustable pedals, and the tilt/telescopic steering column, you must be a very oddly shaped person, indeed.
In the rear seating area, the Taurus is wide enough to sit three across. With the front seats in their rear-most position (for a driver well over six-feet), room is tight for those in the rear, but with the front seat adjusted for a 6-foot driver, an average adult male riding in back enjoys plenty of space in front of his knees. The rear seat backs fold down to open up a truly huge cargo area, expanding the already large capacity of the trunk.
A large touch screen occupies the top of the center console on models with the optional navigation system. The touch screen is easy to use, even for Luddites. This brings up the point that Ford is using the 2010 Taurus to bring high-technology to the masses. Safety features like stability control, ABS, traction control, and six airbags are standard. So is the SOS post-crash alert system. After an impact that causes airbags to deploy, the SOS system unlocks all doors, turns on the hazard flashers, and sounds the horn.
Beyond these expected features, the Taurus also provides SecuriCode; a keyless entry system with a key pad on the driver-side B-pillar, and MyKey; a feature that lets parents program a specific key fob with restricted vehicle function, such as maximum speed and maximum radio volume. While this list is solid, it's the options on the 2010 Taurus that are unusual for a mainstream American sedan.
Whizz Bang: Some of the new options on the 2010 Ford Taurus
Adaptive Cruise Control: it maintains a set speed, but also keeps a driver-defined distance from vehicles ahead, and will use active braking when necessary to slow the Taurus to maintain that distance
Collision Warning: audible and visual alerts warn a distracted driver about a potential frontal collision and pre-arms the brakes to provide full power when the driver hits the brake pedal
Blind Spot Monitoring: Keeps an electronic eye on a driver's blind spots and warns drivers using an orange icon in the mirror and on the digital IP readout
Cross Traffic Alert: Helps drivers detects oncoming traffic approaching the vehicle from the side while reversing out of a parking space
SYNC: a voice-control technology that enables drivers to speak commands to the audio system and any connected devices such as a phone or MP3 player
Travel Link: a sophisticated suite of subscription services that provide real-time weather, traffic and shopping information - Multi-Contour seats; Seven air bladders constantly change pressure to keep those in front feeling alert and more refreshed during long drives
A shopper would be hard pressed to find these options available on an Audi, BMW, or Lexus, let alone a Chevy or Toyota with a starting price of $25,995. Call it a democratization of high technology. If you plan on test driving a new Taurus, give yourself some time to learn about and test these new technologies.
Saddling Up The Bull
From the driver's point of view, the 2010 Taurus is simply a winner. The dynamics are more engaging than a Toyota Avalon but still smooth and refined. The engine produces 263 horsepower, which is plenty to move this full-size sedan off the line smartly. Acceleration is smooth and plentiful. Mileage is acceptable for such a large vehicle, at 18 mpg city, 28 mpg highway for the front-wheel-drive models. Adding all-wheel drive subtracts 1 and 3 mpg.
The ride characteristics are sportier than you might expect from a big sedan. The Taurus feels taut but not high-strung. It's responsive without being the twitchy. Though there is some body roll, it is not objectionable. The steering is direct and precise, and provides plenty of feedback. Driving the 2010 Taurus feels natural and intuitive. Even though it's not quite equal of a Lexus LS 460, the interior is quiet and vibration free. Bumps and road acne are filtered out by the suspension, sub-frame isolators between the suspension and the body, and well-placed insulation.
The Meanest Bull In The Corral
If you're looking for more excitement, the performance-oriented Taurus SHO is available. The Super High Output edition of the 2010 Taurus is a serious performance machine at a starting price of about $38,000. It takes a sharp eye to distinguish between the SHO and the other Taurus models, the SE, SEL, and Limited. Look for the small spoiler on the trunk and the larger 19-inch aluminum wheels and wide high-performance tires.
Thanks to Ford's new EcoBoost technology, the SHO's exclusive twin-turbo 3.5-liter V-6 engine with direct fuel injection produces a staggering 365 horsepower. Ford engineers tell us that if the top speed were not limited to 133 mph, the SHO could hit over 160 mph with all of that power. Drivers averse to getting tickets will enjoy the engine's acceleration up to highway speeds and its ability to effortlessly pass traffic on two-lane roads.
This power is managed by a standard all-wheel-drive system that is tuned for safety, traction, and performance. The result is a stable, responsive feel that delivers impressive, drama-free performance. Mileage for the SHO is identical to the non-turbo AWD Taurus models, 17 mpg city, 25 mpg highway. This strikes us as amazing due to the engine's additional 102 horsepower.
Inside, all 2010 Taurus SHOs have leather-trimmed seats with suede inserts, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel with paddle-shifters. The drive begins by pressing the ignition. The engine fires immediately. It's quiet. Put the drive selector into A or M depending on whether you want to use the paddle shifters or not. In Auto, the heavy-duty six-speed automatic transmission shifts smoothly and without fuss. The SHO cruises quietly and offers no telltales about its performance potential. Wind and tire noise at get-a-ticket speeds are subdued. The overall feeling is that of a refined European sport sedan.
But if you slam the throttle open, the big Ford sedan rockets forward. There is no turbo lag. The engine's turbos are so small, that almost any time the engine is running, the blowers are ready to produce instant turbo boost. Modern engine electronics give the SHO 350 lb-ft torque from 1500 revs on up to near the horsepower peak (5,250 rpm). The torque curve really isn't a curve, it's a broad, flat plateau that results in effortless acceleration at any speed.
The SHO's chassis remains rock-solid under full power, helped by the distribution of torque to all four corners. Expect to hit 60 mph from a standstill in under six seconds, and with AWD, you'll never have to worry about wasting time because of spinning tires. The SHO's transmission shifts quickly, and according to its engineers, it changes gears faster than the automatic in a BMW 335i.
Some performance cars can punish their occupants, but the Taurus SHO doesn't. The ride is only slightly stiffer than the standard Taurus models. Hustling through a corner, the 2010 Taurus SHO leans a little before it takes a bite into the pavement. Once set, the feeling is balanced. There is a bit of understeer (push) and absolutely no oversteer (the feeling that the car is going to spin out trunk first). When pushed very hard, the front tires begin to squeal, a warning Ford engineers designed in as an audible warning that the car is getting close to its limit.
Rounding Up The Competition
Compared to other full-size sedans and the larger mid-size four-doors, the 2010 Ford Taurus is happy to lock horns with any challenger. Its styling is more distinctive than the Toyota Avalon or the Chevrolet Impala. The classy Chrysler 300 still looks good after all these years, but its profile is no longer fresh.
The Taurus's standard V-6 matches the competition in power and economy, while the SHO's EcoBoost V-6 engine squares off positively against the V-8 equipped Impala and 300 models. For those who want the added traction and all-weather safety of AWD, it is not offered by Toyota or Chevrolet in their mainstream sedans.
Optional technology clearly separates the new Taurus from its in-class competitors, but be careful as you check the option boxes because the cost for going high-tech can add up quickly and erase the Taurus's value positioning.
Conclusion
This new car proves that Ford's engineers and designers hadn't forgotten what a Taurus could be. CEO Mulally was correct in knowing that his team could breed another winner.
Just as things were decades ago, when sedans were the mainstay of family transportation, the 2010 Ford Taurus provides a compelling reason for families to once again consider a sedan.
America's Best Sedan?
In a time before four-door pickups, SUVs, minivans, and crossovers, families drove sedans. History's most famous out-of-production sedan names include Nova, Dart, LTD, Cutlass, Fury, Fairlane, Volaré, and Valiant. A name that has just returned to the forefront of the automotive world is Taurus.
With a roomy interior, a powerful V-6 engine, 28 mpg on the highway, and a standard price tag starting around $26,000, this sedan will put a new shine on the sedan category.
The new Taurus is so good that it may even attract current truck, SUV, and drivers in a way no other current sedan can.
Monday, July 20, 2009
13th Annual Urban Wheels Awards
Original Dreamgirl and co-host Sheryl Lee Ralph takes a moment to lay back on the hood of the Ford Flex, the winner of the Urban Truck of the Year, at the 13th annual Urban Wheels Awards at Detroit Opera House in Detroit on Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2009.
Ford designer Earl Lucas speaks about the Urban Truck of the Year, the Ford Flex.
Kevon Edmonds sings in front of the Ford Flex.
2010 Ford Taurus SHO
The 2010 Ford Taurus SHO includes high intensity discharge (HID) headlamps as part of the comprehensive array of standard technologies.
The new Taurus SHO is powered by a new 3.5-liter EcoBoost V-6, delivering an estimated 365 horsepower across a broad torque band. It delivers normally aspirated V-8 power, without compromise to its V-6 fuel economy.
The EcoBoost power is a new interpretation of the classic Taurus SHO formula: A super high-output V-6.
The new SHO adds a deck lid-mounted spoiler, dual chrome-tipped exhausts and available 20-inch wheels and tires.
A door handle detail.
The rear spoiler.
The cockpit and instrument panel on the new Taurus.
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The leather-trimmed seats with Miko suede insets.
The new Taurus SHO on the road.
2010 Harley-Davidson F-150
The exterior of the 2010 Ford Harley-Davidson F-150 has a bolder grille and Harley-Davidson chrome badging.
The truck has a lowered appearance because of a fully integrated deployable running board.
The truck is the 14th the two companies have designed together.
The vehicle is a niche for Ford, which has sold 74,000 co-branded trucks since the partnership with Harley-Davidson began in 2000.
The link to Harley-Davidson is apparent in adornments on the seats. The seat backs feature ribbed leather treatments, engraved Harley-Davidson button snaps and map pockets featuring zippers used on Harley jackets.
The console lid features hand-made cloisonne badges. The console also has a limited-edition serialization plate.
The truck has a 5.4-liter, three-valve engine.
Motor Muster at Greenfield Village
Source: Jenny King / Special to The Detroit News
Al Scholten of Holland, Mich. Plucked the remains of this rare 1942 Chrysler Town & Country wagon from behind a filling station and spent about five years having it restored.
Motor Muster draws expected and surprise vehicles
By Jenny King / Special to The Detroit News
June 22, 2009
DEARBORN, Mich. -- The annual Motor Muster at The Henry Ford's Greenfield Village is like a big family reunion, mixing familiar faces with some very rare "relatives."
Show visitors were a spectrum of ages, and, except for the very young, they likely remembered or owned many of the hundreds of invited vehicles that lined the village streets and greens.
In a central location, volunteers were proudly showing a GMC Futurliner, one of 12 created to bring new ideas in technology to people from coast to coast.
"They were built by GMC and Fisher Body; this one was number 10," explained spokesman Del Carpenter. "The idea came from technology displays at the Century of Progress 1933-34 World Fair in Chicago.
"The buses toured in the Parade of Progress until the attack on Pearl Harbor," he said. They were then put in storage and re-discovered in the early 1950s, he said. Today only eight Futurliners are known to exist, and five are in total disrepair.
The one here was the work of some 30 volunteers over a seven-year period, under the direction of Don Mayton of Beaverdam, Mich.
The state of disrepair of Al Scholton's 1942 Chrysler narrow-back Town & Country wagon, by most guesses, would also have been described as "total." But the Holland, Mich. resident knew when he spotted it behind a filling station that the wood-sided wagon was very rare: 849 were originally made, he said.
"This depot wagon was introduced in 1941 as a plainer vehicle," Scholton said. "The next year Chrysler added things like chrome trim and luggage rack to make it more attractive."
With its Bakelite interior trim, fluid drive transmission, barn door-style rear doors and search light, Scholton's wagon is one of only a handful still registered. He started its renovation in 1993; it was complete six years later.
The one-step-up-from base model 1952 Ford Mainline shown by longtime owner William Bachmann of Erie, Pa. may not have carpeting or even interior handles for closing its doors, but it does have overdrive available at 27 miles per hour.
"There's a switch under the accelerator -- this was the first year for suspended pedals -- that turns on overdrive," Bachmann said.
Bachmann has owned his no-frills -- one inside sunvisor, 16-inch wheels left over from 1951 Fords -- Mainline for 40 years. He paid $150 for it, he said.
Davison, Mich. resident Henry McQueen bought his 1941 Ford Super Deluxe four-door sedan 12 years ago from a man who was restoring it. McQueen said the three-piece front fenders on the car are unusual. They marked the end of Ford's inability to stamp a single steel piece in that size and shape.
A supercharger makes this 1948 MG TC roadster rare. Restored in 1986, the multi-award winner now belongs to Bob Leinen of Dearborn, Mich.
The sober, black sedan does have what McQueen called a "playboy-style sunvisor. Its flathead V-8 has 61,000 miles on it. At the McQueen home, the car goes by "Nadine."
The supercharging on Bob Leinen's 1948 MG TC roadster sets it apart from other '48 models.
"The car has won a total of 55 awards," said Leinen of Dearborn, Mich. "I've owned it five years; it was completely restored in 1986."
Leinen loves the early, traditional styling of the roadster, with its right-hand steering and elegant two racing screens. He also likes the fact that he can get parts for it.
Volkswagen enthusiasts Gregory and Ryan Sanchez of Melvindale, Mich. were busy polishing their Sumatra green 1973 VW TYP3 1600 fastback - one of a three-body-style series the German automaker thought would work as a replacement for the beloved Beetle.
"I bought this out of Florida a couple of years ago and it was in good, solid condition," said Sanchez. "These never sold very well here, though 51 of them showed up a year ago for a meet in Ypsilanti (Mich.)."
The Sanchezes has earlier been showing some bicycles from the 1950s. Bikes, scooters, motorcycles, commercial trucks and military vehicles were included in the vast display at Greenfield Village.
With its air-cooled 1600 engine in the rear, the TYP3 fastback provided a good-size trunk up front, which the Sanchezes had carefully packed with hardy Samsonite luggage.
Eddie Morris of Wyandotte, Mich. said he has owned his 1936 Ford 68 with over 100,000miles on it for 35 years.
"It's all original except for paint and tires," said Morris, who works on this and his other old cars himself.
The 1969 Cadillac combination ambulance-hearse belonging to Michael Granzeier of Wyandotte, Mich., now has a different function. The family takes it camping, said the attorney, showing how the two rear jump seats for ambulance personnel fold down to provide a flat bed for a coffin. Or in the present tense, a high and dry spot for sleeping bags.
"We'll sleep in it here in the Village tonight," he said.
This GMC Futurliner was one of 12 built between 1939 and 1940. This is number 10. It was restored over seven years by over 30 volunteers.
This 1938 Chevrolet Master Deluxe sedan belongs to Jerry Clause of Sterling Heights, Mich. They're waiting in line at the Motor Muster parade Saturday.
1965 Ford Thunderbird convertible belongs to James D. Brucker of Brighton, Mich.
1964 Lincoln Continental convertible belongs to ennis Mozdzen of Dearborn Heights, Mich.
This 1965 Ford Mustang Convertible belongs to Ted and Lynne Porter of Northville, Mich.
This 1967 Lincoln Continental Convertible four-door belongs to Kenneth Martin of Dearborn, Mich.
1955 Mercury Monterey hardtop belongs to Robert Anderson of Kalamazoo, Mich.
1955 Ford Thunderbird convertible belongs to Dr. Beverly Paurazas of Rochester Hills, Mich.
1957 Ford Thunderbird convertible belongs to Erika Knopf of Shelby Township, Mich.
This 1936 Lincoln LaBaron coupe belongs to John Forster of Royal Oak, Mich.
1964 Ford Galaxie 500 belongs to Mick Laskey of Taylor, Mich.
1936 Stout-Scarabwas brought to the Motor Muster by Ronald Schneider of Milwakee, Wis.
This 1964 Ford Falcon belongs to racing fan Al Marani of Southgate, Mich.
1948 Allard K1 roadster belongs to Robert Grandy of Linden, Mich.
This 1933 Parson-Ford Sprint racer belongs to Roy Nacewice of Carleton, Mich.
1933 Ford Express towtruck belongs to Gene Bertami of Dearborn, Mich.
Ben Harwood was having problems with his 1941 Packard 6, which attracted an antique Ford wrecker and some help from interested onlookers.
The modest 1952 Ford Mainline has been the proud possession of William Bachmann of Erie, Pa. for some 40 years. He paid $150 for the car with overhead-valve straight six and oil bath air filter. A dash-mounted prism helps the driver see a traffic light if the outside sunvisor is up.
An unusual 1951 Kaiser Dragon came to Motor Muster courtesy of owners Daniel and Laura Trczinski of Temperance, Mich.
Henry McQueen of Davison, Mich. named his 1941 Ford Super Deluxe four-door sedan with nifty sunvisor Nadine.
This shimmering green 1949 Mercury M74 sedan belongs to Troy Beverley of Garden City, Mich.
Wyandotte, Mich. resident Eddie Morris has owned his 1936 Ford 68 with over 100,000 miles on it for the last 35 years.
A first in production cars with its fiberglass body, this 1954 Kaiser Darrin with sliding pocket doors was a show stopped at Motor Muster.
Looking almost fragile, this sleek 1948 Salsbury Model 85 Standard motor scooter belongs to Jerry Ellis of Dublin, Ohio.
Al Scholten of Holland, Mich. Plucked the remains of this rare 1942 Chrysler Town & Country wagon from behind a filling station and spent about five years having it restored.
Motor Muster draws expected and surprise vehicles
By Jenny King / Special to The Detroit News
June 22, 2009
DEARBORN, Mich. -- The annual Motor Muster at The Henry Ford's Greenfield Village is like a big family reunion, mixing familiar faces with some very rare "relatives."
Show visitors were a spectrum of ages, and, except for the very young, they likely remembered or owned many of the hundreds of invited vehicles that lined the village streets and greens.
In a central location, volunteers were proudly showing a GMC Futurliner, one of 12 created to bring new ideas in technology to people from coast to coast.
"They were built by GMC and Fisher Body; this one was number 10," explained spokesman Del Carpenter. "The idea came from technology displays at the Century of Progress 1933-34 World Fair in Chicago.
"The buses toured in the Parade of Progress until the attack on Pearl Harbor," he said. They were then put in storage and re-discovered in the early 1950s, he said. Today only eight Futurliners are known to exist, and five are in total disrepair.
The one here was the work of some 30 volunteers over a seven-year period, under the direction of Don Mayton of Beaverdam, Mich.
The state of disrepair of Al Scholton's 1942 Chrysler narrow-back Town & Country wagon, by most guesses, would also have been described as "total." But the Holland, Mich. resident knew when he spotted it behind a filling station that the wood-sided wagon was very rare: 849 were originally made, he said.
"This depot wagon was introduced in 1941 as a plainer vehicle," Scholton said. "The next year Chrysler added things like chrome trim and luggage rack to make it more attractive."
With its Bakelite interior trim, fluid drive transmission, barn door-style rear doors and search light, Scholton's wagon is one of only a handful still registered. He started its renovation in 1993; it was complete six years later.
The one-step-up-from base model 1952 Ford Mainline shown by longtime owner William Bachmann of Erie, Pa. may not have carpeting or even interior handles for closing its doors, but it does have overdrive available at 27 miles per hour.
"There's a switch under the accelerator -- this was the first year for suspended pedals -- that turns on overdrive," Bachmann said.
Bachmann has owned his no-frills -- one inside sunvisor, 16-inch wheels left over from 1951 Fords -- Mainline for 40 years. He paid $150 for it, he said.
Davison, Mich. resident Henry McQueen bought his 1941 Ford Super Deluxe four-door sedan 12 years ago from a man who was restoring it. McQueen said the three-piece front fenders on the car are unusual. They marked the end of Ford's inability to stamp a single steel piece in that size and shape.
A supercharger makes this 1948 MG TC roadster rare. Restored in 1986, the multi-award winner now belongs to Bob Leinen of Dearborn, Mich.
The sober, black sedan does have what McQueen called a "playboy-style sunvisor. Its flathead V-8 has 61,000 miles on it. At the McQueen home, the car goes by "Nadine."
The supercharging on Bob Leinen's 1948 MG TC roadster sets it apart from other '48 models.
"The car has won a total of 55 awards," said Leinen of Dearborn, Mich. "I've owned it five years; it was completely restored in 1986."
Leinen loves the early, traditional styling of the roadster, with its right-hand steering and elegant two racing screens. He also likes the fact that he can get parts for it.
Volkswagen enthusiasts Gregory and Ryan Sanchez of Melvindale, Mich. were busy polishing their Sumatra green 1973 VW TYP3 1600 fastback - one of a three-body-style series the German automaker thought would work as a replacement for the beloved Beetle.
"I bought this out of Florida a couple of years ago and it was in good, solid condition," said Sanchez. "These never sold very well here, though 51 of them showed up a year ago for a meet in Ypsilanti (Mich.)."
The Sanchezes has earlier been showing some bicycles from the 1950s. Bikes, scooters, motorcycles, commercial trucks and military vehicles were included in the vast display at Greenfield Village.
With its air-cooled 1600 engine in the rear, the TYP3 fastback provided a good-size trunk up front, which the Sanchezes had carefully packed with hardy Samsonite luggage.
Eddie Morris of Wyandotte, Mich. said he has owned his 1936 Ford 68 with over 100,000miles on it for 35 years.
"It's all original except for paint and tires," said Morris, who works on this and his other old cars himself.
The 1969 Cadillac combination ambulance-hearse belonging to Michael Granzeier of Wyandotte, Mich., now has a different function. The family takes it camping, said the attorney, showing how the two rear jump seats for ambulance personnel fold down to provide a flat bed for a coffin. Or in the present tense, a high and dry spot for sleeping bags.
"We'll sleep in it here in the Village tonight," he said.
This GMC Futurliner was one of 12 built between 1939 and 1940. This is number 10. It was restored over seven years by over 30 volunteers.
This 1938 Chevrolet Master Deluxe sedan belongs to Jerry Clause of Sterling Heights, Mich. They're waiting in line at the Motor Muster parade Saturday.
1965 Ford Thunderbird convertible belongs to James D. Brucker of Brighton, Mich.
1964 Lincoln Continental convertible belongs to ennis Mozdzen of Dearborn Heights, Mich.
This 1965 Ford Mustang Convertible belongs to Ted and Lynne Porter of Northville, Mich.
This 1967 Lincoln Continental Convertible four-door belongs to Kenneth Martin of Dearborn, Mich.
1955 Mercury Monterey hardtop belongs to Robert Anderson of Kalamazoo, Mich.
1955 Ford Thunderbird convertible belongs to Dr. Beverly Paurazas of Rochester Hills, Mich.
1957 Ford Thunderbird convertible belongs to Erika Knopf of Shelby Township, Mich.
This 1936 Lincoln LaBaron coupe belongs to John Forster of Royal Oak, Mich.
1964 Ford Galaxie 500 belongs to Mick Laskey of Taylor, Mich.
1936 Stout-Scarabwas brought to the Motor Muster by Ronald Schneider of Milwakee, Wis.
This 1964 Ford Falcon belongs to racing fan Al Marani of Southgate, Mich.
1948 Allard K1 roadster belongs to Robert Grandy of Linden, Mich.
This 1933 Parson-Ford Sprint racer belongs to Roy Nacewice of Carleton, Mich.
1933 Ford Express towtruck belongs to Gene Bertami of Dearborn, Mich.
Ben Harwood was having problems with his 1941 Packard 6, which attracted an antique Ford wrecker and some help from interested onlookers.
The modest 1952 Ford Mainline has been the proud possession of William Bachmann of Erie, Pa. for some 40 years. He paid $150 for the car with overhead-valve straight six and oil bath air filter. A dash-mounted prism helps the driver see a traffic light if the outside sunvisor is up.
An unusual 1951 Kaiser Dragon came to Motor Muster courtesy of owners Daniel and Laura Trczinski of Temperance, Mich.
Henry McQueen of Davison, Mich. named his 1941 Ford Super Deluxe four-door sedan with nifty sunvisor Nadine.
This shimmering green 1949 Mercury M74 sedan belongs to Troy Beverley of Garden City, Mich.
Wyandotte, Mich. resident Eddie Morris has owned his 1936 Ford 68 with over 100,000 miles on it for the last 35 years.
A first in production cars with its fiberglass body, this 1954 Kaiser Darrin with sliding pocket doors was a show stopped at Motor Muster.
Looking almost fragile, this sleek 1948 Salsbury Model 85 Standard motor scooter belongs to Jerry Ellis of Dublin, Ohio.
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