So, the 1959 Ford models were great looking cars. Automotive historian and author Lorin Sorensen said, “Ford’s 1959 styling garnered the plaudits of the noted fashion authority, the Comite Francais de l’Elegance, which for the first time in history, bestowed a gold medal for styling on an American automobile at the close of the Brussels international exposition.”ġ959 Ford Polica Car ad (Ford Motor Company Archives) Interestingly, the 1959 Ford models received an award at the Brussels World’s Fair for styling elegance. I believe that the 1959 Ford Galaxie model that was a part of this display still exists.ġ959 Ford advertising (Ford Motor Company Archives) The milestone 50 millionth Ford was introduced at the Ford Rotunda, along with one of the company’s first cars, a 1903 Model A, along with the futuristic “Levacar.” Company President Henry Ford, II announced that all three vehicles would go on a coast-to-coast publicity tour. They offered new squared-off body panels and a changed inner structure.ġ959 Ford Galaxie ad (Ford Motor Company Archives) The Galaxie models were well-received, and many consumers enjoyed the styling. One of the main attractions for Ford in 1959 was the Thunderbird styling theme, used on the hardtop roof of the new Galaxie series. Joe Oros, one of Ford’s great designers, was very involved with styling for the 1959 Ford models. However, Skyliner model sales had slumped to 12,915 units, a three-year low, resulting in it being dropped from Ford’s lineup.ġ959 Ford identified as the 50 millionth made (Ford Motor Company Archives)įor the 1959 model year, Ford went to a single chassis, moving all its customs and station wagons to the Fairlane’s longer 118-inch wheelbase. The Ford division had a record year in sales in 1959. As a young kid, I still can remember seeing many 1959 Fords parked on Detroit neighborhood streets in 1969, ten years later. At that time, most consumers admired their great styling features. The 1959 Ford models became popular designs when introduced in the fall of 1958. Published 1959 Ford four door promotional shot (Ford Motor Company Archives) Images courtesy of the Ford Motor Company Archives By Robert Tate, Automotive Historian and Researcher
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |