Ford Introduces Heritage Fleet Showcasing 120 Years of Automotive Innovation
Ford Motor Co. revealed its new U.S. Heritage Fleet on Wednesday, showcasing nearly 175 historically significant vehicles collected to preserve the automaker's 120-year legacy while guiding the creation of future models.
This extensive collection includes vehicles spanning multiple decades, highlighting technological breakthroughs, iconic designs, and key milestones throughout Ford's history. The U.S. fleet is part of a global heritage project that totals nearly 500 vehicles, including contributions from Ford's subsidiaries in Germany and England.
Ted Ryan, Ford's archives and heritage brand manager, said that the effort to consolidate Ford's historical fleet began just over a year ago. Until recently, while various departments within Ford, such as Product Development and Ford Performance, kept individual vehicles, there had been no organized attempt to systematically preserve and showcase these cars.
'This fleet represents not only Ford's storied past, but is meant to inspire our future,' Ryan said. Vehicles selected were chosen for their importance in Ford's narrative and their ability to contribute to future innovation.
Key highlights from the Heritage Fleet include the historic 10-millionth Mustang, rare prototypes like a 10-cylinder Mustang concept, one of the earliest four-door Broncos, and three generations of Cobra R Mustangs. It also houses significant concept vehicles such as the Lincoln Navigator prototype and the trio of 2004 Ford GTs that reintroduced Ford's legendary performance lineage to a new generation.
Ryan noted that the Heritage Fleet serves as a resource for Ford's design and engineering teams. Designers regularly reference these classic models to incorporate historical elements into new vehicles. The recent Bronco revival heavily relied on archived sketches and documents, but now, designers can physically access original vehicles for deeper insights.
Several historic vehicles, including the original 1914 Model T, a rare 1938 V8-powered ambulance, and the Mustang famously displayed atop the Empire State Building in 2015, will soon be on public display at Ford's new Product Development Center and its headquarters in Dearborn, Michigan.
Ford plans to make the Heritage Fleet accessible at events nationwide, ensuring these automotive treasures help drive innovation and inspire enthusiasts for generations to come.
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