Latest news with #HeritageFleet
Yahoo
19-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Ford Introduces Heritage Fleet Showcasing 120 Years of Automotive Innovation
⚡️ Read the full article on Motorious 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.
CBS News
13-03-2025
- Automotive
- CBS News
Ford shows off treasure trove of rarely seen vehicles to a select few at its headquarters
A select few are getting the chance to set their gaze on a slew of rarely seen Ford vehicles at the automaker's Michigan headquarters. About 50 cars and trucks that are part of Ford Motor Co.'s Heritage Fleet are on display in Dearborn. Some employees checked them out Tuesday, and the media got a look Wednesday. And next month, they'll be available for viewing as part of "Bring Your Child to Work Day." "I'm so excited to be able to share these vehicles, because every one of these vehicles throughout this room are here because somebody, a passionate Ford employee, worked to have it preserved, worked to have it saved," said Ted Ryan, Ford's Heritage brand manager. Ford has existing Heritage Fleets in the U.K., Germany and Australia. Over a year ago, company CEO Jim Farley charged Ryan with curating a U.S.-based collection. The American fleet now is 175 vehicles strong, with about 30% of it on display at the world headquarters. Some highlights include a series of Mustang performance vehicles, a 1938 V-8 Ambulance and a 2003 Model T-100 that is a replica of a 1914 Model T. "This is the first time all of these vehicles have been assembled and shown like that," Ryan said. But he said there's a rationale to showing off the historic vehicles that goes beyond the "wow" factor. "These vehicles aren't here just to be a museum. These vehicles have a business purpose. They're used by engineers. They're used by our product development team. They're used by our communications group. And every one of them has to have a reason that drives the business forward," Ryan said. "Because we're looking forward by looking back."
The Independent
12-03-2025
- Automotive
- The Independent
Ford shows off a treasure trove of rarely seen vehicles to a select few at its Michigan headquarters
A select few are getting the chance to set their gaze on a slew of rarely seen Ford vehicles at the automaker's Michigan headquarters. About 50 cars and trucks that are part of Ford Motor Co.'s Heritage Fleet are on display in Dearborn. Some employees checked them out Tuesday, and the media got a look Wednesday. And next month, they'll be available for viewing as part of "Bring Your Child to Work Day." 'I'm so excited to be able to share these vehicles, because every one of these vehicles throughout this room are here because somebody, a passionate Ford employee, worked to have it preserved, worked to have it saved,' said Ted Ryan, Ford's Heritage brand manager. Ford has existing Heritage Fleets in the U.K., Germany and Australia. Over a year ago, company CEO Jim Farley charged Ryan with curating a U.S.-based collection. The American fleet now is 175 vehicles strong, with about 30% of it on display at the world headquarters. Some highlights include a series of Mustang performance vehicles, a 1938 V-8 Ambulance and a 2003 Model T-100 that is a replica of a 1914 Model T. 'This is the first time all of these vehicles have been assembled and shown like that,' Ryan said. But he said there's a rationale to showing off the historic vehicles that goes beyond the 'wow' factor. 'These vehicles aren't here just to be a museum. These vehicles have a business purpose. They're used by engineers. They're used by our product development team. They're used by our communications group. And every one of them has to have a reason that drives the business forward,' Ryan said. 'Because we're looking forward by looking back.'
