Fords in the 1970s
In 1908 Henry Ford and Ford Motor company produced its first car, the Model T. In 1941, the Ford Motor Company started making Jeep-like vehicles for the military. This led the way for many different 1970s models. The 1970s brought about many generation changes and record sales for the Ford Motor Company.
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Sports Utility Vehicle
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In the 1970s, the SUV had barely made its debut. The Ford Bronco began production in 1966 and continued to the 1990s. A 170-cubic-inch, straight six engine was in Broncos through 1972. A 200-cubic-inch, straight six replaced this engine from 1973 to 1974. Between 1970 and 1977, Ford produced 136,869 Broncos which had an available 302-cubic-inch, Windsor eight-cylinder engine.The second generation of Broncos ran from 1978 and 1979 and had either a 351-cubic-inch, eight-cylinder engine or a modified 400-cubic-inch, eight-cylinder engine.
Trucks
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Called the F-Series, the Ford Truck lineup included the F-100 and F-250.The F-100 came with four different trim level options which included the Custom, Ranger, Ranger XLT and Sport trim packages. It had either a 360-cubic-inch, 390-cubic-inch or 302-cubic-inch, eight-cylinder engine. Ford introduced the 460-cubic-inch, eight-cylinder engine in 1973. The SuperCab, a F-100 with an extended cab, was introduced in 1974. When Ford introduced the F-150 in 1975, it provided a middle weight truck between the F-100 and the F-250. Ford retired the F-100 after 1975 and the 302-cubic-inch engine in 1977. By 1978, the F-150 used a 300- cubic-inch, in-line six for the base engine.
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Muscle Cars
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The 1970s Ford Torino came as a replacement for the Ford Fairlane. The 1970 Torino had a 351 cubic-inch, Cleveland eight-cylinder engine. Other available engines included the Cobra Jet, Super Cobra Jet and 429 Thunder Jet. Ford introduced the Gran Torino in 1972. Despite multiple styling changes, the Torino's production ceased after 1976 (see reference 3). The 1970s Mustangs spanned four generations. The third generation included the 1970 Mustang. This generation brought about the standard Mustang, Mustang convertible, Boss 302 and Boss 429. The Boss era ended by 1971. By 1973, emission regulations severely cut the horsepower of the Mustang by nearly half on all models. The Fifth generation from 1974 to 1978 brought the Mustang II, and this underpowered, modified Pinto brought decreased sales. By 1979, Mustang made a comeback with a new light-weight design and emission friendly power with the sixth generation Mustangs known as Fox Bodies (see reference 5).
Fullsize Cars
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The 1970s began the classic car era. Ford produced the Galaxie and the Thunderbird in this decade. In 1970, the Galaxie had five available options which included the 240-, 302-, 351-, 390- and 429-cubic-inch engines. Ford retired the Galaxie name in 1974. The Thunderbird went through three generation changes in the 1970s. The fifth generation of Thunderbirds, the Big Birds, included the 1970 and 1971 models. Ford used leftover parts from the 1960s cars to make these models. The sixth generation from 1972 through 1976 -- the Bigger Birds -- had a 460-cubic-inch, eight-cylinder engine as standard equipment. The seventh generation of Thunderbirds, the Torino Birds, ran from 1977 through 1979. This generation brought record sales due to styling changes and small-block engine options.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit ford thunderbird image by George Wada from Fotolia.com
