The 10 Most Iconic Ford Cars In Company History

The Blue Oval has been a staple of the automotive industry for over a century and here are 10 of the most iconic models that carried that badge

The Ford Motor Company was established in 1903 by Henry Ford and has been manufacturing cars for well over a century now. The visionary founder is well acknowledged for his pioneering contributions to the manufacturing industry. Most notably: the mass production assembly line, the first "people's car", and an eight-hour work day for his workers with a $5 wage (up from $2.34 for nine hours), setting a standard for the industry.

The company has moved and changed with the times, as all businesses do to keep up with the market. And they seem to stay ahead in most categories they've managed to set their path on: be it muscle cars, hatchbacks, sedans, SUVs, and even workhorses like pickup trucks and vans. In fact, the Ford F-series pickup trucks have been the best-selling automobiles in the U.S. for the past four decades or so.

There is no denying that the corporation struggled at some point throughout its 120-year existence, putting out questionable creations that smudged its reputation. But they've also made one of the most iconic and influential cars in the entire automobile industry. In this article, we are going to explore 10 of the most iconic cars that define their identity today.

We've looked up data from Ford and several trustworthy websites including Car and Driver and MotorTrend to put this list of the most iconic Ford models together.

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The car that started it all, the 'Tin Lizzie'; is by far the most revolutionary automobile of all time, not only for the auto industry, but also the manufacturing sector. The Model T was the world's first affordable automobile and the world's first vehicle built on an assembly line. It was produced from 1908 to 1927 and sold in no fewer than 16.5 million units. It is incredible that even after 100 years of ending production, it still holds a position in the top ten most-sold cars of all time.

Year of Manufacture

1908 - 1927

Engine

2.9 L I-4

Power

20 horsepower

Torque

83 pound-feet

Top speed

45 mph

The Model T was a sturdy and dependable automobile, fairly simple to fix if something did go wrong, making it an ideal mode of transport for the average person and the perfect workhorse for rural business owners. As a result of their straightforward construction—simple engine at one end, driver up front, passengers in back—they had fewer moving parts and were consequently less expensive to maintain. Drivers could easily swap out a part in a matter of minutes.

Ford is well known for their reputation in making reliable work steeds, none of that is more visible than in the Ford Transit Van. Currently in its fourth generation, the Ford Transit van is a light commercial vehicle that was introduced in 1965 to take over Europe and later the whole world. The range of use cases for the Transit from commercial, personal, and recreational have earned the van the nickname "The Backbone of Britain”.

Year of Manufacture

1965 - Present

Engine

2.0 L 1996 cc Essex V4

Power

73 horsepower

Torque

100 pound-feet

Top Speed

65 mph

The popularity of the Transit far outreaches its intended market. It is not only a household name in the Van Life community but also, curiously, in the motorsport community. Ford's then racing department went wild with the transit: in 1972 The Transit “Supervan” was introduced at the Brands Hatch Circuit racetrack in England. The Supervan was based on the legendary GT40. This newly designed van had a 5.0 liter V-8 engine and could reach a top speed of 150 mph.

When the U.S. got a dreary cheap compact car as a Pinto replacement in the 1980s, the Europeans were rocking a sick small family car, which was very popular among the youth and general buyers. The Escort was introduced in 1968 as a small, light, efficient, rear-wheel drive family car. They were well known for their rally stints, which for the era, worldwide, no one model had won as many important rallies as Ford's RS (Rally Sports) Escorts.

Year of Manufacture

1968 - 1975

Engine

1.6 L Lotus-Ford Twin Cam I-4

Power

105 horsepower

Torque

140 pound-feet

Top Speed

113 mph

The Mk I Escort offered: a small five-seater sedan, wagon, or van with comfortable seating and a huge boot, and a big choice of engine and trim combinations, ranging from an economical 1.1-liter engine all the way up to the super-luxury Ghia with a 2.0-liter motor. If you fancy a bit of spirited driving, the Escort also featured a 1.6-liter twin-cam Lotus-built engine, which is highly sought after today.

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Slowly replacing the Escort in 1998, the Ford Focus came to be an instrumental car in cementing Ford as a global manufacturer. The Ford Focus was launched in Europe first to attract younger generation buyers towards the brand, who wanted a compact, pocket-friendly, and practical first-time car. Ford launched the Focus in North America, South America, Asia, and Australia as a result of the Focus's growing success in European markets.

Year of manufacture

2018 - 2021

Engine

2.0L EcoBoost I-4 (In the ST model)

Power

252 horsepower

Torque

270 pound-feet

Top Speed

154 mph

The fourth generation, being introduced in 2018, was the last Focus to grace the market. It was saddening to see a car with this much pedigree discontinued in 2021. Ford has already stopped the sales of Focus in many parts of the world, including the U.S.A., due to its increased 'focus' on SUVs and crossovers over sedans and hatchbacks.

Revived for the 2021 model year, the Ford Bronco is one of the most iconic and beloved off-road 4x4 vehicles produced by Ford. It was discontinued in 1996 on the fifth generation, after the introduction of the 1991 Ford Explorer. The Bronco seemed like a dinosaur when compared to the family-friendly Explorer.

Ford strongly drew from the legacy of the original model when bringing this model back, adopting a similar style and pursuing the same objective of being a fun, youth-friendly off-roader in order to hit the nostalgic spot of recreational adventurers.

Year of Manufacture

2021 - Present

Engine

2.7-liter EcoBoost V-6

Power

315 horsepower

Torque

410 pound-feet

Top Speed

100 mph

The first-generation Bronco was powered by Ford's venerable 105 hp 2.8 liter I-6, paired with a three-speed manual transmission and four-wheel drive. A 4.7 liter V-8 producing 200 hp found its way under the Bronco's short little hood in 1966 before being replaced by a bigger 4.9 liter V-8 in 1968. With its short wheelbase and cute appearance, the Bronco has always been a car to enjoy the muddy detours with.

In the midst of a rivalry between Ford and GM, Ford introduced the 1955 Ford Thunderbird as a competition for the Chevy Corvette. Calling the Thunderbird a direct competition is a bit of a stretch, as they attracted different types of buyers. In terms of sales figures, in its first year, the Thunderbird dominated sales 23-to-1 against the Corvette. The Thunderbird, with its softer styling and accommodating interior, attracted buyers seeking a relaxing Sunday drive.

Year of Manufacture

1955 - 1957

Engine

292 cu in (4.8 L) Y-block V-8

Power

193 horsepower

Torque

280 pound-feet

Top Speed

108 mph

The Thunderbird is heavily recognizable as being the first glamorous car to come out of Ford, a huge departure from their frugal Model T roots. In its 11-generation run, the Thunderbird went into a different path by offering less powerful but more luxurious models. In its final generation, Ford revived the model after a five-year hiatus as a retro-revival inspired by the original. It was discontinued after three years of production due to a sales decline from the launch year.

RELATED: Here's Why The Ford Bronco Is A Legend In Its Own Right

The car with the back seat we all love, the Crown Victoria. As we all know, the 'Crown Vic' made a name for itself by serving as a police interceptor and a taxi cab for more than two decades. Built from 1991 until 2011, in two generations, the Crown Victoria is one of Ford's longest-running sedans. Sitting on the rear-wheel drive, body-on-frame panther platform shared by Mercury and Lincoln; the Crown Vic was destined to be a workhorse.

Year of Manufacture

1998 - 2012

Engine

4.6 L (281 cu in) Modular SOHC V-8

Power

239 horsepower

Torque

287 pound-feet

Top speed

129 mph

Today, Panther-based sedans can be fetched and used at a very reasonable price. Considering their extensive use in fleet service, they are notoriously reliable, plus parts are plentiful and cheap. Great news for people who aspire to be cops or chauffeurs. But beware of people in front of you slowing down on the highway assuming you're a real cop.

There is no car that exemplifies the love that Americans have for the pick-up truck as much as the Ford F-Series trucks. They have been dominating the chart for the best-selling automobile in America for several decades now. The F-Series trucks are a range of full-sized pickup trucks, the light-duty F-150 being the bread and butter of households and job sites.

Year of Manufacture

2021-present

Engine

2.7 L Ecoboost V-6

Power

325 horsepower

Torque

400 pound-feet

Top speed

112 mph

Currently, in its fourteenth generation, Ford is diversifying and modernizing their bestseller by adding an all-electric model into the mix. The F-150 Lightning is their latest disruption into the market, with a truck that looks like its traditional counterpart, packed with technology, and doesn't scream EV from a mile away, unlike its counterparts.

What is a better way to look cool than to drive a Mustang. The story of this legendary nameplate needs no introduction: launched in 1964, Ford wanted to entice younger buyers with a small, powerful, and affordable sports car. The Mustang became an instant success, spawning a segment called the Pony car.

Year of Manufacture

1964 - 1966

Engine

289 cu in (4.7 L) small-block V-8

Power

271 horsepower

Torque

316 pound-feet

Top speed

100 mph

Due to its eventful engine and stylish exterior, the first-generation Mustang has seen stardom in many Hollywood movies. The Mustang was already popular on the streets, but in 1968, Steve McQueen elevated it to star status in Bullitt's 9-minute exquisite car chase scene. We also can't forget the iconic 1967 Shelby GT500, named Eleanor in the 2000 version of "Gone in 60 Seconds".

RELATED: 15 Reasons Why The 1967 Ford Mustang Fastback Is Considered Iconic

You've probably seen the Hollywood adaptation of the legendary duel that birthed this champion: Ford Vs Ferrari. Let's set the scene: it was May 1963, and a deal had been negotiated, bringing the US industry titan and the Italian upstart together to develop road vehicles and race cars. Ferrari required a significant financial investment, and Ford needed to compete in endurance racing.

Year of Manufacture

1966 - 1969

Engine

289 CID (4737 cc) V-8

Power

306 horsepower

Torque

329 pound-feet

Top Speed

160 mph

But when Enzo refused at surrendering the autonomy he so cherished, he sent the Americans packing. After the team returned to Detroit empty-handed, Henry Ford II instructed Ford's point man, Don Frey, to "go to Le Mans, and beat his ass". Remember that the 24 hours of Le Mans is Ferrari's home turf. After the initial struggle, Ford racked up trophies from 1966-1969. The Ford GT40 is a true legendary icon, highly respected among the entire car community.

Meet Fanuel, an avid lover of car oddities and design. He is quite obsessed with classic French cars and engineering from an early age. He loves calm and serene cruises in the city early in the morning, and sometimes across the countryside. He graduated quite recently in Architecture, and plans to do many things.