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- 1981 Ford Escort GLX Sedan - Most Americans weren't very interested in small cars -- until 1973, when Middle Eastern oil-producing countries cut back on oil exports. Gas prices skyrocketed in the U.S., and shortages led to long lines at service stations. Many people still wanted big American-style cars, but more and more actually bought small four-cylinder, front-wheel-drive, European-inspired cars like this Ford Escort. "The new world car" evoked the Model T's slogan: "the universal car."
- 1981
- Collections - Artifact
1981 Ford Escort GLX Sedan
Most Americans weren't very interested in small cars -- until 1973, when Middle Eastern oil-producing countries cut back on oil exports. Gas prices skyrocketed in the U.S., and shortages led to long lines at service stations. Many people still wanted big American-style cars, but more and more actually bought small four-cylinder, front-wheel-drive, European-inspired cars like this Ford Escort. "The new world car" evoked the Model T's slogan: "the universal car."
- Ford Escort Sedan Cutaway - Ford Motor Company introduced the Escort to the American market for 1981. At the time, Ford described it as the company's most completely new car since the 1928 Model A. All the Escort's major components -- the engine, the front-wheel-drive transaxle, the suspension, and the body -- were designed specifically for it and not adapted from other models.
- Collections - Artifact
Ford Escort Sedan Cutaway
Ford Motor Company introduced the Escort to the American market for 1981. At the time, Ford described it as the company's most completely new car since the 1928 Model A. All the Escort's major components -- the engine, the front-wheel-drive transaxle, the suspension, and the body -- were designed specifically for it and not adapted from other models.
- 1981 Ford Escort GLX Sedan: Gas Prices Go Up; Car Sizes Go Down - Find out how the Ford Escort took advantage of skyrocketing gas prices in the 1970s to offer a small four-cylinder, front-wheel-drive, European-inspired car: “the new world car.”
- January 02, 2021
- Collections - article
1981 Ford Escort GLX Sedan: Gas Prices Go Up; Car Sizes Go Down
Find out how the Ford Escort took advantage of skyrocketing gas prices in the 1970s to offer a small four-cylinder, front-wheel-drive, European-inspired car: “the new world car.”
- Advertising Poster for 1981 Ford Escort, "Ford's New Energy Efficient World Car" - As this advertisement suggests, Ford brought together engineers from around the world to create the Escort, the "World Car." Many of the technological advances focused on improving fuel efficiency, a concern to customers in the early 1980s.
- 1981
- Collections - Artifact
Advertising Poster for 1981 Ford Escort, "Ford's New Energy Efficient World Car"
As this advertisement suggests, Ford brought together engineers from around the world to create the Escort, the "World Car." Many of the technological advances focused on improving fuel efficiency, a concern to customers in the early 1980s.
- Advertisement for 1981 Ford Escort, "Introducing the New World Car" - As this advertisement suggests, Ford brought together engineers from around the world to create the Escort, the "World Car." Many of the technological advances focused on improving fuel efficiency, a concern to customers in the early 1980s.
- October 06, 1980
- Collections - Artifact
Advertisement for 1981 Ford Escort, "Introducing the New World Car"
As this advertisement suggests, Ford brought together engineers from around the world to create the Escort, the "World Car." Many of the technological advances focused on improving fuel efficiency, a concern to customers in the early 1980s.
- Advertisement for 1981 Ford Escort, "World Praise for the New World Car" - Ford called the Escort a "World Car," a reminder of the Model T's label: the "Universal Car." The Escort was built and sold in many countries.
- 1980-1981
- Collections - Artifact
Advertisement for 1981 Ford Escort, "World Praise for the New World Car"
Ford called the Escort a "World Car," a reminder of the Model T's label: the "Universal Car." The Escort was built and sold in many countries.
- Ford Escort Power Distribution Box, 1998 - By the late 20th century, cars began to turn into "rolling computers" filled with electronic components that dominated the mechanical functions of automobiles. Beyond a few basics, car repairs became virtually impossible to do at home. This power distribution box controlled things like the cooling fan, air conditioning compressor, and some emissions devices -- functions formerly handled by mechanical controls.
- 1998
- Collections - Artifact
Ford Escort Power Distribution Box, 1998
By the late 20th century, cars began to turn into "rolling computers" filled with electronic components that dominated the mechanical functions of automobiles. Beyond a few basics, car repairs became virtually impossible to do at home. This power distribution box controlled things like the cooling fan, air conditioning compressor, and some emissions devices -- functions formerly handled by mechanical controls.
- Strikers Escorting Man from Ford Rouge Plant, April 1941 - Ford Motor Company was the last major auto manufacturer to be organized by the United Auto Workers (UAW). On April 1, 1941, workers at Ford's Rouge plant in Dearborn, Michigan, shut down the factory in reaction to anti-union firings and violence. After a turbulent ten-day strike, Ford agreed to the union's demands.
- April 02, 1942
- Collections - Artifact
Strikers Escorting Man from Ford Rouge Plant, April 1941
Ford Motor Company was the last major auto manufacturer to be organized by the United Auto Workers (UAW). On April 1, 1941, workers at Ford's Rouge plant in Dearborn, Michigan, shut down the factory in reaction to anti-union firings and violence. After a turbulent ten-day strike, Ford agreed to the union's demands.
- Europe: Escorted Tours, 1973 -
- 1973
- Collections - Artifact
Europe: Escorted Tours, 1973
- 1949 Ford Sedan Advertising - The redesigned "envelope body" of the 1949 Ford allowed more interior room. Ford pointed out those qualities in this advertisement. According to the ad, Ford claimed, "It's a living room on wheels!"
- 1949
- Collections - Artifact
1949 Ford Sedan Advertising
The redesigned "envelope body" of the 1949 Ford allowed more interior room. Ford pointed out those qualities in this advertisement. According to the ad, Ford claimed, "It's a living room on wheels!"