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- Paint Color Sample Card for Ford, Lincoln and Mercury Cars, "1966 Ford Corporate Colors" - Fred Rinshed and Herbert Mason formed Rinshed-Mason Company in Detroit, Michigan, in 1919. Mr. Mason previously made hunting decoys, and his decoys had developed a reputation for long-lasting paint finishes. Rinshed-Mason soon became the largest paint supplier to Detroit's booming automotive industry. In 1931, the company introduced the first metallic finish for automobiles.
- 1966
- Collections - Artifact
Paint Color Sample Card for Ford, Lincoln and Mercury Cars, "1966 Ford Corporate Colors"
Fred Rinshed and Herbert Mason formed Rinshed-Mason Company in Detroit, Michigan, in 1919. Mr. Mason previously made hunting decoys, and his decoys had developed a reputation for long-lasting paint finishes. Rinshed-Mason soon became the largest paint supplier to Detroit's booming automotive industry. In 1931, the company introduced the first metallic finish for automobiles.
- Workers Dropping Engine into 1958 Ford Thunderbird Body on Assembly Line, 1957 - Ford's two-seat Thunderbird was a hit when it debuted for 1955, but vice president Robert McNamara reasoned that adding more seats would sell even more cars. The 1958 model year brought the four-seat "Squarebird" -- so nicknamed for its boxy proportions. Aesthetic arguments aside, McNamara was right. Ford sold nearly 16,000 more Thunderbirds for 1958 than it had the year before.
- December 20, 1957
- Collections - Artifact
Workers Dropping Engine into 1958 Ford Thunderbird Body on Assembly Line, 1957
Ford's two-seat Thunderbird was a hit when it debuted for 1955, but vice president Robert McNamara reasoned that adding more seats would sell even more cars. The 1958 model year brought the four-seat "Squarebird" -- so nicknamed for its boxy proportions. Aesthetic arguments aside, McNamara was right. Ford sold nearly 16,000 more Thunderbirds for 1958 than it had the year before.
- Crash Testing at Ford Test Track, Dearborn, Michigan, 1955 - As automobiles grew larger and faster, dangers from accidents increased. Automakers began testing their vehicles in controlled collisions. In the 1950s, anthropomorphic dummies were added to the tests, to observe a crash's impact on the human body. More recently, dummies were equipped with highly sensitive instruments measuring the precise speeds and forces involved in a collision.
- August 16, 1955
- Collections - Artifact
Crash Testing at Ford Test Track, Dearborn, Michigan, 1955
As automobiles grew larger and faster, dangers from accidents increased. Automakers began testing their vehicles in controlled collisions. In the 1950s, anthropomorphic dummies were added to the tests, to observe a crash's impact on the human body. More recently, dummies were equipped with highly sensitive instruments measuring the precise speeds and forces involved in a collision.
- Advertising Poster, "Ford on the American Road," 1962-1965 - The evolution of Ford Motor Company vehicles through 1965 is illustrated in this colorful advertisement. The line starts with the 1896 Quadricycle and the 1902 "999" race car, and it includes four variants of the pivotal Model T. The Lincoln and Mercury marques are each represented with multiple cars. Later important Ford models, like Thunderbird and Mustang, finish the progression.
- 1962 - 1965
- Collections - Artifact
Advertising Poster, "Ford on the American Road," 1962-1965
The evolution of Ford Motor Company vehicles through 1965 is illustrated in this colorful advertisement. The line starts with the 1896 Quadricycle and the 1902 "999" race car, and it includes four variants of the pivotal Model T. The Lincoln and Mercury marques are each represented with multiple cars. Later important Ford models, like Thunderbird and Mustang, finish the progression.
- Confidential Ford 1968 Advanced Color and Upholstery Guides - Ford Motor Company's color and upholstery guides provided dealers and customers with a look at exterior and interior color options for Ford automobiles. The brochures contained paint samples of available exterior finishes, and fabric samples of cloth, vinyl and leather interior upholsteries. Options presented in early-release advanced guides were always subject to change.
- 1968
- Collections - Artifact
Confidential Ford 1968 Advanced Color and Upholstery Guides
Ford Motor Company's color and upholstery guides provided dealers and customers with a look at exterior and interior color options for Ford automobiles. The brochures contained paint samples of available exterior finishes, and fabric samples of cloth, vinyl and leather interior upholsteries. Options presented in early-release advanced guides were always subject to change.
- Memo from Ford Product Engineering Office regarding Cars Used in Magic Skyway at New York World's Fair, November 1965 - Ford officially unveiled the Mustang at the New York World's Fair on April 17, 1964. Twelve Mustangs were among the specially modified cars that carried fair visitors on Ford's Magic Skyway ride. The attraction, designed by Disney, transported riders past animated dioramas depicting historical scenes from the dinosaurs to the Space Age.
- November 01, 1965
- Collections - Artifact
Memo from Ford Product Engineering Office regarding Cars Used in Magic Skyway at New York World's Fair, November 1965
Ford officially unveiled the Mustang at the New York World's Fair on April 17, 1964. Twelve Mustangs were among the specially modified cars that carried fair visitors on Ford's Magic Skyway ride. The attraction, designed by Disney, transported riders past animated dioramas depicting historical scenes from the dinosaurs to the Space Age.
- Man Demonstrating Increased Luggage Space in 1956 Ford Thunderbird, May 1955 - Ford Motor Company introduced the Thunderbird, its two-seat "personal car," for 1955. The next year's model shared the same body, but the spare tire was moved outside to make more room in the trunk. The 1956 Thunderbird's 292-cubic-inch base V-8 produced 200 horsepower, and the car's factory price started at $3,151. Total Thunderbird production for the year was 15,631 units.
- May 31, 1955
- Collections - Artifact
Man Demonstrating Increased Luggage Space in 1956 Ford Thunderbird, May 1955
Ford Motor Company introduced the Thunderbird, its two-seat "personal car," for 1955. The next year's model shared the same body, but the spare tire was moved outside to make more room in the trunk. The 1956 Thunderbird's 292-cubic-inch base V-8 produced 200 horsepower, and the car's factory price started at $3,151. Total Thunderbird production for the year was 15,631 units.
- 1955 Ford Thunderbird, March 1954 - Ford Motor Company introduced Thunderbird for 1955. The two-seat convertible came in response to Chevrolet's Corvette, which arrived two years earlier. Thunderbird was a personal luxury car boasting the look and V-8 power of a sports car, but with a more refined interior and a variety of power-assist options. Ford built more than 16,000 Thunderbirds in that first model year.
- March 01, 1954
- Collections - Artifact
1955 Ford Thunderbird, March 1954
Ford Motor Company introduced Thunderbird for 1955. The two-seat convertible came in response to Chevrolet's Corvette, which arrived two years earlier. Thunderbird was a personal luxury car boasting the look and V-8 power of a sports car, but with a more refined interior and a variety of power-assist options. Ford built more than 16,000 Thunderbirds in that first model year.
- Sales Brochure, "Ford for '68 has a Better Idea" - Car brochures have evolved from straightforward product catalogues into polished creative sales tools. Their quality paper, rich color, inventive formats, and sophisticated graphic design all contribute to a buyer's developing impression of a car in a showroom. Advertising might entice people to a dealership, but brochures extend and deepen the relationship between vehicle and potential buyer.
- September 01, 1967
- Collections - Artifact
Sales Brochure, "Ford for '68 has a Better Idea"
Car brochures have evolved from straightforward product catalogues into polished creative sales tools. Their quality paper, rich color, inventive formats, and sophisticated graphic design all contribute to a buyer's developing impression of a car in a showroom. Advertising might entice people to a dealership, but brochures extend and deepen the relationship between vehicle and potential buyer.
- Hallmark "Thunderbird 50th Anniversary" Christmas Ornaments, 2005 - Already known for greeting cards, Hallmark introduced a line of Christmas ornaments in 1973. The company's annual release of an increasing array of ornaments revolutionized Christmas decorating, appealing to customers' interest in marking memories and milestones as well as expressing one's personality and unique tastes.
- 2005
- Collections - Artifact
Hallmark "Thunderbird 50th Anniversary" Christmas Ornaments, 2005
Already known for greeting cards, Hallmark introduced a line of Christmas ornaments in 1973. The company's annual release of an increasing array of ornaments revolutionized Christmas decorating, appealing to customers' interest in marking memories and milestones as well as expressing one's personality and unique tastes.