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- Advertisement for Push-Button Driving, "New '56 Dodge, the Magic Touch of Tomorrow!" 1956 - The automobile is a paradox -- a practical tool that plays host to both human needs and fantasies. Like car consumers, automotive ads seem to land somewhere between fantasy and reality, emotions and rationality. Many ads incorporate apparent opposites: fantasy can sell practicality, and vice versa. Sometimes the car has disappeared completely -- an emotional appeal prompts us to complete the ad.
- October 31, 1955
- Collections - Artifact
Advertisement for Push-Button Driving, "New '56 Dodge, the Magic Touch of Tomorrow!" 1956
The automobile is a paradox -- a practical tool that plays host to both human needs and fantasies. Like car consumers, automotive ads seem to land somewhere between fantasy and reality, emotions and rationality. Many ads incorporate apparent opposites: fantasy can sell practicality, and vice versa. Sometimes the car has disappeared completely -- an emotional appeal prompts us to complete the ad.
- "Thinking Cockpits (They Think of You. They Think for You.)" Ford Motor Company Advertising Proof, 1967 - The 1967 Ford Galaxie 500 wasn't quite the marvel of artificial intelligence that this ad suggested. But the "Convenience Control Panel," with lights that warned the driver about low fuel, open doors and unbuckled seat belts, <em>was</em> a smart idea. Options shown here included the SelectShift transmission -- which could be operated automatically or manually -- and the 8-track-tape stereo system.
- 1967
- Collections - Artifact
"Thinking Cockpits (They Think of You. They Think for You.)" Ford Motor Company Advertising Proof, 1967
The 1967 Ford Galaxie 500 wasn't quite the marvel of artificial intelligence that this ad suggested. But the "Convenience Control Panel," with lights that warned the driver about low fuel, open doors and unbuckled seat belts, was a smart idea. Options shown here included the SelectShift transmission -- which could be operated automatically or manually -- and the 8-track-tape stereo system.
- Sketch, 1949 Lincoln Continental Steering Wheel and Instrument Panel - Designer John Najjar spent more than 40 years at Ford Motor Company. He made significant contributions to the styling of the 1957 and 1958 Lincolns, the 1961 Lincoln Continental and the 1961 Ford Thunderbird. Najjar also supervised design of the 1962 Mustang I concept car, and he headed interior design on the 1965 Ford Mustang production car.
- 1949
- Collections - Artifact
Sketch, 1949 Lincoln Continental Steering Wheel and Instrument Panel
Designer John Najjar spent more than 40 years at Ford Motor Company. He made significant contributions to the styling of the 1957 and 1958 Lincolns, the 1961 Lincoln Continental and the 1961 Ford Thunderbird. Najjar also supervised design of the 1962 Mustang I concept car, and he headed interior design on the 1965 Ford Mustang production car.
- Driver Demonstrates Special Mercury Car Equipped for Disabled Drivers, February 1946 - More than 670,000 American soldiers were wounded in World War II. Many of them returned home with lasting injuries. Ford Motor Company's Mercury Division adapted this car for use by drivers without hands. Control-mounted rings and a special steering wheel spinner made it possible to operate the car with prosthetic hooks.
- February 26, 1946
- Collections - Artifact
Driver Demonstrates Special Mercury Car Equipped for Disabled Drivers, February 1946
More than 670,000 American soldiers were wounded in World War II. Many of them returned home with lasting injuries. Ford Motor Company's Mercury Division adapted this car for use by drivers without hands. Control-mounted rings and a special steering wheel spinner made it possible to operate the car with prosthetic hooks.
- Truck Interior, Tucson Raceway Park, May 25, 1996 - NASCAR launched its nationwide truck series in 1995. Instead of automobiles, drivers competed in racing vehicles based on production pickups. Craftsman, the popular brand of tools established by Sears, was the title sponsor from 1995 through 2008. Many young drivers got their start in the truck series before moving up to NASCAR's top-level Cup Series.
- May 25, 1996
- Collections - Artifact
Truck Interior, Tucson Raceway Park, May 25, 1996
NASCAR launched its nationwide truck series in 1995. Instead of automobiles, drivers competed in racing vehicles based on production pickups. Craftsman, the popular brand of tools established by Sears, was the title sponsor from 1995 through 2008. Many young drivers got their start in the truck series before moving up to NASCAR's top-level Cup Series.
- 1961 Lincoln Continental Presidential Limousine Driver's Compartment after "Quick Fix," 1964 - After President John F. Kennedy's assassination on November 22, 1963, the Hess & Eisenhardt Company of Cincinnati, Ohio, rebuilt the 1961 Lincoln Continental Presidential Limousine into an armored car. The limousine received a permanent roof with bullet resistant windows, and the interior was trimmed with new upholstery and carpet. The swift rebuild was finished in less than five months.
- June 01, 1964
- Collections - Artifact
1961 Lincoln Continental Presidential Limousine Driver's Compartment after "Quick Fix," 1964
After President John F. Kennedy's assassination on November 22, 1963, the Hess & Eisenhardt Company of Cincinnati, Ohio, rebuilt the 1961 Lincoln Continental Presidential Limousine into an armored car. The limousine received a permanent roof with bullet resistant windows, and the interior was trimmed with new upholstery and carpet. The swift rebuild was finished in less than five months.
- Driver Controls, 1948 Tucker Sedan in Henry Ford Museum, December 1964 - The Tucker 48's driver controls were underdeveloped compared with the car's exciting exterior. The steering wheel, in fact, was secondhand. Ford Motor Company supplied Tucker with steering wheels from its Lincoln Zephyr line. That cooperative gesture seemingly undercut the argument that Detroit's Big Three -- or Ford, at least -- were out to destroy Tucker.
- December 22, 1964
- Collections - Artifact
Driver Controls, 1948 Tucker Sedan in Henry Ford Museum, December 1964
The Tucker 48's driver controls were underdeveloped compared with the car's exciting exterior. The steering wheel, in fact, was secondhand. Ford Motor Company supplied Tucker with steering wheels from its Lincoln Zephyr line. That cooperative gesture seemingly undercut the argument that Detroit's Big Three -- or Ford, at least -- were out to destroy Tucker.
- 1972 Presidential Limousine, Completed Vehicle, Interior, July 24, 1972 - In 1972, Ford Motor Company provided a new presidential parade limousine to the White House. Unlike previous limos which were modified from standard production Lincolns, the 1972 Continental was designed and built from the ground up for presidential service. Armor plating, bullet-resistant glass and other protective features were a part of the car from the start.
- July 24, 1972
- Collections - Artifact
1972 Presidential Limousine, Completed Vehicle, Interior, July 24, 1972
In 1972, Ford Motor Company provided a new presidential parade limousine to the White House. Unlike previous limos which were modified from standard production Lincolns, the 1972 Continental was designed and built from the ground up for presidential service. Armor plating, bullet-resistant glass and other protective features were a part of the car from the start.
- Driver Demonstrates Special Mercury Car Equipped for Disabled Drivers, February 1946 - More than 670,000 American soldiers were wounded in World War II. Many of them returned home with lasting injuries. Ford Motor Company's Mercury Division adapted this car for use by drivers without hands. Control-mounted rings and a special steering wheel spinner made it possible to operate the car with prosthetic hooks.
- February 26, 1946
- Collections - Artifact
Driver Demonstrates Special Mercury Car Equipped for Disabled Drivers, February 1946
More than 670,000 American soldiers were wounded in World War II. Many of them returned home with lasting injuries. Ford Motor Company's Mercury Division adapted this car for use by drivers without hands. Control-mounted rings and a special steering wheel spinner made it possible to operate the car with prosthetic hooks.
- Mercury Car Specially Fitted for Disabled Drivers, February 1946 - More than 670,000 American soldiers were wounded in World War II. Many of them returned home with lasting injuries. Ford Motor Company's Mercury Division adapted this car for use by drivers without hands. Control-mounted rings and a special steering wheel spinner made it possible to operate the car with prosthetic hooks.
- February 26, 1946
- Collections - Artifact
Mercury Car Specially Fitted for Disabled Drivers, February 1946
More than 670,000 American soldiers were wounded in World War II. Many of them returned home with lasting injuries. Ford Motor Company's Mercury Division adapted this car for use by drivers without hands. Control-mounted rings and a special steering wheel spinner made it possible to operate the car with prosthetic hooks.