Henry Ford racing Alexander Winton, crazy hot headed young hooligans, they must have reached speeds in the 40's (whoopee!)

found on http://edwardianera.tumblr.com/page/67

the drastic effect of the assembly line technique

The large-scale, production-line manufacturing of affordable automobiles was debuted by Ransom Olds at his Oldsmobile factory in 1902. The assembly line style of mass production and interchangeable parts had been pioneered in the U.S. by Thomas Blanchard in 1821, at the Springfield Armory in Springfield, Massachusetts. This concept was greatly expanded by Henry Ford, beginning in 1914.

As a result, Ford's cars came off the line in fifteen minute intervals, much faster than previous methods, increasing productivity eightfold (requiring 12.5 man-hours before, 1 hour 33 minutes after), while using less manpower. It was so successful, paint became a bottleneck. Only Japan black would dry fast enough, forcing the company to drop the variety of colors available before 1914, until fast-drying Duco lacquer was developed in 1926. This is the source of Ford's apocryphal remark, "any color as long as it's black". In 1914, an assembly line worker could buy a Model T with four months' pay.

Ford's complex safety procedures—especially assigning each worker to a specific location instead of allowing them to roam about—dramatically reduced the rate of injury. The combination of high wages and high efficiency is called "Fordism," and was copied by most major industries. The efficiency gains from the assembly line also coincided with the economic rise of the United States. The assembly line forced workers to work at a certain pace with very repetitive motions which led to more output per worker while other countries were using "less productive methods". (higher quality work from master mechanics, master carpenters, master craftsmen were forced out of auto manufacturing, replaced by unskilled labor at drastically less per hour) http://justacarguy.blogspot.com/2007/07/changing-times-in-auto-industry.html

In the automotive industry, its success was dominating, and quickly spread worldwide seeing the founding of Ford France and Ford Britain in 1911, Ford Denmark 1923, Ford Germany 1925; in 1921, Citroen was the first native European manufacturer to adopt the production method. Soon, companies had to have assembly lines, or risk going broke; by 1930, 250 companies which did not, had disappeared.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Automobile

Ford KA 2012

FORD KA 2012

O COMPACTO MAIS VENDIDO DA MARCA DO OVAL AZUL GANHA CARA NOVA E VERSÃO ESPORTIVA!

A vida do Ka sofreu uma reviravolta em 2008. O antigo compacto de quatro lugares cedeu espaço para um modelo feito para atender as necessidades do consumidor de carros populares, com espaço para passageiros e bagagem. O Ka virou um sucesso e rapidamente assumiu lugar de destaque na linha de produtos da Ford.


Por isso, é fácil entender a atenção dedicada na primeira reestilização feita no modelo que hoje responde por 19% das vendas da Ford. As principais mudanças foram realizadas na frente, que ganhou novo para-choque e faróis com máscara negra. Atrás, as lanternas do Ka trocaram as lentes vermelhas por um conjunto transparente e o para-choque ganhou um aplique preto com dois refletores na parte inferior. As calotas e rodas de liga leve de 14 polegadas também são novas.

Olhando por dentro é mais difícil reparar nas alterações. A principal delas foi a adoção da iluminação branca, que substitui a antiga de tom esverdeado. O revestimento dos bancos e painéis de porta é inédito e algumas partes do painel receberam pintura prateada. As palhetas dos limpadores do para-brisa agora são do tipo flat-blade - mais eficientes e silenciosas - e o compacto também recebeu mudanças na suspensão, que ganhou borrachas no batente superior. Segundo a Ford, a alteração visa melhorar o isolamento acústico do veículo.

Mas a grande novidade do Ka 2012 é o reposicionamento da versão com motor 1.6. A partir de agosto, o propulsor é oferecido na versão Sport, equipada com spoiler dianteiro, saias laterais, aerofólio e rodas de liga leve de 15 polegadas. Chama muita atenção a decoração do carro, com a opção de uma exclusiva cor laranja e faixas decorativas em preto fosco (nas cores preta e vermelha as faixas são brancas) inspiradas no Mustang Boss. O interior tem acabamento exclusivo, com o logotipo Sport nos bancos.

No que diz respeito ao desempenho, o Ka 2012 também evoluiu. O motor Zetec RoCam 1.0 atinge a velocidade máxima de 162 km/h com etanol e 160 km/h quando abastecido com gasolina. No caso do propulsor 1.6, os números sobem para 181 km/h e 178 km/h. Os preços do Ka 2012 começam em 24.500 reais sem opcionais. A versão Sport custa a partir de 35.900 reais.

FOTOS:

O para-choque ganhou nova grade e entrada de ar trapezoidal

A mudança renovou o visual do Ka

As rodas de liga leve também foram modificadas

Na parte de trás, as lanternas translúcidas se destacam

O interior ganhou iluminação branca nos instrumentos

O painel exibe grafismo inédito

A versão Sport é a maior novidade do Ka 2012

As faixas decorativas foram inspiradas no Mustang

O aerofólio traseiro não nega o caráter esportivo

Os bancos são diferenciados e decorados com o logotipo Sport.

Fonte:Quatro Rodas

No doors needed when it looks this good

Finally another great Trans Am race car transporter

Found on http://www.gt40s.com/forum/original-gt40s/30147-original-race-car-transporters.html

Ford Transit Connect

Two giant American car manufacturers, Ford and Chrysler were forced to temporarily stop selling certain models. Section, the two giant American car manufacturers were forced to conduct the recall.

recall Ford Transit Connect van models totaling 33 728 units, the production of December 5, 2008 until May 31 at the Kocaeli plant in Turkey.

Ford factory in Dearborn explained to the Institute of Road Traffic Safety Agency (NHTSA) that the recall against none other than the Transit Connect to repair on the left and right B pillar for dealing with federal law. From the results of tests conducted by the government showed the vehicle does not meet federal safety standards.

Ford said, no accident report in connection with that sorder. In fact, NHTSA has informed the pilot of the Transit Connect in 2010.

Ford spokesman Wes Sherwood said the company could be sold in order to fix the vehicle. "Parts are available, according to Sherwood, ready for resale.

On the other hand, the Chrysler Group LLC also conducts a recall for the model of the Dodge Nitro, Ram 1500, Jeep Liberty and Wrangler as problematic on the brakes. Number reached 22 000 units. That is not including in Canada, Mexico and other world total of 6000 units.

So, there is a possibility of brake oil pipe leak.condition stoppers are clearly reduce the rate of performance and potential accidents.

2011 Ford Fusion price

Text With a Spin:
The 2011 Fusion is evaluated among $20,000 and $29,000 hinging on motor decision and selection of headlines. The standard Fusion offers 23 MPG in the burb and up to 34 MPG on the highway.

2011 Ford Fusion


2011 Ford Fusion


2011 Ford Fusion

This may be helped by preferring the hybrid rendition, which racks up 41 MPG out on the interstate. Motor decisions for this vehicle combine a juiced up four barrel and several special V6 outlines. The essential four barrel sits at around 175 horsepower, and the broad selection of special powertrains makes this a highly flexible decision for mid range shoppers.
2011 Ford Fusion





2011 Ford Fusion






2011 Ford Fusion




2011 Ford Fusion

Ford

Ford

Ford Flex

2006 Ford Fusion

2009 new Ford Fiesta

2009 Ford Focus Rs

Ford Gt

The classic Ford Mustang

Ford Fiesta

Ford Mustang gt 500

Ford logo

Ford Mustang Shelby GT500

Mercury Woody

Mercury Woody wagon wallpaper

Not the best and not the most reliable car, but this Ford Mercury Woody is a brilliant American classic car

Ford F-150 Harley Davidson Review

Upside to the current downturn in car (and especially truck) sales: There are still vehicles on dealer lots that should have been gone a long time ago...and you can get screaming deals.

Case in point: The 2008 Ford F-150 Harley Davidson. It's the most powerful factory-built F-series truck ever. Just how powerful is that? 450 horsepower and 500 lbs/ft of torque from a 5.4 liter supercharged V8 engine. And all that's wrapped in some of the baddest-looking truck on the road. What do you get? Let's just quote liberally from the Ford press release:

Unique chrome billet grille and lower front valance.

Body color bumper, mirror caps, ground effects, door and tailgate handles.

Blacked-out headlamps with black bulb shield and dark tinted, smoked-out taillamps.

Windshield with Bar & Shield logo dot pattern and Alliance logo.

New 22-inch polished forged-aluminum wheels with the Bar & Shield logo on center caps.

Forged aluminum "105th Anniversary Harley-Davidson F-150" Medallions on the fenders and tailgate.

Chrome dual exhaust tips and tie-down hooks.

Rubber bed mat with HARLEY-DAVIDSON Bar & Shield logo.

The Vintage Copper and Black color scheme is carried onto the interior that features Black/Dusted Copper leather-trimmed front captain's chairs and rear bench seat with die-cast Bar & Shield logos embedded in the leather. Other interior features are:

Two-tone leather shifter, console lid and steering wheel.

High-gloss piano black floor console and center stack with the Bar & Shield logos, as well as chrome vent rings and unique instrument cluster.

Serialized nickel plate displaying the production VIN and number.

Brushed stainless steel pedals.

The center stack, matching door-trim panels and lower part of the windshield feature numerous miniature Bar & Shield logos. In fact, the center stack panel was inspired by similar panels found on certain Harley-Davidson motorcycles.

We'll stop quoting the press release here and tell you that the week-long test of this truck was one long giggle. More fun than I usually have with cars and that's saying something. This one was a loaded 2-wheel drive model...$13,000 worth of options (pretty much everything available) running the final total up to a whopping $50,035.

Now remember, this is an '08. The all-new '09 F-150s are arriving at dealerships as you read this. The limited run of '08 Harley-Davidson editions should have been in happy owners' garages months ago. But you know what happened to truck sales. A quick search online as this is written shows a few examples languishing on dealer lots with price tags as much as $10,000 cheaper than MSRP. Now's your chance.

Lincoln MKX Review

After years of attempts in show cars, Lincoln has finally put the 1961-65 Continental grille back into production...on a re-badged Ford Edge crossover.

Okay, that sounds harsh...but it's a fact. What needs to be said, though, is that like the Lincoln MKS, the platform sharing between Ford and Lincoln is resulting in some very good Lincolns.

Even though the Edge and the MKX are essentially the same vehicles, the MKX gets treatments that set it apart. 18-inch machined alumninum wheels are standard...as are quad halogen headlamps. The details...including the wood and leather...definitely say "Lincoln" instead of "Ford".

Short version: This is a serious contender for some of the business going to the Lexus RX 350.

Base price: $35,420. The tester I had for a week had heated and cooled front eats, dual-zone auto temp air conditioning, Microsoft's brilliant SYNC voice-activated entertainment system, and Lincoln's newly revamped (and very cool) entry keypad system. All standard.

The options? $495 for White Chocolate Tricoat paint (arguably worth it), $4,595 for the Elite Package (Panoramic Vista Roof, Voice Activated Navigation, and a killer THX audio system), $1,295 for the Ultimate Package (Adaptive headlamps, a power liftgate and the "Cargo Management System"...a molded insert below the cargo floor that keeps stuff out of sight and prevents it from slipping around, causing noise and damage) and another $1,095 for the Limited Edition Package (bumping us up to 20-inch chrome-clad alumnium wheels, carpeted floor mats and an auto-dimming rear view mirror with microphone for the voice-activated nav system).

All that sounds (and reads) like a ton of extra cost...but the bottom line, including delivery charge) is $43,575...right in the ballpark for a Lexus RX competitor.

And don't underestimate the cosmetics...there's something about that grille.

Ford Focus Coupe Review

Just in time for rising gas prices (and tightening consumer credit), Ford has freshened the Focus Coupe.

This is a great time to have a competitive product for under $20,000 (under $18,000 is even better)...and the Focus, decently equipped, can slot in around $17,000. For that, you get a roomy (by subcompact standards) coupe with better-than-decent performance and very good fuel economy. We'd pass on the trick lighting that can make the footwells and the cupholders light up in seven different colors...but we'd definitely keep the SYNC audio system that allows you to hook up your iPod or other digital music device and then control it by voice.

We're still not getting the truly great stuff...the European Focus...but the U.S. version is way better than a lot of reviews from journalists ticked because we don't have the Euro-spec version yet would have you believe.

Ford Mustang Bullitt Review

(Note: This is a 2009 model. Read the review of the new 2010 Mustang GT here.)

If, in 1968, Ford had introduced a car that looked like the 1928 Model A, there would have been more stockholders selling shares than dealers selling cars. But pop culture is a funny thing...and a 40 year flashback can work...as long as it's the right 40 years.

The Ford Mustang Bullitt is a car that trades on two images...one, of a car...and two, of the man who drove it: Steve McQueen.

The 60s were full of cool cars on TV and in the movies, but you don't see Dodge trying to rush a Dodge Dart GTS Mannix edition to market, do you? Steve McQueen was beyond cool (for the record, I like Mike Connors, too).

If you haven't seen the movie Bullitt (is that possible?), buy it. McQueen is Frank Bullitt, a San Francisco cop and it's a good story, but the movie is best known for a 7-minute chase scene featuring McQueen at the wheel of his Highland Green Mustang GT (with decidedly non-stock wheels, blackout grille and a lack of badging) and a couple of murderous thugs with a '68 Dodge Charger.



Despite some continuity errors (the Charger loses six hubcaps and that green VW bug is everywhere), it's widely regarded as one of the best, if not in fact the best movie chase scene ever. See it once and it's burned into your brain.

But even before the big scene, McQueen and the Mustang peg the cool-meter. There's just something that says...yeah, he'd drive that car. And he's so cool, we'd all like to have it rub off on us.

Ford tried a Bullitt edition a few years ago, before Mustang's re-design...and it didn't really work. But now that Mustang looks like a Mustang again, the effect is dead-on. It's achieved by taking a Mustang GT Premium coupe (base price $27,020) and adding the Bullitt Package (interior revisions including a 60s-era Ford font on the gauges, 3.73 limited slip axle, 18" wheels that look like the movie car's mags, and packed exhaust tips for $3,310).

In reality, you get a better car than McQueen drove. This one's faster, can actually go in directions other than a straight line, and comes with the killer Shaker 500 audio system, including AM/FM and an mp3 capable 6-disc CD changer. Our tester also had Sirius Satellite radio. Steve was stuck with just AM (though KFRC and KSFO in 1968 weren't exactly punishment).

And you'll get way better mileage, even if you drive it like Steve...the EPA says 15 city, 23 highway. All for a price of $34,705 as tested. So, go buy the movie and then go test drive one of these...and then tell me with a straight face you're not at least tempted.

                                                                        
Wake up your Stang's inner beast with a Mustang cowl hood from your aftermarket Mustang authority, AmericanMuscle.com!