Ford Motor Company was founded in 1903 and has produced some genuinely unforgettable cars. When you think of Ford, what comes to mind? Do you envision the original Model T or the powerful Mustang? Ford vehicles have graced the silver screen next to many famous actors. Let’s reminisce about the four most famous Fords ever found in movies and TV shows.
1. 1972 Gran Torino Sport
Starring in the Clint Eastwood movie by the same name, Eastwood’s character Walt Kowalski is a retired Ford autoworker who develops an unlikely friendship with a local teen. This uplifting story is an absolute must-watch for all Eastwood fans.
The 1972 Gran Torino Sport represented a redesign with an even more exaggerated hood and a large egg-crate grille with a wide, oval opening. It touted aggressive fender flares and a windshield with a 60-degree rake. Less than half of the 496,645 total Gran Torinos produced by Ford for the 1972 model year were the top-tier Sports variants.
2. 1987 LTD Crown Victoria
Ford’s Crown Victoria has long been a symbol of authority and is a popular choice for police cars in the U.S. Referred to as a “Ford P.O.S.” by agent “J,” the 1987 Ford LTD Crown Victoria in the blockbuster movie starring Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones was the Men in Black’s standard-issue, government vehicle.
Driven by Jones’ character “K” at the time of J’s recruitment, this classic style Crown Vic came equipped with a few extremely unique added features for policing the galaxy. It automatically reconfigured itself, displaying twin rear-exhaust thrusters and could reach extremely high rates of speed. Just don’t press the “red” button.
3. 1948 De Luxe
Introduced in 1938, the Ford De Luxe was designed to offer an upscale alternative to its base model, the Standard. It featured a long, sloping hood and heart-shaped grille. It played a significant role in the 1978 movie “Grease,” as did its song “Grease Lightning.” Not one, but two De Luxe convertibles appeared in the film. The white variant ran in the race, while the red one carries Danny and Sandy away during the closing number.
4. 1966 Thunderbird
Ford created the Thunderbird as a large, luxury automobile. This popular classic was the last year that Ford rolled it off the line. It was restyled with a more squared-off look, and for 1966, the stock V-8 got a boost in power, resulting in a notable improvement in acceleration from zero to 60 in nine seconds. All models featured a reshaped front fascia and a new rear taillight featuring a 3-piece unit that expanded the full width of the car’s back end.
A green 1966 T-Bird convertible starred in the 1991 Academy award-winning screenplay “Thelma and Louise.” It was driven into the Grand Canyon by actresses Susan Sarandon and Geena Davis, while director Francis Ford Coppola cast a red ’66 Thunderbird in the 1983 film “The Outsiders.”
What makes a good movie? Seeing our favorite automotive brand on the screen does, of course. Which of these famous Fords is your favorite?
Image via RacingJunk.com
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