***1966 Ford Taunus 12M P4 Photoshoot***

[cawimmer430]

Here's another classic. The owner had little time (they always do) and the time of day wasn't ideal, so I only have a small selection of shots which barely pass my quality standards. For this shooting, I traveled 150 km north deep into the Bavarian forest to a small town which literally isn't even on the map.

This was a typical mainstream car in 1960s Germany. It's powered by a 50-hp 1.5-l 4-cylinder engine that's about the size of my Nikon D90 with a 70-200mm lens slapped on (literally). Power is routed to the front wheels via a 4-speed column shift manual transmission. I got a ride in this car as we scouted the region for suitable locations. It's pretty small and cramped (remember, I am 6'4") but the suspension was fairly soft and the bench seats were really comfortable. I also found the car to be quite zippy. The owner wasn't pushing it hard but the car "raced" up on upward-slopping-roads with ease.

Here are the photos. I wanted to shoot more pictures but as mentioned before, he didn't have enough time. 

[Mustangfan2003]

So would you guys call this an American car?

[2o6]

I've always loved these small German cars. They really mirror the same styling language that was really popular in the US.

[cawimmer430]

So would you guys call this an American car?

This is Ford of Europe (Germany/UK). 

[cawimmer430]

I've always loved these small German cars. They really mirror the same styling language that was really popular in the US.

The only thing missing is a 4390340393929-hp V8 upfront. 

[Mustangfan2003]

This is Ford of Europe (Germany/UK). 

Yeah I know I just wondered how you guys refereed to them as.

[cawimmer430]

Yeah I know I just wondered how you guys refereed to them as.

Aside from the Mustang (and perhaps Thunderbird), I doubt most Europeans know anything about American Fords. Mention the word "Crown Victoria" and they'll be thinking of the Queen of England.  

[Mustangfan2003]

Our country produces better royalty, we got the Crown Victoria, Elvis Prestley, and the Mercury Monarch.  The only thing I won't claim is Budweiser which is only the king of mass produced watered down American beer. 

[BimmerM3]

Wow, I had no idea their European division went so far back. For some reason I thought it was in the neighborhood of 1989.

[Mustangfan2003]

Wow, I had no idea their European division went so far back. For some reason I thought it was in the neighborhood of 1989.

I think Ford has been building cars just for Europe since the 50s. 

[cawimmer430]

I think Ford has been building cars just for Europe since the 50s. 

Nope. Since 1925. 

[cawimmer430]

Wow, I had no idea their European division went so far back. For some reason I thought it was in the neighborhood of 1989.

This type of design might have been true for East German cars of 1989, but not West German.  

[Galaxy]

I've always loved these small German cars. They really mirror the same styling language that was really popular in the US.

In fact this car was designed by Ford USA, as an American competitor to the VW Beetle. It was going to be sold as the Ford Cardinal. The American heritage is why the the rear turn signal lamps are red.

[Byteme]

So would you guys call this an American car?

No, we call them shit boxes.                                                    just kidding.


The last old German Ford like that one that I saw was about 1968 and a guy was dropping a modified  Ford 289 V8 in it.  At the time he was having to isolate the car's 6V system from the engine's 12V system

[Colin]

Wonderful car, and some great pics. Danke viel Mal, mein Herr!

These Taunuses were not sold in the UK, where Ford UK was busy building their own alternative, the Cortina. There was a certain amount of rivalary between Ford divisions at the time, and in some markets both UK and German products were offered.

[cawimmer430]

Wonderful car, and some great pics. Danke viel Mal, mein Herr!

Anytime. You still coming this Saturday? 

These Taunuses were not sold in the UK, where Ford UK was busy building their own alternative, the Cortina. There was a certain amount of rivalary between Ford divisions at the time, and in some markets both UK and German products were offered.

Seems kind of weird that Ford UK and Ford Germany would play such a silly game. 

[hotrodalex]

Awesome pictures, Wimmer.

[Colin]

Anytime. You still coming this Saturday? 


Seems kind of weird that Ford UK and Ford Germany would play such a silly game. 

Yes, still coming to Munich, but it is next Saturday....... 23rd.

And yes, the Mark 1 Escort was the first Ford Europe product offered in both UK and Germany. Even the Mark 1 Capri. although it looked the same, had completely different engines in UK and German cars, and it took until the Sierra in 1982 before the Cortina/Taunus models were completely the same (the Mark IV Cortina was close to the Taunus). It was indeed a game....... but then there was similar rivalry between Austin and Morris within the BMC empire, and of course GM have been doing it until, er, about 2000 and very recent!

[Mustangfan2003]

What's up with the floor mats you guys use?

[NomisR]

The only thing missing is a 120hp 4390340393929-hp V8 upfront. 

Fixed...Since this is a 1966 car..  at 330ci . 

[Galaxy]

What's up with the floor mats you guys use?

This is acutually rather conservative. Quite a few older cars here -with mostly older owners- use small persien rugs as floor mats. I don't know where that came from.

[Mustangfan2003]

This is acutually rather conservative. Quite a few older cars here -with mostly older owners- use small persien rugs as floor mats. I don't know where that came from.

[Galaxy]

Here is an example from one of the Wimmer threads.

[Mustangfan2003]

Why not go ahead and put a chandelier in there too?

[cawimmer430]

Awesome pictures, Wimmer.

Yo thanks! 

[cawimmer430]

Yes, still coming to Munich, but it is next Saturday....... 23rd.

Ok. Rent that Mercedes SLS AMG, ok? 

And yes, the Mark 1 Escort was the first Ford Europe product offered in both UK and Germany. Even the Mark 1 Capri. although it looked the same, had completely different engines in UK and German cars, and it took until the Sierra in 1982 before the Cortina/Taunus models were completely the same (the Mark IV Cortina was close to the Taunus). It was indeed a game....... but then there was similar rivalry between Austin and Morris within the BMC empire, and of course GM have been doing it until, er, about 2000 and very recent!

[cawimmer430]

What's up with the floor mats you guys use?

It's an OLD GERMAN THING. I don't even know where this practice comes from. At a lot of classic car shows you'll see this in cars owned by older people in their 60s and 70s. That's not a generalization though. That Chrysler New Yorker / Imperial interior photo Galaxy posted, the owner was relatively young. Under 30 or in his early 30s...

[cawimmer430]

Fixed...Since this is a 1966 car..  at 330ci . 

[Morris Minor]

This car is very reminiscent of the Mk1 Ford Cortina: front turn indicators, roofline, steering wheel.

I can't believe there was not some parts commonality.

[cawimmer430]

^Indeed!^

Looks like they came from the same drawing board but where slightly altered for the British and German (European) markets.