The Ford Motor Company is famous for producing reliable vehicles aimed at everyday drivers. It boasts the top-selling cars in history, including the Model T and the F-150 lineup, both crafted for the average person. While inquiring about preferred Ferrari models might be common, Fords are typically built for practical use in daily routines.

Yet this practicality does not diminish their appeal from a styling viewpoint. Individuals who appreciate elegance in ordinary objects tend to lead fulfilling lives, and readers share this sentiment. Ford features stunning designs, ranging from the classic Mustang to the GT40 and the GT. The Ford Thunderbird has long been a personal favorite from my youth, and that attraction persists. We can also include Mercury and Lincoln models along with other related brands.

A Unique Creation

I confess a fascination with Edsel and Henry Ford. Henry was not an ideal father, influenced by his own strict background, and wealthy industrialists rarely engage in introspection. I suggest the book Henry and Edsel: The Creation of the Ford Empire by Richard Bak for insights into this complex relationship. Edsel possessed a stronger sense for aesthetics and believed Ford vehicles could combine beauty with affordability and utility. The unsuccessful Edsel line represented one effort to introduce style, but not his initial one. The 1934 Ford Model 40 Edsel Ford Special Speedster stands as an example.

The photos here come from an RM Sotheby's auction featuring a replica of the sole original Model 40, now exhibited at the Edsel and Eleanor Ford House in Grosse Pointe, Michigan. The original, equipped with Ford's renowned 100-horsepower flathead V8, disappeared for years until resurfacing in 1999. The eye-catching body was designed by Lincoln stylist Eugene T. Gregorie, involved in the Lincoln Zephyr and other pre-war Ford creations. This automobile was tailored to Edsel's desire for elegant performance, a luxurious plaything for Detroit's prominent figure. It reportedly cost about $100,000 new, per Motor Trend, and was constructed in a Ford aircraft plant halted by the Great Depression. Quite fortunate.

This car is exceptionally beautiful, crafted by a master with a remarkable historical context. I find it captivating as a piece of art. It is unusual, attractive, and surprising. The original Thunderbird ranks high for me too, as do any vehicles touched by Carroll Shelby. So, what is your preferred model from Ford?