Ford Mustang and F-Series Pickup Named ‘Hottest Car and Truck’ of 2012 SEMA Show

• SEMA Award honors the most popular vehicles chosen by specialty equipment manufacturers to be the best platforms for accessorizing and showcasing this year’s hottest products, according to SEMA

• Ford Mustang officially recognized as “Hottest Car” at the 2012 SEMA show for the first time – a testament to the strong popularity of Mustang with enthusiasts

• Ford F-Series pickups officially recognized as “Hottest Truck” at SEMA for the third year in a row

LAS VEGAS, Oct. 30, 2012 – Ford Mustang and F-Series pickups are officially the “Hottest Car and Truck” at the 2012 SEMA show in Las Vegas. The SEMA Award – presented today – recognizes the most popular vehicles the organization’s members feature in their displays during the weeklong trade show.

 

Before this year’s show opened, SEMA officials walked the floor of the giant aftermarket expo and counted the number of new 2012 and 2013 cars and trucks exhibited in booths. More Ford Mustangs and F-Series pickups are on display than any other car or truck – testament to the popularity and appeal of Ford vehicles.

 

“We’re pleased and proud SEMA members agree with what our customers have been saying – that Ford Mustang and F-Series are the industry’s hottest car and truck respectively,” said Ken Czubay, Ford vice president, U.S. Marketing, Sales and Service.

 

The launch of the new 2013 Mustang in the spring was strong, with Mustang sales this year up 18 percent over last year. Ford F-Series continues its 36-year record as the best-selling pickup in America, on pace to be the best-selling vehicle in America for 31 straight years.

 

Aftermarket exhibitors aren’t the only ones featuring Ford Mustang and F-Series in their booths. Ford is also featuring more than 10 Mustangs and F-Series trucks, showing off the extreme versatility of these iconic Ford vehicles.

 

Several examples of custom Ford Mustangs and F-Series trucks at SEMA this year include:

 

• 2013 Ford Mustang GT built by DSO Eyewear
  This 2013 Ford Mustang GT by DSO Eyewear enhances Mustang’s aggressive new look with dramatic eye appeal and even more raw power. The Mustang GT signature curves and kicked-up haunches feature a 3dCarbon body kit and brilliant BASF tri-coat white exterior finish with deep black contrast paint. The 420-horsepower 5.0-liter Ti-VCT V8, already the most powerful production V8 in Mustang history, is amped to 750 horsepower courtesy of a Ford Racing Performance Parts intercooled supercharger kit and Whipple Industries 2.9 twin-screw supercharger. Chassis enhancements to the race-inspired GT suspension include Eibach Pro-R2 coilover kit, Eibach adjustable sway bar kit and Brembo front/rear GT brake systems

• 2013 Ford Mustang by M2-Motoring
  The first Ford Mustang rolled off the assembly line in Dearborn, Mich., on March 9, 1964. Each Mustang generation that followed introduced its own unique style and excitement. This 2013 Ford Mustang concept by M2-Motoring combines the ideals of several different Mustang eras with the newest design and engineering technology available today. From custom 20-inch Savini forged wheels to lightweight carbon fiber to high-flow fuel injection, advanced design and engineering technology makes this Mustang concept an incredibly responsive and powerful modern muscle machine

• 2012 Ford F-250 XLT Crew Cab by Kelderman Air Suspension SystemsFor this 6.8-liter Power Stroke^® V8 turbo-diesel, Kelderman Air Suspension Systems teamed with Tim Nicolau Designs to provide eight to 10 more inches of lift, powder-coated, chromed and painted suspension components, an AccuAir TouchPad air suspension management system and Sway-A-Way remote reservoir shock absorbers. This Super Duty is ready to go anywhere, with looks to match

• 2013 Ford F-150 FX2 Sport Super Cab by Truckin’ MagazineA 3.5-liter EcoBoost^® V6 powers this Truckin’ Magazine creation, which features track-like handling with a lowered stance, a high-performance brake package and more luxurious interior. A unique wheel and tire combination and a custom stripe kit complete the aggressive look and feel of this dynamic build

Ford Mustang Cobra Jet Concept Goes Twin-Turbo for SEMA Debut

• New Cobra Jet concept adopts turbocharging technology from production EcoBoost^® engines in the quest for ever more performance

• Since its 2008 debut, the Ford Mustang Cobra Jet has been the most successful production-based drag racer

• Ford Racing engineers have continuously improved and evolved the Cobra Jet to keep it at the head of its class

 

LAS VEGAS, Oct. 30, 2012 – The Ford Racing Mustang Cobra Jet concept revealed today at the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) show proves there is indeed a replacement for displacement.

 

In the perpetual quest to stay ahead of the competition, for the first time ever Ford Racing has equipped its factory-built turn-key drag racer with a turbocharged engine, adopting the same award-winning technology found on road-going EcoBoost engines.

 

Winning heritage

When the original Mustang Cobra Jet drag racers rolled out of the Mustang factory in 1968, they relied on 7.0-liter V8 engines with massive four-barrel carburetors to propel them down the strip.

 

“When a new generation of Cobra Jets arrived four decades later, they immediately began winning with a modern, fuel-injected 5.4-liter V8 topped with a belt-driven supercharger,” recalls Jesse Kershaw, Ford drag racing competition manager. “Over the past four years, the Cobra Jet has gone on to become both a fan and competitor favorite, the most successful late-model vehicle in drag racing.”

 

“Racing pre-dates Ford Motor Company. Henry Ford himself raced the 999 and won in 1901 to generate interest for the new company,” said Jamie Allison, director of Ford Racing Technologies. “We haven’t stopped since.

 

“We’ve competed in almost every category of auto racing, from deserts to road courses to ovals and drag strips over the past 111 years, often with cars and trucks based on our production models, including the Mustang,” Allison added.

 

In 2011, the Mustang GT’s all-new 5.0-liter V8 found a home in the Cobra Jet, both with and without a supercharger.

 

“Despite its smaller displacement, the improved breathing of the 5.0-liter with its twin independent variable camshaft timing and Boss 302 cylinder heads provided comparable performance while showcasing the high technology available in street Mustangs today,” said Rob Deneweth, Cobra Jet powertrain development engineer.

 

“Ever since we relaunched the Cobra Jet in 2008, we’ve continuously evolved the engine to be more optimized for drag racing and produce more power for its NHRA class.”

 

While superchargers provide instant on-demand power, they can also sap a lot of power especially at high boost levels. The 2.9-liter blower used on the 2013 Cobra Jet uses as much as 100hp to drive the supercharger.. That’s power no longer available for acceleration.

 

Two turbochargers, no waiting

Fortunately, every internal combustion engine has a plentiful source of energy that normally goes to waste right out the exhaust pipe. Turbochargers harness the thermal and kinetic energy in the exhaust gases to drive turbines and compressors that force more air into the engine for a big increase in power without most of the parasitic losses of a supercharger.

 

“Ford has embraced turbocharging technology and a lot of our production engineers are working with the technology on a daily basis, so we have a lot of knowledge,” added Deneweth. “So we decided to apply that knowledge to the Mustang Cobra Jet to showcase what our engineers and suppliers know how to do.”

 

Turbocharger design and release engineer Dave Born joined the Cobra Jet team after working on the 3.5-liter EcoBoost^® V6 for the F-150 to help make this concept a reality. “When done right, turbocharging is just as good as or better than supercharging,” Born confirms.

 

“To overcome the biggest perceived drawback of turbocharging – the lag – we’ve selected the smallest possible turbos that will give us the airflow we need,” he added. “We’ve also got some other enhancements to help improve the responsiveness; we have very low inertia and very low internal friction.”

 

NHRA competition rules for the stock classes Cobra Jet races in require parts like turbochargers to be derived from production components. Borg-Warner^™ has supplied smaller, more efficient turbochargers based on the units used in the Focus ST for the Cobra Jet concept. Smaller than those found in most other drag racing applications, the turbine wheels are made from titanium aluminide that reduces the rotational inertia by 50 percent. Along with a shaft riding on low-friction ball bearings, the compressors can spin up to 150,000 rpm almost instantly.

 

The same integrated, electronically controlled wastegates used on production EcoBoost engines enable the turbos to keep spinning and generating the boost pressure needed for low elapsed times and high trap speeds at the strip.

 

One of the top reasons for a car company to go racing is the rapid learning curve it provides and the lessons that can be fed back into the vehicles customers drive every day.

 

“We’re already using ball bearings in the turbocharger of the 6.7-liter Power Stroke^® diesel V8 in Super Duty trucks,” adds Born. “We’re also evaluating materials like the titanium aluminide for the turbine, and it could find its way into future production programs as the costs come down.”

 

New global Ford Racing livery

The Cobra Jet project car features its own unique take on the new global Ford Racing livery that is also highlighted at SEMA. The white body is accented with an asymmetric black and blue stripe running over the top of the car from bumper to bumper. The Cobra Jet’s flanks blend an upward sweeping version of the stripe with the traditional striking cobra head executed in black with blue accents.

 

Following the SEMA show, Ford Racing engineers including Deneweth and Born will continue to develop both the performance and durability of the twin-turbo Cobra Jet.

 

“For every Cobra Jet model we release, every powertrain goes through hundreds of hours of dyno testing and a minimum of 50 runs on the drag strip before we’ll sign off on the durability and capability of that engine and car,” adds Kershaw. “Like Ford vehicles for the street, we want to provide our racing customers with cars that are best-in-class, affordable and reliable.”

Ford Police Interceptors Sweep the Competition in Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Testing

• Ford Police Interceptor sedan and utility vehicle topped the competition in series of annual performance tests conducted by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD)

• Following their successful performance in Michigan State Police testing last month, the Ford Police Interceptors consistently demonstrated their class-leading performance

• Ford has more than 15 years of leadership in the police car business and is the first and only manufacturer to offer pursuit-rated all-wheel-drive police vehicles

 

DEARBORN, Mich., Oct. 26, 2012 – Ford’s new Police Interceptor sedan and utility vehicle were best-in-class at this year’s series of performance tests conducted by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD).

 

The entire portfolio of new Police Interceptor vehicles, which launched earlier this year, passed the extreme testing conducted by the LASD and proved to the public and law enforcement industry that Ford delivers purpose-built, pursuit-rated Police Interceptor vehicles.

 

“Yet again, Ford’s fleet of Police Interceptor vehicles stood up to the competition and proved why they are the choice of so many government agencies with their combination of capability and value,” said Lisa Teed, Ford Marketing manager for Police Interceptor. “The LASD testing proves the performance and durability of Ford’s latest generation of police vehicles.”

 

Leading the competition

The annual test to validate pursuit performance on police vehicles is conducted by the LASD with the support of the Los Angeles Police Department. To match real-world patrol conditions, emphasis is placed on a semi-continuous run of 32 high-speed pursuit laps at the 1.46-mile track at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, Calif., to test for brake and tire durability, powertrain robustness and high vehicle temperature driveability. The Ford Police Interceptor sedan and utility vehicle boasted top marks in braking, 0-100 mph acceleration and lap times, and earned positive comments from the officers testing the vehicles.

 

Highlights of the annual testing include:

• The EcoBoost^® Police Interceptor sedan achieved the quickest acceleration time. It also set a new all-time single-lap record and had the fastest average lap time on the city pursuit course
• The Police Interceptor sedan 3.7-liter engine achieved the fastest naturally aspirated V6 engine acceleration, the shortest overall stopping distance, and the second-fastest lap time in city pursuit, just behind the Police Interceptor 3.5-liter V6 EcoBoost sedan
• The Police Interceptor utility was the best-in-class utility vehicle with faster acceleration, shorter stopping distance and faster lap times than the Chevrolet Tahoe police vehicle

“Setting the all-time record on the city pursuit test is significant,” said Bill Gubing, Police Interceptor chief engineer. “However, the real engineering excellence is designing a portfolio of Police Interceptors for an industry that demands superior durability, braking power and handling.

 

“City pursuit is a test that simulates real-world police driving in an urban environment,” he added. “We designed a purpose-built vehicle for all day every day, by managing power and optimizing the all-wheel drive to give the driver more control in handling tight situations.”

 

The LASD test proves Ford has built a utility police vehicle that meets muster for handling and control. The Police Interceptor utility vehicle’s driving dynamics are similar to the sedan’s, and it provides greater fuel economy than previous V8 Police Interceptors while also providing more space, more versatility, command seating and ease of driving.

 

Experience makes the difference

Building on more than 15 years of leadership, Ford took key product attributes that made Crown Victoria Police Interceptor the leading law enforcement vehicle and increased the next-generation product’s capabilities including the first and only pursuit-rated all-wheel-drive police vehicles. Now police departments and other law enforcement agencies can get an all-new, American-made vehicle with the same durability as the popular Crown Victoria. The new Police Interceptor sedan and utility vehicle are built at Ford’s Chicago Assembly Plant.

 

Working with its Police Advisory Board consisting of law enforcement professionals from the United States and Canada who provided feedback on attributes such as safety, performance, durability, driver comfort and functionality, Ford has ensured that its new Police Interceptor vehicles are purpose-built to meet the requirements of this demanding industry.

Ford Set to Take Center Stage at the 2012 SEMA Show

• Ford will bring more than 70 one-of-a-kind vehicles to the annual SEMA show, which opens in Las Vegas on Tuesday, Oct. 30
• “Ford out Front” will be back for the third year, with four days of high-octane driving action on a 111,000-square-foot ride-and-drive demonstration course
• Unique on-stand Dream Garage showcases the creative possibilities offered by Ford through a new website – www.MyFordGarage.com – designed to help enthusiasts make dream garages for their Ford vehicles a reality

DEARBORN, Mich., Oct. 26, 2012 – Ford Motor Company will have in excess of 70 vehicles, hundreds of accessories and performance parts, and many of its brightest stars on hand in Las Vegas next week for the 2012 SEMA show.

The Ford brand will be on display, in strength, inside the Las Vegas Convention Center and out front as well, with products ranging from classic hot rod roadsters from the 1930s to its newest products available in showrooms today.

 

The main Ford display, stretching across more than 25,500 square feet of Central Hall, is one of the largest at the show. In addition to a few surprises to be revealed Oct. 30 during an opening-day press conference, Ford highlights at SEMA include:

 

• Ford Dream Garage: Perhaps one of the most interesting displays at the Ford booth, this is literally a two-car dream garage of nearly 750 square feet, built right into the stand. Dream Garage has been developed to showcase the brand’s commitment to helping enthusiasts imagine, create and install custom garages in their homes.
  
  Embracing the trend of customizing garages, Ford recently launched a new website –www.MyFordGarage.com – to make the ultimate dream garage an installed, ready-to-use reality. Through the new website, enthusiasts can browse customized garage goods branded with iconic Ford names including Ford Racing, Vintage Ford, Built Ford Tough, Mustang, Mustang Boss 302 or F-150 SVT Raptor. Hundreds of related branded garage items are also available, including bar stools, tables, flooring, neon signs and wall graphics.
  
  Thanks to a partnership with Iconic Brand Collection, full design and installation services for MyFordGarage.com customers are available in most major North America markets. Authorized installers are even available for free in-house consultation, making the creation of the ultimate man cave easier than ever.
  
  Created especially for the 2012 SEMA show, the Ford Dream Garage features Iconic Brand Collection Cabinets, Swisstrax flooring and Fathead graphics. Four unique themes are featured: Built Ford Tough, Vintage Ford, Mustang, and a section designed to celebrate Tanner Foust’s Focus ST. For added fun, there’s a Microsoft Forza Horizon gaming station. 

• Focus and Fiesta Fun: A race-ready Focus ST-R, a Fiesta rally car and special-edition Focus ST models will be on show in a special section geared to Ford small cars. Ford Racing Performance Parts will also be on display. The new Focus ST, the fastest Focus ever offered in North America, went on sale earlier this year and is already proving to be very popular with aftermarket tuners. 
   
• EcoBoost Gallery: A unique area showcasing Ford’s high-tech EcoBoost^® engines, hosted by Ford engineers. The turbocharged, direct-injection technology developed by Ford delivers power and efficiency and is now available on nearly every Ford product in North America. The highlight: a one-of-a-kind Formula Ford single-seat racer that recently marked one of the all-time fastest laps on the German Nürburgring circuit’s famed Nordschleife. 
   
• Hot Rod Heaven: A section of the Ford booth will be dedicated to some of the wildest and most famous Ford hot rods including a 1931 Roadster pickup, a classic 1940 Ford Coupe and three fabulous Fords from world-famous So-Cal Speed Shop. 
   
• Special Carroll Shelby Tribute:  In the North Hall, Ford and SEMA will host a special tribute to Carroll Shelby, a long-time Ford friend and partner, and perhaps one of the most famous names in performance. Shelby’s legacy will forever be linked to Ford Motor Company. The 10-car tribute display will include a Shelby GT500 Super Snake, a classic Shelby GT350 and the 1000-horsepower Shelby 1000. 
   
• Autograph Sessions: Throughout SEMA week, Ford will host opportunities to meet some of the industry’s brightest stars. Ford’s Octane Academy Drivers, the John Force NHRA team, Parnelli Jones, the team from So-Cal Speed Shop, Billy Gibbons from ZZ Top and others will visit the Ford stand to sign autographs and meet with fans and friends alike.

 

Ford out Front

In addition to the comprehensive indoor displays and activities, and for the third year in a row, Ford will offer four days of tire shredding fun on a 111,000 square foot track in the Silver lot in front of the Las Vegas Convention Center. 

 

“Ford out Front” will feature Octane Academy drivers Ken Block, Brian Deegan, Tanner Foust and Vaugh Gittin, Jr. showcasing their wheel-spinning, car-drifting skills in high-performance cars and trucks, from Fiesta to F-150 SVT Raptor. Ford Racing High Performance Driving School rides will be offered daily; EcoBoost production vehicles will provide driving experiences. To keep the vehicles on track, Ford has stockpiled over 400 tires for the four days of fun. 

Ford and University of Michigan Researchers Team Up to Fight Microbes in New Cars and Trucks

• Operating in a wide array of conditions, cars and trucks can become a breeding ground for a variety of microorganisms that cause odors and discoloration of vehicle surfaces

• Americans spend approximately $2.3 billion annually on air fresheners

• Researchers from Ford and the University of Michigan studied vehicle interiors to learn where microbes grow and evaluated antimicrobial additives for coatings

• Adding silver-ion-based Agion^® to paints may significantly inhibit microbe growth

 

We can’t see them, but we are surrounded by tiny microorganisms that can have undesirable effects on the surfaces around us. In cars and trucks, these microscopic organisms including mold and mildew can quickly take hold and spread over a variety of surfaces leading to discoloration, and even unpleasant odors.

 

“Vehicle cabins are exposed to a wide variety of environmental conditions that can make them microbial breeding grounds,” said Cindy Peters, Ford Motor Company technical expert. “Based on growing consumer desire for health and wellness solutions, we decided to take a look at the interiors in Ford vehicles with the goal of creating a cleaner, more aesthetically pleasing environment for our customers.”

 

Market research firm Mintel reports Americans spend approximately $2.3 billion annually on air fresheners including aerosols, plug-ins, slow-release and hanger products found dangling from car mirrors.

 

Many consumers are sensitive to chemicals or simply don’t like the artificial scents of many air fresheners, so a solution that proactively reduces the source of odors for the life of the vehicle might be appreciated.  

 

Engineers from the Ford Research and Innovation Center in Dearborn have been collaborating with a team from the University of Michigan (U-M) led by microbial ecologist Dr. Blaise Boles to evaluate the concentration and growth of microbes in vehicles.

 

Peters and her colleagues collected samples from a variety of company and employee-owned vehicles. The samples were then cultured and analyzed at a U-M laboratory in Ann Arbor, Mich.

 

The team took swabs from 10 locations in the vehicle interior including the steering wheel, radio buttons, door handles, window switches and gear shift knobs. The U-M researchers found significant bacteria growth at most of the test locations with the highest concentrations on the steering wheel and the area around the cupholders.

 

“Our findings suggest car interiors are complex ecosystems that house trillions of diverse microorganisms interacting with each other, with humans, and with their environment,” said Boles, assistant professor in the U-M Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology. “The long-term goal is to define the microbial ecology of the car interior and to optimize the design of car interiors to promote comfort and environmental sustainability.”

 

“We weren’t surprised to find microbial hot spots on the steering wheel, since that is where a driver’s hands are most of the time,” added Peters. “The console area near the cupholders is a common location for spilled drinks, so it provides an ideal feeding ground for microbes.”

 

Americans also spend more than $1 billion annually on a variety of products including lotions, wipes and sprays to fight microbial growth. Having identified the source of the microbes in the vehicle cabin, Peters and technical leader Mark Nichols went to work with interior coatings supplier Red Spot Paint and additive supplier Sciessent LLC to develop and test coating formulations that could resist and potentially even reverse microbial growth.

 

The team focused their attention on three commonly used and EPA-approved antimicrobial additives including silver-ion, ammonium salt and polyolefin wax with a nano-silver coating. Panels painted with four different formulations were then evaluated back at the U-M lab to assess the growth rates of microorganisms.

 

Parts coated with paint infused with the silver-ion additive sold under the trade name Agion®, contained lower microbe growth than the control parts with the current production paint. Agion, based on elemental ions, works by starving, sterilizing and suffocating the microbes to prevent them from growing and reproducing.

 

Cars and trucks generally have a much longer life span than most antimicrobial-treated products, and they operate in a wider range of environmental conditions. Drivers expect features to continue working and surfaces to remain intact even after the vehicle has been on the road for many years. Peters and Nichols subjected the specially coated test panels to an accelerated aging process to evaluate their microbe-controlling properties after the equivalent of years of exposure to sun and heat.

 

Even after simulating many years of use, the microbe growth of the Agion-infused coating changed very little. The additive also had little impact on the gloss and color change of the surfaces over the test period. Parts with the antimicrobial-treated coating are now undergoing real-world testing in a number of Ford development vehicles, and the coating is being evaluated for potential use in future Ford vehicle programs.

 

“We can’t control everything that contributes to stains and odors in our cars and trucks,” said Peters. “But we’re doing our part to maintain a pleasant cabin environment for our customers over the long haul.”

Return of a Legend: Iconic 1940 Ford Coupe Body Shell Now Available for Hot Rodders and Classic Car Enthusiasts

• New reproduction 1940 Ford Coupe steel body shell complements Ford’s existing stable of fully assembled classic Mustang car bodies

• The new 1940 body is officially licensed by Ford Restoration Parts and uses high-strength steel and modern welding techniques

• Hot rodders can order the 1940 Coupe with a modified firewall and install a larger, modern powertrain

• SEMA show cars featuring new body show high-quality construction

 

DEARBORN, Mich., Oct. 26, 2012 – One of the most cherished and collected classic cars of the pre-World War II and hot rod era – the iconic 1940 Ford Coupe – is the latest addition to Ford Motor Company’s growing stable of officially licensed all-steel reproduction car bodies.

 

Available now for ordering, and complementing the 1965-70 Mustang bodies, the 1940 Ford Coupe body is also constructed of modern, high-strength steel and is assembled using modern welding techniques. The new body comes rustproofed from the factory and is ready to be assembled as a custom hot rod or as a faithful tribute to the original.

 

At the upcoming Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) show in Las Vegas, Ford will display a custom 1940 Ford hot rod built using a reproduction body and a new bare body shell that demonstrates the high-quality construction. Prices start at $11,900 plus shipping. The full body shell as well as individual steel panels are available through Dennis Carpenter Ford Restoration Parts, http://www.dennis-carpenter.com.

 

The fully built, copper-colored SEMA show car sports a new 5.0-liter V8 engine, four-speed automatic transmission and Mustang II front suspension. The roof has also been chopped or lowered to give the car an even meaner look.

 

“Like its older 1932 Deuce Coupe and younger Mustang siblings, the 1940 Ford is a bodystyle and design that represents Ford at its best,” said Dennis Mondrach, Ford Restoration Parts licensing manager. “The 1940 Ford Coupe has always been highly sought after and collectible. Unfortunately, good, solid restorable examples have become hard to find and expensive, so this faithful reproduction is bound to prove popular.”

 

The ’40 Ford: Part of American culture

The 1940 Ford has had a major influence on post-World War II America, said Detroit automotive historian Joe Cabadas, author of “’40 Ford: Evolution * Design * Racing * Hot Rodding.”

 

“Bootleggers down south always wanted to know who had the fastest car,” said Cabadas. “Because of its lightweight V8 engine, they started racing them on Sundays, and that is the beginning of stock car racing.”

 

After World War II, the 1940 Ford was at the forefront of another major cultural movement – hot rodding. The ’40 Ford got noticed by World War II veterans, who began buying up the cars and turning them into hot rods by adding performance equipment to the car’s flathead V8 engine.

 

The 1940 Ford has been a fixture in Hollywood, appearing in countless TV shows and movies such as “American Graffiti,” “Bugsy” and “Mulholland Drive.”

 

“With their big fenders and integrated headlights, the 1937-40 Ford was one of the first streamlined cars from Ford Motor Company,” Cabadas said. “Edsel Ford had a hand in its style. He wanted a family look for Ford and Lincoln vehicles, and so you can see some Lincoln Zephyr in it. The 1940 was also one of the few cars in its price class with a V8.”

 

Reproduction body: A blank canvas

Hobbyists looking to build a hot rod using the new 1940 body are limited only by their imagination and budget. The new body is available with a stock firewall that accommodates the original flathead V8. However, for those looking for greater performance from a modern powertrain, the new 1940 Ford body can alternatively be ordered with a recessed firewall that will allow much larger modern engines to be installed.

 

As with the officially licensed reproduction parts available for the 1965-70 Mustang bodies, Ford also supports the 1940 Ford with an array of correct mechanical and trim restoration parts. To see what is available for the 1940, visit www.fordrestorationparts.com.

 

Dennis Carpenter, owner of one of the nation’s largest classic Ford restoration parts companies, owes his start in the business more than 40 years ago to the 1940 Ford.

 

Carpenter was having trouble locating a good used set of dash knobs for a car he was restoring – and still owns – so he approached Ford and obtained permission to reproduce the knobs using original factory blueprints and designs. Today his company, Dennis Carpenter Ford Restoration Parts, produces many Ford-licensed parts for the 1940 Ford. With the body now back in production, Carpenter is gearing up to add even more trim parts for the car.

 

“When you see a beautifully restored 1940 Ford, it is like a piece of jewelry,” Carpenter said. “People just really love the lines of that car. It is timeless and appeals to all ages.”

Innovative Print Ads Prove How All-New 2013 Ford Fusion ‘Stands Out’ in Competitive Midsize Car Segment

• The all-new 2013 Ford Fusion is designed to stand out in today’s competitive midsize car segment and innovative new print ads for this transformational vehicle bring that concept to life in an unusual, creative way

• To communicate the idea that other cars seem to “disappear” when the new Fusion is on the scene, Ford reached out to Chinese contemporary artist Liu Bolin – nicknamed “the invisible man” – to direct the production of the print ads

• The new Fusion stands apart from the crowd, providing customers with something they’ve never had before in the midsize car segment – the “and” solution of leading fuel efficiency, smart technology and stunning design

 

DEARBORN, Mich., Oct. 22, 2012 – In the highly competitive midsize sedan landscape typified by its relatively bland styling, the 2013 Ford Fusion has been designed to stand out. And that’s exactly what this transformational all-new car does in innovative print ads inspired by an internationally celebrated contemporary artist nicknamed “the invisible man.”

 

To communicate creatively the concept that all other cars seem to “disappear” when the new Fusion is on the scene, Ford reached out to Chinese artist Liu Bolin to consult on the project. Bolin, renowned for creating photographs in which he paints his body and clothing to camouflage himself seamlessly into his surroundings, was the perfect advisor to bring the concept to fruition.

 

The new print ads – which will appear in national automotive and lifestyle publications – showcase the Fusion in a city setting with other vehicles hand-painted to blend invisibly into the background. One of the ads says, “First rule of taking the world by surprise? Do something the world will actually notice.”

 

“We wanted to make a provocative statement with the all-new Ford Fusion, to shake up a segment that isn’t exactly known for stylish cars,” said Jim Farley, group vice president, Global Marketing, Sales and Service. “Now, midsize sedan customers can get the best of both worlds – Fusion can satisfy both their rational side while indulging in a compelling design aesthetic that says you’ve arrived.”

 

At the center of Fusion’s design inspiration was the goal to achieve unparalleled fuel economy. With over 450 hours of development logged in wind tunnels that led to 10% less drag than the outgoing model, the new Fusion is designed with the driver in mind, offering functional design elements that enhance its sleek exterior.

 

“From large scale proportions to minor details, every element of the new Fusion has been tuned for the right combination of technical excellence and leadership in aerodynamic styling – all of which culminates with a class-leading 47 mpg in both city and highway driving,” said Farley.

 

New Fusion makes other cars on the road ‘disappear’

Bolin flew from China to Los Angeles to direct the production of the Fusion print ads. At his command was a team of trained Hollywood studio painters who worked for hours to paint the details of the scenery – brick sidewalks, shrubbery, lamp posts and buildings – onto competitive vehicles parked on the set.

 

The meticulous paintwork visually conveys the message that other cars are “invisible” in the presence of the new Fusion. According to Bolin, hand-painting the surroundings brings a sense of passion and authenticity to the finished product.

 

“My work can be done on the computer without the use of paint,” said Bolin, referring to a type of photography that is enhanced through the use of computer-generated imagery. “But computers cannot convey emotions. That is something that the artist captures with his paintbrush.”

 

For a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the print ads, visit Ford Social for more information.

 

The all-new 2013 Ford Fusion

With its sleek new design, the all-new Ford Fusion brings alive the next generation of more expressive vehicles from Ford.

 

In addition to its fresh face, Fusion offers the broadest selection of fuel-efficient powertrains in the midsize segment. It offers hybrid and plug-in hybrid alternatives, a pair of EcoBoost^® four-cylinder engines, a normally aspirated four-cylinder engine, front-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive applications and a choice between automatic and manually shifted six-speed transmissions.

 

On sale now, new Fusion offers consumers seven must-have technologies, including a Lane-Keeping System, adaptive cruise control, active park assist and MyFordTouch^®.