Once a year the Old Fords Club of Victoria holds a show for Fords and friends at Heritage Park near Sidney, BC. And once a year, because the park is nearby and because I've owned several old Fords and one newer Ford (2003 Focus ZX5) I make the 10-minute drive to see what's new. Or what's old.
I particularly liked the beautifully-restored 1932 Ford Model A whose lovely lines are seen in the title photo. But far less curvaceous is the 1928 Model T truck seen here, which apparently still hauls goods for its owner. Or, more likely, does service as a rolling public relations billboard. Whatever the purpose it is rather rare and functionally very attractive.
With so many Fords from so many eras on display it would be argued long and loud about which is the prettiest. Many would no doubt prefer the 50s and 60s models because they can relate to them through their own memories and experiences. My choice, however, might be this 1939 DeLuxe Coupe. A product of the art deco period, it has its headlights sculpted into the fenders, something I might have taken for granted had I not overheard a knowledgeable Ford enthusiast explaining this design feature to his wife.
Or I might give my vote to this lovely 1964 Ford Falcon. The Falcon gets little attention in the classic car world due to its role as an economy car and the fact that millions were made. That said, it was a very successful model for Ford and one that caused a major adjustment in my life.
As editor of Canada Track & Traffic I'd done a test drive review of the Falcon. The copy read more like an ad (a precursor of my future profession) and attracted the atention of Ford of Canada executives, who offered me a position as product public relations manager. The salary was double what the magazine paid, yet I was reluctant to accept because I loved my job and didn't fancy the corporate life.
I lasted exactly a year. However my chosen ride during that year was a very attractive and rather quick Mercury Comet convertible, not much different from the Falcon above, just a little longer and with a 289 V-8 and 4-speed manual.
I don't recall the paint scheme on this convertible as a stock colour but the owner has made it so attractive it hardly matters. From now on I'll see the Falcon differently and trust that you will, too.
[Photos: Philip Powell]
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