5 Fabulous Fords You May Have Forgotten
It may be Mustangs that rule at Fabulous Fords Forever, with over 1,000 showing up to #fabfords2017, but the largest Ford gathering in the West also provided an amazing array of nearly everything the blue oval has offered over its vast history. A few lesser talked about Ford models popped out at us, like an old favorite t-shirt found after hiding away in a drawer, and we thought they were worth a look.
View our full gallery from Fabulous Fords Forever here.
1. Mercury Cougar
Ford’s mid-brand arm, Mercury, debuted the Cougar 50 years ago in 1967 as their Mustang counterpart. Sharing much construction and styling with the Mustang, the Cougar added more comfort and luxury touches and was one of Mercury’s most successful cars. It ended production in ’99 only to pop back up again with our next forgotten Ford pick…
2. Mercury Marauder
Based on the Crown Vic chassis, the average observer may mistake a Marauder for your average “cop car," but don't be fooled, there's much more behind the wheels here. The Marauder nameplate was revived for 2003-2004 aimed at providing the full-size car market with a luxury performance option. While it’s popularity never really took off, with Ford shutting down Mercury entirely by 2011, this rear-wheel drive V-8 is an absolute dream car for road trips.
3. Ford Skyliner
While the Skyliner went through several iterations, the glass top versions available in ’54-56 are something many people have never seen. See-through roofs were somewhat of a novelty in the space age mid-'50s with multiple brands offering an option. While the looks are cool, the experience is not — consumers quickly found out how quickly the sun heated the car’s enclosed interior.
4. Ford Ranchero
Using the best of both a car and a truck, the Ranchero was the first of its kind when it came out in 1957. Originally based on the Ford Fairlane, this practical pickup swapped styles five times before ending production in 1979.
5. Ford Country Squire
Precursor to the minivan, station wagons picked up where “woody” wagons left off. While Ford made wagon versions for an assortment of models through the years, including the Country Sedan, Galaxie, Falcon, and Pinto versions, the Country Squire was a dedicated line. Nothing says station wagon more than the Country Squire, with it's simulated woodgrain panels eliciting memories of playing in the back as kids.
