New A pontoon-shaped coupe: the Ford Taunus 12 M made VW and Opel look old

With the Ford Taunus 12 M (G13), the Cologne business provided a modern-day compact automobile in 1952, whose visionary pontoon shape quickly discovered impersonators. This Taunus likewise provided high-end visual appeals: Ford’s shining chrome world radiator ended up being the embodiment of economical high-end.

They are everlasting competitors in the race for management in little cars. Ford and Volkswagen have actually completed in this field given that Henry Ford II after World War II and “No!” declined a demand by the triumphant Allies to take control of the building of all German lorries. Even then, the Beetle was thought about too old-fashioned by American business executives.

Instead, Henry Ford II wished to restore and establish the German vehicle scene with turning points finished in Cologne, such as the Taunus 12 M (G13) released in1952 A task that Ford was remarkably effective in, since an independent body concentrated on the future and the contemporary appearance of the pontoon was bang.

Although there were currently some leaders of the pontoon such as the Borgward Hansa and the Fiat 1400, the style of the little cars and truck class in Germany was lastly developed by the very first post-war advancements from the Niehler Rhine bank. The Cologne business utilized worldwide assistance for this: Ford-USA supplied the standard kind, Ford-France established models at the Chausson body store and Ford-Germany dealt with the adjustment.

The modification likewise consisted of a brand-new logo design with the letters “FK” for Ford-Köln, the M for “Meisterstück” in the 12 M style and a striking world above the glossy chrome grille. An effort that deserved it: the style-defining Taunus stayed a strong competitor to the Opel Olympia/Rekord and the VW Beetle for more than a years. And he even put an accent in the premium chrome and adjustable part.

The dreadful success of the 1950 s

Hooray, we’re alive once again: 70 years earlier, the Germans discovered a method back to speculative success. The recently introduced television program was delighted in by 1,000 happy owners of the ultra-expensive television, while everybody else followed the very first public look of Britain’s Queen Elizabeth on movie theater screens.

The typical income in Germany was still approximately 400 marks a month, however getaway journeys ended up being popular and traffic jam rapidly increased. Munich even set up the very first zebra crossing in 1952, with a growing number of individuals disembarking from the saddles of their motorcycles onto Volkswagen Beetles or Opel Olympia.

Updated designs for a while prior to the war that unexpectedly discovered a more modern-day rival: Ford Taunus 12 M in smooth shapes, with big windows, lots of area for 5 travelers and travel luggage, and independent front suspension with remarkably little wheels (13 inches rather of the typical 15 or 16 inches) for a low center of mass and smooth driving qualities. Independent front wheel suspension was likewise a development in the German middle class. The 1.2-liter engine was still the old familiar from the 1930 s, however Ford was currently preparing a brand-new 1.5-liter engine that prospered 3 years later on under the design number 15 M.

Export success around the world

A great deal of futuristic innovation from the cathedral city, which he had actually ruled as mayor for so long, even triggered Chancellor Konrad Adenauer to use a friendly welcoming. The Taunus 12 M not just ensured complete work on the assembly lines, it likewise ended up being a global export success, simply as the world on the radiator assured.

In nations like Sweden, it won versus British-made Fords that were cost the exact same time and likewise scored points versus Volvo in the pre-war design. The Taunus showed its sturdiness on rough slopes in Africa and Asia, and in Germany it likewise won fans in the management of the fleet of authorities and emergency situation services. Even the ADAC analysis service purchased the progressive Taunus as an option to the routine Beetle. Compared to Volkswagen, the Taunus was more pricey, and when Opel likewise decreased the rates of the old-style Olympia, Ford needed to pull a joke: a less affordable and more affordable variation of its “work of art”, the Ford 12.

Opel’s item violation was challenged

In the end, nevertheless, it was the two-door “M” sedans, determining more than 4 meters, that Ford utilized its assembly lines to its finest, supported by a convertible station wagon, a crucial panel van, a pick-up and the vehicle. an unique convertible at a raised rate, which Porsche currently provided the famous Type356 With this broad portfolio, the Cologne business dealt with the item deterioration of the General Motors subsidiary Opel, which all of a sudden likewise depend on the pontoon style of the Olympia Record provided in1953

Mercedes likewise slowly changed its conservative 170 and 180 designs with brand-new ones, naturally in a trendy pontoon shape. The Stuttgart-based business right away catapulted itself to the “brand-new star in the vehicle area” in German registration figures, with copycats provocatively explaining the Ford 12 M.

Ford Taunus 12 M vs Mercedes 180? Both brand names targeted the exact same consumers as their core series, which are high-income companies and business owners. It’s difficult to think today, however in 1952 just 4 percent of individuals might purchase a brand-new cars and truck, as Ford discussed in an interview. Due to these high earnings earners, the number of those who purchased a Ponton Mercedes (or Opel Kapitän) for social status rather than a low-cost Ford or VW was big.

Radiator grill with “dollar smile”

In the mid-1950 s the “German financial wonder”, sped up by tax cuts on market, trade and farming, reached its peak and kidney-style furnishings and the insignia of American life of cars with chrome trim and tail fins remained in need. more than. permanently. Ford reacted to the pattern with a facelift for the Taunus 12 M, whose grille now included a “dollar smile”.

On the other hand, the 15 M, which looks practically similar however has a brand-new 40 kW/55 hp four-cylinder, need to link the waiting time to the start of the middle class 17 M and supply an option to the 1.5 liter sedans. from Opel, Peugeot or Borgward.

Inside, the Taunus designs continued to use “first-rate way of life convenience,” as the car dealership put it, while on the outdoors brand-new nitrocellulose-based metal paint colors supplied a shine that was otherwise displayed by roadway trippers on Hollywood Boulevard.

Greater stability of the design

A great deal of advancement through the style made it possible for Ford to have an exceptionally big design stability: no brand-new clothing every 2 years as when it comes to the Taunus’ rivals, however an eleven-year production duration.

From 1959, nevertheless, with a flat roofing system, big back window and C-pillars and more with white side stripes as essential functions. After an excellent 600,000 systems, Ford’s next action followed in 1962: the 12 M (P4) with front-wheel drive, however that’s a brand-new story.

Today, the Focus continues Ford’s compact success story, however not for long: a totally electrical crossover is currently all set to go, based upon the MEB platform offered by VW. If Henry Ford II stated “Yes!” would he state