![]() ![]() Depending on variable options Thunderbirds for 1961 could be purchased with options like air conditioning, power windows, power seats, AM radio, fender skirts and white wall tires. ![]() Common on almost all automobiles produced today, this feature was first found on 1961 Thunderbirds. Other innovations include a floating rear view mirror, directly attached to the interior of the windshield. This would also prevent the gear selector to be functional until the steering wheel was returned to the center position. With the steering column installed transmission gear selector in the park position the steering wheel would slide approximately 18 inches (460 mm) to the right allowing the driver to exit the vehicle easily. The most distinctive feature of the 1961 to 1963 Thunderbirds was the highly touted 'Swing Away' steering wheel. The Thunderbird for 1961 introduced several firsts for the automotive market. It shared some styling cues with the much smaller European Ford Corsair.ġ961 Ford Thunderbird interior with "Swing-Away" steering wheel Kennedy's inaugural parade, probably aided by the appointment of Ford executive Robert McNamara as Secretary of Defense. The Thunderbird was 1961's Indianapolis 500 pace car, and featured prominently in US President John F. A new, larger 390 cu in (6.4 L) FE-series V8 was the only engine available (in 1961). Sales were strong, if not quite up to record-breaking 1960, at 73,051 including 10,516 convertibles. It featured new and much sleeker styling (done by Bill Boyer) than the second generation models. Located at 38303 Michigan Ave.The third generation of the Ford Thunderbird is a personal luxury car produced by Ford for the 1961 to 1963 model years. & heavy trucks & bus chassisįord 3.5/3.7 Cyclone V6 (for FWD vehicles) Military production (including wings for B-46 bombers) only from 1951 to 1956, when it converted to civilian production. Replaced the original location at 1025 Winchester Ave. Partnership with Jiangling Investment Co., Ltd. Xiaolan Economic Development Zone, Nanchang, Jiangxi Joint venture 75% owned by Ford and 25% owned by Song Cong Diesel Company.įormerly Getrag Americas, a joint venture between Getrag and the Getrag Ford Transmission joint venture. Transit Connect started shipping to the US in fall of 2009. Previously: Ford Kent Crossflow I4 engine Joint venture 70% owned by Ford and 30% owned by Lio Ho Group.įord Motor Company of Southern Africa Silverton Assembly Plantįord Motor Company of Southern Africa Struandale Engine Plant Opened as a Mazda plant known as AutoAlliance International from 1992 to 2012. ![]() Previously:īuilt at site of closed Ford Michigan Casting Center (1972-1981). Idled in November 2007, reopened February 2010. Replaced the nearby Dearborn Assembly Plant. Truck assembly began in 1970 while car production began in 1980.Īxles, suspension parts. Plant owned by Coscharis Motors Assembly Ltd. Bought back by Ford in 2011 and now 100% owned by Ford. Previously known as Tekfor Cologne GmbH from 2003 to 2011, a 50/50 joint venture between Ford and Neumayer Tekfor GmbH. Originally known as Cologne Forge & Die Cast Plant. Returned to 100% Ford ownership in 2021.įorging of steel parts for engines, transmissions, and chassis Tooling, dies, fixtures, jigs, die repairįormerly part of the Getrag Ford Transmission joint venture. Located at 1000 E Lincoln Hwy, Chicago Heights, ILįord 3.5/3.7 Cyclone V6 (for RWD vehicles) Replaced the previous location at 3915 Wabash Avenue.ġ2429 S Burley Ave in Chicago, about a mile away from the Chicago Assembly Plant. Plant formerly belonged to Harbin Hafei Automobile Group Co. Joint Venture: Chongqing Changan Automobile Co., Ltd. Joint venture 50% owned by Ford and 50% owned by Mazda. Knock-down kits were also shipped internationally until the River Rouge approach was duplicated in Europe and Asia.įor a listing of Ford's proving grounds and test facilities see Ford Proving Grounds.Ĭurrent production facilities VIN A few of the original Branch Assembly locations still remain while most have been repurposed or have been demolished and the land reused. Much of the production was devoted to compiling " knock-down kits" that were then shipped in wooden crates to Branch Assembly locations across the United States by railroad and assembled locally, using local supplies as necessary. The River Rouge Complex manufactured most of the components of Ford vehicles, starting with the Model T. Per regulations, the factory is encoded into each vehicle's VIN as character 11 for North American models, and character 8 for European models. The following is a list of current, former, and confirmed future facilities of Ford Motor Company for manufacturing automobiles and other components. You can help by adding missing items with reliable sources. This is a dynamic list and may never be able to satisfy particular standards for completeness. ![]()
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