Many people around the world mistakenly believe that Henry Ford was the inventor of the automobile. However, that distinction is generally attributed to Karl Benz and his 1885 Patent Motor Car.
That said, Henry Ford revolutionized the automotive industry by introducing the assembly-line production method, making cars affordable and accessible to the general public.
Henry Ford and his family spearheaded a movement that reshaped the world, leading to a time where cars and trucks became commonplace in nearly every nation on Earth.
The Ford Motor Company has remained a cornerstone of the automotive industry since its inception, playing a major role in advancing automotive design, technology, and engineering.
Their iconic pickup truck, the F-150, holds the title of the best-selling truck in history, and numerous other Ford models have reached legendary status over the years.
Naturally, even a company with Ford’s reputation has experienced its share of failures alongside its triumphs.
From overly ambitious futuristic concepts that never caught on to derivative vehicles designed to mimic the appeal of low-cost, imported cars, Ford has had its moments of miscalculation, just like many of its competitors.
Amid recent reports that Ford plans to significantly narrow its production scope focusing on the booming popularity of crossovers, SUVs, and pickup trucks the automaker may be making a brilliant strategic move or possibly reacting to short-lived trends that could once again result in underwhelming offerings.
12. Thunderbird
Long before the Ford Mustang helped reassert Ford’s dominance in the automotive market, the Thunderbird emerged as a formidable competitor to Chevrolet’s Corvette.
It featured a stylish exterior, a comfortable interior, and a range of high-performance engine options most notably a V8 equipped with dual Holley four-barrel carburetors and a Paxton supercharger, pushing the power output up to 300 horsepower.
And that was back in 1957. Unfortunately, the generations that followed marked a steady decline from the heights reached by the original version.
Also Read: 10 Most Popular Boxy Cars That Are Built Like Tanks
11. Ford GT40
The Ford GT40 arguably holds the title of the most significant car ever built in the United States. Born from a collaboration between Ford and Carroll Shelby, it was engineered from scratch to challenge European manufacturers on their own turf.
With Ferrari as their primary target, Ford developed a groundbreaking mid-engined sports car that would go on to dominate the 24 Hours of Le Mans from 1966 to 1969, including an iconic 1-2-3 finish in its debut victory.
For a bit of historical perspective: prior to the GT40’s triumph, Ferrari had claimed the Le Mans title for six consecutive years.
10. Ford GT
Building on the legendary success of the original GT40, Ford has brought back two modern versions in the 21st century that pay homage to the iconic race car.
While the GT40s of the 1960s were designed primarily as race cars and adapted for street use later, Ford has masterfully combined both elements in the GT models launched in the early 2000s and more recently.
The latest iteration stands among the most advanced vehicles available today, featuring a twin-turbocharged EcoBoost engine capable of delivering up to 647 horsepower and 550 lb-ft of torque.
9. Shelby Cobra
Ford’s initial collaboration with Carroll Shelby may have started as an unsuccessful effort to challenge Enzo Ferrari’s racing dominance, but it resulted in one of the most coveted cars ever produced.
The Shelby Cobra, featuring a lightweight body sourced from British automaker AC and a lineup of potent Ford V8 engines, is a no-frills sports car that demands real driving skill to master.
Even replicas can command six-figure prices today, thanks to the Cobra’s unique blend of historical importance, timeless design, and uncompromising performance.
8. Ford Crown Victoria
The Crown Victoria might not be the first vehicle that comes to mind when people think of the Ford Motor Company, yet it undeniably stands as a significant contribution to the automotive world.
Consider the countless Crown Vics that have patrolled city streets, highways, and rural roads across the nation, logging millions of hours in service with police departments, sheriffs, and highway patrol units throughout nearly two decades of production.
Although Ford discontinued the Crown Vic in 2012, the presence of this large sedan still has the power to send a shiver down any driver’s spine when it appears in the rearview mirror.
7. Ford Cortina
Most domestic drivers likely wouldn’t even recognize the Ford Cortina as a Ford if they encountered one of the rare examples still found on American roads today.
However, in many parts of the world, the Cortina played a pivotal role in establishing the U.S. automaker as a maker of reliable, affordable, and high-quality vehicles throughout the 1960s to the 1980s.
The Cortina is perhaps best known for its notable success through a collaboration with Lotus. Manufactured by Ford of Britain, it earned the distinction of being the UK’s best-selling car during the 1970s.
6. Ford RS200
Creating a shortlist of Ford’s greatest achievements inevitably means leaving out some truly remarkable successes, and mentioning the legendary RS200 might feel like an injustice to the nearly as impressive Escort RS Cosworth.
While Ford has found rallying glory with the Escort RS Cosworth, the Focus RS, and the Sierra RS Cosworth, none of those models were purpose-built from the ground up like the ferocious RS200.
This mid-engined, four-wheel-drive coupe was specifically designed for Group B rally competition, and its road-legal homologation versions still deliver jaw-dropping performance even by modern standards.
The fact that Ken Block drives one says far more than any description on this list ever could.
5. Ford Focus RS
In every industry, there are products that, while not immediate commercial hits, are later recognized as significant successes. The current Ford Focus RS is likely to earn that distinction, even though it struggled to gain traction in the U.S. automotive market.
Still, there’s no denying that the Focus RS stands as a top-tier hot hatch, boasting 350 horsepower from a 2.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, sending power to all four wheels via a six-speed manual transmission.
While its design might be a bit aggressive, its exhaust note a touch too loud, and its interior not quite up to the standards set by the VW Golf R, the Focus RS possesses all the essential elements to be remembered as a standout chapter in Ford’s performance legacy.
Also Read: Top 10 Classic Pontiacs That Can Still Run Today
4. Ford Gran Torino
When people talk about Ford’s contributions to pony and muscle cars, the Mustang tends to steal the spotlight so thoroughly that the capable Gran Torino is often left in the shadows.
Even with its fame as the car from Starsky and Hutch and having an entire Clint Eastwood film named after it, the Gran Torino still feels like it’s treated as a second-tier contender.
Yet, it featured a straightforward but bold design and packed serious muscle under the hood, with engine options going up to a 429-cubic-inch (7.0-liter) V8 that delivered as much as 370 horsepower in the Cobra version.
3. Ford F-150 SVT Lightning
Deciding which is better between the first two generations of Ford’s F-150 SVT Lightning is no easy task. Both versions offered impressive performance for a pickup truck, continuing and expanding the semi-niche street-sport truck concept.
The first-generation Lightning made only subtle changes to the exterior of the ninth-generation F-150 it was based on.
Considering that the F-150 itself would likely make any list of the greatest pickup trucks ever built, the Lightning undoubtedly stands as one of Ford’s finest creations.
2. Ford Bronco
The Ford Bronco is perhaps best known for being the infamous getaway vehicle of Orenthal James Simpson the globally recognized football star who later gained early, fringe-Kardashian-level celebrity due to his highly publicized court trial.
However, aside from this association, the Bronco would have undoubtedly secured its place in history as a significant part of the SUV’s legacy.
With its timeless design that makes it instantly recognizable, a strong emphasis on rugged utility, and a potential revival on the horizon, the Bronco certainly deserves more than to be remembered solely as “the OJ car” (as seen on the license plate above).
1. Ford Mustang VI
The Mustang is undeniably Ford’s greatest contribution to the automotive world (or at least tied with the invention of assembly-line production).
However, the model has experienced both highs and lows throughout its history. Currently, Ford is riding one of the Mustang’s highest waves, with the sixth generation coming in a close second to the iconic first-gen model.
This generation introduced the first-ever standard independent rear suspension for the Mustang, alongside a variety of powerful engine options, including turbocharged four-cylinders and robust V8s.
The exterior design pays homage to the past, while the interior has, at long last, achieved a higher level of quality. The sixth-gen Mustang stands as a strong reminder for Ford to reclaim its dominant position at the top of the Detroit automotive landscape.