Published by Ford M Klubb on the occasion of their 30th anniversary in 2014
German Ford from 1952-72 collected between two binders.
If you are in your fifties or older, you have probably had some experience with a Ford M. Maybe sat in the back seat as a child, had your first driving experience, bought your first car or went on a camping trip with your girlfriend in a Ford M?
I have just read the book. An eternal life with Ford MIt tells the complete story of the models that received the designation "M" as in masterpieceThe planning, the production, the changes that were made along the way, how the cars were received, who bought the cars new, how they took off in Norway and pictures of cars that are still on the road.
Did you know that every model after the war (with the exception of the very first) was given an internal designation P for project with a number behind it? The number series ran regardless of which model it concerned. The history of Ford M includes 7 projects. Officially, the models were named after a number indicated by engine size with "M" behind, for example 12M, 15M, 17M and so on.
In addition to the facts about the cars, parts of the book are devoted to club history, a description of the Ford apparatus in Norway, as well as contributions from Ford M owners - how experiences of the Ford M at a young age have followed them later in life.
An eternal life with Ford M is a "coffee table" book with beautiful pictures. It is recommended to anyone with an interest in Norwegian car history and the Ford M. An excellent gift idea.
The book can be ordered from Ford M Klubb by sending an e-mail to fordmbok@gmail.com with name, address, mobile number and quantity. The book can either be prepaid via giro or you can use Vipps.
Publisher: Ford M Club
ISBN 978-82-999663-0-6
Price: 423 Dkkr
The book contains advertisements from when the cars were new. Creates a nice period colour.
A beautiful garden surrounded by Fords. In the foreground: Ford Taunus 20M TS with contemporary hats and first aid cushion on the hat shelf.
Matias Wilhelmsen had made the garden at his old family home available. The sheltered garden behind the house had more than enough space for all the cars, and formed a great setting around the meeting.
Ford 26M
It was Sunday in May, and the sun was shining in Åsgårdstrand. At the Circle K station, classic Fords were lined up ready for shared driving through the city. There was a nice collection of 17M, 20M and 26M. Several 26M, actually. Not many 26Ms were ever sold in Norway. I wonder if it is common to replace original V4s with 2600 V6s and build 26Ms? "Norwegians buy up all the 26Ms in Europe", Matias said jokingly. My eyes fell on a dark blue, fully painted 26M Hardtop Coupé, bought in France. The yellow headlights revealed the continental origins. This was the top model in the M series. "Mine is a former director's car", it came from another 26 M owner. Representative cars in the 70s were usually larger cars, Mercedes-Benz 280 S, Opel Admiral, Jaguar XJ6 or an American. I imagine that in its day the Ford 26M was chosen by directors who were more than moderately interested in cars, - because the price was as high as larger models.
Die Linie der Vernunft
The slogan appeared in the marketing of the Taunus 17M and 20M (P5) from 1964-67. Perhaps it is precisely the alignment that has made the cars attractive as vintage cars? Or the fact that they still offer a lot of driving pleasure?
As you know, driving pleasure cannot only be measured in horsepower. Take for example the green 17M (P7A) RS 2000 S Hardtop with white speed stripes. The kinship to American Ford is clear. The V6 in this car is turbocharged. Turbo was available as an option when the cars were new, but many retrofit. Not only does this car look fantastic - it's a true classic that also drives very well.
Ford M Club
The impressive thing about a club like the Ford M Club is how it has gathered knowledge and expertise - or rather, people with experience, knowledge and expertise on these cars. If you have an old car, it is of course inevitable that something breaks down. Maybe something trivial, like a window winder or door lock. Then I think for sure that someone in the club knows a similar problem, has the part, or knows how to get it, - or knows someone who can make it. Meetings like this are necessary to keep yourself and your fine car up to date.
"Die Linie der Vernunft". From left: Ford 20M TS and Ford 17M. (P5).Great Cortinas. From left: mk2 1300 Deluxe and two mk1 1500 (facelift).
Ford M pictures
It wasn't just M-Forder visiting the garden. Three beautiful Cortinas, and two fat Granada IIs were also there. In addition, a couple of Lincolns and an Imapala SS came by, too. Good company.
All images can be viewed on a slightly larger scale by clicking on them. You may need to click a second time to make them even larger.
Ford 20M (P7.1/P7A) and 20M XL (P72/P7B)Super nice interior in this Ford 26M cabriolet from Carl Deutch.Decals for sale. New ones are still made based on the factory's shapes.Ford 20M TS 2300SFord 26M Hardtop Coupe with a past in France.
Great American-inspired interior in these cars.Beautifully newly produced interior
Ford 12M (P4)
Ford P7.1 RS 2000S with V6 and turbo.Nothing to complain about in the engine compartment. Turbo MAY.
Old advertising sticker from the early 80s (I think). In any case, the message is completely correct 🙂
Here are some of the cars on their way through Åsgårdstrand.
Ford Thames
Ford Cortina mk2Ford Cortina 1500 (mk1 b)Ford 26M Cabriolet from Karl Deutsch.Ford P7Ford 20M on the road in Åsgårdstrand.Ford 17M RS Hardtop on the road in Åsgardstrand.
Did Ford go too drastic when they designed their new 17M/20M for 1968?
Ford's first model, the P7A.1967 must have been a hectic year for Ford. They had launched their new model 17M, internally called the P7, as the successor to the Taunus P5. Around the same time, Opel had launched its new Rekord C, a clear competitor to the Ford 17M. New Record took Europe by storm. I have read somewhere that this triggered frequent meeting activities at Ford. Changes had to be made here, - but fast!Then Opel came out with this beautiful case...
It would only take 4 months before Ford decided to change.
Ford's hastily redesigned model, the P7B, was technically nothing more than a facelift. It received the same outline and chassis as the first model. In retrospect, one might wonder if Ford tried to make its new 17M more similar to the Opel Rekord C? - Or maybe they wanted to make the new model more like their own predecessor? The successful model P5 was marketed at the time under the slogan "Die Linie der Vernuft". The redesigned model, the P7B, received several features from the P5, such as the straight waistline and the bumper corners that curve up on the sides.
Lay well on the road
Then Ford ended up with the P7B.I was a 10-year-old boy when the P7A arrived. My dad drove the 17M P7A. The license plate said it was registered in late 1967, but I assume it was marketed as a 1968 model. It was a light blue 1700 S Turnier, 3 door station wagon, with V4, steering gear and company logo on the side doors, - van without rear side windows and rear seat. I occasionally got to join work trips when we flew at low altitude over Haukeli between Eastern Norway and Western Norway. I remember the needle going up to 140 km/h on several occasions. My father said the 17M was better on the road than other cars.
A piece of automotive history
In Norway, the P7A sold relatively well. It looks like it sold as well as the model before and after. The P7A was produced from the autumn of 1967 to the summer of 1968. The successor, the P7B, was produced until it was replaced by the Consul/Granada in the spring of 1972. The 17M/20M/26M based on the P7B is the most popular model in Ford's M series in Norway. Nevertheless - despite the short production period - a surprising number of P7A models find their way to car gatherings and meetings.
Not only is the P7A less often than the P7B, but according to today's tastes it undoubtedly is too tougher, especially models with fake air intakes on the bonnet. Taste and comfort, of course, - but I think that the P7A's design, with its sharp lines and amcar style, has stood the test of time better than its successor, the P7B.
Facts
The P designation is an internal designation used by Ford, Cologne. It simply stands for "project". The number series is calculated from the end of the Second World War. The series 12m/15m and 17m/20m both use these project designations, but it is not always different every time they change numbers. The first series is not called P1 either, but G13 and G4B.
The P5 is the predecessor of the P7 series. The designation P7a and P7/1 are used interchangeably. One cannot say that one is wrong and the other is right, because both designations have been in use for a long time. And the P6? There are 12M/15M produced in the same period as the P7 series.
Ford's M series lost the Taunus name in autumn 1967. All P5s are therefore called Taunus, but no P7 has that name even though it is often used. 12m/15m P6 lost its name after one year in production.
If you want to read more about Ford M, there is a book called "An eternal life with Ford M". This covers each individual M model and the history surrounding these cars' popularity in Norway. The book can be ordered on the Ford M Klubb website.
Ford M Club is the largest interest club for Ford M in the world as of today. It is a bit of a paradox considering the small market that was, and is, in this country. By Ford M is meant the models 12m, 15m, 17m, 20m, 26m Ford OSI 20m TS and the cheap version 12 developed by Ford in Cologne and produced in the period 1952 to 31.12.1971.
The post has been updated
This post has been reposted as it previously contained several factual errors. So a big thank you Matias Wilhelmsen who have contributed factual information to this post. Matias knows Ford M history and the Ford M environment in Norway very well. He owns the beautiful white 20M hardtop (P7A) pictured further down in the post. In addition, he owns a 17M P5, the same stroke as the 20M.
Image data on Terjesbiler.no must of course always be one hundred percent correct.
Pictures from the Ford collection at RøhneSelmer Asker and Bærum
Simple comparison of standard 17M and 20M RS. The bonnet scoop is fake.Interior from the P7A RS model. Standard models did not have a wooden panel and tachometer.Ford Taunus 20M RS V6.Ford Taunus 20M TS Hardtop Coupé 2,3 V6 with great vinyl roof.Great combination black vinyl over white with chrome details. Next to it, we can see the "gills" on the Ford OSI.
See also:
Ford enthusiasmVeteran car day at RøhneSelmer Lillestrøm
