Here are the Top 10 Weirdest cars from Ford!
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- Опубликовано: 11 авг 2023
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In this episode I provide my picks for the trop 10 weirdest cars from the Ford Motor Company. My channel normally stays within the 80s to mid-2000s, but for this episode I went further back to include some classics from the 50s, 60s, and 70s too.
![Darren Waller - Who Knew (Her Perspective) [Official Video]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/GytDjB8u6bM/mqdefault.jpg)
The last Gen T-Bird was a flop because dealers marked them up 4K over sticker.
... and sticker was marked up $25K over actual value...
@@zeus014no it wasn’t! You should have bought one ! In good condition, it’s worth almost what you paid for it!
@@melvinhunt6976 assuming you actually GET the asking price that you claim it's worth (doubtful), you still haven't factored in the inflation boogie-man. Even if you could find a sucker willing to fork over $60K you'd need to get $100K in today's dollars to break even.
Well as far as resale value goes, prices are on the rise for a good one w/removable hardtop. The other problem was the 2 seat configuration and lack of more serious horsepower. I believe that a retro style body over a properly sized Mustang chassis and running gear, with all the hot motors, would sell much better than the previous 2 seat, just as happened with the four seaters in the 50s and 60s
It's so funny how they thought we were gonna have futuristic cars in 2015, but in reality, we got some of the most generic looking cars with a few LEDs here and there! 😂😂😂
And also can you do weird concept cars from different companies?
I TOTALLY AGREE!
@@johnmaki3046concept cars from years ago were way more futuristic because of the space age. Instead of the Jetsons we got boring 😴 .
You should hate seth macfarlane ok?
😠😠😠
@@joaquinvaleri7022 ???
I had a 1983 Exp from 1993 to 1996 fun little car with plenty of room for a giant speeker box .
Speaker
Ford never learned their mistake of trying to change the Mustang to something else with the Mach-E.
I think they should have saved the Mach-E name for an all-electric 600+ hp mustang. That would be a much more fitting use of the name I think
Or a hybrid electric V8 mid engine HyperCar
The mach-E(xposition)
FWIW, Ford is running ads for the abomination during the video.
They should have just put a modernized flathead in and used the profits to arm an insurgency against the EPA.
When you do a Weird Chrysler models, should include the "Mod Top" option in 1969 only for the Plymouth Barracuda and others. Flower graphic vinyl tops and seat fabric available in several colors was Chysler's attempt at a car to appeal to women.
There was a slime lime Barracuda with a floral top at the dealer in Petaluma. Handsome!
The failure of the Edsel brand is blamed on the grille, but a similar grille is considered a design staple for Alfa Romeo. Who knew?
Somebody market spun that sonavagun right out of the market.
The Edsel was just a little over the top. If the grille is actually the issue then what makes it sooooo ok on a ugly ... Bugatti?
Yea and it's as ugly there! Horrendous design.
The real problem is that it was originally aimed at a market segment that didn't really exist. The styling issues were a problem across the whole Ford range for '58. Too stodgy. GM dropped their boxy '55-'57 styling for '58, and another complete revamp in '59.
You want to talk about an ugly grille? How about the hideous Toyota Camry grille. Now THAT is UGLY but people buy the damned things.
If the breezeway makes the list, then the Ford Skyliner should for sure.
I owned that EXP in 1986. Good enough commuter but nothing special. I sold it when I bought a Olds Cutlas Salon diesel. Oh boy, I regretted that!
In November 1982, I bought a brand new Ford EXP (medium blue metallic) with the 1.6 liter "H.O." engine (making all of 80 HP) and a 4-speed manual. It was "loaded" with sunroof, cruise, gauges, etc. I didn't consider it "weird" at the time. Unusual, certainly. It got the attention of most people. And I loved having only 2 seats (like a pick-up - lots of cargo space). Never gave me too much trouble (plastic radiator drain plug fell out outside of Wash D.C.) ... I drove it for 10 years and nearly 150K miles before selling it.
Them little Cars were Very Fast..😄
I had one and absolutely loved it!!
The Ford EX PEEPEE
That last retro Thunderbird didn't look that bad. It was just too damn expensive. EXP was weird.
You have to love that toilet seat grill on the Edsel. I owned several Tauruses on the last 3 decades and I own a 2018 now. That 3rd gen was a joke. The 4th gen is really the same car but they dumped the round front and rear ends. You can tell the doors are the same in the 3rd and 4th gens
True. In a way when it came out, it was supposed to compete with the Corvette wanting GM to go retro as well.
Ford half-assed the retro Bird. Outside, I think they nailed it. Interior? Hey...let's take the identical interior of the modern Lincoln LS and stuff it into the retro Bird. Instantly killed any originality the car might have had and went completely against what the car was supposed to represent.
The exterior styling was beautiful imo. It's power train, interior, and price were the downsides. Those are significant downsides.
I thought the T-Bird was cool , but like the Prowler it was just too slow, they could have at least offered a performance version. But yeah I wouldn’t mind having one today, I love it when I see one on the road.
I love that the ‘02-‘05 retro-Thunderbird made this list. I’ve been driving a top spec yellow ‘02 for a couple of years now as the second owner and everyone who talks to me seem to love it.
It really was just case of poor timing. Though, a more appropriate interior probably would have helped.
@@codeman99-devdefinitely right there. I got mine really cheap because the tranny was going so had to put money into that and a few other things but for $50,000 new adjusted for inflation that interior should have been way more Lincoln Continental then Ford plastic City or to make up for that plastic instead of the Jaguar engine and stupid electric system they should have had a 4.6 l V8 Cobra engine in it
I love the Pinto cruising Wagon, it looked cool. I wanted to get one and do a V8 swap.
And if you were lucky enough, you were able to get an SHO model, which had a 3.4 L Yamaha V8.
I had an '88 Merkur, it was an awesome car. 20psi with a junkyard intercooler and manual boost valve, it was a handful and the IRS made it handle like a slot car.
I miss mine.
German masterpiece
@@mikebunetta7420 Designed in Belgium and made in England.
2nd gen Taurus was just a comprehensive facelift. Gen 1 was never eclipsed, though. Masterpiece
Henry Ford would have been proud.
The bubble Taurus was far weirder. But it was still cool in hindsight, particularly the SHO.
They were a pretty good car. But the transmissions. Autos had a high percentage of failing first. It was a long time ago but a mechanic I talked to. Said something about planetary gears
@@johnsheetz6639 I worked in a facility that was essentially founded by rebuilding AXODs.
@@americansmark Would've been better with an optional 5/6 Speed Manual gearbox.
A mate had his car rear ended by a probe and it brings me great joy to bring up the time he got probed 😂
Probed in the rear
I knew a guy who owned a purple Probe. He was t-boned in an intersection by another car that drove thru a red light(.
Nicely done.
😂😂😂
😅😂🤣
The Pinto wagon was a sharp little vehicle, available with a V-6.
Also, that wagon had front-wheel disc brakes...a smart move by Ford considering they could have sold well without them.
Ford was smart to accomodate the extra weight and power of the V-6 with the brakes, which they surely knew could be retro-fit onto other enthusiast Fords when upgrading.
Absolutely! I had the Mercury version... the Bobcat. Plenty of power with power steering and fold down rear seats for moving stuff. What a great car!
Had 2 Pinto wagons. Severely underrated cars!
70’s kid here, yeah the pinto wagon was cool ! or the Chevy love pickup 💕
Sharp I really think you need glasses 🤢
@@bruceferry3825 I had a few Pinto wagons and a Bobcat wagon. All were wagons that I pulled the rear windows and installed the cruising wagon panels. Maybe I had the only Bobcat cruising wagon. I loved those cars. I'd like to find another one but most I see are in terrible condition.
The Merkur Scorpio was a five door liftback!
that's just one of a few errors in this video =(
As a teenager in the 80’s, I thought the Scorpio was the height of klass, sophistication and the kind of good taste I thought only rich people possessed 😂😂😂
I had a 92 Probe... Doctor said everything was okay..
Then the “doctor” landed and let you out of the ufo
America never got the decent Ford econo boxes.
So many turbo motors. Then the all-wheel-drive variants.
Ford knew the escort cosworth would have killed the 5.0 mustang.
The Pinto wagon was pretty cool, mainly because you could swap in a Mercury Capri V-6.
When I was in High School a fellow dropped a full race 302 with tunnel ram into his. It was BAD!
This would be A GREAT improvement!
Didn't some wagons already have 2.8 v6?
This may very well be! They were "TOTAL COOL" in appearance!@@davidnonnenmocher5122
J.C. Whitney offered Kit for installing a 460 with C-6 automatic many years ago was sorely tempted but never got around to get it. But I still have the Cruzing Wagon with 4 banger C-3 slowly restoring.
I love the Pinto Wagon!
Agreed. And I would check the box for disco stripes and 4 speed manual.😀
Had a 74 , it was a great little car.
14:52 During development, the Mazda designers in Japan that were working on their version of this car, which became the Mazda MX6, referred to the Probe as “the pretty one“.
Please do an episode on the Mitsubishi Diamante
The Pinto wagon was the best-selling wagon in America in 1975-6. Ford bragged it was "the wagon that outsells them all, big or small". The Cruising Van version was always niche.
I have a 1993 Probe GT and have had so much fun with it.
Little know fact: the Ford probe was originally going to be named the Ford Orriface.
After several heated meetings, cooler heads prevailed.
I always loved the Taurus. Was really excited whenever I saw one on the road in Australia.
I like how they complained about cabin exhaust fumes as they smoked in the cabin with the windows up.
I loved those Pinto Cruising wagons. If I had one, I'd drop in a 2.3 liter with 5 speed out of an 88 Thunderbird Turbo Coupe. Should bolt right up.
Naaaaah a 302 maybe!
@@garycamara9955 I did a 289 in a Mercury Bobcat wagon. That's close enough.
I had an 1888 Merkur XR4ti turbo. It was red and in perfect condition. I loved that car. It was so fun to drive and people always asked me what it was. Unfortunately it had a major issue in the a very bad winter in Montana and I ended up needing a part sent from Germany and I just didn't have the time. Ended up selling the car to the guy that owned the shop. He still has it. I got it in 1995 and sold it in 1998.
1888? That thing must be vintage.
@@RettMikhalgravy train wagon
Please do a video on the Ford Explorer Sport Trac pickup! 🛻
Cars today are Sooooo Boring. Almost all car/trucks are silver, dark silver, gray, dark gray, light gray, silver gray and so on..........
Possibly enhanced gray.
I actually like the Lincoln blackwood
More! The Taurus X. What was that thing anyway. Honorable mention to its replacement, the Ford Flex. Early models in white looked like 50's refrigerators from the rear.
I loved the Ford Probe and I really wanted one. I drove a Cutlass Calais at that time...and truly loved it, but the shape of the Probe was exciting to me! Great video...! Thank you so much. I believe that it would be interesting to get more women designers on board.
I have a probe gt and absolutely love it. You can still get a decent one for cheap
@@asideofbeans5803 same 93 GT, good car
"The shape of the Probe was exciting to me" LMAO that's what she said.
Everyone has an opinion !
@@spankynater4242 Pinto means dic* in portuguese so it makes sense
I'd totally buy a Bigfoot Cruiser today!
The Blackwood is what most pickups are today.. daiy drivers with lots of storage space. I like the first gen Probe.
I would have bought a Blackwood if it was a 4x4.
I actually liked the exterior looks of the 3rd gen Taurus.
🤮🤮🤮
I feel like it gets sort of redeemed when you see one in any kind of good shape on the road today when contrasted with everything else. Really a brave but coherent design.
The favorite car I owned was a 1958 Ford Fairlane 500 2 door, with Ford's hottest engine, a 352 Thunderbird Interceptor Special V8 engine. I loved its style and its amazing acceleration.
I had a 2nd gen (1994) Probe GT and loved it. Sporty, great handling/tires, and fast enough for its time.
I've owned a Ford Five Hundred. It was a good car and the AWD made it unstoppable in the snow. But I could see why it didn't sell. It was a larger, slower, fancier and heavier (4000 lbs) version of the Taurus
They were sold as the Ford Mondeo in the UK and they sold like hot cakes! We got a 3.0 V6 ST 220 version here with with 225hp which was hugely popular!
@@S-T-E-V-E did it have longer than a 3 year run? We only had it between 05-07
@@S-T-E-V-EI'm surprised it sold so we'll, it's a pretty big car for Europe.
@@lukerinderknecht2982 Small in the UK? The country of Bentley, Rolls Royce and Jaguar! 😂
@@S-T-E-V-E
The 500 was never sold by Ford as a Mondeo. The styling might look similar but the platform the 500 used actually started as a Volvo big car (8 series or XC90 series, I forget which).
A 1978 Pinto wagon without air just sold for almost 15K on Bring a Trailer. They are worth money if well kept.
i thought the same thing...putting outdated info in a new video isn't the way to build a YT channel
Any clean Pinto brings good money today.
That Bigfoot edition was badass looking.
They built the Probe in the Ford plant I work at now. They have one in the basement. They also had a Mercury Cougar in there.
I remember seeing the pinto and van add when I was young. So much cheese but also so cool!
The Merkur was an odd name, we had the Sierra in the UK,from coupes to saloons to estate cars and the Cosworth-engined rally car is a classic.
I got a US motoring magazine from a family friend when I was a kid and seeing a 3 door Sierra called a "Merkur" was a "huh?" moment.
Merkur was German for Mercury. I really enjoyed driving the one I had but I spent way to much time working on it.
The Sierra and Saphire Cosworth are sort after cars in the UK.
The Ford Sierra's was a major opportunity missed by USA consumers with the European models RS500 Cosworths,
World Rally Championship Turbo 4x4 Group A Rally Champion Colin McCrae type variants, WTCC RS500 Turbo Sierra's, Australian DickJohnsonRacing RWD
2.0L Turbo ATCC Group A version 680 BHP rocket ships. The American DJM scene, Hot European sports sedans and coupe scene, all of them would have had a serious Sierra Group of contenders to deal with. The public got fixated on the word Merkur and couldn't see what they had in front of them.
South africa had the xr6 and the xr8 sierra, the latter had a 5litre v8 under the hood
We in the US got screwed!! The Merkurs got the sheit name and plastic crap headlamps compared to the awesome euro spec glass lights and we never got the coveted Cossies!!! 😭 I had 2 XR4Ti's and enjoyed every minute with them!! Miss them dearly.
I always like the Edsel with that "horse collar grill".
The 3rd Gen Taurus with the oval grill are and those oval lay flat headlamp covers made the front end resemble a catfish. Didn't like a car that looked like a fish.
I always thought the grill was the best feature.
Take the Breezeway off the list and replace it with the Flex. An odd car that was supposed compete with minivans.
Such a hidden gem. Ever since I moved I see them everywhere.
I've always thought the Pinto Wagons were neat looking cars, now I know the specific model I need to look for.
Omg that Probe comment and movie clip was perfect😂😂😂
I had a "Sierra 2iS". One step down from the XR4i. It was a Pinto engine - one of the first pintos to get fuel injection. *_wires and hoses everywhere_* The pinto wasn't designed for that !!! (completely diff. from the v6 in the XR4i) and was actually a really good car. Fish taily on wet roundabouts but good enough.
A Ford F-150 with an unusable truck bed and we'll call it a Lincoln. Wow, what a great idea! Here's a bonus!
The Bigfoot package trucks had a power up/down sliding rear window (much like the Breezeway.) Manufactured by CR Lawrence for Ford, probably the first production pickup to have the feature, and are highly sought after by some 87-96 F-series truck owners.
The EXP/LN7 was Ford's first attempt to replace the Fox Mustang, there was even a turbo version. Chevy responded with the Z24 Cavalier, and then when Ford tried again with the Probe, Chevy had the Beretta GT/GTU/GTZ attempts.
Ford's mistake was the ill fated Mustang11
@@robertadams6606 so why do you find it ill fated? It carried on for a few years, and hot rodders love its front suspension design. Arguably, GM could have countered with their Monza being a downsized Z28--probably would have offered less resistance to their 180 hp 350 engine :)
I would say the Mustang II returned to its original intent--an attempt to be something for everyone. it could be optioned as a secretary's car (as Carrol Shelby called it), or a luxury version with the Ghia, or a sporty car (sure, the performance of the Cobra was lacklaster, but what wasn't during that era? and the original 289 Mustang went right up against the 389 GTO in 1964)
The only Ford I've ever liked was the European Granada, way better than what they sold here. I had a friend who owned a Dodge Rampage, the little front wheel drive truck. I'd love to see a video about that.
Escort MkI , Capri and Taunus was same time and also good cool cars !
Please do a video about the Ford Explorer sport trac pickup. Surprised the last generation Mercury Cougar didn't make the list.
I'd love to see that, imagine if someone had swapped a Terminator Cobras 🐍 V8 into one??
Crazy, insane or brilliant idea???
That's what I was going to write.
@@richsackett3423 great minds think alike, huh Rich 😉😏😉😏😜😜
I keep forgetting about the last Mercury Cougar. Haven’t seen one in years
I remember going to a Ford/Lincoln/Mercury dealer specifically to see the Xr4ti and was instantly whisked away by the salesman to look at the EXP because he didn't understand what was sellable about the Mercur. The car I was intending to trade was a Saab 99 EMS so the Mercur was really more of what I wanted at the time.
I can totally see a Ford salesman mistakenly thinking an EXP would satisfy a SAAB owner. "That one's odd, this one's odd, it's a perfect match!"
Truly one of the coolest Saabs.
I own an xr4ti
@@richsackett3423 It drove amazingly, but it was an electrical nightmare.
The EXP was a great handling car. Worked with a guy who had one. It was a blast to drive. The probe also drove great.
Edsel's "horse collar grill", also called the "toilet seat". 😂
I've built the Monogram 1/32 82 EXP Bob Glidden Edition model kit last winter.. came out quite decently I think...
I hated that generation Taurus but they were popular still see them. One I would add to this list would be the last generation Cougar from 99-02. Somewhat like the Probe, I think it helped end Mercury.
1997 was the last year you could get a rear wheel drive eight cylinder, I have one with the predator package and really enjoy it.
I would take a breeze way over a sunroof. I wish more cars had that. I think 4runners and tundras have it now.
Also, both gen probes look great! Making them into the mustang makes more sense than the mach-e.
The moon roof/ sun roof is a waste. If you live in the torrid South, it’s seldom used. In the frigid north, either, but for different reasons.
I had the last year Pinto, & I never heard of a V6 option on any of them ?
Most pickups have sliding rear windows now.
I've owned am EXP and still own an 02 Thunderbird . The Tbird still gets allot of attention and love in public.
I keep suggesting that they use the current Mustang platform, properly resized, for the basis for a T-bird. It’s already available with 4, 6, and 8 cylinder engines and very good brakes, ride and suspension. A slinky, muscular 4 seat coupe/convertible with a luxury slant. Like the 58s on.
Yeah, the Merkur shared the same 2.3 L turbo charged four-cylinder as the Teebird.
I would suggest that the 03' Lincoln Aviator would fit this list... the navigators little brother, with 3 row seating, a gorgeous retro- modern interior, and a potent 305HP 4.6l all-aluminum quad-cam 4V V8, shared with the Mustang Cobra of the same era. A 5.5 sec 0-60 was impressive for its time, its smaller size (explorer) than its navigator sibling (expedition) allowed for easy parking and garage fitment, yet the retail price drove many to avoid and opt instead for the Navigator, making for low production and sales numbers. The uninformed often mistake this nimble, hotrod luxury SUV for its big brother, as its styling is nearly identical. Upgraded dual wishbone suspension and extra strut bracing and control arm stiffening make this lincoln the best, sturdiest, and most potent Explorer that few know even exists. Great video, keep em' coming!
I totally want a Pinto wagon!
One thing I remember from the Mercury LN7 was the "bubbleback" hatch. It was also found on later EXPs and the Renault Encore.
The terror of the Fuego.
I remember the fox body Capri having the bubble. The LN7 did too?
Fox Body Capri had those starting in 1983.
LN7 got it LATER.
@@bricefleckenstein9666the LN7s were all bubblebacks (82-83)
I had a silver 1982 LN7. I was 18 and other than it's lack of a/c, I loved that car!
I had a merkur xr4ti just like the one in the video. It was great and so unlike any other car of the time
A friend of mine had one of the pinto panel wagons. We put a 302 with the 4 speed and rear end out of a Mustang 2 it made a nice little ride and always turned head's
I think the Pinto was a pretty car from day one. Too bad they never worked out the gas tank location on it properly and it ended being more notorious than notable.
Love the pinto cruising stripes and the porthole.
The Pinto wagon wasn’t subject to the gas tank issue or recall.
I love and get the Pinto jokes, but the Pinto really gets a bad rap for the "design". The reality is, many, many models from several manufacturers had this same defect and were just as prone to explosion from being rear ended. The Pinto is simply the poster child for all of the garbage Detroit was putting out then.
GMC and Chevrolet pickup trucks had a real gas tank location issue. Look it up people.
I liked the first gen probe. It was unique and the turbo motor was beastly.
Shame it wasn't RWD.
A friends older sister got a new EXP when they hit the market , 2 people were the max for comfy riding !
Imagine selling a truck where the stock tires wear out the brake lines 💀
You missed the Ford Durango. It was a mid-sized Ranchero style car based on the Fairmont. Less than 500 were made.
I think the Durango was made by an aftermarket firm from a Fairmont.
I remember reading that the Edsel’s grille looked like a woman’s lady parts.
Also a toilet seat & horse collar
I remember them all and even rode in an Edsel. Thanks Pat
I love the Pinto, l would happily drive one now
I owned a 1979 pinto wagon custom explorer. It was insanely cool
When Ford reintroduced the Taurus, they just slapped it onto the 500 and the Freestyle This took the Taurus from being a mid sized to a full size. Since there wasn’t a 500 wagon, the Freestyle became the Taurus X. Both the 500 and Freestyle weren’t selling well, so Ford thought that rebranding them as Taurus would increase sales.
I've seen exactly one 1960 Edsel, in person. It was sitting in a barn in Indiana, covered up by tarp on a concrete slab. Never found out what, if anything, the owner did with that car, as it was a gift from his father on the guy's 16th birthday.
I remember the 2nd generation Probe was Motor Trend Car Of The Year in 1993. That was a very nice looking car compared to the 1st generation Probe.
Video length is a win for us Rush fans 😁
Great video! Honestly, I haven’t heard of most of these, so well done!
Thunderbirds always make me think of poor Adriana.
You missed the Ford Falcon. The early ones were a direct competitor to the Dodge Challenger but couldn't keep up with the Mustang in terms of sales. Today, it has found a new niche market in Australia as a Ute body style (think El Camino but longer). The funny thing is that the first Utes were farm-fab vehicles. They would chop the bed off of a Ranger, lower it and weld it onto the front half of a Mustang, perfect for dust-dessert homesteading.
It's probing time! I bought a 1995 Taurus to avoid getting the oval design. Great car, but basically starting failing at about 140k miles.
A lot of these cars evoked the responses of:
“What were they thinking?” and
“What?! Were they thinking?”
The Sierra XR4i didn't have a turbo. It used a 2.8l Cologne V6, a smaller version of the 4.0l pushrod V6 used in American Rangers, Explorers etc.
I love the green or orange shag carpet! 72,73. poor boy can dream!
17:18 Edsel low-line cars were reskinned Fords, high-line cars redone Mercurys. Roof pillars show. The grille was likened also to something improper, at least for naming in polite company.
I always thought the Aerostar was wierd
Edselstar, I had one
Dustbuster.
The rear/side visibility of that pinto wagon has to be among the worst ive ever seen in a car
I owned a 63 Marauder S55, loved that car!
I think some of Ford's weirdest cars were pretty cool !
I had a 1997 Taurus. I loved it. Drove it about 12 years.
I've also built the 1/25 AMT 58 Edsel Ranger model kit last Fall .. it also came out quite decently for me as well .
I must commend you on the Probe section of the video. I was a teenager when Ford tried to replace the Mustang with this. I was one of the people who were pissed about this. Thank god they changed their minds. Great video. I was wondering if you were going to mention that. When I heard you lead into to it, I clapped loudly! Again, great video.