rmc523 Posted October 15, 2007 Share Posted October 15, 2007 Cars get bigger; the gen-1/2 Taurus was smaller than the gen-3/4 Taurus, and the gen-5 Taurus probably would have been bigger even if it hadn't started off as a different car. 1986 Accord -- 179 inches long/102 inch wheelbase 1990 Accord -- 184/107 2008 Accord -- 194/110 1986 Taurus -- 188/106 1996 Taurus -- 197/108 2008 Taurus -- 201/112 The Fusion is the same size as the old Taurus, but that doesn't mean it's the same size as the original new Taurus (which, if I remember hearing someone on this forum say (Igor?), was in fact the Five Hundred.) I'm confused, are you saying the 'original new Taurus' as in what became the current Taurus? Like as if the Five Hundred was intended to be the new Taurus before it became Five Hundred? Then the space vacated by the old Taurus would be filled with Fusion, like it has been? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rmc523 Posted October 15, 2007 Share Posted October 15, 2007 Cars get bigger; the gen-1/2 Taurus was smaller than the gen-3/4 Taurus, and the gen-5 Taurus probably would have been bigger even if it hadn't started off as a different car. 1986 Accord -- 179 inches long/102 inch wheelbase 1990 Accord -- 184/107 2008 Accord -- 194/110 1986 Taurus -- 188/106 1996 Taurus -- 197/108 2008 Taurus -- 201/112 The Fusion is the same size as the old Taurus, but that doesn't mean it's the same size as the original new Taurus (which, if I remember hearing someone on this forum say (Igor?), was in fact the Five Hundred.) I'm confused, are you saying the 'original new Taurus' as in what became the current Taurus? Like as if the Five Hundred was intended to be the new Taurus before it became Five Hundred? Then the space vacated by the old Taurus would be filled with Fusion, like it has been? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Traveler Posted October 15, 2007 Share Posted October 15, 2007 That's one thing I actually like about the switch to Taurus instead of a continuation of the Five-Hundred name. I think the name can be used again, but as a numeric designation for a particular model trim as in Galaxie 500 or Fairlane 500. CROWN VIC. For any future Ford RWD sedans, I think it becomes obvious what the future holds. Probably no changes while the Panthers are in production. While I think the Panther should roll on with the same frame and new everything else, probably won't happen. Mercury will likely die in the early part of the next decade and the Panther platform with it. Lincoln will adopt one of their MK names and that'll leave Ford to choose a name for a Ford RWD sedan. Crown Victoria? LTD? Fairlane? Galaxie? Falcon? Hmmm. None of those really pop for me, except for "Falcon". Fairlane and Galaxie just doesn't have a modern ring. I think it would relate well to the old-timers and have a good image with younger admirers. Sort of like how 'Charger' has caught on with folks now. Ford Falcon just sounds right for our N.A. full size sedan whether it comes from Australia or not. FOCUS. Another name that doesn't do much for me is Focus. It just doesn't click for me, but I'm not sure a return to Escort would do it either. Give it a celestial name or something that means friend or companion. FUSION. Keep it. Its too early to prejudge how the public has adapted to it. You can't erase a decade of Japanese dominance. Ford should keep their foot in the throttle with the Fusion and not let up. TAURUS. Good choice as already stated. It's the car that the Five-Hundred should have been in 2005. Alittle late, but still a good choice. I think its the backbone of Ford's newest mainstream automobiles and its done right this time around. EDGE. Good CUV. Spot on what Ford needed in the segment. RANGER. Geesh. Do something already! I say utilize the Explorer platform and build the Ranger on it. Share some componentry and save some dough and offer the 4.6 3V, a solid V6 and a econo-four with a decent manual transmission. F-Series, Explorer and Expedition should stay as-is. Although, I would like to see a new Wrangler competitor emerge with the "Bronco" name. Ford could really stand a good chance at competing with a revival of its original Bronco roots with a more modern vehicle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Watchdevil Posted October 15, 2007 Share Posted October 15, 2007 Those Thunderbird chops look good. Thanks... The lower intake is subject to inerpetation. The original chops I did repeated the look of the upper grille but I decided it would look better without the repeat, so the lower intake is subject to intepetation. Everyone usually wants to do interpetation of the 55-57 or classic Bullet Birds. The whole idea was to capture the look of late 60's early 70's big Fords including the same Birds of the time. I tried to make it a realistic interpetation given current bumper and impact standards. The front is indeed a mix of 1967-69 while it includes the horizontal bar beak grille like 1970-71 and 1972. It's was interesting to do chops of the rear too. I did smooth fill width red lenses like 1972-73, but I also did variations that correspond to 1977-78 with the dropped center full width lamps and 1979 style with seperate rectangular pods. The 427 Thunderbird chops turned out perfect as a coupe while bridging the two best selling Birds of all time, the 77-79 Tbirds with the 1983-88 style. Although the greenhouse resembles a 1977-79 LTD II 2-door with a 1977-79 Tbird rear, I like that look and it's consistant with Tbirds of the past with the thick C-pillars. When the 1977 Thunderbird was under development they actually had a proposal using the LTD II greenhouse with the production Tbird front end. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rmc523 Posted October 15, 2007 Share Posted October 15, 2007 Thanks... The lower intake is subject to inerpetation. The original chops I did repeated the look of the upper grille but I decided it would look better without the repeat, so the lower intake is subject to intepetation. Everyone usually wants to do interpetation of the 55-57 or classic Bullet Birds. The whole idea was to capture the look of late 60's early 70's big Fords including the same Birds of the time. I tried to make it a realistic interpetation given current bumper and impact standards. The front is indeed a mix of 1967-69 while it includes the horizontal bar beak grille like 1970-71 and 1972. It's was interesting to do chops of the rear too. I did smooth fill width red lenses like 1972-73, but I also did variations that correspond to 1977-78 with the dropped center full width lamps and 1979 style with seperate rectangular pods. The 427 Thunderbird chops turned out perfect as a coupe while bridging the two best selling Birds of all time, the 77-79 Tbirds with the 1983-88 style. Although the greenhouse resembles a 1977-79 LTD II 2-door with a 1977-79 Tbird rear, I like that look and it's consistant with Tbirds of the past with the thick C-pillars. When the 1977 Thunderbird was under development they actually had a proposal using the LTD II greenhouse with the production Tbird front end. you're welcome. I have a new Thunderbird idea that I drew, I hope to get it posted on hear ASAP. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LincolnFan Posted October 15, 2007 Share Posted October 15, 2007 No...really? Ya rly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Watchdevil Posted October 16, 2007 Share Posted October 16, 2007 you're welcome. I have a new Thunderbird idea that I drew, I hope to get it posted on hear ASAP. Let's see it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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