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History Ford Town USA

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by Ryan, Apr 9, 2009.

  1. Ryan
    Joined: Jan 2, 1995
    Posts: 21,632

    Ryan
    ADMINISTRATOR
    Staff Member

  2. RichG
    Joined: Dec 8, 2008
    Posts: 3,919

    RichG
    Member

    That is so cool! The sad thing is that if Ford tried that stunt today, people would get trampled to death (remember last Christmas's Wal Mart employee?).
     
  3. I just wonder how many Engine Swaps took place in that WEEK ?? >>>>.
     
  4. Chaz
    Joined: Feb 24, 2004
    Posts: 5,016

    Chaz
    Member Emeritus

    It must be the carnie in me, but I love this !!!! Cool way to draw attention to yourself and your product.. Today's marketing gurus should take note. You can bet a lot of those folks ended up buying that new Ford they were driving on loan for a week. " Hurry, hurry, Step right up !"
     

  5. Lee Iacocca was such a visionary. Cool story.
     
  6. JeffreyJames
    Joined: Jun 13, 2007
    Posts: 16,628

    JeffreyJames
    Member
    from SUGAR CITY

    I can't see nobody getting into trouble unless there was something fishy going on with ford end of things. Shenanigans.
     
  7. meteor
    Joined: Mar 17, 2006
    Posts: 443

    meteor
    Member

    Great story. I can't imagine the logisitcs...
     
  8. froghawk
    Joined: May 9, 2008
    Posts: 857

    froghawk
    Member

    What's kinda weird is all the T-birds are 1960 models. Everything else is '61. Was Thunderbird production slow getting started in '61? Did they really have that many leftover white '60 'Birds?

    Great story, though. Wish we lived there then. But we did have our own white Ford, a '58 Del Rio Ranch Wagon with "Interceptor Special" 352, Cruise-O-matic and red interior.
     
  9. slim53
    Joined: Apr 24, 2005
    Posts: 399

    slim53
    Member

    That's a good catch. Very weird.

    Slim
     
  10. Labold
    Joined: Nov 1, 2007
    Posts: 1,219

    Labold
    Member

    I've seen that main overhead photo before and always wondered what the hell was going on with all the white Fords. I just figured it was ol' Henry's vision of heaven.
    Cool story. Doubt we'll see any promotions similar to that again.
     
  11. Rod_n_Hudson
    Joined: Sep 7, 2008
    Posts: 85

    Rod_n_Hudson
    Member
    from Michigan

  12. daddio211
    Joined: Aug 26, 2008
    Posts: 6,012

    daddio211
    Member

    The stuff legends are made of...

    And it's been nearly 50 years!
     
  13. Sounds like something Iacocca would do. His autobiography is a great read if you get the chance..
     
  14. Dog427435
    Joined: Feb 16, 2007
    Posts: 9,439

    Dog427435
    Member

    Production on the new styled '61 T-Bird did not start until October 3rd - the earliest release date to the dealers was November 10th.
     
  15. flathead fred
    Joined: Jul 18, 2006
    Posts: 298

    flathead fred
    Member

    Wow, as a Ford nut that is kind of like heaven!
     
  16. VAPHEAD
    Joined: May 13, 2002
    Posts: 3,257

    VAPHEAD
    BANNED

    You would think there would have been all kinds of drag racing going on..
    Brand new free loaner car? I would have treated it worse then the rentals I've thrashed.
     
  17. Ryan
    Joined: Jan 2, 1995
    Posts: 21,632

    Ryan
    ADMINISTRATOR
    Staff Member

    Yeah... that's why I am pissed at the details... Or lack there of...

    You mean to tell me they gave some 16 year old kid a new Ford just because he was a registered car owner? And if they did, I REFUSE to believe that he and his pals didn't have some fun.

    Where are the good stories? Screw all of these soft PR/Marketing stories around the event.
     
  18. glenn33
    Joined: Sep 11, 2006
    Posts: 1,838

    glenn33
    Member
    from Browns, IL

    Ryan...So cool that you posted this. I live about 20 miles east of Flora, and even though I'm not a native I have met people that participated in this event. As a member of the Clay Co. Cruisers based in Flora, we at one time tossed around the idea of restoring one of the only known cars to still be in the area...We didn't get the job done at that time, but the club may still be working on it.
    As far as negative press, even around here there are no stories of people trashing or stealing cars, but ya gotta remember that those were different times. This was a big deal for a small community, and people were very proud that Flora was chosen. I guess they were on their best behavior.
    Every once in awhile a piece of memorabilia from the event will surface. I've seen fliers, key fobs, etc. at different times.


     
  19. Hellfish
    Joined: Jun 19, 2002
    Posts: 6,626

    Hellfish
    Member

    Imagine trying to find your white 61 Ford in a parking lot full of white 61 Fords!
     
  20. drock6570
    Joined: Aug 11, 2006
    Posts: 413

    drock6570
    Member

    Glenn,
    being that you are so close, I hereby put it to vote that you be the "official" digger of dirt and report back to us with SOMETHING more on this awesome event. All those in favor AYE
     
  21. Ryan
    Joined: Jan 2, 1995
    Posts: 21,632

    Ryan
    ADMINISTRATOR
    Staff Member

    aye!
     
  22. glenn33
    Joined: Sep 11, 2006
    Posts: 1,838

    glenn33
    Member
    from Browns, IL

    No problem. If you guys want more I'll see what I can dig up.




     
  23. Von Rigg Fink
    Joined: Jun 11, 2007
    Posts: 13,418

    Von Rigg Fink
    Member
    from Garage

    Man..could you imagine the liablities of doing something like this today? even with the smallest of towns you know there would be one joker ready to sue for something..or wrecking the car..or...etc..
     
  24. Billybobdad
    Joined: Mar 12, 2008
    Posts: 960

    Billybobdad
    Member

    Actually this was done again (late 80's) in a town in New York where everbody was given YUGOs:eek: to use for a year for "test marketing".
     
  25. What do you do when the parking lot is full...of your own make and model and color to boot! Hell, I can't find my car now.

    Good times....
     
  26. Today someone would get their undies in a bunch cuz the cars are all white or some
    non PC reason.
     
  27. DrewDay
    Joined: Oct 24, 2007
    Posts: 249

    DrewDay
    Member
    from Austin, Tx

    I always wondered about that picture...
     
  28. funnycar
    Joined: Dec 11, 2008
    Posts: 49

    funnycar
    Member

    That's why I love (old) american cars!:)
     
  29. YUP, actually happened. Unfortunatlly, the cars only lasted one week. Here was my car as I returned it, in a basket.-MIKE:eek::p


    [​IMG]
     

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