Ford Carousel
| Ford Carousel | |
|---|---|
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Ford |
| Also called | Ford Carrousel |
| Production | 1973 (prototype only) |
| Model years | N/A |
| Designer | Dick Nesbitt |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class |
|
| Body style | 3-door minivan |
| Layout | FR layout |
| Platform | Ford VN platform |
| Related | Ford Econoline (1975-1991) |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 460 cubic inches (7.5 L) V8 |
| Transmission | 3-speed Ford C6 automatic |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 124.0 inches (3,149.6 mm) |
The Ford Carousel (also spelled Carrousel) is a prototype vehicle that was developed by Ford in 1973. While never produced outright, the vehicle explored a number of the concepts that the first American-market minivans (including the Ford Aerostar and the Chrysler minivans) put into production in the 1980s, becoming an alternative to both full-size station wagons and vans. Called a "garageable van", the Carousel included two-box design (as opposed to the one-box configuration of the Volkswagen Microbus) and three-row forward-facing seating.
Designed and styled by Dick Nesbitt (designer of the Ford Mustang II), the Carousel prototypbe was built for Ford by Carron & Company of Inkster, Michigan.
In 1972, Ford truck designers had begun final design work on what would become the 1975 Ford Econoline/Club Wagon full-size van. Codenamed "Nantucket", the redesign was to make for significant increases in front seat interior room. A key drawback to the redesign was its increased height for those who used the Econoline/Club Wagon as a personal vehicle. As most redesigned versions were to be nearly 7 feet tall, the new van would only have several inches of clearance through an average garage door opening.
In 1972, Ford President Lee Iaccoca approved the expansion of the Nantucket project to include a third vehicle alongside the Ford Econoline series and Ford Club Wagon. Codenamed "Carousel", the new variant was set out to be a "garageable van". In place of the traditional commercial buyers of vans, "Carousel" was intended to be sold to the buyers of full-size station wagons and passenger vans; a production version would have slotted between the Ford LTD Country Squire and the Ford Club Wagon in terms of cargo capacity.
Using the 124.0 in (3,150 mm) wheelbase chassis that would be adopted by the Econoline/Club Wagon (as the standard wheelbase from 1975 to 1987), the Ford Carousel was given a complete exterior redesign, distinguished with a lower roofline. Lowered to a height of approximately 6 feet, the Carousel was given a roofline lower than the 6'4" Volkswagen Microbus. Sourced from the Lincoln Continental Mark III, a 460 cubic-inch V8 and a 3-speed automatic transmission powered the Carousel.
...
Wikipedia