Ford Vedette
| Ford Vedette | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Ford SAF |
| Production | 1948–1954 |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Large car |
| Body style | 4-door hatchback 4-door saloon 4-door landaulet 5-door estate 2-door coupé 2-door cabriolet |
| Layout | FR layout |
| Related |
Ford Comete Simca Vedette Ford Vendôme Simca Ariane Chrysler Esplanada |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 2.2 L Aquillon V8 3.9 L Mistral V8 |
| Transmission | 3-speed manual |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 2,690 mm (106 in) |
| Length | 4,500 mm (180 in) till 1952 4,670 mm (184 in) from 1952 |
| Width | 1,720 mm (68 in) |
| Height | 1,570 mm (62 in) |
| Curb weight | 1,180 kg (2,600 lb) |
The Ford Vedette is a large car that was manufactured by Ford SAF in their Poissy plant from 1948-1954.
Introduced at the 1948 Mondial de l'Automobile in Paris, it was designed entirely in Detroit (resembling contemporary Mercury models) and featured the Poissy-made 2158 cc Aquillon sidevalve V8 engine of Ford's Flathead engine family, the same as in pre-war Matford cars. It was the only French car of its time with a V8 engine.
Because the Poissy factory could not resume complete automobile production immediately after World War II, many vital components had still to be made by various subcontractors, which reportedly had an adverse effect on the quality of the car and contributed to its limited popularity. Over the six years in production, the Vedette was available in several body styles, ranging from the original four-door fastback (with rear suicide doors) through the later four-door saloon, a Sunliner two-door landaulet based on the saloon (with a roll-down roof over the entire cabin), a two-door Coupé and, based on it, the Cabriolet Décapotable (a two-door convertible).
Under the direction of the new company president, Mr. François Lehideux, Ford France refreshed the car for 1950, and again in 1952, when it finally received a one-piece windscreen, new interior and bumpers, better brakes, lengthened rear overhang and trunk - and a cigarette lighter. The 1953 October Mondial de l'Automobile also saw a luxury version of the Vedette, the Ford Vendôme, fitted with the bigger 3923 cc Mistral V8 engine, previously used in Ford France trucks.
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