The Early Years of Ford

Book, DVD, Supplier Reviews
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JAN
Posts: 181
Joined: Sun Oct 21, 2007 6:57 am
Location: Wigan, UK

The Early Years of Ford

Post by JAN »

I have received for review three DVD sets of the history of Ford, both in Britain and the USA, from the earliest days to the 1940s:

1 The Early Years of Ford in America (two discs)
2 The Early Years of Ford in Britain
3 Ford around the World in the 1940s (two discs).

Although they rather pre-date my interest, they’re certainly worth a look. The style of the films varies considerably over the years, but is the generally rather schmaltzy sales style that Ford’s Advertising Department specialised in. The single DVD of The Early Years of Ford in Britain concentrates on how tough and durable the cars were, by driving them up extreme gradients and rough surfaces; or over ground strewn with pot-holes and large boulders. In truth, they were right to do this: the transverse sprung Fords were very good over such terrain, but were far less at home on good metalled roads which were becoming far more common by World War II.

The Early Years of Ford in America series charts progress from Uncle Henry’s original Quadricycle to WWII, but takes in other experimental vehicles, including a one-man tank! The American vehicles were also demonstrated for their resilience, but moved gradually towards speed and comfort as their main sales features.

Ford around the World in the 1940s moves us from 1940 through the war and up to 1949. The style is now rather more sophisticated and shows the comfort that these cars would give their occupants, but the final track reverts to running over rough ground. Whether or not a modern day tester would agree is open the debate!

Like the cars, these films are a product of their day and it’s difficult to understand why audiences didn’t fall out of their seats with laughter. Presumably they didn’t, since Ford continued to produce this publicity material throughout the period, and well beyond. I f you enjoy the cars of the period, these films are a part of them.

The DVDs are produced by Auto_Heritage, Suite 87, Wilmslow Rd, Manchester M20 6UG. The price of the DVDs is as follows.

The Early Years of Ford in Britain: £12.99
The Early Years of Ford in America: £19.99
Ford Around the World in the 1940s: £19.99
The set of three DVDs together: £39.99

The UK Postage and Packing price is £1.95.
Overseas postage and packing is £4 or £6 depending on quantity.
The web site is www.auto-heritage.co.uk and the telephone ordering number is 020-7281-4777.

All the DVDs have been produced so they will play in American NTSC DVD players. We also have a US web site if that helps: www.ford-heritage.com

I have no connection with this enterprise, by the way!

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IFHP
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Post by IFHP »

Jan,

Thanks for the review, I also received the set. I think my favorite film was from the 1940s disc which featured footage from every Ford plant outside the US circa 1948/49. It was produced for the short-lived Ford International Division.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ifhp97/553 ... 3661577386

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ifhp97/553 ... 661577386/
European Ford Collector
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