If only Ford had ...

[Myluckyday]

A thread to right the wrongs of the past.

Correct the engineering 'mis-designs'.

The corners they cut we wish they hadn't.

Suggestions for things Ford should have done ... but didn't.

Maybe some know of some designs that stayed on the drawing board, but might have been made a commercial success if they had gone into production.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BnozMJSIQAETEmG.jpg

Doesn't have to be overly negative.

Be it a small part of a car, or a whole concept, have your say ...
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If only Ford had ...

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[Myluckyday]

I'll start with a gripe.

If only Ford had extended their hood lining by lousy extra centimeter (past the edge and looped it back over the head lining shell) or two AND had used an adhesive that didn't melt the backing foam over time ... my head lining wouldn't be beginning to sag now!

Actually ... it was a problem that Ford must have known about because my EL Falcon and now my BF linings have both sagged.
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[rods falcon]

Built and sold a FG RTV. I believe it did make it to prototype stage

[mechanic]

Originally Posted by Myluckyday

I'll start with a gripe.

If only Ford had extended their hood lining by lousy extra centimeter (past the edge and looped it back over the head lining shell) or two AND had used an adhesive that didn't melt the backing foam over time ... my head lining wouldn't be beginning to sag now!

Actually ... it was a problem that Ford must have known about because my EL Falcon and now my BF linings have both sagged.
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To be fair, most cars in the tropics have the adhesive problem.
I recently had the hood lining in both my BF RTV and the Mitsubishi Verada replaced.
Now I notice the door lining in the Mitsi has come loose. My brother was an industrial chemist in the plastics field and he says it's to do with regulations regarding the types of adhesives used to comply with environmental issues.
Only cost $180 to get the BF ute done so not really a big problem.

[GTLEGEND]

If only Ford had told the government to stick it and release the Phase 4 GTHO in 1972 anyway, I wonder what other cars would have proceeded it...

[brismike]

If only Ford had built the BA Falcon onwards in LHD and exported it to the USA.

[pottery beige]

XE door handles not made of cheese

[GTLEGEND]

If Ford did not stop the V8 in 1983....

[Dr Smith]

No particular order:

1. Released the Territory diesel when originally planned under Geoff Polites product cycle.
2. Put the ZF six speed into all models of the Terry's when it appeared in Falcons to bring down the economy and kill main press negativity at the time.
3. Build a G8E.
4. Build a LPG Terry for 5 seater models (couldn't do so for 7 seaters without major rear body structure changes)
5. Engineer the SZ for the 3.0L V6 diesel as supplied to LR/Jag.
6. Complain far harder about the FTA with Thailand that killed Terry exports.
7. Push their greater level of "Australian-ess" and highlight far more what is the amount of international work they have done and will do.
8. Discard the company thought "if we build a great car that's enough for they will buy it" as proven when they actually had superior product but didn't back it up with superior marketing.
9. Import far greater range of Transit Custom , colours, options, (no auto thanks to Ford Europe) but no rhs sliding door, Crewvan model, etc...
10. Bring down RRP closer to real world transaction prices so that resale values are higher and don't rubbish brand image.

[Myluckyday]

^^^

Well considered post there Mr Smith ...
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[HO 3]

If only Ford hadn't recalled XY GTHOs to fit quieter exhaust systems........

Cheers Mick

[Jack91]

Painted/treated inner sheet metal joins
Added adequate drainage holes in non stupid places
Not made water/mud trap areas in seams
Its embarrassing when e series, AU's, B series,and FG's all have some pretty big rust areas already. Both my AU's have been inland their whole life, and both have rust.
Marketed the I6T better

[blackf6]

Re designed the control blade irs.

[new2ford]

I think also Ford has been in a no-win in Australia because a majority of buyers here don't place any value on a well designed car. They go a lot by price, resale, perception, reputation of build quality, reliability etc. They don't think about the cheaper service and insurance costs and general greater practicality. For them a car is just to get from A to B, the steering wheel is a helm, not a precision instrument for sharp and pleasurable driving.

Admittedly Ford has not helped itself but I don't what it can do against such overwhelming attitudes.

[jaydee]

If only Ford hadn't made rust an optional extra to come to light 20 years later, especially in Mustangs.

[tranquilized]

Not bothered with eco boost Falcon or eco LPi and instead pumped the development dollars into performance and luxury variants. Buyers who want economy or practicality have a lot better options than any Falcon, but there ain't too many desirable, capable, and affordable 4 door sporting sedans about.

[66GT]

Not disposed of all the panel moulds/dies for X series fords. Would make for a cheap resto if Ford offered new parts at the original RRP of 30,40,50 years ago. But i guess there would not be as many new car sales today.

[Sta Arhidia Mou]

If only they had brought back the 351 windsor to power the EB GT and all future Tickfords and left the 5.0 for the XR8 and base models.... Would of made a killer T series range

[FormulaFG]

If only Ford had....

not dropped the V8.
had better quality control on the EA, in particular the heads.
had gotten rid of dashboard park brake sooner.
had carried over AU IRS onto B and F series.
Not released the AU.

[Ford Falcon XR6]

Originally Posted by FormulaFG

If only Ford had....

not dropped the V8.
had better quality control on the EA, in particular the heads.
had gotten rid of dashboard park brake sooner.
had carried over AU IRS onto B and F series.
Not released the AU.

Could have the Au's IRS without the Au

If only ford had.....

Built Xr6, Xr6 turbo and xr8 wagons from EB onwards.

[csv8]

IF only FORD advertise..now!!!! raided their world partS bin..updated the diesel, electric tailgate, electric passenger seat, electric side steps , bigger fuel tank etc etc ..on Territory. Falcon, electric passenger seat, folding wing mirrors, bigger fuel tank, fast glass, etc etc you only have too look at the Calais V to see what the G6E is missing and a G8E...lotsa parts in the world parts bin they could have used...

[Eaturbo]

Ford had put in a 342 stroker into the EL GT to make it a real competitor to the VS HSV GTS. Also made the T3 TE AND TS 50 the 35th anniversary GT AS they would have made the best GT of that era being a totally unique engine with big brakes and stand out body kit.

[marty351]

If only Ford had cared.

[Yellow_Festiva]

... not used the powershift :-(
... introduced a 5 yr warranty
... really dealt with customer complaints in a more proactive way.
... imported the smaller city cars to compete with other brands.
... offered the Econetic in an auto.

[TUF_302]

Sold more cars

[Sprintey]

...been Australian owned.

There would have been no US management trying to kill it for the last 25 years.

[wodahs]

stop making interchangeable parts for their cars like henry fords original ideal

and making every thing so it cant be upgradeable

[GTENVY]

Hmm where to start, well here goes.

Not fit the racing tyres to the XW GTHO

Redesign the drainage in the XA-XC coupes especially in the rear window/parcel shelf area

Fitted the 302W to the XF

Fitted the 351w to the EB GT

Went with the 5.6 lt stroker in the EL GT (as the last hurrah before the modular in the AU)

Release AU series II straight up

Put the 4.6 modular motor in the AU

Fitted the Cobra R engine in the T-series range

In the BA fitted the terminator engine to the BA onwards GT/GT-P

Definitely offered the diesel in the Territory from the get go.

Dropped the Laser/323 once the Focus was released in Europe in the late 90's -would have better brand awareness now.

I'll stop there as the list will just keep going.

Rich

[newi]

...of fixed known issues such as - transmission heat exchangers and suspension bushes.

Something that was a known issue in a vehicle released in 2003 should not be still an issue in a vehicle 10+ years later.

[byamin]

*Designed a better handbrake

*made better electric windows that don't fail in 8+ years

*released an LTD Fg/ fgx

* Put some form of effort in to marketing their recent cars