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Mass mobility at a price per kilo - Ford 12 M in the (historical) test

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Created on October 20, 1962

Text:

Olaf von Fersen

Photos:

Ford Motor Company

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The Ford Taunus 12 M is quite elegant in spite of its striving for space and economy.

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The leaf springs do an excellent job and smooth out even the roughest bumps, but the steering takes some getting used to.

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The front-wheel drive 12 M contributed significantly to Ford's reputation as a progressive manufacturer.

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Ford Taunus 12 M (1964) - as a four-door sedan

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Ford Taunus 12 M (1964) - as a four-door sedan

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The 12 M did not afford any extravagances - after all, inexpensive "average cars" are best sold.

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Ford Taunus 12 M (1964) - two-door version

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Ford Taunus 12 M (1962) - with flat rear window

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The Ford 12 M also improves the image of its manufacturer in terms of brakes, which are excellent.

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Ford Taunus 12 M P4 (1963) - at the beginning of the record drives - still clean and undamaged

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Ford Taunus 12 M P4 (1963) - on a record run - 24 were driven in

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Destroying a Ford 12 M required a healthy amount of patience and the will to destroy. In 1963, this model covered the average distance from the earth to the moon in 142 days.

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Ford Taunus 12M (1966) - Birkhardt/Zertani at the 1966 Monte Carlo Rally

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Ford Taunus 12 M (1962) - separation of lock and door handle, new type of jack, space-saving radiator design

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The technology is characterized by robustness and low maintenance requirements, qualities that were to a certain extent imported from overseas.

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The compact V4 engine is located in front of the front axle and is equally reliable and audible. There is also no shortage of power reserves.

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Ford Taunus 12 M (1963) - cutaway model of the V4 engine

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Ford Taunus 12 M (1963) - the inner workings of the V4 engine (40 hp at 4500 rpm)

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Ford Taunus 12 M Coupé (1963) - elegant variant for sportier natures

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The all-round visibility is impressive, although the passenger compartment is set relatively far back, resulting in less legroom in the rear.

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The Taunus 12 M is a real space miracle, but the bench seat offers no support whatsoever.

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Ford Taunus 12 M (1964) - three-door and sporty as TS

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Ford Taunus 12 M estate (1965) - The boat has to go on the roof. But there is enough space in the load compartment for the rest of the equipment

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The 12 M was designed as a robust, spacious and low-maintenance car and consistently delivered on these promises.

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Summary

At the beginning of the sixties, the growing middle class increasingly demanded practical and cost-effective methods of getting from A to B with the kids. This significant development prompted Ford to focus on rational production and maximizing the utility of its products. Production of the 12 M began in 1962. As an uncapricious rolling utility vehicle, it was not primarily intended to be an automotive delicacy. This article reproduces a test report from the fall of 1962 and shows the compact sedan in extensive photo and sales material from the past.

This article contains the following chapters

The 2nd lesson is called "12 M of a new kind"
1 kg of new 12 M costs DM 6.31
German engineers would have designed differently
Seats, visibility, mirrors and safety
Surprisingly good suspension, excellent brakes
Engine and transmission
Driving performance and travel comfort

Estimated reading time: 13min

Preview (beginning of the article)

Ford's press department undoubtedly had the courage to present the new 12 M to the trade press while it was still warm as a nest, so to speak. In the eyes of the industry, motoring journalists are usually bad people who refuse to show the years of effort put in by the designers and production experts the respect they deserve and spurn the spectacles through which the creators of the cars to be judged wish to see them. We Germans of the economic miracle are a demanding people. Accustomed to bric-a-brac and teak, we shy away from bare metal. For us, a car is not a commodity, but a measure of creditworthiness by which we are weighed by banks and brides. Ford in Cologne has already taught us a lesson. When, contrary to the public taste of the baroque era, the "line of reason" was launched in the form of the new 17 M version.

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