1952 FORD Taunus 12M 1.2

Vehicle Overview

After WWII, Ford restarted the production with a model launched in 1939 but produced in a limited number due to the war. That project evolved into the 1952 Taunus 12M.

It was a race against time, and most carmakers tried to restart the production with limited resources. Ford already had a few factories spread around Europe, but most of them were disabled or ruined. The one from Cologne, Germany, was lightly damaged and restarted production in 1948 with the pre-war Taunus, named after the Taunus mountain range from Germany.

The 1952 Taunus 12M was far from the original model’s look, with a distinct three-box, “ponton” body shape with its fenders flush to the doors and rear quarter panels. It was available as a two-door sedan or convertible. On the front fascia, a low-mounted grille above the chromed bumper ensured the small, 1.2-liter engine’s cooling. Unlike its predecessor, the 12M featured a slightly curved windshield and rear window.

Inside, Ford installed a new concept of dash panel, which later evolved into the instrument cluster. There were three dials with a center-mounted speedometer, a fuel gauge, and charging status on the left and a clock on the right. There were two sliders on the outer side for heating and ventilation next to the steering wheel. It offered room for five or six adults in the cabin, considering that the car was fitted with a bench at the front instead of independent seats.

Under the hood, Ford installed an inline-four engine that produced only 38 hp. But it was enough for those times when the fuel-efficiency was more important than performance. It was mated to a three-speed gearbox with the shifter on the steering column. A four-speed gearbox was available only from 1953.