In exciting news for car enthusiasts and lovers of vintage Americana, Ford has recently announced that they will be publishing thousands of documents and photos from its first century of existence to the internet for all to enjoy. The Ford Heritage Vault online database will be free for the public and will make it easier for fans, journalists and car enthusiasts to discover the company’s rich heritage from anywhere in the world. All of the files are downloadable and free for personal use, creating the auto industry's most comprehensive online database.
The database includes over 5,000 curated photographs and product brochures from the archives of Ford and Lincoln from the company's founding in 1903 to its 100th anniversary in 2003. Ford has also stated that these files are just the beginning of their releases of their archives. The photographs in question have been carefully curated and show the functionality of vintage Fords and Lincolns. One brochure that was included from 1958 showed Ford taxicabs in vivid yellows, exhibiting its fuel efficiency, durability, and comfort. Other diagrams showed the solid-body construction, quiet ride, build quality, engine size, and space. Brochures like this one give an insight into what passengers 60 years ago valued in their cars. It's fascinating to see what the drivers of 1958 cared about and how similar it is to what we care about today as motorists. Fuel efficiency, comfort, and style, have been on our minds for decades. Going through these archives, you can see the same value and quality that Ford has provided throughout its history.
These archives are accessible to all. Ford has worked to make sure that text and charts in the brochures are compatible with the accessibility devices used by the blind and visually impaired. Overall, Ford's release of these files is a boon for lovers of auto history. It is fascinating to look through them and explore the evolution of automobiles throughout history.