Legendary Cars Built by Ford That Weren’t Badged as Fords

Ford is famous for its Mustangs and F-150s, but the influence goes far beyond that. Ford over the years has created or collaborated on some of the most memorable cars for subsidiaries and partner brands. Here’s a look at the best cars made by Ford that weren’t badged as Fords:

Shelby Cobra

Though it’s often associated with Carroll Shelby, the Shelby Cobra was born out of a collaboration with Ford. Ford supplied the powerful V8 engines that transformed this lightweight British roadster into a legend of speed and performance. The Cobra remains an enduring symbol of American muscle and racing dominance.

Aston Martin DB9

Aston Martin produced, under Ford ownership, a DB9 – the ultimate grand tourer. This set the standard in redefining luxury and performance, with contributions by Ford to be able to create this masterpiece of the luxury sports car market, in engineering know-how and part development.

Mazda MX-5 Miata (NA)

Mazda, which Ford partly owned during the late 20th century, developed the first Mazda MX-5 Miata. Mazda had led the design and execution of the project, but Ford’s resources helped to polish this lightweight, affordable roadster into one of the best-selling sports cars of all time.

Volvo XC90

Under Ford, it introduced the XC90, the first generation, as a luxury and safe SUV, which was a huge success. This was made possible through the platform and engineering prowess by Ford, which made it a very desirable model worldwide, followed well by the surrounding SUV segment.

Jaguar XJ (X350)

During Ford’s management of Jaguar, the Jaguar XJ X350 brought classic styling for the brand coupled with modern engineering. The contribution of Ford during this time came in terms of the aluminum-intensive chassis that ensured the XJ was lighter and more agile compared to competitors.

Lincoln Continental (1960s)

Lincoln, the premium brand of Ford, created one of the country’s most historically iconic cars with its 1960s offering of the Lincoln Continental. Coupled with expert engineering and manufactured by Ford, this car marked the epitome of prestige in elegance.

Mercury Cougar (1967)

A sibling of the Ford Mustang, the Mercury Cougar presented a more polished and sophisticated take on the pony car formula. The platform and powertrains were supplied by Ford, while the Cougar had its own styling and luxury features that differentiated it as a Mercury classic.

Why Ford’s Influence Matters

• Global Collaboration: Ford’s partnerships and acquisitions have led to innovative cross-brand creations.
• Engineering Expertise: Ford’s technological contributions have elevated other brands’ vehicles.
• Diverse Legacy: These vehicles display Ford’s range and impact in segments and markets.

Conclusion

Ford’s influence stretches far beyond the badge. Be it the Shelby Cobra’s raw power, the Aston Martin DB9’s elegance, or the practicality of the Volvo XC90, these are a testament to the role played by Ford in automotive history.