Ford Taunus
German family car named after the Taunus mountain range.
The Ford Taunus was a family car built by Ford Germany and sold across Europe, with some examples also reaching North America. It took its name from the Taunus mountain range in Germany. Production began in 1939 and continued through several generations until the 1994 model year. Starting in 1970, the Taunus shared its basic construction with the British Ford Cortina MkIII, and later the two models became rebadged versions of each other, distinguished mainly by which side the steering wheel was on.
The first Taunus, the G93A, was based on the earlier Ford Eifel and used the same 1172 cc four-cylinder engine, but in a longer chassis with a streamlined body. It was the first German Ford to feature hydraulic brakes. Production started in 1939 but stopped in 1942 due to the war. It resumed in November 1948 after the British occupation ended. A total of 7,128 pre-war Taunus cars (including estate cars and light vans) were built, followed by 76,590 post-war models, designated G73A.
From 1952 to 1968, all German Fords carried the Taunus name, with model names like 12M, 15M, 17M, 20M, and 26M. In some Scandinavian markets, a 10M badge was briefly used on a better-equipped export version. The "M" supposedly stood for "Meisterstück" (masterpiece), but that word was already trademarked by another German automaker. In export markets, especially where British and North American Fords were also sold, Taunus was sometimes used as the brand name itself.
The 12M, 15M, and 17M models began with a side-valve (flathead) engine carried over from the first Taunus series. Starting with the 15M, this was replaced by an overhead-valve design similar to the British Ford Consul engine. In 1962, the new 12M line (internal code P4) introduced a V4 engine, which from late 1964 became the base engine for the larger 17M and 20M models. The 20M and 26M used the Ford Cologne V6 engine, essentially the same design with two extra cylinders. The numbers 12, 15, 17, and so on generally referred to engine displacement in cubic centimeters, though there were exceptions, such as the 17M 1800 (with a small V6) and the 20M 2300S (with a 2.3-liter version of the same V6). From 1962 to 1970, the smaller 12M (P4) and its successor 12M/15M (P6) had front-wheel drive; all other models were rear-wheel drive.
The smaller line included the 12M and 15M.
Quick Facts
- Manufacturer
- Ford Germany
- Production
- 1939–1994
- Class
- Mid-size car
- Predecessor
- Ford Eifel, Ford Köln (midsize) / Ford Rheinland (full size)
- Successor
- Ford Sierra (midsize) / Ford Granada (full size)
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The Ford Taunus began in 1939 with the G93A, a development of the Ford Eifel using the same 1172 cc four-cylinder engine in a longer chassis with a streamlined body. It was the first German Ford to have hydraulic brakes. Production halted in 1942 due to war and recommenced in November 1948 after the British Occupation ended. A total of 7,128 pre-war Taunuses (G93A) were made, including estate cars and light vans, followed by 76,590 post-war models (G73A).
From 1952 to 1968, all German Fords were called Taunus, using model names 12M, 15M, 17M, 20M, and 26M. The "M" is said to stand for "Meisterstück" ("Masterpiece"), but that word was found to be already registered by another German automaker. The 12M, 15M, and 17M models initially used a sidevalve engine carried over from the first Taunus series, later replaced by an overhead-valve design similar to the British Ford Consul engine. With the 1962 12M (P4) came a V4 engine and front-wheel drive, making it the first Ford car with front-wheel drive. The 20M and 26M models used the Ford Cologne V6 engine.
The bigger 17M line began in 1957 with the P2, styled similarly to American 1955 Fords with substantial tailfins, earning it the nickname "Baroque Taunus." The P3 (1960–1964) had a completely new streamlined body nicknamed "Taunus Badewanne." The P5 (1964–1967) introduced V4 engines for the 17M and V6 engines for the 20M. The P7 (1967–1968) and P7b (1968–1971) continued with revised engines; the 26M, introduced in 1969, was the top-of-the-line version with a 2.6-litre engine, bigger brakes, dual headlights, power steering, and the most luxurious trim level.
Reader's Guide
The Ford Taunus represents a significant chapter in Ford's European history, serving as the primary German Ford model line for decades. Its evolution from a pre-war design through multiple generations reflects the post-war recovery and growing prosperity in Germany. The Taunus was notable for introducing front-wheel drive to Ford cars with the 1962 12M P4, a technology later used in the Ford Corcel and Ford Fiesta. The model line also demonstrated Ford's strategy of platform sharing, as from 1970 the Taunus shared its basic construction with the British Ford Cortina MkIII, eventually becoming rebadged variants differing mainly in steering wheel placement. The Taunus name was also sometimes adopted as the brand name in export markets, particularly where British and North American Fords were also available. The 20M RS Coupé achieved competition success, winning the 1969 Safari Rally, and was entered in the 1968 London-Sydney Marathon. The model line's longevity—spanning from 1939 to 1994—and its numerous body styles (sedans, coupés, station wagons, sedan deliveries, and light vans) made it a versatile and widely recognized vehicle across Europe.
Did You Know?
- The Ford Taunus was named after the Taunus mountain range in Germany.
- The 1962 Taunus 12M P4 was the first Ford car with front-wheel drive.
- The 17M P2 (1957–1960) was nicknamed 'Baroque Taunus' due to its American-influenced tailfins.
- A Ford 20M RS won the Safari Rally in 1969.
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