“Unique” is a word you should really avoid. Especially when it comes to an 'ordinary' classic, such as this Ford Taunus 1600 L, because in addition to ownership, it is the personal memories that give added value to the family.
By: Dirk de Jong
The history of this special Ford Taunus 1600 L starts with Freerk's grandfather who had a grocery store in Oudemirdum (Fr). When prosperity increased in the 60s, his grandfather wanted a car to deliver the groceries to the customers' homes. Due to the advanced age (63), the driver's license was no mean feat. Finally, with the advice of the examiner, we managed not to make long trips outside the village, but to only use the car as a 'workhorse' for his grocery store.
Ford 20 M Estate
The food delivery was carried out in a comfortable Ford 20 M, which did not take long, as it was now time to hand over the business to the sons. Other decisions were made and the Ford 20 M was exchanged for a cheaper Opel Kadett. But the interest and fondness remained with Ford. The blood crawls where it can't go. The two sons of the entrepreneur came across a beautiful Ford Taunus 1600 L with only 6000 km on the clock. The purchase was a problem for a while, the wife thought the investment was too high.
Gentle urge to manipulate
Good advice was now expensive, because the two sons wanted to give father the pleasure of a private Ford as a retiree. It is fair to say that a solution was sought to significantly reduce the amount in consultation with the seller – on the invoice – whereby the lower amount became visible, but the higher amount had to be paid. Needless to say, the purchase came about through this kind manipulation.
Miraculous?
We know the simplicity of the construction of the Ford Taunus, if you open the hood everything is clear. The Ford gave a special look due to its beautiful grille with fog lamps. It was driven economically for a few more years, washed only with rainwater and technically maintained down to the last detail. 50 years later, the Ford is still in wonderfully pristine condition. After Pake passed away (who lived to be 90), the Ford was carefully preserved and reserved for grandson Freerk.
Knudsen Taunus
The Taunus has long since disappeared from the streets. The name 'Taunus' disappeared in 1983. This Taunus with its 1600 cc four-cylinder engine is even called the Knudsen Taunus because of the special shape of the hood that Emiel Knudsen designed for Ford. The Ford is also called type TC 1. They were produced from 1970 to 1975.
The icon from the rich Ford history
The family's fondness has remained with Ford. Freerk is in his element and only uses the classic for pleasure rides. He enjoys the admiring looks he gets. It brings back good memories for people. The invisible line with his pake continues to exist through the Ford Taunus. And speaking of emotion, Pake's hat was left in the car along with his Hofnar cigars in the glove compartment. Do you understand the prominent role of this Ford Taunus in the family?
Also read:
- Taunus 12m
- The Ford Taunus from Janneke
- Auto Motor Klassiek in November and a preview
- Ford Transit - the first generation
- Ford Cortina
I have had this in 2drs but the performance of the 1600cc was very disappointing. From Maastricht to Ulestraten highway the Kruisberg I could not get 100 km on the counter.
Are you sure it was a 1600 and not a 1300? because then I can imagine something.
Where is the time? I worked as a foreman at Ford Genk from early 1976 to 1977 in the 'metal finish' assembly line, so I just didn't see this car built, but I know it once walked on my later production line. It's great to know that he can still arouse the youth of today's interest in this beautifully shaped and very solid car. Take care and young man above all don't let the green thought label you as a polluter of the world!!
In 1980 I bought a Ford Taunus Coupe type 1 with 2300 engine. I actually wanted a Capri, but they were too expensive for me at the time.
The Taunus was quite a nice car, but as fast as a Templar, but that will also have to do with the fact that as a 21-year-old I had a solid driving style. The car was also difficult to adjust, so it quickly “dipped” when the engine stalled, especially when it was still cold. Nice memories nonetheless.
When I saw that hat behind the back window, I knew it belongs to a man who smokes cigars. And what is on the passenger seat…?
In 1985 I bought a Taunus 1600 L station from 1982 from the Belgian army.
This Ford had a white army registration with a Belgian flag.
Registering with the Road Traffic Service (DIV) was a challenge. The car did not come from the Netherlands and not from abroad (had driven between the borders)
After a lot of time and effort, I got a regular number plate.
Then came the taxes: For a car bought from the government for 12000 fr I have to pay 25000 taxes to that same government..
I drove it for 4 years with no major problems. Also had those nice sticky plastic chairs in the summer.
The Knudsen Taunus is a lot more attractive than its boring successor.
Who was that famous(?) hood designer Knudsen, I've never heard of it.
But now to the Taunus and the memory. A car from my childhood. It was technically already a fairly outdated concept at the time, but in terms of sturdy shape and status, it was still going well for Jan met de Pet and higher. Now to my memories.
I remember that our neighbor (PSV goalkeeper) drove to Spain with such a Taunus and his family. That was still very special to do at the time, nobody did fly for vacation (not even football players). With 1 overnight stay en route in Pont st Esprit they went (flamed?) in two days over the route de Soleil to Estartit. In the 70s, we (my brother and I) tried to imagine the boring highway view above the somewhat boring dashboard of this Ford as children, and that for (only) 48 hours at high speed.
Because we drove inwards on the RN and saw the landscape pass us a little more slowly.
… just google “Bunkie” Knudsen .. he was – just like his father – important at GMC. Until early 1968 - great consternation / sensation! - he switched to arch-rival Ford. At Ford, he became the man who had the Mustang transformed into a large Mussle car, completely losing sight of the roots of the car. His other major project is the Ford TC. Knudsen did not have an easy time at Ford and was dethroned in the autumn of 1969 after a fierce internal struggle by the well-known Lee Iacocca. Not long after, the Ford Cortina./ Taunus debuted, which is still named after the short-lived president of Ford.
Nice fine car, only the torsion bars of the rear suspension were a weak point! I have replaced LOTS of silent blocks!
Beautiful Taunus. TC1 stood for Taunus / Cortina, because as was the case with the Capri before, the cars in Cologne and Dagenham were partly made to conform. Also beautiful is the sloping dashboard, which was inspired by the Mustang III of 1969. In Europe this extravagance was less appreciated and during the model revision of 1973 there was a down-to-earth dashboard that looked more like a scaffolding plank. The round headlights belonged to the cheaper versions like this L, because it was only with the XL and GXL that it was all dressed up with chrome, bumper rosettes, carpet, fabric upholstery, fake wood and rectangular headlights.
A vinyl roof also suited the Taunus beautifully, or tinted glass.
The engine was taken from the Ford Pinto. It was the first Ford with a timing belt. The über versions had the old, smooth Köln V6 on board, the Cortina of course the lively Essex V6.
What a beautiful Taunus. By the way, the license plate is from 1972.
I fondly remember my 16 1978L.
Have fun with it.
It is clear what happened to Pake, but how is (was) Beppe under it that the car is still being used and that the fond memories of her husband are kept in the car?
(Out of sympathy with Dutch readers, I have not written this response in Frisian).
Not only the people from Friesland can learn Frisian