View source for Ford Taunus

{{Distinguish|Ford Taurus}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2020}}
{{Infobox automobile
| name         = Ford Taunus
| image        = Ford Taunus P4 12m BW 1.JPG
| caption      = Ford Taunus P4 (1962–1966)
| manufacturer = [[Ford Germany]]
| production   = 1939–1994
| class        = [[Mid-size car]]
| predecessor  = [[Ford Eifel]], [[Ford Köln]] (midsize)<br/>[[Ford Rheinland]] (full size)
| successor    = [[Ford Sierra]] (midsize)<br/>[[Ford Granada (Europe)|Ford Granada]] (full size)
}}

The '''Ford Taunus''' is a [[family car]] manufactured and marketed by [[Ford Germany]] throughout Europe. Models from 1970 on were manufactured using the same basic construction as the [[Ford Cortina]] MkIII in the United Kingdom, and later on, the two car models were [[Rebadging|rebadged]] variants of each other, differing primarily in their steering wheel placement. 

Introduced in 1939, and marketed over numerous generations through model year 1994, the model line was named after the [[Taunus]] mountain range in Germany.
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==Taunus G93A (1939–1942) / G73A (1948–1952)==
{{main|Ford Taunus G93A}}
[[File:MHV Ford Taunus G93A 1949 01.jpg|thumb|1949 Ford Taunus]]
The [[Ford Taunus G93A]] was a development of the [[Ford Eifel]], and used the same 1172&nbsp;cc four cylinder engine, but in a longer chassis and a streamlined body. It was the first German Ford to have hydraulic brakes. First introduced in 1939, production was halted in 1942 due to the war. Production recommenced in November 1948 after the British Occupation had ended.<ref name=ergebnisse>{{citation | url = https://www.nonstopsystems.com/radio/pdf-hell/article-hell-wages-frd-ww2.pdf | title = Ergebnisse der Untersuchungen über die Ford-Werke unter dem Nationalsozialismus | trans-title = Results of the investigations into the Ford works under National Socialism | language = de | pages = 10–11 | publisher = Ford Motor Company Archives }}</ref> In total, 7,128 pre-war Taunuses (G93A) were made, including estate cars and light vans, followed by 76,590 post-war models (G73A).<ref name=OldtimerKatalogNr23>{{citation | title = Oldtimer Katalog| volume = 23| page = 148 | language = de | year = 2009|isbn = 978-3-86852-067-5|publisher=HEEL Verlag GmbH|location=Königswinter }}</ref>
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==Taunus M-series (1952–1968)==
From 1952 to 1968, all German Fords were called the Taunus, using the model names 12M, 15M, 17M, 20M, and 26M (on some Scandinavian markets, for a short while the branding 10M was used on a slightly better-equipped export version of the early Taunus, which is said to be the precursor of later uses). The "M" is said to stand for "''Meisterstück''", in English "Masterpiece", but that word was found to be already registered by another German automaker. Taunus was also sometimes adopted as the brand name in export markets, particularly where British and North American Fords were also available.

The 12M, 15M, and 17M models had an engine, which in the first 12M was a carryover of the sidevalve (flathead) engine from the first Taunus series, and beginning with the 15M, it was replaced by an overhead-valve design similar to the British Ford Consul engine. With the introduction of the new 12M line (internal code P4) for 1962 came the [[Ford Taunus V4 engine|V4 engine]], which starting in late 1964 with the larger 17M/20M became the base engine for the Taunus M-series. The 20M and 26M models had the [[Ford Cologne V6 engine]], which is basically the same engine design with two extra cylinders added. The 12, 15, 17, etc. numbers refer to the [[engine displacement]]; 1200, 1500, 1700&nbsp;cc, etc. However, a few exceptions from that rule were made, such as 17M 1800, which was powered by the V6 in its smallest displacement and the 20M 2300S (in the later P7 series), which used a 2.3-litre version of the same engine.

From 1962 to 1970, the smaller models 12M (P4) and its successor 12M/15M (P6) had front wheel drive. All other models had rear wheel drive.

These models were offered:

===Smaller line: 12M, 15M===
====First generation 12M (G13) (1952–1959), 15M (1955–1959)====
{{main|Ford Taunus P1}}
[[File:MHV Ford Taunus G13 03.jpg|thumb|Ford Taunus 12M 1952–1955]]
The [[Ford Taunus P1|Taunus 12M presented in 1952]] was the first new German Ford after World War II. It featured [[Ponton (automobile)|ponton]] styling, similar in style to British [[Ford Zephyr]].

Something else the new Ford Taunus 12M had in common with British Fords was the retention of an old [[Ford Sidevalve engine|side-valve engine]] at a time when competitors were increasingly moving over to overhead-valve units.<ref name=AutoMotoruSport199613>{{cite journal| title =Not und Spiele: Die 50er Jahre...| journal = [[Auto, Motor und Sport]]| volume = Heft 13 1996| pages = Seite 58–65|date = 14 June 1996}}</ref> The Taunus 15M used a new and more powerful engine:
*12M: 1172&nbsp;cc, {{cvt|38|PS|kW|0}}, {{cvt|112|km/h|mph|0}}
*15M: 1498&nbsp;cc, {{cvt|55|PS|kW|0}}, {{cvt|128|km/h|mph|0}}

Body styles were two-door [[Sedan (car)|sedan]], two-door [[station wagon]], and [[sedan delivery]].

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====Second generation 12M (1959–1962)====
{{main|Ford Taunus P1}}
[[File:Ford 12 M, Bauzeit 1959 - 1962.jpg|thumb|Ford Taunus 12M 1959–1962]]
The second generation 12M was not a new car, but a reworking of the 1952 model. All cars were called 12M, though both engines were continued. The car with the bigger engine was called Taunus 12M 1.5-litre.

Body styles were the same as in the 1952 model.

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====Third generation 12M (P4) (1962–1966)====
{{main|Ford Taunus P4}}
[[File:Ford 12M 1962.jpg|thumb|Ford Taunus 12M P4]]
The new [[Ford Taunus P4|Ford Taunus 12M P4]] was similar in size, but a completely new car based on the [[Ford Cardinal]] project: New body, new [[Ford Taunus V4 engine|V4 engine]], and front-wheel drive. It was the first Ford car with front-wheel drive (second was the [[Ford Corcel]], third was the [[Ford Fiesta]]). Engines available included:
*1.2-litre: 1183&nbsp;cc, {{cvt|40|PS|kW|0}}, {{cvt|123|km/h|mph|0}}
*1.5-litre: 1498&nbsp;cc, {{cvt|50|, |55| or |65|PS|kW|0}}, {{cvt|135|, |139| or |144|km/h|mph|0}}

Body styles were two-door sedan, four-door sedan, two-door coupé, two-door station wagon, and sedan delivery.

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====Fourth generation 12M (P6) (1966–1970), 15M (P6) (1966–1970)====
{{main|Ford Taunus P6}}
[[File:MHV Ford Taunus P6.jpg|thumb|Ford Taunus 12M P6]]
The [[Ford Taunus P6]] came with new bodies, whilst engines and platform were continued. The car with the bigger engine was now called 15M again. Engines available included:
*12M 1.2-litre: 1183&nbsp;cc, {{cvt|45|PS|kW|0}}, {{cvt|125|km/h|mph|0}}
*12M 1.3-litre: 1305&nbsp;cc, {{cvt|50| or |53|PS|kW|0}}, {{cvt|130| or |134|km/h|mph|0}}
*15M 1.5-litre: 1498&nbsp;cc, {{cvt|55| or |65|PS|kW|0}}, {{cvt|136| or |145|km/h|mph|0}}
*15M 1.7-litre: 1699&nbsp;cc, {{cvt|70| or |75|PS|kW|0}}, {{cvt|153| or |158|km/h|mph|0}}
[[File:Ford Taunus-15M 1967 Front-view.JPG|thumb|left|Ford Taunus 15M P6]]

Body styles were unchanged from the P4.

In 1970, the P6 was replaced by the Taunus TC.

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===Bigger line: 17M, 20M, 26M===

===={{anchor|P2}}First generation 17M (P2) (1957–1960)====
{{main|Ford Taunus P2}}
[[File:Ford Taunus 17M deLuxe 1.JPG|thumb|Ford Taunus 17M P2]]
Growing prosperity in postwar Germany encouraged Ford to offer a line of bigger and more expensive cars. The [[Ford Taunus P2|Ford Taunus 17M of 1957]] was as long as (though significantly narrower than) the British [[Ford Consul|Consul Mk2]], but a different car. It presented a style similar to American [[1955 Ford]]s, featuring substantial (at least by European standards) [[tailfins]]. The transatlantic flamboyance of the car's styling gained it the sobriquet "Baroque Taunus", showing styling influences from the North American [[Mercury Monterey#1955–1956|Mercury Monterey]] of the same time period. Unusually for middle-class German cars of this period, it was available with either two or four doors.<ref name=AutoMotoruSport1977>{{cite magazine| title = Vor 20 Jahren | trans-title = Twenty years ago | language = de | magazine = [[Auto, Motor und Sport]]| issue = 25 | page = 112|date = 7 December 1977}}</ref> The competition noticed, and from 1959, the [[Opel Rekord]] also became available with four doors.

The P2 used an overhead-valve (OHV) engine with 1698&nbsp;cc and {{cvt|60|PS|kW|0}}. A maximum speed of {{cvt|128|km/h|mph|0}} was quoted. A road test of the time commended the smoothness of the three-speed, all-synchromesh manual transmission system.<ref name=AutoMotoruSport1977/>

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===={{anchor|P3}}Second generation 17M (P3) (1960–1964)====
{{main|Ford Taunus P3}}
[[File:Ford TaunusP3 17M 1961 1.JPG|thumb|1961 Ford Taunus 17M P3]]
The [[Ford Taunus P3]] had a completely new body and was completely restyled, earning it nicknames including "Taunus ''Badewanne''".<ref name=AutoOccasion199602>{{cite journal| title = Youngtimer| journal = Auto-Occasion| volume = Heft 2 1996| pages = 64–65|date = March–April 1996}}</ref> At a time when competitors boasted that all four corners of the vehicles were visible from the driver's seat, the new Taunus instead offered a streamlined form.<ref name=AutoMotoruSport200023>{{cite journal| title =Rueckblick (ie extracts from the same magazine of forty years earlier)| journal = [[Auto, Motor und Sport]]| volume = Heft 22 2000| pages = Seite 268|date=November 1000}}</ref> However, in Germany the concept of streamlining in cars was associated with narrow passenger cabins reminiscent of the 1930s and of the still popular [[Volkswagen Type 1|Volkswagen Beetle]].<ref name=AutoMotoruSport200023/> The new Taunus, however, provided greater interior width than its predecessor, despite being no wider on the outside.<ref name=AutoMotoruSport200023/> Although the 1.7-litre version was launched with the same 60 PS power output as the outgoing model, the new model was a full {{cvt|10|km/h|mph|0}} faster, which was attributed to improved aerodynamics and a lighter body shell.<ref name=AutoMotoruSport200023/> 

Three engine sizes were now offered:
*1.5-litre: 1498&nbsp;cc, {{cvt|55|PS|kW|0}}, {{cvt|136|km/h|mph|0}}
*1.7-litre: 1698&nbsp;cc, {{cvt|60| or |65|PS|kW|0}}, {{cvt|138| or |140|km/h|mph|0}}
*1.8-litre: 1758&nbsp;cc, {{cvt|70| or |75|PS|kW|0}}, {{cvt|148| or |154|km/h|mph|0}}
<!-- A very successful car. -->

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===={{anchor|P5}}Third generation 17M (P5) (1964–1967), 20M (P5) (1964–1967)====
{{main|Ford Taunus P5}}
[[File:MHV Ford Taunus P5 01.jpg|thumb|1966 Ford Taunus 20M P5]]
The [[Ford Taunus P5]] came with a new body and new engines. The 17M now gets a V4 engine:
*1.5-litre: 1498&nbsp;cc, {{cvt|60|PS|kW|0}}, {{cvt|140|km/h|mph|0}}
*1.7-litre: 1699&nbsp;cc, {{cvt|65| or |70|PS|kW|0}}, {{cvt|145| or |150|km/h|mph|0}}
New 20M gets a [[Ford Cologne V6 engine|V6 engine]] with 1.8-litres and {{cvt|82|PS|kW|0}}, or 2.0-litres (1998&nbsp;cc) and {{cvt|85| or |90|PS|kW|0}} with a top speed of {{cvt|158| or |161|km/h|mph|0}}.
Again, it was a good selling car.{{citation needed|date=November 2020}}

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===={{anchor|P7}}Fourth generation 17M (P7) (1967–1968), 20M (P7) (1967–1968)====
{{main|Ford P7}}
[[File:Ford Taunus 20M Lahti2.JPG|thumb|1968 Ford Taunus 20M P7 hardtop coupé]]
For the new [[Ford P7]], there was a new body; engines and platform were carried over from the P5. Rear lights were no longer mounted at corners. The 20M-model had a fake air scoop on the bonnet and a new, bigger engine.

The engines of the 17M/20M P5 were continued, with only one addition on the top end. It was the
*20M 2.3-litre: 2293&nbsp;cc, {{cvt|108|PS|kW|0}}, {{cvt|170|km/h|mph|0}}

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===={{anchor|P7b}}Fifth generation 17M (P7b), 20M, 26M (1968–1971)====
[[File:Ford P7 20mXL Front.jpg|thumb|Ford 20M P7b four-door sedan]]
Shrinking sales of the '''P7''' forced Ford to offer a restyled car only one year later, and the new car was again called P7. Rear lights again mounted on corners. Here, to avoid confusion, it was called '''P7.2''', sometimes it is called '''P7b'''. The name "Taunus" no longer used.

The 26M, introduced in 1969, is the top-of-the-line version with a new bigger engine (2.6-litres), bigger brakes, dual headlights, power steering, and the most luxurious trim level. V6-engines were slightly revised. The engine programme is enlarged; now, two base engines (V4 and V6) in six displacement sizes and nine power stages are available:
*V4
**17M 1.5-litre: 1498&nbsp;cc, {{cvt|60|PS|kW|0}}, {{cvt|135|km/h|mph|0}}
**17M 1.7-litre: 1699&nbsp;cc, {{cvt|65| or |75|PS|kW|0}}, {{cvt|140| or |150|km/h|mph|0}}
*V6
**17M 1.8-litre: 1812&nbsp;cc, {{cvt|82|PS|kW|0}}, {{cvt|153|km/h|mph|0}}
**20M 2.0-litre: 1998&nbsp;cc, {{cvt|85| or |90|PS|kW|0}}, {{cvt|155| or |160|km/h|mph|0}}
**20M 2.3-litre: 2293&nbsp;cc, {{cvt|108| or |125|PS|kW|0}}, {{cvt|170| or |180|km/h|mph|0}}
**20M, 26M 2.6-litre: 2550&nbsp;cc, {{cvt|125|PS|kW|0}}, {{cvt|180|km/h|mph|0}}, optional on 20M, but standard on 26M.

;Ford 20M RS
The Ford 20M RS Coupé was made in Germany as a (2300 S) P7b and (2600) P7b. In the 1968 [[London-Sydney Marathon]], Ford entered three Ford 20M RS from Germany and Belgium. In 1969, a Ford 20M RS won the [[Safari Rally|Safari]] and occasionally a Capri was seen with works involvement.

This is the last specifically German Ford. In early 1972, it is replaced by the new [[Ford Consul|Consul]] and [[Ford Granada (Europe)|Granada]].

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==Taunus TC (1970–1975)==
{{main|Ford Taunus TC}}
[[File:Ford Taunus 1.3 TC ca 1974 Schaffen-Diest 2012.jpg|thumb|1970–1975 Ford Taunus Saloon (pre-facelift)]]

In 1970 a new Taunus, the Taunus Cortina (TC), was introduced. Ford offered a two- or four-door sedan or a five-door station wagon/estate (identified like previous Taunus estates as the ''Turnier''). Between 1970 and 1975, for the first Taunus TC, a fashionable fast-back [[coupé]] was also included in the Taunus range.

This model also formed the basis of the [[Ford Cortina|Cortina Mk.III]], but with different door skins and rear wing pressings from the "coke-bottle" styling of the Cortina. In addition, there was never a Cortina III equivalent to the fast-back bodied Taunus TC coupé. The Taunus TC and Cortina Mk.III were both developed under the auspices of Ford of Europe, and most major components including key parts of the bodyshell were identical.

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==Taunus TC2 (1976–1979) and TC3 (1979–1982/1994)==
{{main|Ford Taunus TC}}
[[File:Ford Taunus (TC2) 1.6GL 1976.png|thumb|Ford Taunus TC2 (1976–1979)]]

At the end of November 1975, in time for the 1976 model year, production began of the Taunus series "GBTS". The Taunus and Cortina Mk IV were in most cases now almost identical, apart from regional variations (in terms of specification changes and trim levels).

The Taunus TC along with the Cortina Mk III and their successors have been produced in slightly updated forms in Europe, Argentina and widely across Asia by Ford or their local co-operators. Cortinas were also built in small numbers starting with the predecessor Cortina Mk II throughout the model series' European/east Asian lifespan under license by Korean automaker Hyundai. This led to the Cortina 80 at the end of its production life serving as a starting point for the first Hyundai Stellar which succeeded the Cortina line in South Korea, handing over some major technical components such as the steering rack and the transmission propelling shaft to the otherwise non-Ford successor.

In 1982 production of the Taunus ceased in Europe; it was replaced by the [[Ford Sierra]]. The Sierra carried over the Cortina/Taunus OHC Pinto Engines and RWD configuration but was otherwise an all new car with independent suspension all round.
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== Production in Argentina and Turkey ==
{{main|Ford Taunus TC}}
The Taunus was produced in Argentina from 1974 up until the end of 1984, when the production assembly was sold to Turkey to manufacture the [[Ford Otosan|Otosan]] Taunus. The Turkish car, easily distinguishable because of its remolded front and back panels continued in production until 1994.
<gallery widths="200px" heights="150px">
File:Ford Taunus 2300 GT Coupé RA.jpg|Ford Taunus 2300GT, exclusive for Argentina only as a "fastback coupé", built from 1974 up until the end of 1984
File:Ford-taunus-jw-2.jpg|A special edition of the Ford Taunus, the Taunus JW produced in Argentina in 1977 by Winograd. It was based on the coupe version with some modifications to the front end.
File:Ford taunus (ghia 1980).jpg|Argentinian Ford Taunus (1980)
File:Ford Taunus OTOSAN.jpg|An early model of [[Ford Otosan|Otosan]]'s Ford Taunus, which had the same trim as European versions
File:FordTaunusinAntalyafront.JPG|Ford Taunus (last edition, with different trim) produced in Turkey until 1994
</gallery>

==Literature==
* {{cite book | ref = Oswald Band 3 | last = Oswald | first = Werner | title = Deutsche Autos 1945-1990, Band (vol) 3 | publisher = Motorbuch Verlag | language = de | year = 2003 | isbn = 3-613-02116-1 }}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Ford Taunus}}
* [http://www.taunus.nl/ Dutch Ford Taunus GT and Ford OSI page] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110514205134/http://www.taunus.nl/ |date=14 May 2011 }}
* [http://www.fordtaunus.nl/ Duch Ford Taunus TC2]
* [http://www.taunus.at/ Austrian Ford Taunus site (English language) ]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20040714090434/http://www.fordtaunus.de/ German Ford Taunus site]
* [http://forum.hecktrieb.de/ German Ford Taunus-Board (mainly German language, but also English and others)]
* [http://www.ford-m-modelle.de/ German site for M-series 1952 - 1972]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070311015311/http://www.ellum.ch/ Swiss Ford Taunus site]
* [http://www.taunus.hu Hungarian Ford Taunus site] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210120073642/http://taunus.hu/ |date=20 January 2021 }}
* [https://www.berlin1969.com/stories-geschichte/23rd-hour-23rd-psalm/ Taunus 20M used as U.S. military sedan in Cold War Berlin]

{| style="margin:auto;" border="1"
|-
| style="width:20%; text-align:center;"|'''Preceded by''':<br />[[Ford V8 G78]]<br />[[Ford Rheinland]]
| style="width:20%; text-align:center;"|
| style="width:20%; text-align:center;"|'''Taunus 17M/20M/26M'''<br />(1957–1971)
| style="width:20%; text-align:center;"|'''Succeeded by''':<br />[[Ford Granada (Europe)|Ford Granada]]
|}

{| style="margin:auto;" border="1"
|- style="text-align:center;" 
| style="width:20%; "|'''Preceded by''':<br />[[Ford Eifel]]<br />[[Ford Köln]]
| style="width:20%; "|'''Taunus G73A/G93A'''<br />(1939–1951)
| style="width:20%; "|'''Taunus 12M/15M'''<br />(1952–1970)
| style="width:20%; "|'''Ford Taunus'''<br />(1970–1982)
| style="width:20%; "|'''Succeeded by''':<br />[[Ford Sierra]]
|}

{{Early European Ford vehicles}}
{{FordEurope}}
{{Ford RS series}}
{{Ford Motor Company vehicles}}
{{Hyundai timeline 1968–1997}}

[[Category:Ford Taunus| ]]
[[Category:Mid-size cars]]
[[Category:Rally cars]]
[[Category:Cars introduced in 1939]]
[[Category:Cars discontinued in 1994]]
[[Category:Cars of Turkey]]
[[Category:1940s cars]]
[[Category:1950s cars]]
[[Category:1960s cars]]
[[Category:1970s cars]]
[[Category:1980s cars]]
[[Category:1990s cars]]
[[Category:Rear-wheel-drive vehicles]]