Ford

Introduced in the summer of 1957, the Ford Taunus P2 was a bold design statement. Nicknamed the Barock-Taunus for its extravagant curves, chrome detailing, and pronounced tailfins, the P2 stood out in a sea of more conservative rivals. It was available as a two- and four-door sedan, a station wagon (Turnier), and even a rare coupé. Underneath the flashy bodywork, the car retained familiar mechanicals, including a robust, 1,698 cc inline-four engine. Though not universally loved at the time, the P2 helped establish Ford’s identity in post-war West Germany as a brand unafraid to be different.

1958

1959

The Taunus P3 was introduced in September 1960. Its rounded, aerodynamic body design was a clear departure from previous models and sparked mixed reactions. The car quickly earned the unflattering nickname Badewannetaunus due to its shape. Despite the criticism, the P3 was a commercial success: more than 650,000 units were produced over its four-year production run. It featured a unibody chassis and was available in sedan and station wagon body styles. Production ended in 1964, when the model was replaced by the Taunus P5.

1960

1961

The Ford Taunus P5 was introduced in 1964 as the successor to the P3. It featured more angular styling and a larger body, reflecting contemporary design trends. The P5 was available with a range of four- and six-cylinder engines, including the newly developed V4 and V6 units. Body styles included two- and four-door sedans, a station wagon (Turnier), and a coupé. The P5 remained in production until 1967, after which it was replaced by the Taunus P7 series.

1964

1965

The Ford Taunus P7 was launched in September 1967. In addition to the familiar 17M, the range now included a more powerful 20M, and two years later, the 26M was added at the top of the lineup. With this generation, the name "Taunus" disappeared from the official model designation. Reception of the new model was lukewarm, and sales were disappointing. As a result, Ford introduced a major facelift within a year of its launch. However, it did little to improve the car’s fortunes, as competitors like the Audi 100 and Peugeot 504 were much more favourably received.

1967

1970