Ford Taunus P1
Taunus 12M ( 1952-1955 )
The Ford Taunus 12M/15M was the first redesign of a car of the German Ford plants after the Second World War. This mid-size car was 1952-1959 as Taunus 12M ( development name: " Globe": Ford G13, pet name ) offered. Between 1955 and 1959 it was also available with a more powerful engine than Taunus 15M (Ford G4B ). 1959 solved the revised model Ford G13 AL ( nickname: " verges Taunus " ) - offered as Taunus 12M - both models and was built until 1962. In some publications the development name P1 is indicated for the complete series.
Globe Taunus (1952-1959)
As early as 1949, a year after the beginning of the post-war production at Cologne, the planning for the new pontoon model began under the code name G13. Again, the ideas for the new car from Ford USA came. The proposal was designed on the model of Studebaker Champion; Cologne's design department fit him to German conditions. Instead of the propeller on the Studebaker typical for this car small globe was chosen instead of a hood ornament. Because one in Cologne had no experience in the design of self-supporting bodies, efforts were made to a cooperation with other German car manufacturers. Finally received the support of Ford Cologne France.
From the globe Taunus 12M 247 174 and 127 942 15M emerged.
Taunus 12M Taunus and 12 ( G13 and G13 A, 1952-1959 )
The new car was supposed to get the 1.5 -liter engine, which had not been realized at the previous model. It was indeed developed a top -driven machine, but discarded for reasons of cost. We also thought of another name: After Cologne, Rhineland, Eifel and Taunus, it would almost inevitably can be Hunsrück. The enthusiasm for this name but spending within limits. So it remained in " Taunus ", to distinguish it from its predecessor supplemented by the name of Master. This designation, however, was protected for a German bicycle manufacturer. So it was a masterpiece, in conjunction with the displacement of the engine so short of 12M.
The new two-door, smooth-surfaced pontoon body with 13 "wheels and the known from the previous engine with 1172 cc - strengthened to 38 hp ( 28 kW ) - was introduced in January 1952. Compared to its predecessor, the front wheels were independently suspended, while a solid axle rear was still installed. The force was (not four-speed as its predecessor ) passed through a three-speed transmission with column shift to the rear wheels. As of March 1953 there was also a four-speed transmission for an additional charge. At this time, the three-door station wagon ( G13K ) was introduced. As of December 1952 convertibles were ( by Karl German ) with two or four seats offered. All of the cars had on the American model also front a bench seat.
Rear view
Ford Taunus 12M ( 1955-1958 )
Taunus 12M ( 1958-1959 )
Rear view
Cabriolet
Although the Taunus 12M was a successful and good quality vehicle, but 37 % more expensive than its predecessor, which was last offered for less than 5,500 DM. Therefore, the management decided in December 1952 to bring out a stripped- Taunus 12 ( G13 A). He wore no chrome trim, had the shift lever in the center of the car ( which at the time was considered very unfashionable ) and was equipped with two non-adjustable front bucket seats from tube frame that were sparsely covered with upholstery fabric. The Taunus 12, which was available only as 2 -door sedan available, cost initially with 6,060 DM 700 DM less than the normal Taunus 12M. Who would want to have column shift, had to pay extra cost DM 40.
1955, the model was revised. The split grille got vertical chrome bars. The base price for the Taunus 12M now was DM 5,850, so that the simplified Taunus 12 could be omitted.
On request, the automatic clutch " Saxomat " was available from 1957.
1958 chrome rods were replaced by a grid on the radiator grille.
Taunus 15M ( G4B, 1955-1959 )
In the spring of 1954, the Board undertook a new initiative to bring the planned 15 year old 1.5 -liter engine in the Taunus. This is because the Taunus 12M was to be seen rather as a competing model to the VW Beetle. The middle class was of cars such as the Opel Olympia Rekord, the Borgward Isabella, the Fiat 1400 and the Peugeot 403, all with displacements of 1.5 liters, occupied. Ford had nothing to offer in this segment. Gladly we would have developed a completely new medium-sized car, but did not have enough money for it. To put the design department at the beginning of the 1950s to set aside larger engine for the Taunus 12M.
Although the new engine was based on the basic design with side camshaft of the Ford Eifel 1930s, had now but - for the first time at Ford - even overhead valves. The crankshaft was cast hollow. With 82 mm bore and 70.9 mm stroke, the new engine was a short stroke and performed at 1498 cc, 55 hp (40 kW). For the new car, the 12M- body was slightly revised. The vehicle's front was a broad grille with continuous chrome bar. The vertical taillights were slightly larger. In January 1955, the new mid-size Ford was presented. It was available as the Taunus 12M in the same body styles. Optionally, at three-speed transmissions, the automatic clutch " Saxomat " was available.
As of September 1955, there were next to the Taunus 15M deLuxe a version. The car had the radiator grille seven vertical chrome strips (which were originally developed from the bumper horns ) and a two-tone paint. Windscreen wiper, tubeless tires, reversing lights, sun visors with vanity mirror and a headlight flasher - the first for a German car - included as standard equipment.
The revision of 1958, the 15M got the same barred grille as the 12M.
Verges Taunus ( G13 AL, 1959-1962 )
1959 saw the group management in the United States in the splitting between the Taunus 12M and 15M a harmful fragmentation. Originally, the 12M should be set. Given the announced Opel in 1200, however, Ford decided to abandon the 15M and retain the middle-class customers in the offered since 1957 Taunus 17M. After the facelift significantly redesigned the Taunus 12M was slightly lower and without his typical globe. Instead, he got wide white side stripes, which earned him the nickname " side stripes Taunus ".
Rear view
Because the Ford management was afraid of losing more customers to Opel, Borgward, Fiat and Peugeot, the modern 1.5 -liter engine to 110 DM was at the presentation of the Taunus 12M in September 1959 but then again offered an additional cost. Also this Taunus 12M Super ( Taunus 15M there was only one back in 1966 with the Taunus P6) was prepared as a two-door sedan, three-door station wagon and two-door convertible.
1961 Taunus 12M has been revised with the coming in of its basic design from 1935 1.2 -liter engine again slightly technically; The Cabriolet was omitted. In August 1962, ended production of the Taunus G13 AL, which was replaced by the all-new Taunus P4 V- engine and front wheel drive.
Created over three years from the verges Taunus 245 614 units, of which 56 843 with the 1.5 - liter engine.