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Ford Motor Company -- Henry Fords third attempt to launch a car company -- started in 1903. The companys vehicle production was disrupted, however, when the United States went to war in 1941. Ford stopped production of civilian vehicles and channeled its resources toward supporting the war by manufacturing military vehicles. The only civilian car that was released during this time was the 1942 Ford Super Deluxe. Focus was on redesigning already-existing Ford trucks to meet military requirements.
1942
This year saw the release of only the Ford Super Deluxe. This station wagon had a V-8 engine with a three-speed manual transmission and a solid front axle. It was also equipped with a four-wheel hydraulic braking system. The car was later modified for the military with the changes made to the chrome trim, which was blackened to camouflage the vehicle. Models that came after this car did not have any chrome on them and were completely black. Production of these vehicles continued until 1945.
1943
1943 was a dark year for Ford, which saw the death of its president, Edsel Ford, His son, Henry Ford II, took over with the support of the United States government, as the company was contributing much to the war effort. This year saw the production of heavy-armored trucks used for the war. Sedan delivery vehicles, military jeeps, cargo trucks and military trucks were some of the vehicles Ford produced this time. Some of these models were the 1943 T16 Military Vehicle and the1943 GPA Amphibious Jeep Military Vehicle.
1944
Manufacturing had not yet resumed for civilian cars and focus was still on military vehicles. Production of civilian cars had resumed by the end of the year, but this was to be for civilian heavy-duty trucks only. These trucks were just the remake of those that had been produced in the previous year. These vehicles were intended for uses that supported the war.
1945
July 1945 saw the resumption of civilian car manufacturing by Ford. The model was a modified 1942 Deluxe. This car had a new weighted grill with bars running horizontal to the car. Unlike the previous version, it used a 239-cubic-inch engine, which was previously used in trucks; it was capable of a 100 horsepower. The car was also made as a drop-top coupe.
