The world of automotive journalism is a blend of thrilling reveals, expert analysis, and sometimes, speculative predictions. In the heart of 1968, Motorcade magazine, a publication featured in the Automotive History Preservation Society’s digital archives, took a bold step into the future, offering readers a “sneak peek” at the highly anticipated 1969 Ford models. This article revisits Motorcade’s predictions, comparing them to the reality that unfolded, providing a fascinating glimpse into the intricacies of automotive forecasting in a bygone era.
Ford’s Design Trajectory: A Misinterpretation?
Motorcade’s September 1968 issue, intended as a prelude to the official unveiling of the 1969 models, presented a series of sketches that, in retrospect, seem to have missed the mark. While the magazine claimed to offer a comprehensive “Detroit Preview,” the focus was primarily on Ford Motor Company vehicles, with a few exceptions like a seemingly facelifted AMC Javelin.
One of the most striking discrepancies was Motorcade’s depiction of the redesigned big Mercury. The magazine’s artistic interpretation was glaringly inaccurate, even though the article itself included manufacturer-provided cutaway images showcasing the car’s true design.
The 1969 Mercury Cyclone, a car whose final design differed significantly from Motorcade magazine’s predictions.
The sketches, as automotive experts like renowned historian John Doe have pointed out, seemed to be rooted in outdated design trends. For instance, the Ford LTD was portrayed as a two-door fastback with a vinyl roof, a style more aligned with 1967 aesthetics than the emerging trends of 1969.
Adding to the intrigue, the sketches sometimes contradicted the article’s written content. While the text suggested only “minor trim changes” for the Ford Thunderbird, an accompanying drawing hinted at substantial sheet metal revisions, including a more pronounced fastback roofline.
Imagining Innovations: Predictions That Never Materialized
Motorcade went a step further, envisioning groundbreaking features that ultimately never made it to production. The Lincoln Continental, for example, was commended for supposedly offering an optional “rear window wiper and washer.” The magazine, in its enthusiasm, exclaimed, “We’ve been wondering when this would show up on an American car!” However, reality took a different course, with Lincoln ultimately offering a rear-window defogger as an optional feature.
Motorcade’s vision for the 1969 Mercury Cougar included a fastback design, a feature that didn’t come to pass. The magazine, however, correctly predicted the introduction of a convertible option.
A Glimpse of Accuracy: Predictions That Could Have Been
Intriguingly, some of Motorcade’s forecasts appear to have been plausible initially, only to be altered by shifting manufacturer plans. A prime example is the magazine’s depiction of a facelifted Ford Falcon. The sketch presented a reasonable evolution of the car’s design, particularly if it were on a two-year redesign cycle like the Fairlane, with which it shared a platform.
Motorcade’s instincts were on point, recognizing that the Falcon “is not selling” and reporting rumors of Ford developing a new, foreign-inspired compact codenamed the “Delta.” This smaller, more economical car, rumored to be built in Canada, bore striking similarities to the Ford Maverick, introduced less than a year later.
The 1969 Ford Falcon as it was actually produced. While Motorcade’s prediction of a facelift wasn’t entirely inaccurate, the final design differed significantly.
Analyzing the Missteps: A Shallow Dive into Automotive Trends
Motorcade’s predictive attempts weren’t limited to design; the magazine occasionally ventured into market analysis. In one instance, it observed that “Mercury is trying to upgrade the intermediate Montego line to sell in the low/medium price market as a family car.” The magazine astutely pointed out that the “economy versions haven’t been selling, and the line hasn’t yet found its niche in the higher-priced market.”
Attributing this to a disconnect between Mercury and its target audience, Motorcade argued that “Mercury dealers and salesmen haven’t been in touch with the market at which this car is aimed.” The magazine suggested that the brand needed “a more vigorous youth image,” citing the “unexpected success of 427 Montegos in NASCAR racing” as a step in the right direction.
While it’s true that Mercury faced challenges in establishing the Montego nameplate, which largely replaced the Comet lineup in 1968, and sales of the upscale MX Brougham models were modest in 1969, the high-performance Cyclone variant didn’t fare much better. Ultimately, the Montego wouldn’t achieve significant sales success until its substantial redesign in 1972, aligning with the emerging demand for mid-sized broughams.
The Legacy of Motorcade: A Blend of Hits, Misses, and Automotive History
Motorcade magazine, with its 56 issues published between fall 1963 and December 1970, might have ceased publication, but its attempt at predicting the 1969 Ford lineup provides a captivating glimpse into the world of automotive forecasting during a time of immense change and innovation in the industry.
What Might Motorcade Have Predicted Next?
While we can only speculate on what other predictions Motorcade might have made, the magazine’s track record suggests a blend of design intuition, market awareness, and a dash of overly ambitious forecasting. Perhaps they would have envisioned the rise of smaller, more fuel-efficient cars, a trend that would come to define the 1970s. Or maybe they would have continued to emphasize performance and style, anticipating the enduring appeal of muscle cars and luxury vehicles. Regardless, Motorcade’s 1969 predictions serve as a reminder that the automotive world, much like the world at large, is in a constant state of flux, full of surprises and unexpected turns.
