The Finch Formerly Known As Gold

6 February 2007

Just a Falcon minute

News Item: Ford Motor Company will rename its slow-selling Five Hundred model the Taurus, a name that Ford had previously used for a car that became the nation's top-seller, company officials said Tuesday.

Top Ten Names Also Considered for the Ford Five Hundred:

  1. Three-Eighty After Rebate
  2. Flathead
  3. Not A Lincoln
  4. Fonda
  5. Felcher
  6. Festivus
  7. Excrescence
  8. Prefect
  9. Fairmont II
  10. Camry (hey, they're desperate)

(Via Jalopnik.)

Posted at 10:39 AM to Driver's Seat , Listing to One Side


I recollect there was some eye-rolling when the 500 -- er, excuse me, Five Hundred -- was introduced.

And in retrospect, it does seem more like something one would name a candy bar than a car.

A really small candy bar.

Posted by: McGehee at 11:38 AM on 6 February 2007

Can't wait to see the Feats of Strength performed by the 2008 Ford Festivus! (Voiceover: "Festivus -- Yes, serenity now...")

Posted by: CT at 11:46 AM on 6 February 2007

I might have to disregard my disdain for debt AND the budget if Ford offered a Prefect. Especially if it came with a Babelfish.

Posted by: Dan at 12:05 PM on 6 February 2007

Was it Ford that made the Galaxy 500, that was my first boyfriend's car, it was a 68 or 69, that car was fun. It took one heck of a beating the way he drove it.

That would be a cool name to bring back.

Posted by: Heather at 8:49 PM on 6 February 2007

The first Ford Galaxie appeared in 1959, though I believe the 500s didn't start until 1962. The Reverend Horton Heat put out a song about a 500.

Posted by: CGHill at 9:17 PM on 6 February 2007

And I seem to remember a movie which started with the line "Long, long ago in a Galaxie..."

Posted by: triticale at 9:23 PM on 7 February 2007