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Beach Ford

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A Note From Tom Barton

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Dear Beach Ford Family,

“Who said every wish, would be heard and answered
When wished on the morning star?
Somebody thought of that, and someone believed it.
And look what it’s done, so far.” — Kermit the Frog

It seems easier at this time of year to put things into perspective. In our modern world, with things like smart phones, tweeting, Facebooking, Sponge Bob, Big Brother, and the Kardashians, it is almost impossible not to become jaded, or at least, a budding cynic. From the way we entertain ourselves, to our need to inform all of our friends/”Fans” about what we are doing at all times, modern life makes it easy to move closer to the pessimistic. I was very lucky recently, to get a familiar reminder that it wasn’t always this way.

My son is now almost 12 years old, has an iTouch, the Wii, no mobile phone (yet), and was, when younger, a big fan early on of Thomas the Tank Engine and more recently, Sponge Bob. He does not watch TV much, as he is all about being outside and is, thankfully, happiest there. He was only vaguely familiar with the Muppets, but had heard several of his friends say the new movie, currently playing, was funny and worth a watch. Since I am old enough to have watched the first season of Sesame Street, but young enough to have been 9 years old when the Muppet Show premiered on television, it did not take much to get me to take him to see the new Muppet movie. I am very glad I did.

First, the movie is indeed worth a see, is very funny and will pull at your heart if you’ve got one, but I won’t write a review here. What is really important is that in addition to having a great day with my boy, I was reminded about the pure and important message these puppet-characters of my youth still deliver. A sense of humor without being nasty. Being together, working toward a common goal, facing adversity and overcoming it. Taking the right path. Trust. The Muppets, from their first movie in 1979 to the one today, teach belief in the face of uncertainty and they teach about hope. And they do this all by singing, by letting us know each character well, and by making us laugh. Quite a gift when you think about it. I left that show feeling young again. I might be getting older, but the Muppets don’t.

My son, toward the end of the movie, put his head on my shoulder and thanked me for taking him to see it. My little boy, on the threshold of his teenage years and then onto adulthood. For a brief moment, the cruel joke of parenthood swept over me – that they are merely on loan to us. But for today, my son, my greatest gift, is still my little boy.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all in our Beach Ford Family,

Tom Barton

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Two Ford Engines Make Ward’s 10 Best Engine List.

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Ford’s 2.0-liter EcoBoost and 5.0-liter V8 have each been named a Ward’s 10 Best Engine.

A record seven of this year’s Ward’s 10 Best Engines winners integrate state-of-the-art direct fuel injection, demonstrating the rapid pace of technology development as auto makers downsize their engines.

Forced induction also is well-represented, with four turbocharged and one supercharged powerplant on this year’s list. In each case, forced induction enables a smaller, more fuel-efficient engine to deliver outstanding performance.

“With so many engines featuring gasoline direct-injection and forced induction, we’re pleased to have a list that is rich in technology,” says Drew Winter, editor-in-chief of WardsAuto World magazine. “Plus, every engine reinforces the idea that even fuel-efficient vehicles must be fun to drive.”

Now in its 18th year, the Ward’s 10 Best Engines competition recognizes the latest powertrain technologies that are affordable to most consumers, boost horsepower and torque, sound appealing and integrate well with their respective vehicles.

Ford’s turbocharged four-cylinder EcoBoost was honored for its application in the Explorer and Edge. WardsAuto editors report they got a 24 mpg return in the Edge, “which deserves plaudits in this segment.”

For the second time Ford’s 5.0-liter V8 makes the list. In the Mustang Boss 302, editors note, it is “a 444-hp beast that pays homage to muscle cars of old, but uses modern overhead cam and aluminum construction.”

The awards will be presented at the North American International Auto Show.

Take two of Ward’s Best Engines for a test drive today at Beach Ford.

Sources: Ford, WardsAuto.com

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Ford’s November U.S. Retail Sales Up 20 Percent

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Ford Motor Company’s November U.S. retail sales increased 20 percent versus a year ago. Total sales were 166,865, up 13 percent.

Ford estimates its retail market share has averaged 15 percent in the last three months – its highest retail share in five years.

Ford brand retail sales were higher for most products, with double-digit gains posted by Fiesta, Fusion, Escape, Explorer, F-Series, Econoline and Ranger.

“With gasoline prices continuing to track higher than last year, consumers continue to value fuel economy – no matter what size or kind of vehicle best meets their needs,” said Ken Czubay, Ford vice president, U.S. Marketing, Sales and Service. “Most Ford products deliver best-in-class fuel economy and provide customers an opportunity to choose what best works for them – EcoBoost technology or electrified vehicles.”

Source: Ford

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The F-150’s Fuel Saving Technologies Get High Marks for Quality

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The F-150’s EcoBoost engine and another fuel-saving technology – electric power assist steering – earned high ratings from customers in Ford’s 2011 U.S. Global Quality Research System, or GQRS, helping to power the F-150 to some of the industry’s strongest independent quality rankings in 2011.

The V-6 EcoBoost-equipped F-150 is achieving customer quality ratings on par with F-150s equipped with the popular 5.0-liter V-8 engine, according to data from GQRS, a quarterly survey conducted for Ford by RDA Group of Bloomfield Hills, Mich. The data was gathered from surveys of more than 1,600 F-150 owners who purchased their trucks between September 2010 and May 2011.

“Ford F-150 customers are very discerning so we are pleased they rate our new EcoBoost technology as highly as V-8 engines that some thought truck customers would never give up,” said Doug Scott, group marketing manager, F-Series trucks. “We believe this is a good sign as we plan to roll out this innovative, powerful and fuel-saving technology to most of our lineup during the next few years.”

Electric power-assisted steering, or EPAS – another Ford truck first – is also giving the F-150 a quality edge, with steering that adapts to changing road conditions and vehicle speed, allowing for more confident handling and improved fuel economy.

Internal customer data show these technologies have reduced warranty claims with 25 percent fewer complaints for vehicle vibration and 33 percent less reported issues with drifting and pulling. This means customers are happier with the new system than the reliable outgoing hydraulic-assisted steering system.

“The F-150 is a symbol of how Ford is reinventing its lineup to lead the industry in fuel economy and quality,” says Bennie Fowler, Ford Group Vice President, Global Quality and New Model Launch. “We have demonstrated with our EcoBoost engines that we can deliver new technology with great fuel economy improvements and leading quality.”

Stop by Beach Ford in Virginia Beach or Suffolk to take the F-150’s EcoBoost and electric power assist steering for a test drive.

Source: Ford

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Ford Race Cars Commemorate 110 Years of Ford Racing at SEMA

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Ford Racing history comes full circle as iconic race cars from the past share the stage with Ford’s newest motorsports vehicles in a special salute to 110 Years of Ford Racing at the 2011 Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) show this week at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

Ford’s racing legacy began in 1901 when Henry Ford entered and won his first and only race behind the wheel of a car he built named Sweepstakes. That historic vehicle – on loan from The Henry Ford Museum – is on display at SEMA along with a host of other cars that celebrate milestone moments in Ford Racing history.

“Racing is in our blood. It is part of our DNA,” said Jamie Allison, director, Ford Racing. “Henry Ford used racing to help prove out his product and to attract attention, and we race today for the same reasons – to prove out our products on the track, to draw attention to our products and to communicate the Ford story.”

The car that started it all 110 years ago also shares the stage with Ford’s latest entry into the motorsports arena, Focus ST-R, making its North American debut at SEMA. The turnkey race car is Ford Racing’s first truly global race car. It will be available to professionals, amateurs and track-day enthusiasts to race in a variety of series starting in North America in 2012.

“People who buy a Focus ST-R will get a fully prepared race car that will only need communications equipment and the customer’s decal to go racing,” said Allison. “We’ve already had significant interest in this vehicle from numerous established race teams.”

Visitors to the 2011 SEMA show will be treated to a broad spectrum of Ford Racing vehicles including:

1932 Edelbrock Special: This “2B” RTA/SCTA/BONNEVILLE record-setting roadster set 13 world land speed records in its day. The car features a 1932 Ford chassis, 259-cubic-inch 1949 Ford flathead V8 engine, with Edelbrock heads and three-carburetor intake. It could be considered the quintessential racing highboy of its era.

1965 Shelby Daytona Cobra Coupe Replica: Carroll Shelby built six of these coupes to compete against Ferrari in the World Manufacturers’ Championship GT race class.

John Force Mustang Funny Car: John Force Racing has been a fixture in NHRA drag racing for 36 years. The team has earned 17 Funny Car team championships, including a record 15 titles from Force himself.

So-Cal Streamliner: In 1949 Alex Xydias set the fastest timed run of 210 mph with this vehicle in the Southern California Timing Association (SCTA) land speed racing event on the Bonneville Salt Flats. This replica, just like the original, is composed entirely of Ford components, a Model A front end, Model T frame, ’49 Mercury flathead and a ’32 rear end.

Brian Deegan X Games Fiesta: Nicknamed “The General,” Brian Deegan has tackled the X Games Rally competition in a Ford Fiesta the last two years. In 2011 he captured X Games gold for Ford, leading a 1-2-3 Fiesta sweep in Rallycross competition.

Brent Hajek Bonneville Super Duty: On Aug. 19, this 2011 F-250 set two land speed records at the Bonneville Salt Flats.

Iconic Ford Racing vehicles featured at this year’s SEMA show:

1901 Sweepstakes
In 1901 Henry Ford – a virtual unknown at the time – drove in his first and only race behind the wheel of this vehicle, which he nicknamed Sweepstakes. In a stunning, come-from-behind victory, Ford defeated famous car builder and racer Alexander Winton in a 10-lap race on a one-mile oval track at the Detroit Driving Club in Grosse Pointe, Mich. That race on Oct. 10, 1901, changed the course of history because it helped Ford attract the investors he needed to start the Henry Ford Company – and then the Ford Motor Company – in 1903.

Jim Clark’s 1965 Indianapolis 500 winner, Lotus-Ford 38/1
Jim Clark scored Ford’s first victory in the Indianapolis 500 behind the wheel of this Lotus-Ford 38/1. It also was the first win for a rear-engine car. In fact, Ford-powered rear-engine vehicles swept the top four positions in that race with Parnelli Jones coming in second, rookie Mario Andretti third and Al Miller fourth. Ford brought one of its NASCAR teams – Wood Brothers Racing – to pit the car that day, and Firestone created special tires for it. A front-engine car has not won Indianapolis since that day.

Winner at 1967 Le Mans, Ford GT40 Mark IV
Dan Gurney and A.J. Foyt drove this Ford GT40 Mark IV to the second of four consecutive Ford wins at Le Mans in 1967. It was the first victory at Le Mans for an all-American driver lineup in an American-built race car. On the podium, Gurney popped the champagne cork and sprayed the bubbly over the surrounding people. That started a race winner’s tradition that continues to this day.

Source: Ford