Inside Ford’s Time Machine: How This Secret Stash Will Help Shape Tomorrow’s Vehicles

Mar 18, 2025
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Ford revealed the Ford Heritage Fleet, a curated collection of nearly 500 vehicles, approximately 200 of which are in the U.S., that showcases the company's legacy of ingenuity, design evolution and engineering breakthroughs.

The story of Ford begins in a garage, with Henry Ford's creation of the Quadricycle at his Mack Avenue home in 1896. Legend has it that his first gasoline-powered car was too big to fit through the doors, which had to be widened to let Henry drive it out for its maiden spin.

Now, 128 years later, Ford is celebrating that legacy by showcasing for employees more than 50 vehicles from its Heritage Fleet of nearly 500 in a special display at the company's headquarters in Dearborn.

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The Ford Heritage Fleet gives the company’s vehicle collection a centralized structure.

Individual collections existed in England, Australia and Germany, totaling more than 300 vehicles, but in North America, we had not historically preserved production vehicles.

Finding hidden gems

Media fleet vehicles used by journalists for auto reviews were generally sold after their practical use. The company had famously donated its vehicle collection to The Henry Ford Museum over the years. Most of the classic concept vehicles were sold at auction — with proceeds going to charity — by Christie’s as part of the Ford centennial celebration in 2003.

DUE TO HIGH EMPLOYEE INTEREST IN HERITAGE FLEET TOURS, WE'RE SEEKING ENTHUSIASTIC VOLUNTEERS!


Do you want to volunteer as a Heritage Fleet Guide for future events?
 

If so, your first opportunity to volunteer is at Bring Your Child to Work Day, happening April 24! Click here to volunteer as a guide! Being a Heritage Fleet Guide would require you to attend training on the history of the Fleet and certain key vehicles. As a volunteer tour guide, you may be called on to volunteer at future events outside of regular business hours.