by Norma Allen
A CAR PARTY brightened up a rainy night on Lonsdale Street last week, when Gregory’s hosted the launch of the new Ford range - the sporty Cougar (in red, of course) and the Tickford series TE50, TS50 and the TL50.
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| Ford Tickford TL50 |
Accompanied by searchlights, flashlights, oysters and champagne, a jazz band and the dramatic Also Sprach Zarathustra by Richard Strauss, the drapes were lifted to reveal the sleek new machines.
David Flint, managing director of Tickford Engineering and Matthew Taylor, vice president of Ford Australia told the technical story.
During the secret period of creation, the code name for the new model was JOD, the initials of the phrase Joy of Driving. And the phrase Don’t Frighten the Driver was also used: these cars have to be practical for all drivers.
Canberra Raider’s Luke Davico test drove the TS50, 1995 Miss Australia Margaret Tierney chose the red rocket, Peter Chapman “Chappo”, made friends with the TE50 and musician Tony Magee paced the TL50.
All reported instant delight with their brief encounter.
From The Canberra Times, January 24, 2000