In the years 1947-48, the GIs were still in France and many people remember them and their golden tipped cigarettes and small bars of chocolate and chewing gum they threw out of their car windows. Coca-Cola was very new on this side of the pond and Humphrey Bogart’s movies were top of the list. The United States then at the peak of their glory with General Marshall just decided to grant a 5 billion dollars credit to help Europe. Of course this Plan was not totally unbiased. Due to the circumstances, Italy, Belgium and France received their batch of green banknotes.

Ford already was present in France since 1912. The Poissy factory recuperated the drawings and moulds of a certain “little” car judged too small by Dearborn. The French then would have the illusion of an American car for half the price of a Chevrolet in their country. The environment and engine of this car would be faithful to the atmosphere of Hollywood. The “Vedette” was born and naturally the name itself meaning star, was not an innocent one.

Ford vedette sedan 1951.

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The Ford Vedette was presented at the Paris Motor Show in October 1948. Compared with the majority of its competitors, the Vedette offered many advantages: a very much appreciated American look, a soft V8 engine that was less noisy than most of the 4 or 6 cylinders of the time, a great comfort for 5 persons. But the 2.2 l V8 engine, so highly praised in the advertisements, was a good old flat head engine equipped with obsolete valves. Its behavior and efficiency could not stand comparison with overhead valves and better designed combustion chambers. The 1932 Ford V8 flat head engine did not allow to envisage noticeable increase in power. Suspension is very rigid and on the 3-speed gear box, the first one is not synchronized. The speed reached by the Vedette is 132 km/h. The car is heavy but faster than the 1951 Renault Frégate.  Its road holding is quite correct. The technicians of Poissy, near Paris, succeeded in giving the best out of an old structure. The main drawbacks of the Vedette remained the brakes  not adapted to the size of the car and the high fuel consumption, at least 15 l to 18 l for a hundred kilometers. But Renault cared for energy and their Frégate consumed only 10 to 12 l. The price of oil in France already reached records in 1950.  Check out: http://athingforcars.com/autos/fascinating-french-classic-cars-renault-fregate-and-domaine/

Trim and comfort however were outstanding, although the model presented rear suicide doors. In 1952, after financial difficulties, it appeared that the fastback line was no longer in the fashion and new European sedans already adopted the Italian style in 1950 and 51. The line with a boot was more harmonious and gave a lighter silhouette. So in 1953 the general line of the Vedette was renewed and underwent aesthetic modifications, especially on the rear. The new Vedette of this year seemed longer, better balanced and lighter. The radiator grille was simplified but this face lift was limited to a minimum. The rear window was enlarged. As for the engine, it was not faster (66 hp), nor more nervous. The brakes however were considerably upgraded. Of course, the 2.2 l flat head V8 engine was no longer adapted to the time even in Dearborn. 

Ford Vedette sedan 1954. Restyled with a boot and different radiator grille and windshield in one part.

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In 1950 a coupé and a convertible had been unveiled. Very much in the American business coupé style, they were heavy, and not very graceful. They were produced until 1953 only. 

Ford Vedette Coupé 1950 with the first radiator grille and windshield in two parts.

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In 1952 appeared a commercial version reduced to essentials and called “Abeille” (French for bee) with a two-piece tailgate. It was produced during 2 years only and in limited number. A Sunliner (four-door landaulet) was also on the catalog in 1953. It was a sedan with a canvas roof that could be rolled down. It was proposed for only one year until 1954. It is a rare model today. Peugeot had offered this type of vehicle on the 203, see: http://quazen.com/recreation/autos/fascinating-french-classic-cars-robust-and-elegant-peugeot-203/  In 1953, Ford wished to install the 3.9 l V8 engine used for Cargo trucks on the Vedette, it became the Vendôme and the engine the Mistral. The car could then reach 145 km/h but was finally sold only to 2500 purchasers in 1953-54. This slightly restyled model arrived too late.

The Vedette line also included the beautiful coupés Comète and Monte Carlo, the body was created by Facel, see: http://quazen.com/recreation/autos/fascinating-french-classic-cars -extraordinary-facel-vega-hk500/ but technically they were identical.

Ford Comete 1954.

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In 1954, Simca took over the Ford factory and new Vedettes were launched see: http://quazen.com/recreation/auto/fascinating-french-classic-cars-the-simca-vedette-series/

The new Vedette Chambord in 1958, by Simca.

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