The exterior styling incorporated a number of emerging trends. The overall design is smooth, seamless, and very aerodynamic. Headlights are molded smoothly into the body; there is no grill, and very little trim; bumpers are integrated into the body design, and are of ten body colors (although not on our particular car); the nose slopes down while the tail of the car is raised; the window glass is flushed with the body, not recessed; the doors extend into the roof of the car, and the drip rails are hidden; door handles are recessed, not stuck on. The overall shape was startling and radical when introduced, and critics referred to the cars as "jellybeans" or "flying potatoes."

The interior of the car is just as innovative as the exterior. Its smooth curves echo the body styling, and were a distinct break with the horizontal design that had characterized American dashboards for years. Great thought was given to placing the switches and gauges where they could be easily seen and used. The seats are far more supportive than was standard American practice. Interior room is large for a car of Taurus' exterior dimensions.

Mechanically, the Taurus was on the leading edge of an industry-wide trend to V6 engines, front-wheel drive, and four wheel independent suspension. The Taurus suspension was tuned to give good handling and a firm ride, rather than the imprecise handling and soft ride that was American tradition.

Copyright © 1995-1999 The Henry Ford ~ http://www.TheHenryFord.org