A 6.4-litre V8 engine, a three-speed automatic gearbox, and over two decades of service. This vintage Ford is more than just a classic car. It is a part of Indian Air Force history.
At the 94th Air Force Day celebrations on 8th October, Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh arrived at Hindon Air Base in a cream-coloured vintage Ford with the registration number IAF 1.
Built in 1967, the car joined the Indian Air Force on July 30, 1969. It served as the official car for successive Chiefs of the Air Staff until around 1992.
The Ford is reported to use a 390-cubic-inch V8 engine, with a capacity of around 6.4 litres. Period specifications for this engine include:
Unlike modern engines, this V8 uses a traditional pushrod design. It was built to deliver strong pulling power and smooth driving rather than high engine speeds.
These are period power figures measured using an older testing method, so they cannot be directly compared with modern engine ratings.
The Ford’s long bonnet, large body and chrome details give it the classic American look. A similar four-door Galaxie measured around 5.4 metres long, making it a large car even by today’s standards.
Its reported features include air conditioning, an AM radio and power-operated rear windows. The car also has left-hand drive, as expected of a vehicle built for the American market.
The exact reason for selecting this particular Ford has not been confirmed through publicly available purchase or import records. Its role as an official car for the Air Chiefs, however, is well documented.
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After serving for around 24 years, the Ford was retired from its official role. Air Chief Marshal N. C. Suri presented it to the Air Force Museum at Palam on June 10, 1993.
Today, the car stands as a reminder of a time when large American V8s represented comfort, power, and prestige. More than half a century after it was built, it continues to connect India’s military history with the golden age of American automobiles.
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