Above: The first two pages of the 1956 Ford F100 brochure (photo courtesy of the Ford Heritage Vault)
The Ford Heritage Vault is an online, publicly accessible digital archive that contains over 5,000 curated images and brochures from Ford and Lincoln-Mercury vehicles, dating from 1903 to 2003. The vault houses high-resolution, downloadable materials that span a full century of innovation, marketing, and design evolution. Importantly, the content is free to use for personal and educational purposes, making it one of the most generous archival efforts by any major automaker.
Above: 1969 Mercury Cougar Eliminator at Ford's Proving Grounds (photo courtesy of Ford Heritage Vault)
Users can browse through thousands of vintage photographs that showcase vehicles in period settings, factory floors, showrooms, racetracks, and advertisements. These images serve as not only historical records but also as visual storytelling elements that highlight Ford's place in American life across the decades.
Above: Left and right side pages from a 1969 Mercury Cougar sales brochure (images courtesy of FHV - Ford Heritage Vault)
Above: From left to right top to bottom there's a 1934 Ford five-window coupe, a 1934 Ford fordor sedan, a 1934 Ford roadster, and a 1934 Ford phaeton from the 1934 Ford sales brochure. All four of these beauties are Ford flathead V8 powered (image courtesy of the Ford Heritage Vault).
The archive includes full-color sales brochures for nearly every production model from Ford, Lincoln, and Mercury brands. These brochures are rich in period design and language, giving insight into how Ford marketed its vehicles through changing times—from the sleek lines’ of 1950s sedans to the bold statements’ of 1980s SUVs.
Above: 1967 Ford station wagons brochure cover artwork (image courtesy of the FHV).
Above and below: Artwork from the 1966 Ford Mustang sales brochure that was written in French (photos courtesy of the FHV)- the Ford Mustang was the world's first ponycar, after all!
Visitors can easily search by make, model, year, or keyword, making the site user-friendly for both casual browsers and serious researchers. Whether you're trying to find a 1966 Mustang brochure or images of a 1985 Lincoln Town Car, the intuitive interface streamlines the process.
Ford partnered with experts to ensure that the vault is compliant with ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) guidelines. Alt-text for images and other tools help ensure that the vault is inclusive and usable by people with disabilities.
Above: Photo of August 1967 Ford Times magazine cover - The Ford Motor Company published Ford Times magazine for a total of 59 years. It was published from 1908 to 1917 and again from 1943 to 1993. & Below: In that same August 1964 Ford Times magazine - a couple pages from a women's fashion article about what to wear at the 1964 World's Fair, when the 1965 Mustang premiered (April 17,1964).
The Ford Heritage Vault doesn’t just preserve vehicle specifications—it preserves a slice of American history. Vehicles have always reflected the cultural and economic contexts of their times. For instance:
Each brochure or image tells a story about consumer values, design trends, and technological innovation during its era.
Above: Here are a couple pages of another article from the same issue of the Ford Times with the title 'School for Cobra Owners (courtesy of the Ford Heritage Vault).'
Above: Ford Times magazine didn't just have articles about Ford vehicles. It was a lifestyle magazine. Here's some artwork from an article with the following title - 'Cape Cod's Scenic Waterway - Hours spent along historic Cape Cod Canal are pleasant ones... fishing, picnicking, camping, watching the big ships glide by (you guessed it - image courtesy of FHV).'
Above and images below: Photos from the 1970 Performance Buyer's Digest brochure (images courtesy of the Ford Heritage Vault)
According to Ted Ryan, Ford's archive and heritage brand manager, the project was driven by a desire to democratize access to Ford’s rich history. Previously, most of these materials were locked away in corporate archives or difficult to access through physical collections.
“We’re opening up in a way that’s never been done before. Our archives were created 70 years ago, and we’ve preserved artifacts that document Ford’s rich heritage and deep connection to American culture,” said Ryan at the vault’s launch.
Above and below: The cover image and an image from within the 2003 Ford SVT Mustang Cobra brochure - giddy up! (photos courtesy of FHV)
The Ford Heritage Vault also aligns with a broader trend of companies digitizing their archives and opening them to the public, both for transparency and brand engagement.
Above and below: 1969 Ford Ranchero GT pickup (image courtesy of the FHV)
While the initial launch included materials up to 2003, Ford has expressed interest in expanding the collection. Future updates may include additional decades, behind-the-scenes documents, design sketches, and even interactive media. The vault may also grow to include oral histories, engineering documentation, and more.
Ford’s Heritage Vault stands not just as a digital library, but as a living chronicle of innovation, design, and cultural impact. It captures the essence of what made Ford more than just a car company—it reflects its role in shaping the modern world.
Above: The left page and right page images from the 1970 Mercury Cyclones and Montegos brochure (images courtesy of the Ford Heritage Vault)
Above: The Ford Heritage Vault has already archived documents and photos from beyond the 2003 date, as evidenced by this 2006 brochure depicting several Ford Concept Cars. The Shelby GR-1 Concept is a modern interpretation of the 1964 Shelby Daytona Coupe, that was originally designed by Peter Brock.
The Ford Heritage Vault is a powerful reminder that automobiles are more than just machines—they are artifacts of our collective experience. By opening its doors to the public, Ford has not only preserved its past but also made it possible for future generations to explore and learn from it. Whether you're a lifelong Ford fan or a curious newcomer, the Heritage Vault offers a compelling journey through more than a century of motion, design, and progress.
Above: 1986 Ford Bronco XLT from the 1986 Bronco XLT brochure (image courtesy of FHV)
Classic Industries offers restoration parts, accessories, and high performance components for 27 different Ford and Mercury models at present. Just as the Ford Heritage Vault is a valuable resource for your vintage Ford Motor Company pony or muscle car, so to is the Classic Industries' website. In addition, if you have a 1964.5-2004 Ford Mustang, you can also get a free Mustang parts and accessories catalog, or the new digital catalog.