The Playboy Pink Fords
by Dean V. Ricci

When you start to think about Iconic Automobiles produced over the years, one particular color of automobile clearly comes to mind, "Playboy Pink".

Playboy, the original Men's Magazine, would have a contest for its readers each year. The readers were tasked with voting for the Playboy Playmate of the Year.

As each winner was chosen, part of their winnings was an automobile. From the years 1964 to 1975, all of the cars won by the Playmate of the Year were painted in the special "Playboy Pink" color. 5 of the winning cars were provided by Ford Motor Company or a subsidiary.

For 1964, the First Playboy Pink car was the Popular Ford Mustang, introduced in the 1964 1/2 model year

For 1965, the Sunbeam Tiger was awarded. A car produced through the combined
efforts of Sunbeam of England's Rootes Group and Shelby American

 
For 1969, Shelby American again provided the Playmate of the Year with a Playboy Pink painted vehicle.
This time a Shelby GT500 Mustang, equipped with a 428CID V8 engine.

For 1970, Ford once again provided the winning vehicle painted in the Iconic color.
This time from its Mercury Division, the Capri. Vastly underpowered compared to the previous
Ford Powered vehicles awarded, but very stylish.

For 1972, Ford once again provided the Playmate of the Year with this Pantera.
I'm sure you will all agree, the car looks absolutely horrible in this color.

The Pantera was the last of the 5 Ford vehicles awarded to the Playmate of the Year winners from the Magazine. Awarding vehicles continued by the Magazine until 2010.

Although a Ford powered vehicle would not be awarded to a Playmate again until 1999, a familiar name was involved with the 1998 winning vehicle.

 
For 1998 A Brand New Shelby Series 1000 was awarded.

For 1999, once again Shelby American provided the last Ford Powered vehicle awarded to a Playmate.
A Shelby Cobra CSX4000 Series