The 1968 Ford Techna Was An Innovative Concept Car Design
By Robert Tate, Automotive Historian and Researcher
Images courtesy of the National Automotive History Collection, Robert Tate's Collection and Bill Cook's Collection
Published 09.26.2018


1968 Ford Techna Concept Vehicle (National Automotive History Collection)


Throughout its history, the Ford Motor Company design studios have always introduced great looking concept cars to the public. The prototype models were often on display during the most exciting events, like Auto Shows or new car announcements.


1968 Ford Techna Concept rear view (National Automotive History Collection)

One of my favorite concept models from the Ford Motor Company archives was the early design of the 1962 Mustang I. Although not shown, it was a great looking design concept that led the way for future Mustang production models for many years.

This is a story about a concept that you rarely hear about or see images of when it comes to Ford’s historic designs. The 1968 Ford Techna was a great looking concept model, offering many great engineering innovations and advanced body features. The concept was designed for Ford's engineering vice-president Harold C. McDonald, who is standing next to the car in the image below.


1968 Ford Techna (Robert Tate Collection)

The model featured a revolutionary power-operated parallel-hinged door design which could open straight out from the body. Instead of lifting the entire hood when maintenance was needed, the consumer could lift the newly designed inspection hatch located on the hood to check the oil, coolant, transmission fluid or power steering. The entire front end-hood and fender design was all one unit. At the time, many consumers enjoyed the concept car’s styling, and the Techna became a big hit at the Detroit Auto Show.


Ford Autolite Techna magazine ad (Robert Tate Collection)

In conclusion, the Ford Techna concept model was featured in the August 1968 issue of Car Life magazine, and readers were invited to give their opinion on both the overall design and the advanced body features. Later, the model would be used in Ford's Autolite shock absorbers advertising campaign, featuring “When Ford built this car of tomorrow." Today, the model is a part of Ford's concept car history that will always be admired by automotive historians.