Milestones 1980-1989
Last Pinto
The last Pinto rolled off the production line on August 9, 1980. It was the 935,789th Pinto produced by St. Thomas Ford Assembly Plant.
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St. Thomas Times-Journal article published August 9, 1980 with caption: "And Number 935,789- Last Pinto, actually identical twin sister Mercury Bobcat, gets a polish Friday from St. Thomas production worker Ron Dewaele, London. The 935,789th Pinto to be assembled at the plant, the vehicle was also the last to be built by Ford."
First EXP
First Ford EXP rolled off the line February 17, 1981
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Photograph used in St. Thomas Times-Journal article published February 17, 1981 with caption: "Rolling Off The Line- Premier William Davis drives the first Ford EXP off the line during ceremonies at the St. Thomas Ford Assembly Plant Monday. The EXP and the Mercury LN7, both front-wheel drive compacts, will be made exclusively at the St. Thomas plant."
First Front-Wheel Drive
The St. Thomas Ford Assembly Plant produced the first front wheel drive cars in Canada.
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St. Thomas Times-Journal article published February 28, 1981 with caption: "Front Wheel Drive- The St. Thomas Ford Assembly plant at Talbotville started producing the first compact front wheel drive cars to be built in Canada this month. Here, Herb Rossiter of St. Thomas, an inspector on the line, looks over the Ford EXP. An estimated 2,000- 3,000 new jobs will be created at the plant in 1981."
Launch of Crown VIctoria
October 22, 1983 marked the launch of the new Ford Crown Victoria at St. Thomas Ford Assembly Plant.
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Photograph used in St. Thomas Times-Journal article published October 22, 1983 with caption: "Launching The Crown Victoria- Ford of Canada President Kenneth Harrigan addresses crowd of close to 1,000 St. Thomas Assembly Plant workers on hand Friday to witness the launch of the Crown Victoria. Also pictured, from left: Elgin Warden Bud Marr, Southwold Reeve Ken Monteith, London Mayor Al Gleeson, St. Thomas Mayor Doug Tarry, Kurt Beuhler, who in 1967 became the plant's first hourly employee, and Assistant Plant Manager Les Tischler. Plant Manager Dave Gorman was unable to attend the event because he was in Detroit due to illness in the family."
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