Throughout the 20th century, Ford power has been at the center of progress in all aspects of the mechanical age. On land, at sea, and in the air, advancements with the Ford name on them were the norm. Henry Ford gave us the modern automobile, as we know it, in the form of the model T. The "Tin Lizzie" was the first car available to everyone at a price that many could afford. Before the Model T, the automobile was a novelty exclusive to the wealthy. The model T cars and pickups soon became a central transportation tool, essential to farm and family.
Henry Ford was a gigantic figure in early aviation, delivering the first viable passenger airliner. The Ford Tri Motor aircraft, also known as the "Tin Goose," was in regular passenger service by 1927. It was a rugged and reliable airplane, and some are still flying today.
Weighing in at 35 tons, here's the M4A3 Medium battle tank we visited. Hull number 117-42, it's one of 1,690 units built by Ford from the autumn of 1942 into late 1943. While Sherman tanks were made by several manufacturers and powered by different types of engines, the Ford Sherman tanks all had the Ford built GA-8 engine. That's a 75mm gun in the main turret, while up front a separate gunner would operate a 50-caliber machine gun mounted in a ball-type turret.
At sea, Ford power has taken many forms. In 1966, Chris-Craft selected the Ford FE 427 engine for conversion to marine service. It was used to power high-performance versions of many of the company's classics, including the '68 Chris-Craft Grand Prix. Big-block Ford engines were also used to power many of their heavier vessels.
In the Second World War years, Ford shared responsibility with Willys for production of the venerable Jeep military vehicle. Ford assembly lines were converted to the production of military aircraft. Also during World War II, Ford manufactured the famous Sherman battle tank, with the Ford-produced versions equipped with a four-valve-per-cylinder, all-aluminum V-8 engine. We recently had a chance to see a running example of a Ford-produced and -powered Sherman M4A3 Medium tank at Guiette Manufacturing in Santee, California. Owner Bill Guiette was a gracious host as we toured and rode in the battlewagon. Join us as we look firsthand at this fine example of Ford-powered history.
In the very restricted engine room is the Ford GA-8 engine. It was originally conceived as a V-12 engine for aircraft use. When other newer engine designs replaced it in aircraft, Ford shaved off four cylinders to come up with this DOHC all-aluminum V-8. It displaces 1,100 ci and produces 500 hp, giving the Sherman a 25-mph top end. | 
The transmission is at the front of the rear-engine tank, and these front cogs drive the treads along the road wheels and rear idlers. The huge gearbox lives between the driver and machine gunner and is a cross-drive unit with five forward speeds plus Reverse. To steer the tank, one tread is stopped, and the tank turns in the direction of the stopped tread. | 
As we climbed on top of the turret, the interior came into view. This hatchway is one of three entrances into the tank from the top. There's an escape hatch built into the floor as well. |
The first thing we found on our way in is the Tank Medium M4A3 owner's manual, courtesy of the War Department. | 
Down inside the turret we looked forward to the drive seat and instrument panel. The two levers engage their respective treads to accomplish forward motion as well as steering. That's an original World War II tankers helmet on the driver seat. Above the seat is the driver's periscope, which allowed him to see where he was going from behind the safety of the frontal armor. The machine gunner's position has a similar unit. | 
We're over on the right side looking in on the machine gunner's position. The empty machine-gun turret is a ball fixture in the frontal armor of the tank. |
Below the machine gunner's position is a storage rack for the 75mm main gun ammunition. Seen in front of the ammo rack is the floor escape hatch. | 
Up in the turret is the position for the main gunner as well as the commander. The main gun sight is seen directly in front of the manual turret rotation crank. Power turret rotation was also available. | 
This is an empty 75mm shell casing from the main gun. It gives an idea of the size of ammunition the tank men were dealing with. It looks hefty but was small compared to much of the enemy hardware. |
Here's an engine identical to the one in the tank except this one has a window in it from a broken rod. These engines were all aluminum, including the oil pan. Also shown is the massive crankshaft. Keep in mind that this engine displaces 1,100 ci. This is more than twice the displacement of anything ever offered new in the post-war automotive world. | 
This aluminum cylinder head with four valves per cylinder looks like modern automotive exotica. It's hard to believe this is part of a design from the '30s and used in an Army tank. |  |
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