The posh Vendôme version of the Vedette got its extra shove from a 3.9-litre Mistral V8 — an engine first designed for Ford France trucks, not its cars.
Lead trim: Vendôme 3.9 Mistral sidevalve V8
Ford VedetteVENDOME · 1953–1954
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FactThe posh Vendôme version of the Vedette got its extra shove from a 3.9-litre Mistral V8 — an engine first designed for Ford France trucks, not its cars.
The 1953 October Mondial de l'Automobile saw a luxury version of the Vedette, the Ford Vendôme, fitted with the bigger 3923 cc Mistral V8 engine previously used in Ford France trucks (the same 3.9 L sidevalve V8 listed alongside the Vedette's 2.2 L Aquilon), on the Vedette's 2,690 mm wheelbase and 3-speed manual. The page gives no power figure.
Collectors Spotted in the Ford Vedette Lineage
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Trims & Figures
One published trim in the catalogue. A blank is a figure not recorded, not zero.
| Trim | Years | Engine | Power | Torque | 0–60 | Drive | Gearbox | MSRP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vendôme 3.9 Mistral sidevalve V8 | 1953–1954 | 3.9 L V8 | 94 hp | — | — | RWD | — | — |
Owning one
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Owners’ builds
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Photographs
The posh Vendôme version of the Vedette got its extra shove from a 3.9-litre Mistral V8 — an engine first designed for Ford France trucks, not its cars.
In postwar France, where fuel and taxes punished big engines, Ford's Vedette stood alone — it was the only French car of its era built around a V8.
Rivals
Same body, same money, other badges — tap any card to flip.
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