Ford opened the Ford Vault in Romulus, Michigan, a converted Amazon warehouse that now houses the company's Heritage Fleet of historical vehicles. The collection spans from Model Ts to modern concept cars and race vehicles. Currently, the facility serves only employees and limited media due to zoning restrictions, but Ford is working with city officials to convert it into a public museum without providing a timeline.
The Heritage Fleet includes vehicles that showcase Ford's design and engineering evolution. A right-hand-drive Model T painted green demonstrates that color options existed before 1914, when black became standard for assembly-line efficiency. The Super Chief concept presents a luxury truck vision with a supercharged 6.8-liter V-10 engine capable of running on gasoline, E85, or hydrogen. A Mustang GT350 was converted into a pickup truck by Ford apprentices as a training exercise.
The collection also holds the final first-generation Ka, a European hatchback from production, with fewer than 10 miles on the odometer. The 2003 Model U concept was a small pickup that transformed into an SUV via a retractable rear section and featured a supercharged 2.3-liter hydrogen-combustion engine. A Bronco prototype called U260, developed in 1999 on a Ranger platform, predated the production Bronco's 2021 debut.
Design studies include the wedge-shaped 1963 Cougar II, based on a Shelby Cobra chassis and allegedly capable of 170 mph. The SYNus, a compact urban concept measuring 158 inches, used a 134-horsepower 2.0-liter four-cylinder. A Lincoln L2K roadster concept, built on a modified Mazda Miata chassis, packed a 250-hp 3.4-liter V-8 and completed about 100 laps at Saugus Speedway before touring auto shows. The Reflex hybrid coupe featured diesel-electric power with lithium-ion batteries, rear-mounted electric motor all-wheel drive, and a 2+1 seating layout with integrated child seat.