Ford Motor Company
Typhoon II


When I named my turbine powered Ford 8-N tractor Typhoon II I named it after the original Ford full size experimental turbine tractor named Typhoon. Little did I know that Ford Motor Company also had an experimental tractor named Typhoon II. It was a 3/8" scale model of a "Tractor of the Future" Pictures of this tractor were discovered by a good friend of mine, Don Olson. Don is a retired engineer of the Ford Tractor Division of Ford Motor Company. He and a group of his former fellow employees meet occasionally to reminisce. One member of the group happened to bring some old pictures he had stored away and behold, there appeared "Typhoon II". When Don sent me these pictures I immediately went to the Benson Ford Research Archives at the Henry Ford Museum to research this new find. The Henry Ford Museum is located close to my home and I do tractor research there regularly. When the archivist completed a search for Typhoon II the only item we found was a picture of a boat owned by Edsel Ford named Typhoon II. This boat was photographed near the boat house at the Edsel Ford home on June 15, 1934. There is probably no way of ever identifying the date this prototype model tractor was built as there are no markings on the photograph. It is natural to assume it was built sometime after the full size prototype Typhoon turbine tractor was built in 1957. Following is the text of the sign in front of the Typhoon II model tractor pictured.


Typhoon II

Virtually everything the farmer may need for comfort and efficiency has been anticipated by Ford Motor Company advanced stylists in the Typhoon II. A 3/8"scale model representing one area of styling exploration into the possible appearance of tractors of the future. Inside the all weather cab the stylists envision such unique features as a two way telephone, weather forecasting equipment, a food warmer and refrigerator and a small television screen which would enable the driver to view the operation of the rear mounted implements.

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Typhoon II
Ford Typhoon II