my recognition and affection for Ford predates my first memories of motorsport. I loved my Fords before Dick Johnson had ever driven one. I loved my Fords when Ford binned the Cleveland V8. I loved my Fords when the only Blue Oval touring cars racing in the ATCC were foreign models never sold here. I loved my Fords when Ford refused to support or acknowledge motor racing... in 1974, and again in 1978. I loved my Fords when James Warburton was a zitty wanker with little more on his mind than trying to get laid.
Ford as a company will outlast James Warburton as the dodgy leader of a shonky category which uses marginalisation, sycophantism and exclusion to maintain the illusion of supremacy as a leading and relevant motor racing category.
I will revere Ford while they publicly acknowledge that throwing their marketing money into V8Supercars is not a priority for them, not a productive pastime. I will wonder why they didn't vote with their feet on any number of other occasions, such as the mid 90's, and the dawn of the new millennium. I will be grateful that they didn't, even though they were getting towelled by more politically-active competitors.
Ford, to me, have seldom been fearful of making the "unpopular" calls, if it was necessary to do so. They gave fair warning that the end of local production was nigh, even when their most visible rival lied publicly about it in their condemnation of Ford.
I will continue to revere Ford for as long as they build quality cars somewhere in the world, and offer me the opportunity to purchase and drive them, whether it's something akin to the Lasers I've owned, or the myriad Falcons, or even the old Courier I'm chugging around in now. All were good cars for their intended purpose, all served me faithfully and reliably. All were Fords.