This site last updated on November 19, 2021
- To All Ford Enthusiasts -
Love Fords?
We're looking for someone to help us with web related things. If interested, email us.
- To All Ford Enthusiasts -
Love Fords?
We're looking for someone to help us with web related things. If interested, email us.
https://www.facebook.com/SouthernCalFordClub/
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Ford has San Diego roots. This San Diego Balboa Park landmark was built by the Ford Motor Company for the California Pacific International Exposition, which was held in 1935 and 1936. Ford was the exposition's principal exhibitor and invested $2.8 million in the 45,000-square-foot, 296-foot diameter building to showcase its vehicles and other forms of transportation. Since June 28, 1980, it has been the home of the San Diego Air and Space Museum. The building was styled to resemble a V8 engine. The building overall consists of two different sized circles in the shape of an "8," and in the courtyard of the larger circle there is a large fountain shaped like the Ford V8 logo. The lights in the courtyard ("Pavilion of Flight") are shaped like valves.
Aerial view of the Ford building, circa 1935 and below the Ford V8 logo designed garden fountain.
Note valve spring lights
Note valve spring lights
Ford Building Timeline
May 29, 1935 – Opening Day of the California Pacific International Exposition
1936 – Ford Exhibit closes with over 2.5 million visitors. Fair extends through out 1936
1936 – Ford Building renamed to Hall of Transportation
September 1936 – California Pacific International Exposition closes. Total attendance is 6.3 million
1937 to 1973 – Ford Building is used as for various different functions:
1963 – San Diego Aerospace (now San Diego Air & Space Museum) founded
1973 – Public outcry and effort to save the Ford Building. Building placed on National Registry of Historic Places and named new Home of the San Diego Aerospace Museum
1978 – Restoration of Ford Building begins. Fire consumes the Electric Building in Balboa Park. San Diego Aerospace Museum and its collection burn to the ground
1980 – Aerospace Museum moves into Ford Building
June 28, 1980 – Aerospace Museum opens full time to the public
2004 – Restoration of the main Rotunda completed
May 29, 2010 – Ford Building's 75th Anniversary
May 29, 1935 – Opening Day of the California Pacific International Exposition
1936 – Ford Exhibit closes with over 2.5 million visitors. Fair extends through out 1936
1936 – Ford Building renamed to Hall of Transportation
September 1936 – California Pacific International Exposition closes. Total attendance is 6.3 million
1937 to 1973 – Ford Building is used as for various different functions:
- Aviation Vocational School
- Purposed Convair B-17 plant
- Coastal Artillery storage site
- NRA Shooting School
- Bomb Shelter
- Theater Storage
1963 – San Diego Aerospace (now San Diego Air & Space Museum) founded
1973 – Public outcry and effort to save the Ford Building. Building placed on National Registry of Historic Places and named new Home of the San Diego Aerospace Museum
1978 – Restoration of Ford Building begins. Fire consumes the Electric Building in Balboa Park. San Diego Aerospace Museum and its collection burn to the ground
1980 – Aerospace Museum moves into Ford Building
June 28, 1980 – Aerospace Museum opens full time to the public
2004 – Restoration of the main Rotunda completed
May 29, 2010 – Ford Building's 75th Anniversary
The San Diego Ford Club 1995 Ford LTL 9000 Aeromax Long Wheelbase truck!