The Ford Model T was a mass-produced automobile with over 15 million examples built during its production lifespan, lasting from 1908 to 1927. It was replaced by the Model A and by that point in history, Ford had well-established operations overseas, but oftentimes, those foreign markets had their own needs. Ford's branches in Cologne, Germany, and Dagenham, England were among the most accommodating, requesting cars that would suit their particular market. In response, new and smaller cars were designed that were better suited to the European roadways.

In 1932, the Ford Model Y was introduced and was very popular in England. Between 1933 and 1936, it was sold in Germany as the Ford Koln. In 1935, the Koln was replaced by the Eifel, although it was initially constructed alongside the Koln. In 1940, the Eifel (named after the Eifel mountain range in western Germany) was replaced by the Ford Taunus.

The Eifel was powered by a four-cylinder, four-stroke, side-valve engine with a 1,172cc displacement and produced approximately 34 horsepower at 4,250 RPM. It was paired with a three-speed manual gearbox with synchromesh on the top two ratios. The wheelbase measured 90 inches and the roadster body styles had a 152-inch length, while other bodies had a longer, 160-inch length. It was available as a two-seater roadster, a two- and four-seat cabriolet, a two-door cabriolet coach, a two-door sedan, and even a light truck. The 'saloon / limousine' steel bodies were built by the Ambi Budd factory in Berline and the 'cabrio-limousine' (the soft top saloons and sedans) were clothed by Drauz coachbuilders of Heilbronn. Glaser coachbuilders of Dresden also created coachwork for the Eifel. At least fifteen different coachbuilders created bodies for the Eifel.

The styling was updated in 1937 highlighted by a more sharply raked radiator shell in a similar fashion to the American-built Ford V8. The previous wire wheels were replaced by new stamped steel wheels.

The Ford Eifel proved to be very popular with 62,495 examples built during its lifespan.

by Dan Vaughan