The Mustang: A Classic Ford Tradition

The love of the classics comes second nature to most car enthusiasts, and you can’t get much more classic than the Mustang. The first Mustang was introduced to the public in 1964. Baby boomers were the major purchasers of the time and wanted something very different from their parents’ cars. Almost instantly, people became passionate about this car, and it sold very well. Besides its sleek design, (at that time, second only to the Corvette) the Mustang was also affordable, which was appealing to buyers.

With the number of Mustangs on the road, they soon became used for racing. The Mustang started out in drag and sports car racing but became well-known in the stock car circuit. The model was perhaps most famously known for being driven by Dick Trickle, who would go on to set a national record with 67 short-track race wins in a single season in 1972.

The Ford Mustang has always had strong competition with Chevrolet (via the Camero) and Pontiac (via the Firebird). After a few generations, Ford decided to make their Mustang larger in response to the competition. They also gradually made the Mustang more stable and comfortable. With numerous awards under its belt spanning decades of production, you can bet we'll be seeing this car for a long time to come.

The Mustang Run

On Saturday, May 21st, Tenvoorde Ford will be hosting our 11th annual Mustang run. It’s quite a sight, watching that many ponies start their engines and be set loose at once - you can see and hear over one hundred Mustangs drive around Central Minnesota. Trust us, you don’t want to miss it!

There will also be a number of great prizes given away at the event - you could win a set of tires from U.S. AutoForce! And when you register and online, you will be entered to win a Power Wheels Mustang valued at $800! (check it out here.)


To register for the Mustang Run in St. Cloud, please visit mnmustangrun.com to sign up.

How To Tell If You Need New Tires

Tires - they’re kind of like the feet of your car. If your car’s tires are in good shape, you car will… run… smoothly. If they’re not taken care of, you might have some problems. Regularly replacing your car’s tires is important to ensure safe driving, and there are a few warning signs to look out for to know when it is time to replace them. Be on the lookout for vibration, bulges, or cracks, and check the tread, and age of your tires for best performance.

1.      Vibration

Vibration is normal to feel while driving, however knowing the normal amount of vibration is important. Although there can be a number of reasons your car is vibrating, many times it can be fixed by new tires. Even if the problem is something else, (such as your struts or breaks) eventually it can lead to tire damage and then tire replacement.

2.      Bulges and Blisters

Regularly checking your tires for any bulges or blisters forming can prevent you from having a blowout while going down the road. If these bulges and blisters are ignored for too long, they can cause damage to your vehicle and injury to yourself and others. Remember to keep a close eye on weakening spots.

3.      Cracks

Cracks can be found on the sidewall of your tires. If you can easily see cracks, it is important to get them checked. This could indicate a leak or lead to tire failure. It is good to catch cracks early on to prevent any further issues.

4.      Tread

A tread wear indicator bar is found on most new tires. When the tires are new these should be practically invisible. If one or more of these bars begin to become visible, it means your tread is wearing down. If you don’t have a tread indicator bar on your tires (or don’t know if you do) stick with the ol’ penny trick.

5.      Age

It‘s recommended you replace your tires every six years. If you’re not sure of the age of your tires, it’s best to have them looked at to be safe. After all, better safe than stranded.

At Tenvoorde Ford, we are fully capable of checking your tires. We can determine if your car is suffering for regular wear-and-tear, if it’s time for new tires, or if your car is suffering from more serious issues.

It’s in Our Blood - The History of Tenvoorde Ford

If you are a native of Central Minnesota, you have probably heard of Tenvoorde Ford. But how much do you really know about the oldest family-owned Ford dealership to this day? Tenvoorde Ford is currently working on its fifth generation of ownership. It’s amazing how a man who loved bicycle racing had a dream that turned into a landmark in automotive history.

In The Beginning

Let’s start the story off with John Tenvoorde, one of the founders of St. Cloud, Minnesota. His son, Steve Tenvoorde, a bicycle enthusiast, turned his passion for wheels into the nation’s second Ford dealership in 1903. Ford Motor Co. was incorporated only 3 short months later, meaning Tenvoorde Ford is older than Ford Motor Co., but they still shared their 100th year anniversary together in 2003. Automobile business for Tenvoorde didn’t start off very well. In their first year, only 1 car was sold. That didn’t slow down Steve; 7 years later he opened his first sales floor in downtown St. Cloud. Inside a two-story brick building was a five-car showroom and a service department.

Moving Through the Generations

Steve’s three sons took over the ownership in 1943 when their father passed away. At the same time, the automobile industry transformed into a military manufacturer, meaning car dealerships didn’t have any new cars to sell. All but one of Tenvoorde’s salesmen were let go, and Tenvoorde Ford turned their focus onto servicing their customer’s vehicles. With this new flow of income, the business was growing again. Steve’s son Cy actually made more profit from servicing vehicles than he did from selling cars.

In 1951, a larger facility was built on a ¾ acre lot in downtown St. Cloud. “My dad paid cash for the building because he didn’t believe in credit,” says Cy’s son, Jack in a 1997 article for Automotive News. The family-owned business almost lost the title in 1966 when Cy’s siblings wanted to sell their stock in the company. Cy decided to buy out his sister and brother and was able to pass the company down to his children. On St. Patrick’s Day in 1978, the new Tenvoorde Ford dealership opened on 10-acre lot Cy himself plowed when he was a boy. This time, however, the expansion was not paid with cash. Since that day, the 45,000 square foot dealership has been remodeled 4 times to keep up with changing times. Up until 1992, Cy was always a part of the day-to-day life of Tenvoorde Ford.

In 1995, Cy Tenvoorde passed away two days shy of his 90th birthday. Jack Tenvoorde still remembers the day his dad got to drive the 4 millionth Minnesota-built Ford out of the Twin Cities plant in 1976. “Dad drove a bronze LTD off the assembly line in honor of the occasion,” Jack Tenvoorde told Automotive News.

The Now Generation

Tenvoorde Ford remains on track for keeping the business in the family. Three of Jack’s four children and one grandson are involved in the family business. Deb took the customer service department from last place to third in her first year on the job, winning Tenvoorde Ford the American Customer Excellence Award, she is now the Customer Relations Manager. Brian is the Assistant Service Manager; his duties include dispatching all the service work to the technicians and keeping the workflow moving in a timely manner. Eric, Deb’s son and the 5th generation is the Sales Manager at 1st Choice Auto, a pre-owned car lot owned by Tenvoorde for vehicles $10,000 and under.  Jack's son Mike took over ownership beginning in 2009.

To learn more about Tenvoorde Ford’s history, please visit our website.

       

       

       

Winter Driving Tips

Driving in the winter can be a dangerous task for Minnesotans but your risk can be lowered by following a few simple steps before starting your journey on the snowy roads of Minnesota.

Share the roads with snowplows

Snowplows take up most of the road and affect a driver's vision while clearing the roads, but just remember they are making the roads safer for you. Be patient with snowplow drivers and stay back at least 5 car lengths so you can avoid the snow cloud that trails behind them. Slow down for the road-clearing vehicle and stay alert, as they tend to exit frequently and the warning signs can be difficult to see.

Slow down and be in control

Some drivers forget what could be on the roads in the winter and don’t adjust their driving,  which is what causes most accidents. Slow down and allow extra space between you and other vehicles. Avoid driving while tired to make sure you are focused on the task at hand when driving through a storm. Take away the distractions from your car and put away the cell phones.

Check your vehicle

Get your vehicle ready for the winter with a maintenance check-up. Make sure your windshield wipers are prepared for the weather and your tires have traction to bare the icy roads. Don’t forget to put your ice scraper in your car. Lastly, it is not a bad idea to keep washer fluid effective to –24.8 degrees and don’t let your fuel level go lower than half tank.

Be prepared

Have emergency supplies with you. This includes a charged cell phone or spare battery, non-perishable food, water, flashlight, blanket, warm clothes, winter boots, jumper cables, shovel and traction mats or sand.

Stay home in bad conditions

Don’t go out on the roads if you don’t have to. There is no point putting yourself and others at risk if the conditions are too much to bare. You may be able to drive in rough snow, but others might not be so fortunate. Check the weather before making travel plans to avoid any disappointments or major delays.

Put yourself and family first this winter season and take precaution when going out to drive. If you are looking to get a new vehicle to tackle Minnesota winter driving conditions, visit Tenvoordeford,com to check out our selection of new and used vehicles. Stay safe out there!

Prepare Your Vehicle for Winter

Summer has faded, the leaves have fallen and winter is on the horizon. With winter comes sledding, snowmen, ice-covered lakes, and hot chocolate, but it also brings a couple months of dangerous driving. At Tenvoorde Ford, we want to help you prepare for winter driving with some tips to get your car ready to take on the winter season.

The best course of action is to plan ahead. It is important to be ready for the snow to come at any time, especially when you live in Minnesota.

• Check your radiator - either on your own (if you know how) or with a professional. Make sure to add antifreeze if needed.

• It’s never fun when you use windshield wiper fluid and it freezes instantly. Buy a wintertime mixture and keep it in your car in case you run out.

• Check your tires. Your tires will directly impact how your car can handle the snowy season. Make sure your tires have enough traction or replace your current tires with winter tires for added traction for the icy roads. You’ll also want to make sure the air pressure in your tires is at a normal level.

• Never go below a half tank of gas. During the winter it is important to keep your gas tank near full at all times, which will help avoid ice in the tank and fuel lines.

• Consider replacing your windshield wipers with winter wipers. Winter wipers have rubber coverings which keep ice from collecting on the blade providing you a clear view.

• If you have a car with rear wheel drive, put a couple of bags of sand in the back to add extra weight to your car. The extra weight helps increase traction on your back wheels.

Plan longer trips thoroughly ahead of time. Check the weather before you leave; if it calls for a snowstorm change your plans to avoid dangerous road conditions. After all, there’s no destination so important that you need to put yourself or your family at risk to get there.

Now that you know what you need to do, go do it! Don’t wait another day as winter is fast approaching. Most winter problems come from the driver simply not being prepared and finding themselves in a situation that could have easily been avoided. Visit Tenvoordeford.com for more information on preparing for winter driving.

The Best Minnesota Road Trips for Fall Color

Everyone’s favorite part about Fall in Minnesota is seeing the beautiful change in the trees. The golds, reds and oranges light up the trees for miles and miles. While you may be able to enjoy the Fall colors right where you are, we want to fill you in on a few of the most amazing places to visit to get the most out of those fall colors this season.

St. John’s University - St. Joseph, MN

Located right here in Central Minnesota, the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University (CSBSJU) is a local favorite for beautiful scenery year round. Surrounded by beautiful trees, buildings and landscaping, CSBSJU is a picture-perfect destination for Fall colors. Whether you decide to take a walk by the water or visit the iconic stick sculpture, you’re sure to see a beautiful sight anywhere you go. Don’t forget to bring a camera to this destination!

Minnesota Landscape Arboretum - Chaska, MN

The Minnesota Landscape Arboretum is the perfect place to see the Fall colors with over 1,000 acres of beautiful trees and scenery. Take a look at some of the many sculptures scattered throughout, appreciate the flowers in the gardens or walk through the beautiful trees on the trail. Whatever you decide to do with your time at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, you’ll be in awe by the amazing scenery.

Minneapolis Grand Rounds Scenic Byway - Minneapolis, MN

The Minneapolis Grand Rounds Scenic Byway is the perfect way to experience the beauty of nature without leaving the comfort of the city! Drive the 46 miles around the byway or take a walk on the paths to see some beautiful trees and Fall colors surrounding the city and the Chain of Lakes.

Superior National Forest Scenic Byway

Take this 61 mile drive and we promise you won’t be disappointed! The Superior National Forest Scenic Byway runs along Lake Superior and delivers some of the most spectacular views of Minnesota wildlife. Enjoy the trees, the colors and watch the sky for migrating birds. You might even see an eagle!

Sadly, there isn’t much time left before the snow falls, so be sure to plan your trip soon. If you need a new (or new-to-you) vehicle to get you there, visit our website or stop into Tenvoorde Ford in St. Cloud.