Ford Durango

The Ford Durango is a two-passenger coupe utility sold by Ford from 1978 to 1982. Produced from a joint venture between Ford and the National Coach Works of Los Angeles, California, the Durango was intended as a replacement for the Ford Ranchero, which had ceased production at the end of the 1979 model year. The Durango competed against the newly downsized Chevrolet El Camino.

Design

New Ford Fairmonts were delivered to National Coach Works, which modified the body; the version used for the conversion was the two-door Fairmont Futura coupe. Modification of the body involved removal of the roof behind the B-pillar, removing the trunk and rear seat area and then inserting a fiberglass cargo bed behind the front seats. After conversion, they were sold by Ford dealers nationwide. Durangos were powered by the venerable Ford 200-cubic-inch inline six.

No production records were kept by either Ford or National Coach, and estimates vary, but most say between 80 and 350 units were built. The Pickup, Van and 4WD magazine from December 1981 features an article about the Durango that states: "The project had been planned for an earlier date in 1981 than that which was finally achieved, so only a little over 100 units were assembled before the current-year model went out of production."

Durango

Durango ( duˈɾaŋɡo ), officially Free and Sovereign State of Durango (Spanish: Estado Libre y Soberano de Durango) ( Tepehuan: Korian) (Nahuatl: Tepēhuahcān), is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, compose the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. The state is located in Northwest Mexico. With a population of 1,632,934, it has Mexico's second-lowest population density, after Baja California Sur. The city of Victoria de Durango is the state's capital, named after the first president of Mexico, Guadalupe Victoria.

History

Pre-colonization

Durango, along with the states of Chihuahua, Sonora and Sinaloa, formed the historical and geographical unity of Northern Mexico, for what was the majority of the last millennium; it was not until the territories were reorganized after the independence struggle that they emerged as independent entities. This broad area represents the natural corridor that the Sierra Madre Occidental offered to the Toltec and Nahuatlaca tribes, both whom took advantage of the large accidental stone conformations to survive in the wilderness of the territory. The new formations formed as the only security for the tribes that moved among Northern Mexico and the Valley of Anahuac, eventually becoming a home-state for these tribes who then began to form small communities, united by language and region. The Tepehuános, Huichol, Cora, Tarahumara incorporated perfectly distinct nations, each with evident sedentary purposes, and a strong family structure, all whilst setting aside the bellicose attitude of the Chichimec tribe of the center of the then-current Republic. Sedentary life began in Durango around 500 B.C. in response to population growth. The exceptions were the Acaxee, Humas, and Xiximes who were constantly at war but always on the look-out for final settlements in the region of the Quebradas.

Durango, Biscay

Durango is a city and municipality of the historical territory and province of Biscay, located in the Basque Country, Spain. It is the capital city of Durangaldea, one of the comarcas of Biscay. Because of its economical activities and population, Durango is considered one of the most important cities in Biscay after the ones that compose the conurbation of Greater Bilbao.

Durango has 28,618 inhabitants (2012). The town is crossed by three rivers (as illustrated in the town symbol). The Ibaizabal river is the main river, and lies in the middle of its wide valley, with the scenic Urkiola mountain range and natural park to the south. The most important peak is the majestic Anboto (1,331 m (4,367 ft) in elevation). In addition, inside the town stand out two mountains: Pagasarri mountain (838 mts.)and Neberondo (453 mts.).

Etymology

There are many differing opinions about the origin of the name Durango. Basque linguistic Alfonso Irigoyen has suggested its origin to be in the name Duranco, probably used in the early Middle Ages. Other authors suggest the name to be a derivation of Urazango or an evolved form of Padurango. In the confirmation of the town's fuero it is referred to as Tavira de Durango; Tavira was probably the primitive name of the settlement and Durango the name of the region surrounding it. Until the 16th century, the town was known as Uribarri de Durango, Uribarri being Basque for "New town".

Durango (film)

Durango is a 1999 drama film directed by Brent Shields, starring Matt Keeslar and Patrick Bergin. The journey of young Irishman Mark Doran (Matt Keeslar), a cattle farmer who decides to walk 40 miles with his cows to the village of Trallock to get a fair price for his herd rather than sell.

Cast

References

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