With the Taunus P3, Ford abandoned the trapezoidal outline of its P2 predecessor – and it did not take long for the general populace to come up with a pet name for it. Bathtub was the moniker that started circulating for the sedan from Cologne, which was unveiled in 1960 and neither blessed with tail fins nor with excessive chrome ornamentation. Aside from sporting a no-nonsense look, it also offered significantly greater economy and utility than its forerunner: The modified shape of the body with its considerably more organic curves also reduced fuel consumption by 20%.

Body pure orange with white roof and bars as well as upgraded with clear lacquer finishing, interior with seats and steering wheel kept in black. Chassis and bumpers painted chrome silver, radiator grille printed silver.Headlights silver and tail lights red printed. Side door handles, "Taunus 17M" lettering in silver. Bonnet and tailgate with silver lettering "Taunus" and "17M". Silver rims. Tyres have whitewall rings. Front turn signals hand-painted orange.