What is a Ford Prefect?
Ford Prefect is a fictional character from the popular science fiction series "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" by Douglas Adams. He is an alien from the planet Betelgeuse who has been stranded on Earth for several years, posing as a human named "Ford Prefect" while working as a field researcher for the eponymous "Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" guidebook.
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
In the story, Ford Prefect is the best friend and companion of the main protagonist, Arthur Dent. When the Earth is unexpectedly demolished to make way for an intergalactic highway, Ford rescues Arthur and takes him on a wild journey across the galaxy, using his knowledge of the Hitchhiker's Guide to navigate their adventures.
Ford is described as a roguish, quick-witted, and resourceful character who is well-versed in the ways of the galaxy. He has a knack for getting himself and Arthur out of trouble, often using his charm, cunning, and the information contained in the Hitchhiker's Guide.
Ford Prefect's Backstory
According to the Hitchhiker's Guide, Ford Prefect's real name is Ix and he is an alien from the planet Betelgeuse. He was sent to Earth to research and update the entry on the planet for the Hitchhiker's Guide, but ended up stranded there for several years, blending in with human society and working as a researcher.
Ford's knowledge of the galaxy and his ability to navigate the complexities of intergalactic travel prove invaluable to Arthur and the other characters throughout the series. His quick thinking and resourcefulness often save the day, making him a beloved and iconic character in the Hitchhiker's Guide universe.
What engine was in the Ford Prefect?
They were powered by a 4 cylinder inline sidevalve, or flathead, engine. The Prefect's displacing 1172 cc, producing 30 hp, and the Anglia's was 933 cc for 23 hp.
How many Ford Prefects were made?
On the home market it cost £658 including taxes of £220. 100,554 were made.
What is the rarest Ford engine?
Developed by a special team of Ford engineers in the early 2000s, the Ford Modular V10 is the rarest engine Ford ever produced, as only one unit has ever been made.
Who was Ford Prefect pretending to be for 15 years?
Ford did spend most of his 15 years on Earth pretending to be an out of work actor, which is fairly plausible. And he managed to blend in with the locals, aside from his habit of gate-crashing university parties and making fun of any astrophysicists he could find. His original name is lost to time, anyway.
How many Ford prefects were made?
On the home market it cost £658 including taxes of £220. 100,554 were made.
What is the top speed of the Ford Prefect?
On test, The Motor magazine recorded a top speed of 73 mph (117 km/h) and acceleration from 0-60 mph (97 km/h) in 27.2 seconds.
What species is Ford Prefect?
Betelgeusians were a humanoid species from the Betelgeuse star system. Zaphod Beeblebrox and Ford Prefect were raised on the fifth and seventh planet of the system, respectively.
What is Ford Prefect's job?
His role as Arthur Dent's friend – and rescuer, when Earth is unexpectedly demolished to make way for a hyperspace bypass at the start of the story – is often expository, as Ford is an experienced galactic hitchhiker and explains that he is actually a journalist, a field researcher for the titular Guide itself, and not ...
Why is he called Ford Prefect?
Although Ford had taken great care to blend into Earth society, he had "skimped a bit on his preparatory research," and thought that the name "Ford Prefect" would be "nicely inconspicuous." The Ford Prefect was a popular British car manufactured from 1938 to 1961, and Adams later clarified in an interview that Ford " ...
What happened to Ford Prefect?
It was thought that Ford was killed on Earth when the Vogons destroyed it again, as well as any chance of it ever existing in any universe again. However, he actually survived and ended up living on the planet Nano.