So let's go back and see some experimental FOMOCO vehicles. Where are they today, who has them ?
a future Cougar that never made it
a econoline van type pick up /camper
a Maverick with a removable top, maybe it's in Mexico?
Quote from: FL SAAC TONY on February 17, 2020, 09:00:48 PM
a Maverick with a removable top, maybe it's in Mexico?
This is a Pinto Concept, they did a Mustang II Concept like this as well. The Maverick Sign hanging there is not for this Car, if you look, there is a Torino and a Thunderbird Sign still needing to be hung up.
Here is three..............
The FOMOCO experimental genie has granted your wish and has expunged that terrible picture !
Quote from: honker on February 17, 2020, 10:20:11 PM
Tony, start of what could be a cool thread ! but, your first post, that's the Chevrolet Astro 1 Concept, ::)
Mike
The unique and alluring Aurora station wagon
Beautiful tailgate
1964 1964 Allegro with adjustable pedals seen in the Allegro concept would eventually find their way into production, as would the tiltaway steering wheel to allow easy egress (although the cantilever design with push-button adjustability shown in the video never reached production). The Allegro concept lived on in several other forms, including a roadster variant with styling similar to the fastback
But the Mustang knocked its block off, hence no Allegro...
I guess that is where GM got the idea for their truck tailgates... ::)
TOB
Tony, no problem, I've deleted my post as well, this should be an interesting thread, some pretty wild concepts, especially from the
'50s, we were all supposed to be the Jetson's today !
Mike
Dont delete anything, imperfections add to the character of the subject...
Quote from: honker on February 18, 2020, 09:13:50 AM
Tony, no problem, I've deleted my post as well, this should be an interesting thread, some pretty wild concepts, especially from the
'50s, we were all supposed to be the Jetson's today !
Mike
Mid Engine Mustang Mach II concept
In this photo, the Shorty Mustang is on the left in the background.
Quote from: FL SAAC TONY on February 18, 2020, 07:56:34 AM
1964 1964 Allegro with adjustable pedals seen in the Allegro concept would eventually find their way into production, as would the tiltaway steering wheel to allow easy egress (although the cantilever design with push-button adjustability shown in the video never reached production). The Allegro concept lived on in several other forms, including a roadster variant with styling similar to the fastback
But the Mustang knocked its block off, hence no Allegro...
A stretched Pete Brock Cadet
kool pictures keep them coming !
Wow. Some cars are best left un-built. Yikes!
Ford Techna 1968
innovations featured in the Techna, Ford Engineering's experimental car of the future, can be seen in this photo. The doors open straight out from the body rather than swinging, to provide improved access. Door handles are replaced with small power control panels, located just to the rear of the door opening. Supplemental high level brake and turn signal lights are located in the rear window, and the flush-mounted bumpers are plastic.
Officially known as the EXP 500, the Green Hornet's genesis began with another Goodell-built car, a 1967 Mustang hardtop that he called Li'l Red. Fitted with Shelby decor and a Paxton-supercharged 428, Li'l Red eventually served as the template for the Mustang GT/California Special and very nearly became the template for a similar national version of the California Special.
Lil red the first G.T. 500 notchback prototype
Aurora is an experimental family car with a bank of twelve 1-inch headlights, electro-luminous side panels, a clam-shell rear entry system for the children seats. The comfortable lounge-like interior is equipped with built-in beverage cooler, three radios, a plug-in TV screen and a navigation system.
Ford GT 40 J
The 1963 Mustang II running prototype was displayed at the U.S. Grand Prix and previewed many of the design elements that would be incorporated into the production model, including the long hood, short rear deck, 108-inch wheelbase, the rear wheel scoops and tri-bar taillights.
Ford Maverick Estate (1970)
Ford exhibited the Maverick Estate Coupe concept vehicle at the 1971 Chicago Auto Show.
2001 Ford 49 concept car
There were several efforts within Ford to create a successor to the GT40 that won Le Mans. One of those was the GT90, which showcased the "New Edge" design language popular within Ford's styling studio. The quad-turbo V12 engine was so powerful — 720 horsepower — that the car might have achieved a top speed of more than 250 mph, but it also generated so much heat that Space Shuttle-style ceramics were needed to keep body panels from warping.
Ford wanted to show how lightweight materials and aerodynamic styling could be used to produce a practical but fuel-efficient family sedan. The idea anticipated the 80 mpg average-fuel-economy mandate rumored to be coming from Washington for the 2010 model year. Propelling the Synergy was a 1.0-liter diesel-electric hybrid powertrain augmented by a flywheel storage system.
1996 Lincoln/Ford Sentinel
If the Synergy was all about delicate lightness, the Lincoln Sentinel was about menacing and powerful presence. Powering the vehicle, which looked like it was designed for either a mafioso or the super hero pursing him, was the 6.0-liter V12 engine that Ford also put into another concept of the era, the IndiGo, an idea for a street-legal Indy-style racer.
Quote from: FL SAAC TONY on February 19, 2020, 07:21:02 PM
The 1963 Mustang II running prototype was displayed at the U.S. Grand Prix and previewed many of the design elements that would be incorporated into the production model, including the long hood, short rear deck, 108-inch wheelbase, the rear wheel scoops and tri-bar taillights.
Always like that car, had a model of that car....when I was a kid.
Very kool indeed ;D
Quote from: 67 GT350 on February 20, 2020, 09:57:30 PM
Quote from: FL SAAC TONY on February 19, 2020, 07:21:02 PM
The 1963 Mustang II running prototype was displayed at the U.S. Grand Prix and previewed many of the design elements that would be incorporated into the production model, including the long hood, short rear deck, 108-inch wheelbase, the rear wheel scoops and tri-bar taillights.
Always like that car, had a model of that car....when I was a kid.
Ford FX-Atmos Experimental Car - 1954
Dream Car of the Future, last seen driven by a Mr George Jetson.
This is the Ford FX-Atmos, a future experimental car that will never be built for sale. Built by the Ford Motor Company as an example of possible styling concepts of the future, the car will be shown to the public at the Chicago Auto Show opening Saturday (March 13, 1954). The two-seater sports mode built of white, blue and red plastic, has stabilizer fins on rear bumper and needle-like antennae rods projecting from the front for a radar road-scanner which might be installed on the dashboard.
1954 Ford Mystere
I didn't know LSD was around in the '50s, far out man ! wow ! ::)
Mike
Yikes!
5th generation Mustang
4th generation Mustang concept
4th generation Mustang concept
1975 Fox body concept
1980 Mustang RSX
Mustang II concept
Mustang II concept
1967 Allegro II concept
The Gen 5 I remember seeing.
1970 Mustang Milano
1965 four door Mustang
Thank heavens they never did a four door!!!!
They have now. The Mustang Mach E comes with four doors.
Yesah! But now we have the lovely mach e.....
Dont know that four door dont look that bad after all
Quote from: Side-Oilers on March 04, 2020, 09:04:24 PM
Thank heavens they never did a four door!!!!
El Gato
1955 Lincoln Futura Dream Car
You meant the future Batmobile didn't you.
1950s clay for Thunderbird.
Mike
No the beautiful Lincoln Futura.
Later it was repurposed into that other (thing) vehicle.
The Lincoln Futura is a concept car promoted by Ford's Lincoln brand, designed by Ford's lead stylists Bill Schmidt and John Najjar, and hand-built by Ghia in Turin, Italy — at a cost of $250,000 (equivalent to $2,400,000 in 2020).
Quote from: roddster on March 11, 2020, 09:24:19 PM
You meant the future Batmobile didn't you.
Quote from: roddster on March 11, 2020, 09:24:19 PM
You meant the future Batmobile didn't you.
Nobody could ruin a car like George Barris.
Ford Mach II built for $150,000
I would buy it for that today
The split window Mustang
variation on the above post ::)
Mike
^^^ That one looks like a removable hardtop for a convertible.
Quote from: 2112 on March 16, 2020, 09:16:58 PM
^^^ That one looks like a removable hardtop for a convertible.
+1
Mustang
Quote from: 2112 on March 16, 2020, 09:16:58 PM
^^^ That one looks like a removable hardtop for a convertible.
I prefer it to the fastback's split window, actually...
1958 Ford X2000 concept
Tony, thanks for posting ! more detailed photos then the one I posted a while back here. Those images look current, does the car
still exist, it looks like a Euro plate and a AUS ? sticker with flag, on the right side of the rear bumper ? that wall looks like the one
at the design/styling compound at Ford ?
Mike
Not sure will ask those who contributed the photos
Quote from: honker on April 13, 2020, 05:32:07 PM
Tony, thanks for posting ! more detailed photos then the one I posted a while back here. Those images look current, does the car
still exist, it looks like a Euro plate and a AUS ? sticker with flag, on the right side of the rear bumper ? that wall looks like the one
at the design/styling compound at Ford ?
Mike
This one-of-one 2002 Mercury Marauder was built by Ford for the Chicago Auto Show. Ford invested over $300,000 in this unique contender, which features a supercharged 4.6 liter V-8 rated at 335 horsepower, 3-speed console-shifted automatic
The beautiful 1971 Ford Tridon
Ford's experimental Tridon show vehicle was based on the 1971 Thunderbird, and on public display for the first time that year. Broad, low and rakish, Tridon featured a long, sleek hood and forward-thrusting fenders that created a pronounced, tri-element design. In the rear the treatment was strictly Thunderbird, with taillights deeply recessed in a broad oval frame that extended the width of the car. A depressed scoop beneath the formal "backlite" contained the-controlled-ventilation exhaust vent, flanked on either side by high-level stop-turn flashers that work in conjunction with the conventional flasher flare. Turned aluminum wheels, with a circular brushed finish, were held to the wheel by bolts around the entire perimeter of the outer wheel surface. Special tires for the Tridon were designed by Firestone Tire & Rubber Co. A flush tinted skylight strip extended across the roof over the rear passengers and wrapped over the roof pillars down to the beltline. The exterior was painted with 20 coats of a murano lacquer called Moongold Mist. All exterior glass, including the skylight strip, was amber, tinted to harmonize with the paint.
1971 Ford GT 70
Elegant and modern this coupe Ford, first concept been born in the Center Style Ford of Turin, directed by the designer Filippo Sapino. The engine is that of the GT70 of series introduced in 1971 to Bruxelles
The Ford GT70 was a mid-engined GT sports car, based on on Ford's GT70 rally car. It was designed by Filippo Sapino, head of Ford's Turin design Studio. The car was displayed at Turin in November 1971. The car featured alloy wheels from the Ford RS2000.
1971 Ford GT 70
Quote from: FL SAAC TONY on March 04, 2020, 03:41:21 PM
4th generation Mustang concept
That photo became the Madza MX5/Ford Probe
The ever elusive 1971 Shelby prototype
Still our favourite 55 Futura
Ford Mustela II 1973
After its acquisition by Ford Ghia in 1973, Ghia were used as the European styling and prototype wing of Ford's global organization. Immediately, Ghia came up with a string of concept cars, inevitably based on Fords. Early examples were the Mustela , the Tuareg (an off-road Fiesta) and the Microsport.
Ford Mustela II 1973
From french local website, probably you saw this already
^^^ notice the Cougar grill emblem in the top two pics.
- Phillip
Would a Mustang be an upscale Cougar then?
LOL, it could have been!
I believe, and I may be wrong, the thought was given to having the Ford and Mercury versions of what became the Mustang debut at the same time, but everyone was still nervous about the Edsel and just doing the Ford Mustang was a tough sell at first.
Once that was a success then they hurried up with the Mercury version.
- Phillip
Quote from: 2112 on March 11, 2020, 10:38:29 PM
Quote from: roddster on March 11, 2020, 09:24:19 PM
You meant the future Batmobile didn't you.
Nobody could ruin a car like George Barris.
All the early beautiful chop tops and customs you see with the Barris name on them were done by his brother. George was the pitchman face of the company.
Don't forget the front wheel drive Probe nee Mustang
Good catch Phillip!
Quote from: propayne on April 19, 2020, 12:41:33 PM
^^^ notice the Cougar grill emblem in the top two pics.
- Phillip
No one could ever forget such a memorable vehicle
Quote from: 98SVT - was 06GT on April 19, 2020, 07:00:21 PM
Quote from: 2112 on March 11, 2020, 10:38:29 PM
Quote from: roddster on March 11, 2020, 09:24:19 PM
You meant the future Batmobile didn't you.
Nobody could ruin a car like George Barris.
All the early beautiful chop tops and customs you see with the Barris name on them were done by his brother. George was the pitchman face of the company.
Don't forget the front wheel drive Probe nee Mustang
1973 Lincoln Mark I
Looks like a Rolls knock off.
Ironically, IMO, the best looking Lincoln was the Mark IV Just a year earlier.
Just look at that bumper, grill and headlight assembly.
Another spectacular '72;
Classic and elegant we concur
Quote from: 2112 on April 20, 2020, 11:47:42 AM
Looks like a Rolls knock off.
Ironically, IMO, the best looking Lincoln was the Mark IV Just a year earlier.
Just look at that bumper, grill and headlight assembly.
Agreed just stay off my grass!
Quote from: 2112 on April 20, 2020, 11:50:50 AM
Another spectacular '72;
The 1974 Coins was a striking curved wedge with a single rear-sited door.
Built to celebrate the first anniversary of Ford's takeover of the once-proud carrozzeria, stylist Tom Tjaarda produced this radical device in double-quick time. It's notable for its three-abreast seating, central driving position and means of access via a rear hatch
The 1974 Coins was a striking curved wedge with a single rear-sited door.
Built to celebrate the first anniversary of Ford's takeover of the once-proud carrozzeria, stylist Tom Tjaarda produced this radical device in double-quick time. It's notable for its three-abreast seating, central driving position and means of access via a rear hatch
Quote from: FL SAAC TONY on April 20, 2020, 08:38:17 AM
1973 Lincoln Mark I
WOW, that one was beautiful. SHAME not made.
Quote from: 98SVT - was 06GT on April 19, 2020, 07:00:21 PM
Quote from: 2112 on March 11, 2020, 10:38:29 PM
Quote from: roddster on March 11, 2020, 09:24:19 PM
You meant the future Batmobile didn't you.
Nobody could ruin a car like George Barris.
All the early beautiful chop tops and customs you see with the Barris name on them were done by his brother. George was the pitchman face of the company.
+ 1 - George's brother Sam was an artist and his impact on automotive design can't be overstated. Below is the '51 Mercury that the Barris brothers built for Bob Hirohata in 1953 - hot rodding's quintessential custom.
Sam left Barris Kustoms in the '50s and passed away from cancer in 1967.
- Phillip
(http://www.saacforum.com/gallery/134-210420103100.jpeg)
^^^ That one is #17 on the National Historic Vehicle Registry as well 8)
Ford, Europe, Granada ;)
1962 Ford Palomar.
"Elevator rear seat"?? There's an answer to a question no one asked.
Sammy was the man !
Quote from: propayne on April 21, 2020, 10:47:44 AM
Quote from: 98SVT - was 06GT on April 19, 2020, 07:00:21 PM
Quote from: 2112 on March 11, 2020, 10:38:29 PM
Quote from: roddster on March 11, 2020, 09:24:19 PM
You meant the future Batmobile didn't you.
Nobody could ruin a car like George Barris.
All the early beautiful chop tops and customs you see with the Barris name on them were done by his brother. George was the pitchman face of the company.
+ 1 - George's brother Sam was an artist and his impact on automotive design can't be overstated. Below is the '51 Mercury that the Barris brothers built for Bob Hirohata in 1953 - hot rodding's quintessential custom.
Sam left Barris Kustoms in the '50s and passed away from cancer in 1967.
- Phillip
(http://www.saacforum.com/gallery/134-210420103100.jpeg)
Then we have Europe, Spain, Granada!
Quote from: honker on April 21, 2020, 05:45:07 PM
Ford, Europe, Granada ;)
Ford Flashback Coupe Hatchback 1975
Quirky and retro did not mix well with Ford's Flashback concept car. Oddly shaped, the tiny two-seat prototype featured a long hood, protruding headlights, side louvers, bustle-back trimmed with leather straps, and knock-off spinners on the wire spoke wheels.
De Tomaso Zonda 1971
The De Tomaso Zonda was designed by Tom Tjaarda of Ghia and first shown to the public at the Geneva motor show 1971. The Zonda featured a front engined Ford Cleveland 5,563cc V8 with 350bhp and the car was built on a shortened De Tomaso Deauville chassis.
The Zonda was conceived as a GT car to compliment the De Tomaso Pantera and to be sold along side in the Lincoln Mercury showrooms in the US. However Ford didn't think there was a market for the car and so it was never put into production. The De Tomaso Zonda was later repainted red by Ford.
De Tomaso Zonda 1971
The De Tomaso Zonda was designed by Tom Tjaarda of Ghia and first shown to the public at the Geneva motor show 1971. The Zonda featured a front engined Ford Cleveland 5,563cc V8 with 350bhp and the car was built on a shortened De Tomaso Deauville chassis.
The Zonda was conceived as a GT car to compliment the De Tomaso Pantera and to be sold along side in the Lincoln Mercury showrooms in the US. However Ford didn't think there was a market for the car and so it was never put into production. The De Tomaso Zonda was later repainted red by Ford.
I see a lot of Maserati Ghibli in that Zonda.
True but this one backed by Ford
Quote from: 2112 on April 23, 2020, 08:25:04 PM
I see a lot of Maserati Ghibli in that Zonda.
De Tomaso Pantera II Montella, 1973
The year was May 21, 1971 and American car enthusiasts had just fallen in love with the recently introduced mid-engine Pantera sport car. With great reviews, Ford's joint venture with DeTomaso seemed like a sure sell for years to come.
That is, until the new highway safety and emissions act hit the auto industry, and eventually forced Ford to pull the plug on the Pantera in 1974. Refusing to just give up in the face of power robbing emission laws, DeTomaso sought a replacement for their Pantera.
The planned production Pantera II 197x (or 7x) was based on the chassis of the original Pantera. With all-new styling and a sweeping cantilevered roofline with open pillars to the rear, Ghia designers had done a great job at advancing both the appearance of the prototype, at the same time carrying over as many components as possible from the Pantera L model.
Unfortunately, the Pantera II 7x production car never came to be. Penned by the legendary Ghia designer Tom Tjaarda and hand built in 1973 in Italy by Ghia, the prototype enjoyed a tour as a show car in the spring of 1974, before the Ford venture came to an end late in that year. In 1975, supervised by Ghia design studio president Don DeLaRossa, the prototype underwent a conversion. The car was repainted Pearl White over Metallic Bronze, stripped of its Pantera nameplates and fitted with new ones bearing the name DeTomaso Monttella. The car was then shipped off to the U.S. and titled in Michigan, where it was stored with the hopes of showing it to other manufactures for possible production. Five years passed, and in 1981 the car was sold to a local Michigan sports car dealer that in turn sold it to a family member of the current owner.
De Tomaso Pantera II 197x (or 7x) / Montella, 1973
And that looks like a splash off the Maserati Merak
It does have an MM look
Quote from: 2112 on April 24, 2020, 11:26:07 AM
And that looks like a splash off the Maserati Merak
1971 DeTomaso 1600 Spider
The mid-engined De Tomaso 1600 used a sixteen valve 1600cc Ford BDA engine. Shown at the Turin Motor Show'71, it was never put into serious production.
^^^ FIAT X1/9 ::)
Ford father of the modern day x19....
Quote from: 2112 on April 25, 2020, 12:56:11 PM
^^^ FIAT X1/9 ::)
1975 Ford Urban Car
The Ghia Urban, later called the Ghia Manx, was one of the early Ghia creations using Fiesta architecture and running gear. It was a small city car, standing just 137 centimetres tall and only 259 centimetres long.
Despite its diminutive size and short, two-door profile, this concept car could seat four people. It was designed in the aftermath of the fuel crisis of 1973 as a solution to urban congestion and higher fuel prices. It even had storage for luggage in a storage area in front of the driver.
1975 Ford Urban Car
Tony, thanks for posting, why does it look like a Fiat XI/9 ? from what I understand ? ? De Tomaso asked Tom Tjaarda to visit him
at Bertone (the Italian design house) where the prototype Xi/9 was standing, and told him to copy it.
The De Tomaso was on show in 1971, and the Fiat X1/9 debut was 23rd. November 1972 at the Turin show.
Mike
1976 Ford Corrida
The Ghia Corrida was the first Fiesta-based concept car, introduced at the Turin Motor Show in November of 1976, the year the Fiesta was introduced. Corrida means bullfight, and the Corrida Concept was Ghia's vision of a new age sports car with an array of safety features.
Corrida was not only based on a Fiesta, but was also powered by a Fiesta engine. It featured pneumatically operated gull wing doors hinged in two segments and electrically operated flaps for the headlamps to provide optimal aerodynamics performance. The rear luggage compartment was hinged at the bottom.
Corrida's driving environment was unique. The instrument cluster was an array of boxes that provided a distinctive look of compartmentalization. The concept car was bold orange with black accents.
Ford and Ghia developed the Corrida concept vehicle as a design and engineering exercise, and feature car at auto shows. Built on a 90-inch wheelbase, the Corrida's body and wheels were all weight-saving aluminum. Gull wing-styled doors were hinged at the top, and folded in the middle for easy entry/exit, even when the car was parked in confined areas. The hatchback door was split in half, with the top section opening upward, and a hinged lower section that could be locked in an open position to extend the carrying capacity.
1976 Ford Corrida
The Ghia Corrida was the first Fiesta-based concept car, introduced at the Turin Motor Show in November of 1976, the year the Fiesta was introduced. Corrida means bullfight, and the Corrida Concept was Ghia's vision of a new age sports car with an array of safety features.
Corrida was not only based on a Fiesta, but was also powered by a Fiesta engine. It featured pneumatically operated gull wing doors hinged in two segments and electrically operated flaps for the headlamps to provide optimal aerodynamics performance. The rear luggage compartment was hinged at the bottom.
Corrida's driving environment was unique. The instrument cluster was an array of boxes that provided a distinctive look of compartmentalization. The concept car was bold orange with black accents.
Ford and Ghia developed the Corrida concept vehicle as a design and engineering exercise, and feature car at auto shows. Built on a 90-inch wheelbase, the Corrida's body and wheels were all weight-saving aluminum. Gull wing-styled doors were hinged at the top, and folded in the middle for easy entry/exit, even when the car was parked in confined areas. The hatchback door was split in half, with the top section opening upward, and a hinged lower section that could be locked in an open position to extend the carrying capacity.
Ford Prima the versatile transformer
Prima's concept was for interchanging roof sections that would transform the shape and functionality of the vehicle. Its character could change into a pickup, station wagon, fastback coupe or two-door notchback. It was shown with a red exterior and beige interior.
Ford Prima the versatile transformer
Prima's concept was for interchanging roof sections that would transform the shape and functionality of the vehicle. Its character could change into a pickup, station wagon, fastback coupe or two-door notchback. It was shown with a red exterior and beige interior.
Ford Prima the versatile transformer
Prima's concept was for interchanging roof sections that would transform the shape and functionality of the vehicle. Its character could change into a pickup, station wagon, fastback coupe or two-door notchback. It was shown with a red exterior and beige interior.
1967 Shelby Lonestar
The Shelby Lonestar
https://www.thegentlemanracer.com/2012/07/the-shelby-lonestar.html
The one reminds me of the Nissan Pulsar...
The LoneStar, thumbs up!
The 1977 1978 Megastar was a Granada-based saloon (sedan), though you would never guess so from its amazing glass-house molding (the front doors were 80 percent glass).
Ford displayed the first Megastar prototype at the 1978 Chicago, which was fitted with a three-liter V-6.
The 1977 1978 Megastar was a Granada-based saloon (sedan), though you would never guess so from its amazing glass-house molding (the front doors were 80 percent glass).
Ford displayed the first Megastar prototype at the 1978 Chicago, which was fitted with a three-liter V-6.
Quote from: FL SAAC TONY on May 01, 2020, 08:36:36 AM
1967 Shelby Lonestar
The Shelby Lonestar
https://www.thegentlemanracer.com/2012/07/the-shelby-lonestar.html
I believe it was Geof Howard's shop that finished the car? It came out really nice.
The way I look at it though it is more of a design study rather then an intended product car?
Certainly some of the concepts are more then a little advanced or even abstract for it's time but there is some food for thought there? After all, how can you test the design and considerations until you build it?
It would be a major fail in the case of a side impact... :o
TOB
Not only that but the cost to operate would be astronomical. I believed it ran on windex....
Quote from: TOBKOB on May 05, 2020, 09:34:49 AM
It would be a major fail in the case of a side impact... :o
TOB
Well yesterday being cinco de mayo we head into another ....Fiesta
The Fiesta Tuareg — a functional one-of-a-kind all-terrain vehicle — is equipped for rugged off-road recreational use. Based on Ford Division's popular Fiesta, the Tuareg was a joint design project between Ford's Ghia Operation in Turin, Italy, and the Ford Design Center in Dearborn, Mich. The concept car is built on a 90-inch wheelbase and powered by a 1.1-liter engine with a four-speed manual transmission. The Fiesta Tuareg will be a featured attraction at Ford Division auto show displays this year.
1978 Lucano
The Lucano is a two-seat sports car, based on the European Escort, which resembles the TR-7 in its wedged lines. The front-mounted engine could range anywhere from 1.1 to 2.0 liters.
Quote from: FL SAAC TONY on May 07, 2020, 09:04:37 AM
1978 Lucano
The Lucano is a two-seat sports car, based on the European Escort, which resembles the TR-7 in its wedged lines. The front-mounted engine could range anywhere from 1.1 to 2.0 liters.
Looks like the beginnings for the EXP Escort for the USA.
Totally agree
Quote from: tesgt350 on May 07, 2020, 01:22:24 PM
Quote from: FL SAAC TONY on May 07, 2020, 09:04:37 AM
1978 Lucano
The Lucano is a two-seat sports car, based on the European Escort, which resembles the TR-7 in its wedged lines. The front-mounted engine could range anywhere from 1.1 to 2.0 liters.
Looks like the beginnings for the EXP Escort for the USA.
Megastar II
The Ford Megastar II was a five-passenger, wedge-shape concept that rode on a 101-inch wheelbase, and powered by a two-liter four-cylinder engine. Its two-door aluminum body had an extended front section, and short, squaretail rear, designed to benefit stability and fuel economy. Copper-tinted windshield and door glass blended with the honey-colored velvet-like upholstered material. Ford fitted with a three-liter V-6.
The Quarter Horse
In September, 1969, the Special Vehicles team at Ford proposed the "1970 1/2 Composite Mustang Program". This "super muscle car" would be a mid-year offering with planned production to start in January or February of 1970.
By this time, they were no longer making Shelby Mustangs. The BOSS 429 program was almost at an end as they satisfied the homologation rule for NASCAR. In addition to this, Chevrolet was going to introduce a mid-year body style change for the Camaro, giving them a jump on the new styling. The Composite Mustang proposal would fill these voids.
It was originally called the "Composite Mustang" because it combined existing parts from 4 different engineering programs:
Mustang Sportsroof body from the BOSS 429 program - This body had special accommodations for a larger engineShelby fiberglass front end - provided a preview of the 1971 styling429 Super Cobra Jet engine - a new engine, not planned for use in the Mustang until 1971. It also had improved performance and lower production cost over the BOSS 429 engine.Mercury Cougar XR-7 dash and instrument panel - provided a unique appearance as well as a full set of gauges (the Mustang instrument panel could not accommodate a Tachometer with Oil pressure and Ammeter gauges)
Two prototypes were built (a 4-speed and an Automatic) and they were sent to the drag strip for testing. After this testing, the program was renamed to "1970 1/2 Mustang Quarter Horse". It was determined that a production vehicle, with minor modifications for strip, would have an average ET of 13.022 seconds at 109.89 MPH. Impressive even by today's standards for a production car. Especially impressive on 1970 rubber.
Both prototypes are rumored to be in the hands of collectors. Fortunately these very unique Mustangs did not meet the fate of most prototype cars.
The Quarter Horse
Quote from: FL SAAC TONY on May 11, 2020, 08:39:39 AM
The Quarter Horse
In September, 1969, the Special Vehicles team at Ford proposed the "1970 1/2 Composite Mustang Program". This "super muscle car" would be a mid-year offering with planned production to start in January or February of 1970.
By this time, they were no longer making Shelby Mustangs. The BOSS 429 program was almost at an end as they satisfied the homologation rule for NASCAR. In addition to this, Chevrolet was going to introduce a mid-year body style change for the Camaro, giving them a jump on the new styling. The Composite Mustang proposal would fill these voids.
It was originally called the "Composite Mustang" because it combined existing parts from 4 different engineering programs:
Mustang Sportsroof body from the BOSS 429 program - This body had special accommodations for a larger engineShelby fiberglass front end - provided a preview of the 1971 styling429 Super Cobra Jet engine - a new engine, not planned for use in the Mustang until 1971. It also had improved performance and lower production cost over the BOSS 429 engine.Mercury Cougar XR-7 dash and instrument panel - provided a unique appearance as well as a full set of gauges (the Mustang instrument panel could not accommodate a Tachometer with Oil pressure and Ammeter gauges)
Two prototypes were built (a 4-speed and an Automatic) and they were sent to the drag strip for testing. After this testing, the program was renamed to "1970 1/2 Mustang Quarter Horse". It was determined that a production vehicle, with minor modifications for strip, would have an average ET of 13.022 seconds at 109.89 MPH. Impressive even by today's standards for a production car. Especially impressive on 1970 rubber.
Both prototypes are rumored to be in the hands of collectors. Fortunately these very unique Mustangs did not meet the fate of most prototype cars.
WOW very cool cars, its too bad Ford went the SH*%box route. It seems Ford was asleep in the 70's with their production cars. What was the hot car in the 70's? The Trans-Am. Although I am NOT a fan of the FOX body Mustangs, (I feel they are ugly), that is when Ford woke up, but they did not get out of bed until 2005 with the Ford GT. They hit the snooze in 1999 holding back production of the T-Bird, and by 2002 they overpriced it and did not even offer a manual!
The "Red" quarter horse, or AKA "the thouroughbred" (seen both names on these) was in the Concours room at the last Indianapolis convention. Soon to be finished.
So, essentially a 1970 GT500 with a 429SCJ for power?
Dave says it the best....you there....YUUUP !
Quote from: 2112 on May 11, 2020, 01:18:06 PM
So, essentially a 1970 GT500 with a 429SCJ for power?
The LID Project: Ford's Secret Mid-Engine Boss 429 Mustang
On the outside, the LID Mustang was trimmed not like a Boss 429 but like a standard 1969 Mach I Sportsroof, with little to give away the revised engine location. Note: There was even a hood scoop up front. The stamped steel wheels, eight inches wide at the rear and six inches in the front, were reverse offset (in front-wheel drive fashion) to preserve the stock track width, then disguised with full wheel covers taken from the Lincoln parts bin. The rear seat was removed and the area trimmed with black carpeting, while up front, the former engine compartment housed the battery, radiator, and air-conditioning condenser, with electric fans to provide cooling
This mystery solved
The Internet Solves The Mystery Of The Mid-Engined Mustang
https://www.motor1.com/news/409172/mystery-mid-engined-mustang/
Quote from: FL SAAC TONY on May 12, 2020, 07:43:50 AM
The LID Project: Ford's Secret Mid-Engine Boss 429 Mustang
On the outside, the LID Mustang was trimmed not like a Boss 429 but like a standard 1969 Mach I Sportsroof, with little to give away the revised engine location. Note: There was even a hood scoop up front. The stamped steel wheels, eight inches wide at the rear and six inches in the front, were reverse offset (in front-wheel drive fashion) to preserve the stock track width, then disguised with full wheel covers taken from the Lincoln parts bin. The rear seat was removed and the area trimmed with black carpeting, while up front, the former engine compartment housed the battery, radiator, and air-conditioning condenser, with electric fans to provide cooling
Yet another (lightbulb) better idea from Ford, yet to company wanted to keep up with the boring cars and sleep the 70's away! Yeah yeah, I know the bumper requirements/emissions.
The 2004 Bronco concept
The story of this take on a reborn Bronco goes back to 2004 at that year's North American International Auto Show. Traveling back in time and a decade in half, you'll find that Ford was all in on retro style. Not only was its unabashedly throwback Ford GT getting tons of attention, the dramatically re-designed and heritage inspired 2005 Mustang was about to hit the market as well.
With the 2004 Bronco Concept, the idea was to take that same retro flavor and apply it to Ford's SUV line, reviving the popular 4x4 that was last sold in 1996. As you can clearly see from the shape, the 2004 Bronco was heavily inspired by the iconic first generation model of the '60s and '70s.
The original story is a much better read with more pictures
https://www.drivingline.com/articles/not-fords-first-rodeo-the-2004-retro-bronco-that-never-happened/
Agreed ....what he said ☆☆☆☆☆
The Synergy 2010 was Ford's idea of in 1996. As such, it featured two power sources — a 1.0-litre direct-injection extremely lightweight materials (it weighed just one tonne (ton)), "air fences", which dictated the car's advanced, aerodynamic styling and computer-animated instruments. You could even call up the phone book by issuing a simple verbal command!
In 1996, Ford offered its thoughts on the family car of the year 2010. The federal government got the Big Three together under the banner of the Partnership for a New Generation of Vehicles, and part of Ford's contribution was a lightweight and aerodynamic concept vehicle designed to get 80 mpg from its 1-liter diesel-electric hybrid powertrain.
1996 Lincoln Sentinal
Specs: 6.0-liter V12 engine made from two 3.0-liter V6 bolted together, rear-wheel drive, 218 inches (5.53 meters) long, 20-inch wheels
With its edgy body and intimidating design, the retro-futuristic concept was a radical take on the Lincoln Continental and Town Car of the era.
The hugely desirable GT90 concept you might remember from the good ol' days of Need For Speed 2 was unveiled in January 1995 at NAIAS to pave the way for the "New Edge" design philosophy. A year later at the same show in the Motor City, Ford's premium brand Lincoln embraced the styling approach for a fullsize luxury sedan that much like Ford's supercar, never saw the light of production day.
1955 Fairbird
Sometimes called the Fairbird, preproduction prototype 55 Ford Thunderbirds wore Fairlane trim. No records were ever kept of how many were made with the Fairlane trim but it is reported the number was between two and 6 with at least one more done for a Ford Executive. Advertising, sales materials and even glove box materials were all finalized and prepared for production.
^^^Thank God cooler heads prevailed.
Looks alright
Quote from: 2112 on May 18, 2020, 10:21:14 AM
^^^Thank God cooler heads prevailed.
That chrome crawling over the top of the front fenders like a vine is not attractive.
Baby Birds don't need any augmentation.
I had a black '57 E-model with 3-speed stick. Beautiful, fun and very lovely car.
Kinda looks kool
Quote from: Side-Oilers on May 18, 2020, 08:09:42 PM
That chrome crawling over the top of the front fenders like a vine is not attractive.
Baby Birds don't need any augmentation.
I had a black '57 E-model with 3-speed stick. Beautiful, fun and very lovely car.
The 2004 Cobra Concept
More at :
2004 Ford Shelby Cobra Concept Purchased by Engineer Who Helped Developed It - The Drive
https://www.thedrive.com/sheetmetal/16106/2004-ford-shelby-cobra-concept-purchased-by-engineer-who-helped-developed-it
Quote from: Side-Oilers on May 18, 2020, 08:09:42 PM
That chrome crawling over the top of the front fenders like a vine is not attractive.
Baby Birds don't need any augmentation.
I had a black '57 E-model with 3-speed stick. Beautiful, fun and very lovely car.
I believe the word you are looking for is "Chauchy" ;)
Charles "Chachi" Arcola from Happy Days
I was working at a Ford dealer in Dearborn back in mid-1970's and I recall seeing the blue car showing up in a service bay one day.
There was a lot of the dealer personnel gathered around it so I went over for a look.
I can't say if it was still a FoMoCo owned vehicle at the time but it was very low mileage and very new appearing as I recall.
I remember thinking who would want a white interior in a muscle car, "black is the only way to go"!
And of course a 1970 mustang with a 429 385 family engine was a unicorn even then.
We saw a lot of experimental cars come in since we were just down Outer Dr. from the Engineering complex.
My brother ( SAAC member ) would come by with some of these, like a 76 F-100 with a 460 4v that ran like a raped ape!
The 1981 Escort test mule was a Pinto with the 2.0L Lima OHC with the Escort front transaxle, that would also move quickly.
The aborted Escort EXP 1.6L turbo that an exec tried to power shift on Southfield Rd in Allen Pk and the car torque shifted a lane+ so scared him they went back and killed that little rocket!
But this was all during the emissions / crash worthiness era where fuel economy and small cars ruled to compete with Japanese imports.
Ah the old skool days !
regards,
jim p
^^^Great stories.
Thank you for sharing those experiences with us.
Much appreciated
Quote from: 6R07mi on May 19, 2020, 01:53:23 PM
I was working at a Ford dealer in Dearborn back in mid-1970's and I recall seeing the blue car showing up in a service bay one day.
There was a lot of the dealer personnel gathered around it so I went over for a look.
I can't say if it was still a FoMoCo owned vehicle at the time but it was very low mileage and very new appearing as I recall.
I remember thinking who would want a white interior in a muscle car, "black is the only way to go"!
And of course a 1970 mustang with a 429 385 family engine was a unicorn even then.
We saw a lot of experimental cars come in since we were just down Outer Dr. from the Engineering complex.
My brother ( SAAC member ) would come by with some of these, like a 76 F-100 with a 460 4v that ran like a raped ape!
The 1981 Escort test mule was a Pinto with the 2.0L Lima OHC with the Escort front transaxle, that would also move quickly.
The aborted Escort EXP 1.6L turbo that an exec tried to power shift on Southfield Rd in Allen Pk and the car torque shifted a lane+ so scared him they went back and killed that little rocket!
But this was all during the emissions / crash worthiness era where fuel economy and small cars ruled to compete with Japanese imports.
Ah the old skool days !
regards,
jim p
Ford Thunderbird Italean
1963 Ford Thunderbird Italien Fastback | Ford | SuperCars.net
https://www.supercars.net/blog/1963-ford-thunderbird-italien-fastback/
https://youtu.be/DuGqP25jnQU
Can't wait to get on those super highways so we can experience high sustained speeds cross country....oh wait they also promised us flying cars ....
Quote from: 67 GT350 on May 20, 2020, 09:27:49 AM
https://youtu.be/DuGqP25jnQU
The astonishing 1978 Ford Microsport
Microsport — "City Cars" were an important segment for exploration in the early Eighties when congestion and fuel economy were hot topics. Ghia built many, mostly in aluminum over lightweight tubing frameworks. One of the smallest was Microsport, nearly able to fit on a 4x8 sheet of plywood.
Based on a 1.0-litre Ford Fiesta, the Ghia Microsport was about compact, sports car performance. It was 10 inches shorter than a Fiesta and featured lightweight aluminium panels and impact-absorbing plastic materials at the front and rear.
The two-seater Ghia Microsport was geared for fun and fuel efficiency. Lightweight glass panels were used for the windscreen, rear screen and side glass. The car, finished in two tone white and red, was distinctly wedge shaped with a severely sloping front grille. Twin air ducts characterised the rear-end treatment.
The 1978 Ford Mustang Ghia Fiesta III
Ford Ghia Operations in Turin are showing this experimental new sports car at the Geneva Show. It uses the running gear of the Ford Fiesta, and is designed to carry four adults in a car 70 cms (28 in.) shorter than the production Mustang II.
1978 Ford G. A.
Ford's Motor Company's world-famous Ghia Studio of Turin, Italy designed the Mercury XM concept car. The one-of-a-kind prototype's unique feature was a rumble seat mounted beneath the rear decklid. By raising the rear hatch window and flipping back the decklid, the car became a four-passenger vehicle. It had a wheelbase of 94 inches, an overall length of 13 feet, four inches, and a height of four feet.
Ford gtk
GTK Concept was built on an extended Fiesta platform. It featured a number of advanced elements, including electric side windows, an on-board computer and digital instrumentation.
Its design included a central greenhouse effect for the passenger area, which even incorporated glass side pillars. Other GTK features included headlights behind electrically controlled panels. Aero ducts behind these panels channelled air over the bonnet and roof.
Though the wedge-shaped Ford Fiesta GTK station wagon prototype had a small 94-inch wheelbase, it still provided a spacious interior. Experimental tubular instrument panel and circular center console housed an on-board computer and digital displays. The Fiesta GTK five-spoke wheels predicted those used on production 1972-74 Mustangs
GTK
The lovely 1978 Navarre is based on the U.S. Granada and is the five-seat sport coupe fitted with a 5.0-liter V8. It featured flat rear deck with tie-dawn straps which could carry extra luggage.
Mustang Pilot Plank Fastback
http://www.mustangandfords.com/features/1505-in-search-of-the-real-job-one-mustang/photo-05.html
A stunning beauty
EXPERIMENTAL MUSTANG III
Ford Ghia Operations in Turin are showing this experimental new sports car at the Geneva Show. It uses the running gear of the Ford Fiesta, which will be announced later this year, and is designed to carry four adults in a car 70 cms (28 in.) shorter than the production Mustang II.
Probe I was created at the Ford Dearborn Design Center where Kopka was the executive director of the Advanced and International Design Studio. Its sleek and pointy aerodynamic shape, flat wheel covers, popup headlights and skirted rear wheels achieved a drag coefficient in the wind tunnel of 0.25, some 37% less than the 0.40 then typical for a 2door 4-passenger coupe. It was introduced at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September 1979. Probe I was extensively displayed at shows and events following its introduction and received widespread media attention, helping to spread the impression that Ford was on to something.
Built on a Mustang chassis of the period, or perhaps a Pinto, there wasn't much difference, the Probe I package envisioned a collection of the advanced technological functions with which show concepts seem to be endowed. Little of it works, but it would be easy to cut a slot in the console and then say it "can be started by a universal credit card which also can be used to buy gas and pay tolls." Probe I once had the 2.3 liter Mustang/Pinto 4-cylinder engine and automatic transmission but they have long since been removed. Ford claimed the Probe could achieve a fuel economy of 39 miles per gallon.
Finished in red with black lower body sides that accentuate the deep rear wheel skirts, Probe I has a body constructed of metal with a fixed tinted glass roof panel. The windows also are tinted glass. The wheels have machined disc-type wheel covers to reduce turbulence. The interior is upholstered in red cloth with tan leather trim. Its gauges appear to be functional.
Probe I's age is showing, and not well. The exterior is in no better than fair condition, with a material number of scratches, edge chips and a small dent in the driver's door. The interior appears to be in decent shape.
The Probe 1 Concept is a seminal step Automotive Design. It represents the rebirth of the American Dream Car, a milestone in function through form and represents a new direction in Automotive Design that changed an entire Industry.
The beautiful 1979 Ford Probe I
1978 Ghia Action
Probably the most striking GHIA show car of all was the 1978 Action, the most severe wedge shape ever seen. Designed by Filippo Sapino, it had a rear-mounted DFV Formula I V-eight engine and completely enclosed rear wheels.
Continuing our series;
Ford Fiesta GTK (Grand Touring Kombi) - Station Wagon Prototype
Highly futuristic, the GTK concept stood for Grand Touring Kombi. It was intended as a sporty, aerodynamic grand touring car with ample luggage space.
GTK Concept was built on an extended Fiesta platform. It featured a number of advanced elements, including electric side windows, an on-board computer and digital instrumentation.
Its design included a central greenhouse effect for the passenger area, which even incorporated glass side pillars. Other GTK features included headlights behind electrically controlled panels. Aero ducts behind these panels channelled air over the bonnet and roof.
Though the wedge-shaped Ford Fiesta GTK station wagon prototype had a small 94-inch wheelbase, it still provided a spacious interior. Experimental tubular instrument panel and circular center console housed an on-board computer and digital displays. The Fiesta GTK five-spoke wheels predicted those used on production 1972-74 Mustangs.
Simply exquisite
Spaceliner
Back by popular demand......The series continued
The 1954 Ford FX Atmos, was steered with hand grips, had a radar screen, and driver sat in the center.
Dream Car of the Future. This is the Ford FX-Atmos, a future experimental car that will never be built for sale. Built by the Ford Motor Company as an example of possible styling concepts of the future, the car will be shown to the public at the Chicago Auto Show opening Saturday (March 13, 1954). The two-seater sports mode;, built of white, blue and red plastic, has stabilizer fins on rear bumper and needle-like antennae rods projecting from the front for a radar road-scanner which might be installed on the dashboard
1962 Mustang concept
I know that exact spot on the banks at Utica. I ran over a 66 GT350's left brake scoop there in '82.
He was going so fast it blew off of the car. Who expects to run over a brake scoop?
He was trying to outrun me and get me out of his rear view mirror. All he saw was a grin. I should have been watching more carefully but you know at that speed you need to look down the road pretty far and I was looking past him.
The rules were, no passing and I didn't want to embarrass him anyway. The Webers were on the car then and they were just getting warmed up at 6,500 rpm. ;)
Plus I did have some concern. The air through the nostrils of the hood was whistling and the hood was rippling from being sucked on by the carbs. When I came in, Eber said, "do you know I could hear the car whistling all the way out there?"
Maybe it was bored and just humming a tune? ::)
Interesting concept car. Kind of like a go cart at that point?
Kool story thanks for sharing
Quote from: shelbydoug on August 20, 2020, 09:06:58 AM
I know that exact spot on the banks at Utica. I ran over a 66 GT350's left brake scoop there in '82.
He was going so fast it blew off of the car. Who expects to run over a brake scoop?
He was trying to outrun me and get me out of his rear view mirror. All he saw was a grin. I should have been watching more carefully but you know at that speed you need to look down the road prety far and I was looking past him.
The rules were, no passing and I didn't want to embarrass him anyway. The Webers were on the car then and they were just getting warmed up at 6,500 rpm. ;)
Plus I did have some concern. The air through the nostrils of the hood was whistling and the hood was rippling from being sucked on by the carbs. When I came in, Eber said, "do you know I could hear the car whistling all the way out there?"
Maybe it was bored and just humming a tune? ::)
Interesting concept car. Kind of like a go cart at that point?
1962 Mustang concept
Quote from: FL SAAC on August 20, 2020, 09:21:06 AM
Kool story thanks for sharing
Quote from: shelbydoug on August 20, 2020, 09:06:58 AM
I know that exact spot on the banks at Utica. I ran over a 66 GT350's left brake scoop there in '82.
He was going so fast it blew off of the car. Who expects to run over a brake scoop?
He was trying to outrun me and get me out of his rear view mirror. All he saw was a grin. I should have been watching more carefully but you know at that speed you need to look down the road prety far and I was looking past him.
The rules were, no passing and I didn't want to embarrass him anyway. The Webers were on the car then and they were just getting warmed up at 6,500 rpm. ;)
Plus I did have some concern. The air through the nostrils of the hood was whistling and the hood was rippling from being sucked on by the carbs. When I came in, Eber said, "do you know I could hear the car whistling all the way out there?"
Maybe it was bored and just humming a tune? ::)
Interesting concept car. Kind of like a go cart at that point?
Sooner or later the owner of the 66 is gonna' get on my case?
Maybe he should have used bigger rivets? ::)
I never knew about this Turbine semi.
https://www.thedrive.com/news/35030/fords-giant-turbine-semi-truck-big-red-is-lost-somewhere-in-the-american-southeast?fbclid=IwAR34Kx1HZgP61_tKgHhYUUr3HkV5dWXZzh04cKCHDpQ0TNhfm_B1Z0VhhZ8
larger ribets.....
Quote from: shelbydoug on August 20, 2020, 09:29:57 AM
Quote from: FL SAAC on August 20, 2020, 09:21:06 AM
Kool story thanks for sharing
Quote from: shelbydoug on August 20, 2020, 09:06:58 AM
I know that exact spot on the banks at Utica. I ran over a 66 GT350's left brake scoop there in '82.
He was going so fast it blew off of the car. Who expects to run over a brake scoop?
He was trying to outrun me and get me out of his rear view mirror. All he saw was a grin. I should have been watching more carefully but you know at that speed you need to look down the road prety far and I was looking past him.
The rules were, no passing and I didn't want to embarrass him anyway. The Webers were on the car then and they were just getting warmed up at 6,500 rpm. ;)
Plus I did have some concern. The air through the nostrils of the hood was whistling and the hood was rippling from being sucked on by the carbs. When I came in, Eber said, "do you know I could hear the car whistling all the way out there?"
Maybe it was bored and just humming a tune? ::)
Interesting concept car. Kind of like a go cart at that point?
Sooner or later the owner of the 66 is gonna' get on my case?
Maybe he should have used bigger rivets? ::)
outstanding
Quote from: Dkutz on August 21, 2020, 12:06:41 AM
I never knew about this Turbine semi.
https://www.thedrive.com/news/35030/fords-giant-turbine-semi-truck-big-red-is-lost-somewhere-in-the-american-southeast?fbclid=IwAR34Kx1HZgP61_tKgHhYUUr3HkV5dWXZzh04cKCHDpQ0TNhfm_B1Z0VhhZ8
continuing our educational process, here we have the 1954 Ford Maxima
this three-wheeled Maxima designed in 1954, intending to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Henry Ford's land-speed record at the helm of the Arrow. A jet engine would have theoretically powered the Maxima to 500 MPH; the Farrells claimed that it would later inspire Craig Breedlove's Spirit of America land-speed car.
to infinity a and beyond.....
1956 Thunderbird Mexico
Alex Tremulis' design philosophy had always been to strike a happy marriage between aircraft and automotive styling. As a teenager, he already inherently knew that smooth flowing lines would not only look better but would be more efficient at slicing through the air. During World War II he spent a great amount of time designing aircraft to fly faster than had ever been achieved through the use of wind tunnels. It would be at Ford, over a decade later, that he'd finally be able to prove his automotive philosophy in the design for a streamlined Thunderbird capable of speeds of over 200 miles per hour. By mid-1955, Chevrolet was already exploring design improvements to their 1956 Corvette that would eventually lead to the 1957 Sebring SS. It would be Tremulis' competitive spirit that would bring the much-needed data that only the design refinement within a wind tunnel could provide. Tremulis' highly modified supercharged 1956 Thunderbird Mexico was going to be Ford's reply to Chevy's racing Corvettes, including wind tunnel tests for a car incorporating ground effects now common on all high performance cars.
As Tremulis put it: "I have always considered the Mexico as a milestone. It opened the door to the windtunnel for the first serious investigation of the new aerodynamic art of the automobile. For many years when I thought I was on the verge of selling a wind tunnel program I was always shot down with arguments such as - 'But Alex, remember the Chrysler Airflow'. Some even referred to it as the 'Airflop'. Others presented arguments such as - 'If all automobiles were streamlined they would all look alike.' I would counter their arguments by comparing the styling of two airplanes: The Lockheed Constellation and the DC7. Both planes had the same HP, they weighed the same, they went as fast and they were as different as night and day."
Although the Mexico never made it to a full-scale model, the development of many future record-setting race cars and their drivers would benefit directly from the lessons learned by Tremulis a decade earlier.
^^^Any info on why it was named the Mexico?^^
No sir, could be the designers personal preference
Notice on the attached the name keeps being mentioned
Quote from: Side-Oilers on August 27, 2020, 10:30:53 PM
^^^Any info on why it was named the Mexico?^^
1955 Lincoln Capri Sportsman
X 1000
By 1955, Fords use of the fin on their production vehicles was still in its infancy, but back at the design studios the fin was reaching for the stars. Ford stylist Alex Tremulis designed the X-1000 during 1955-1956. The X-1000 was a pure flight of fancy. While many concept cars forecasted a significant design concept that would later appear on a production-based car, the X-1000 was a pure dream. The only components of the X-1000 that would see the production line were a few instrument panel knobs. A streamlined car by any standards, the X-1000 featured smooth lines and a huge set of fins that actually retracted into the body. The X-1000 was also designed to use a rear-mounted gas-turbine engine and it was campaigned extensively on the auto show circuit. A live display at the Chicago Auto Show featured several Ford modelers deeply engrossed in building a clay mock-up of the X-1000. This gave the general public a firsthand look at how the design studios actually worked.
FQRD'S model jet-styled X-1000 has floating fins, retractable canopy, instruments and push-button transmission controls in its steering wheel hub-features you may see on future cars. It also has three seats set in triangular pattern; the driver's seat swivels for easy access.
1958 Ford De Paolo
This Ford concept car appears in the 1966 book Automobiles of the Future by Irwin Stambler. The description of the car appears below.
"Exotic engines of tomorrow may provide the power for a sports car such as this, which could be mass-produced while keeping the appearance of a racing car."
Though Tremulis didn't design the 1956 DePaolo 3/8-scale model, another of Tremulis's designs (the DePalma), inspired Buzz Grisinger to submit the DePaolo design for Ford's Stylerama program. Named for Peter DePaolo, Indy 500 winner and, later, Ford racing coordinator, the design – which looks to borrow much from contemporary Bonneville streamliners and "represent an inversion of the form most typical of American automotive styling," according to the Farrells – eventually became the catalyst for Robert McNamara's interchangeability program, which aimed to reduce costs by creating common body panels across the Ford, Mercury and Edsel model lines.
The Farrells credit Tremulis with a number of other concept cars as well, including the aforementioned DePalma and X-1000, the 1954 Mexico, the 1954 Taj Mahal, the 1955 Madam X, the 1956 999 dragster, the late 1950s Wind Brake Car, the 1956 Scorpion and the 1961 Astrion. He would found his own consulting and design firm after leaving Ford.
1957-58 X2000
1957 Ford X-2000 concept car model - Designers: Alex Tremulis and Bill Balla
On a bubbletop kick, Tremulis – with help from Bill Balla – designed the X-2000 in 1956-1957. Like Tremulis's X-1000 that preceded the X-2000, little on the car was meant to predict the shapes or features of Fords of the immediate future; they were intended to be advanced concepts of the far-flung automotive future. However, the Farrells note that the X-2000′s grille shape certainly predicted the Edsel's horse-collar grille. Not many automotive historians connect Tremulis to the Edsel's most distinctive shape today, possibly because the X-2000 was only completed as a 3/8-scale model (a full-size clay was in the works, but was canceled before completion) and only shown in person at the Ford Rotunda.
This amazing creation is the Ford X2000, a styling fantasy from 1958, what the Ford design department thought we might just possibly be driving in the year 2000.
One of the most distinctive features, that nose, was not particularly modern, nor plausible, even back in 1958: The grille and bonnet (hood) are clearly related to those of the 1957 Ford Edsel, the car that lost Ford serious amounts of money. In that context the vertical oval motif was variously called the "egg on end", "sucking lemons", "horse collar", "impact ring" and other names that are more anatomical and even rude.
The passenger compartment is very Jetson's Sci-Fi, but the rear end is fairly typical 1950's yank tank apart from the bolt-on rocket booster tail-lights
Don't be too hard on the 1958 designers, Alex Tremulis and Bill Balla; it is very difficult indeed to predict the future. What will we all be driving in 2040? What odds will you give on the Moller Skycar?
The 1958 X2000 was originally just a scale model, but an English enthusiast, Andy Saunders, saw it in the "Dream Cars" book (J-R Picard 1981), pursued the impossible dream - and built one. The X2000 has been doing the rounds of the Motor Shows
Was this actually a thing
1958 La Galaxie
Ford worked its way through many contorted schools of styling such as the Z-back roof (in the 1957 La Galaxie). It went on to become increasingly unhinged as it proposed a nuclear - powered dream car called the Nucleon in 1958, a gyroscopically controlled two-wheeled car called the Gyron in 1961, a three-wheeled flying car called the Volante the same - ear and a vast six - wheeler called the Seattle-ite in 1962.
It should not be surprising that, after that lot. Ford's design team and the pubic had something of a dream-car hangover, and Dearborn's output of show specials petered out in the 1960s.
A portion of the 1958 Ford exhibit was set-up as a Ford Motor Company design studio. The full-size, non-drivable La Galaxie styling study was a center piece, surrounded by several 3/8 scale Ford dream cars. These smaller models included names like "La Tosca", which was a radio controlled toy; the atomic-powered, jet-style "Nucleon" and a sports car titled '"DePaolo."
68krrrr, it existed, I have that issue of Car & Driver, need to unearth it. It was bodied by Intermeccanica (Italian company)
That one later fell into private hands, I believe...photo included. I'm not sure if it exists today ?
Also offered by a Dutch company, not sure if this is the original car, or if they were able to produce them ? ?
Mike
The factory Ford Mustang wagon is a fabled creation. The story goes that in 1966 Italian coach builder Intermeccanica built a Mustang station wagon for advertiser Barney Clark and designer Bob Cumberford which showed up in many car magazines of the day. Supposedly Ford had a Mustang wagon in design stages around the same time but scrapped the program shortly after the Intermeccania cars appeared. The Intermeccania cars are often mistaken for a factory concept.
Quote from: honker on September 10, 2020, 10:20:40 AM
68krrrr, it existed, I have that issue of Car & Driver, need to unearth it. It was bodied by Intermeccanica (Italian company)
That one later fell into private hands, I believe...photo included. I'm not sure if it exists today ?
Also offered by a Dutch company, not sure if this is the original car, or if they were able to produce them ? ?
Mike
Tony, thanks for the added info !
Staying with concept wagons for the moment, there was this.
Mike
Agree with you like we previously stated:
Supposedly Ford had a Mustang wagon in design stages around the same time but scrapped the program shortly after the Intermeccania cars appeared.
FYI
https://www.hemmings.com/stories/2008/10/06/lost-and-found-overflow-mustang-station-wagon-fact-or-fiction
Saw a Mustang wagon at Hot August Nights, a few years ago. I think the man said he worked for Ford and he helped build it. Ron
The front of La Galaxie looks similar to the rear of a '61-63 Bullet Bird.
The rear of the Mustang wagon styling buck (10-28-66 bottom photo) looks similar to a Vega Kammback.
Quote from: Rocket on September 10, 2020, 11:38:32 AM
Saw a Mustang wagon at Hot August Nights, a few years ago. I think the man said he worked for Ford and he helped build it. Ron
Could be the lost one
1958 Volante
In 1958, Ford built several 3/8-scale concept car models, including the Volante, which supposedly could use three fan motors to levitate from a parking place and take to the air. But the most amazing of these models was the Nucleon. What may have looked like a Continental kit sitting on the large and flat rear deck was the cover for a small nuclear reactor that would power the car through the Atomic Age.
1959 Levacar
Ford Motor Co.'s Levacar Mach I appeared in the Ford Rotunda in spring 1959. A full-sized prototype, this was an one-man "flying car" that was "levitated" several inches off the ground by three powerful air jets located on the bottom of its chassis. Planned to be powered by a small-scale turbojet engine, the Levacar was purportedly designed to reach a top speed of nearly 500 mph!
The ORIGINAL Mach 1... check out the last photo
Great stuff Tony, here's one more to go with your posts. Henry Ford in Dearborn. The Leva Car in this image looks like an early
mock up, the canopy is not clear. The image is dated April 29th. '59.
Mike
Kool picture, great display look how elegant people dressed back in the day
Quote from: honker on October 01, 2020, 09:32:03 PM
Great stuff Tony, here's one more to go with your posts. Henry Ford in Dearborn. The Leva Car in this image looks like an early
mock up, the canopy is not clear. The image is dated April 29th. '59.
Mike
Quote from: honker on September 10, 2020, 10:30:10 AM
Staying with concept wagons for the moment, there was this.
Mike
So is that where AMC got the look for the rear of the Gremlin?
Yikes another 3H clubber....horrendous, horrible, hideous...
Quote from: JD on October 02, 2020, 10:08:43 PM
Quote from: honker on September 10, 2020, 10:30:10 AM
Staying with concept wagons for the moment, there was this.
Mike
So is that where AMC got the look for the rear of the Gremlin?
The lovely Ford Gyron
A gyroscopically controlled two-wheeled car called the Gyron.
The two-wheeled Gyron, however, would shortly afterward consume much of Tremulis's effort and time. As the Farrells wrote, Tremulis – whose chief and overwhelming concern was for aerodynamics – believed his design for a two-wheeled gyroscopically balanced car would represent the ultimate in automotive aerodynamics. "In short, Tremulis expected the Gyron to be a genuine breakthrough that would influence all future car design."
The earliest Gyron sketches were rendered in 1956, but Tremulis renewed his interest in the Gyron after learning of GM's 1959 Firebird III concept, which was hailed as the world's most advanced and most exotic car. Tremulis felt he could do better. At about that time, Tremulis's superiors at Ford assigned new hire Syd Mead to work with Tremulis on the Gyron, and together they convinced Ford to let them build a full-scale version of the car. Because a gyroscope of sufficient size to keep the full-scale Gyron upright proved far too expensive for the show car, a pair of wheels on outriggers were added to the design to keep the Gyron upright on the show stand (copywriters explained them away as necessary at low speeds and noted they'd retract at higher speeds); however, its front wheel did steer via a console-mounted dial, and an electric motor did propel the fiberglass-bodied show car up to about 5 MPH. The Gyron debuted in 1961 and would be one of Tremulis's last projects at Ford, though he would continue to pursue the idea of a two-wheeled gyro car long after he left the company. The fire that destroyed Ford's Rotunda reportedly took the Gyron as well.
1962 Ford Cougar 406
Debuting at the 1962 Chicago show, the Ford Cougar 406 featured top-hinged, electrically operated gull-wing doors, and came equipped with the new 406 cubic inch V-8. The engine developed 405 horsepower and 448 pound feet of torque. Swing-up headlights were concealed in tips of the fenders. This was the second Ford concept car to wear the Cougar nameplate. The original was a 3/8-scale model from 1956. Mercury first applied the Cougar moniker on a 1967 two-door hardtop pony car, based on the Mustang.
The lovely Ford Seattle-ite
Designed to be shown at the Seattle World's Fair, and named after the host city. This unique styling dream car envisions four steerable front wheels and easily interchangeable power units.
Seattle-ite XXI would feature such advanced concepts as a travel programming computer, variable density glass, jalousie windows, and fingertip steering. The entire front of the car would "break away" from the passenger compartment in order to permit conversion from an economical power capsule of perhaps 60 h.p., to a high-speed, transcontinental unit in excess of 400 h.p. This concept could allow many styling treatments for the trailing vehicle that would house passengers in air-conditioned, noiseless comfort.
1965 Aurora, featured a windshield that turns transparent to opaque at the touch of a button and a intercom between the driver's "command post" and the children's "romper room" at the rear.
The front passenger seat swivels to face a curved sofa in the lounge area. In place of a steering wheel, the Aurora has a steering bar.
Now here`s a great concept - an English magazine about American cars. It`s called Classic American, and the December, 1997 issue (which I didn`t see until February `98 in the USA) has an "Oddballs" column that features a 1964 Ford Aurora show car. The Aurora, which happens to be a funky looking station wagon with a lot of glass, had some unique features. It only had three doors - two on one side and one on the other (and a back hatch). Continuing the "three" theme, it was divided internally into three compartments - the front had two buckets, and the middle/back each had a kind of wrap-around sofa feature, with a glass partition between the second and third seats. The front styling looked vaguely like a `64-`67 Corvette; the pointy rear looked.....well, it was different!
Never saw this one before kinda interesting
Mercury XM800
1954 Mercury Monterey XM-800 | Review | SuperCars.net
https://www.supercars.net/blog/1954-mercury-monterey-xm-800/
1964 Gas Turbine Truck
Named "Big Red", Fords Gas Turbine was a towering super-transport prototype. After its debut in 1964, it made several cross-country runs at costs comparable to diesel operation. The 600 hp gas turbine engine that powered "Big Red" was developed and produced by Ford under a contract with the Deparment of Defense.
Mustang station wagon
The story goes that in 1966 Italian coach builder Intermeccanica built a Mustang station wagon for advertising copywriter Barney Clark and designer Bob Cumberford which showed up in many car magazines of the day. Supposedly Ford had a Mustang wagon in design stages around the same time but scrapped the program shortly after the Intermeccania cars appeared. The Intermeccania cars are often mistaken for a factory concept.
"Let's revert to the slab stern and high luggage compartment, the nearly vertical rear window, the leather strap and 'chunk of road machinery' feeling." That's from a document describing the need for an American four-passenger sports car, a text leading to the Mustang. It was written in 1956 by the aforementioned Barney Clark, who wrote Corvette advertising copy at the time. It was furiously rejected by Harley J. Earl, General Motors' legendary styling chief.
A few years later, working for Ford's ad agency, Barney Clark talked with product planner Don Frey about his ideas. Lee Iacocca may be the "father of the Mustang," but he got the notion via Frey and Clark, and thus indirectly from GM.
Intermeccanica from Italy shaped this shooting brake by moving the rear window of a 1965 hard top backwards, installing a longer roof section and swing out windows.
XP Cobra / Bordinat Cobra
As a side note to the successful X-Car program, and in the context of the enthusiasm then present throughout the Ford Styling Department, Gene Bordinat directed the styling studio to create a second version of the Cougar II for him. Bordinat wanted a dream car of his own, much as Bill Mitchell was then enjoying at General Motors and what Harley Earl had done earlier. Always interested in innovation and good styling, Bordinat's customized X Car was a stunning statement of the kind of nimble, droptop Ford sports car that could be created. Called alternatively the XP Cobra or, more authentically, the Bordinat Cobra, this iridescent honey gold iteration of the Cougar II was a beautiful roadster with a body fashioned from Royalex – a miracle "memory" material that recovered from minor dents.
The Bordinat Cobra was the first coil-spring chassis Cobra, has a unique plastic body painted metallic silver, and features a 289 High-Performance engine with a C4 automatic transmission.
The Bordinat Cobra was also built on a 427 Cobra (coil spring) chassis, #CSX3001, and, like the coupe, required the Ford small block motor to be set back in the frame to clear the low hood line. Although it was in many ways a "dream car," the Bordinat/XP Cobra was never a part Ford's second generation X Car program. Apocryphal evidence and urban legends suggest that Bordinat used the car regularly at least for a year or so. As Ford expert Jim Burgy notes, "...the Bordinat Cobra has not been restored -- it is in it's original condition, complete with original paint and drivetrain. It has been washed and waxed, but NOT repainted or restored." The Bordinat Cobra was an important part of the Ford Division's wonderfully creative explosion of practical – but still dramatically styled – concept cars that directly precipitated the production Ford Mustang and additional corporate show cars in the rest of the Sixties.
Barris Kustom City is credited for building the 1966 Galaxie 500 Magic-Cruiser and second version based on a 1967 Galaxie XL. The Magic Cruiser II seems to use the roof from the original. Based on the photos of the 1967 version I see that the bumper is cut to fold down under the tailgate for easier entrance, so I included those reference photos here. The location of these cars is unknown to me.
The 1966 Magic Cruiser could be transformed from a fastback to a station wagon and back via hydraulic and electric controls. One of the specifications given to George Barris who was hired by Ford to build the car was that the movable roof section rise within seven seconds. A series of aircraft hydraulic systems, screw jacks, and a switch on the dash made that possible. Lowering the tailgate allowed for easy entry to a rear-facing third seat, and like on Ford's production station wagons, the second and third seats could be folded down for addition cargo storage.
In front, the two-door hardtop LTD-based Magic Cruiser had one-piece tempered glass headlights, shaved door handles, and a set of Western wire mag wheels. It was painted a custom-mixed "Gold Sunset" and the interior was two-toned with pleated vinyl and lamb's wool carpeting. Under the hood was the new 428.
This show car was probably re-skinned to become the Magic Cruiser II the following year.
One of the ways FoMoCo promoted its new 1967 full-sized cars was with a couple of show cars christened Magic Cruiser II and XL Interceptor. The Magic Cruiser II built by George Barris was, as Ford described it, a "super fastback" that could be turned into a station wagon when the fastback section of the roof and two special window-side panels were electrically raised. It was possibly built from the original Magic Cruiser shown during 1966.
Quote from: FL SAAC on February 20, 2020, 06:30:05 PM
2001 Ford 49 concept car
The Ford Forty-Nine was a concept car created by the Ford Motor Company. It was designed by Chip Foose and was first introduced at the 2001 North American International Auto Show.
Quote from: 67 GT350 on February 20, 2020, 09:58:39 PM
Quote from: FL SAAC TONY on February 20, 2020, 06:30:05 PM
2001 Ford 49 concept car
SHOULD HAVE MADE THAT CAR!
Indeed my good man indeed.
The Ford Forty-Nine was a concept car created by the Ford Motor Company. It was designed by Chip Foose and was first introduced at the 2001 North American International Auto Show. It is a tribute to the 1949 Ford.A convertible was also built, finished in red, but it was a static display vehicle and as such had no running gear.
The Forty-Nine's engine was the same Jaguar AJ-V8 engine used in the Ford Thunderbird, a naturally aspirated 3.9 liter, DOHC, 32-valve V8. Power is sent to the rear wheels through a 5-speed automatic transmission.
Quote from: FL SAAC on October 19, 2020, 08:36:16 AM
The lovely Ford Gyron
A gyroscopically controlled two-wheeled car called the Gyron.
The two-wheeled Gyron, however, would shortly afterward consume much of Tremulis's effort and time. As the Farrells wrote, Tremulis – whose chief and overwhelming concern was for aerodynamics – believed his design for a two-wheeled gyroscopically balanced car would represent the ultimate in automotive aerodynamics. "In short, Tremulis expected the Gyron to be a genuine breakthrough that would influence all future car design."
The earliest Gyron sketches were rendered in 1956, but Tremulis renewed his interest in the Gyron after learning of GM's 1959 Firebird III concept, which was hailed as the world's most advanced and most exotic car. Tremulis felt he could do better. At about that time, Tremulis's superiors at Ford assigned new hire Syd Mead to work with Tremulis on the Gyron, and together they convinced Ford to let them build a full-scale version of the car. Because a gyroscope of sufficient size to keep the full-scale Gyron upright proved far too expensive for the show car, a pair of wheels on outriggers were added to the design to keep the Gyron upright on the show stand (copywriters explained them away as necessary at low speeds and noted they'd retract at higher speeds); however, its front wheel did steer via a console-mounted dial, and an electric motor did propel the fiberglass-bodied show car up to about 5 MPH. The Gyron debuted in 1961 and would be one of Tremulis's last projects at Ford, though he would continue to pursue the idea of a two-wheeled gyro car long after he left the company. The fire that destroyed Ford's Rotunda reportedly took the Gyron as well.
Was that car on Bewitched?
Close....but no cigar. It was this monstrosity
1962 Cougar 406
Cougar 406 featured top-hinged, electrically operated gull-wing doors, and came equipped with the new 406 cubic inch V-8. The engine developed 405 horsepower and 448 pound feet of torque. Swing-up headlights were concealed in tips of the fenders. This was the second Ford concept car to wear the Cougar nameplate. The original was a 3/8-scale model from 1956. Mercury first applied the Cougar moniker on a 1967 two-door hardtop pony car, based on the Mustang.
The 1966 Mustang Mustero i never heard of it but apparently there's one for sale at Mecum Kissimmee in a few weeks
https://www.instagram.com/p/CJMhWPkFMla/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
There was this sketch, I don't think it was ever in metal ? by Jack Telnack, that also carried the Cougar name on the tail panel.
Quote from: honker on December 30, 2020, 08:51:48 PM
There was this sketch, I don't think it was ever in metal ? by Jack Telnack, that also carried the Cougar name on the tail panel.
Veey kool thanks for sharing
Hmmmmmm one of approximately fifty made by Beverly Hills Ford.
In our humble opinion one to many.....sacrilege !
We give this contraption an instant "F"
Further more it qualifies for the distinct "Three - H - Club" Horrible, Hideous and Horrendous
Quote from: 68krrrr on December 30, 2020, 07:40:22 PM
The 1966 Mustang Mustero i never heard of it but apparently there's one for sale at Mecum Kissimmee in a few weeks
https://www.instagram.com/p/CJMhWPkFMla/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Lol yea are those the guys that made the continuation 1966 convertible Shelbys,Beverly Hills Ford ?
One must think outside of the box "desirable, future recreational collectibles"
Now to answer your inquiry;
yesah !
Quote from: 68krrrr on December 31, 2020, 10:48:32 AM
Lol yea are those the guys that made the continuation 1966 convertible Shelbys,Beverly Hills Ford ?
Back when old POS Mustangs were plentiful and cheap, waiting to be turned into an expensive pile of junk that no one in their right mind would want.
Quote from: FL SAAC on November 09, 2020, 09:59:25 AM
Mercury XM800
1954 Mercury Monterey XM-800 | Review | SuperCars.net
https://www.supercars.net/blog/1954-mercury-monterey-xm-800/
I saw the XM-800 about two years ago. It was in a private collection.
Here are a few pictures.( Hopefully they will be attached)
^^^^ That's cool it's still around. Didn't know it had been in the Joe Bortz collection.
I was wondering if is/was drivable, or just a roller as many show cars were, then the article in your link answered that question. Thanks.
Quote from: honker on December 30, 2020, 08:51:48 PM
There was this sketch, I don't think it was ever in metal ? by Jack Telnack, that also carried the Cougar name on the tail panel.
Kinda mustang/ charger crash
Quote from: Side-Oilers on December 31, 2020, 02:49:04 PM
Back when old POS Mustangs were plentiful and cheap, waiting to be turned into an expensive pile of junk that no one in their right mind would want.
+ 1
Quote from: Cyclone on January 02, 2021, 12:52:56 AM
Quote from: FL SAAC on November 09, 2020, 09:59:25 AM
Mercury XM800
1954 Mercury Monterey XM-800 | Review | SuperCars.net
https://www.supercars.net/blog/1954-mercury-monterey-xm-800/
I saw the XM-800 about two years ago. It was in a private collection.
Here are a few pictures.( Hopefully they will be attached)
Its beautiful glad it coming back to life
Quote from: Side-Oilers on January 02, 2021, 10:59:11 AM
^^^^ That's cool it's still around. Didn't know it had been in the Joe Bortz collection.
I was wondering if is/was drivable, or just a roller as many show cars were, then the article in your link answered that question. Thanks.
Beautiful ride
Quote from: Side-Oilers on January 02, 2021, 10:59:11 AM
^^^^ That's cool it's still around. Didn't know it had been in the Joe Bortz collection.
I was wondering if is/was drivable, or just a roller as many show cars were, then the article in your link answered that question. Thanks.
When I saw the car it was not in the Bortz collection, Joe might have owned it before I saw it. I am not sure it was in drivable condition, it was in a warehouse with quite a few other interesting vehicles.
Jim
Classic design
Quote from: Cyclone on January 02, 2021, 01:22:49 PM
Quote from: Side-Oilers on January 02, 2021, 10:59:11 AM
^^^^ That's cool it's still around. Didn't know it had been in the Joe Bortz collection.
I was wondering if is/was drivable, or just a roller as many show cars were, then the article in your link answered that question. Thanks.
When I saw the car it was not in the Bortz collection, Joe might have owned it before I saw it. I am not sure it was in drivable condition, it was in a warehouse with quite a few other interesting vehicles.
Jim
The Ford GT90 is a high performance concept car that was developed and manufactured by American car maker Ford. It was unveiled in January 1995 at the Detroit Auto Show. The car is currently on display at Hajek Motorsports Museum
Quote from: 68stangcjfb on February 18, 2020, 05:57:23 PM
In this photo, the Shorty Mustang is on the left in the background.
Beautiful
The new, improved, desirable and beautiful Magic Cruiser
The 1966 Magic Cruiser could be transformed from a fastback to a station wagon and back via hydraulic and electric controls. One of the specifications given to George Barris who was hired by Ford to build the car was that the movable roof section rise within seven seconds. A series of aircraft hydraulic systems, screw jacks, and a switch on the dash made that possible. Lowering the tailgate allowed for easy entry to a rear-facing third seat, and like on Ford's production station wagons, the second and third seats could be folded down for addition cargo storage.
In front, the two-door hardtop LTD-based Magic Cruiser had one-piece tempered glass headlights, shaved door handles, and a set of Western wire mag wheels. It was painted a custom-mixed "Gold Sunset" and the interior was two-toned with pleated vinyl and lamb's wool carpeting. Under the hood was the new 428.
This show car was probably re-skinned to become the Magic Cruiser II the following year.
One of the ways FoMoCo promoted its new 1967 full-sized cars was with a couple of show cars christened Magic Cruiser II and XL Interceptor. The Magic Cruiser II built by George Barris was, as Ford described it, a "super fastback" that could be turned into a station wagon when the fastback section of the roof and two special window-side panels were electrically raised. It was possibly built from the original Magic Cruiser shown during 1966.
Not a concept or experimental vehicle, this was at the '64 N.Y. World fair, part of the Ford Magic Skyway, Auto Parts Harmonic
Orchestra, made up of Ford parts. Pretty neat !
Quote from: honker on March 10, 2021, 09:10:47 PM
Not a concept or experimental vehicle, this was at the '64 N.Y. World fair, part of the Ford Magic Skyway, Auto Parts Harmonic
Orchestra, made up of Ford parts. Pretty neat !
Very kool, thank you
Ford Division's 1966 Ranger II is an ultra-modern pickup truck with a custom designed passenger compartment. Seen as a two-seater vehicle in the above photo, the Ranger II converts into a four-passenger pickup (below) at the flick of a finger. The rear portion of the cab moves 18-inches into the bed of the truck while a roof section moves up into position and two additional bucket seats fall into place. The Ranger II's ultra-streamlined windshield is made of specially tempered plastic-type glass. It also features high intensity headlights of rectangular design, extruded aluminum grille and walnut flooring in the cargo bed.
Quote from: FL SAAC on February 20, 2020, 06:27:11 PM
Ford Maverick Estate (1970)
Ford exhibited the Maverick Estate Coupe concept vehicle at the 1971 Chicago Auto Show.
I have driven that concept car! Was shipped into Buffalo for the auto show, the FoMoCo driver left the the truck in in the lot an flew home. Forgot to leave keys for the truck. Several calls to Ford transport got the key code for the C600 but the lock on the body was an issue. The Sears at the mall where the show was held provided a cutter that removed the lock. Dropped the ramps and did many laps of the mall lot with the tail end hung out.
Quote from: FL SAAC on April 29, 2020, 08:10:03 AM
Ford Prima the versatile transformer
Prima's concept was for interchanging roof sections that would transform the shape and functionality of the vehicle. Its character could change into a pickup, station wagon, fastback coupe or two-door notchback. It was shown with a red exterior and beige interior.
Have driven the Prima as well.
Quote from: mark iv on March 16, 2021, 08:04:13 PM
Quote from: FL SAAC on April 29, 2020, 08:10:03 AM
Ford Prima the versatile transformer
Prima's concept was for interchanging roof sections that would transform the shape and functionality of the vehicle. Its character could change into a pickup, station wagon, fastback coupe or two-door notchback. It was shown with a red exterior and beige interior.
Have driven the Prima as well.
+1
Very fortunate
Quote from: mark iv on March 16, 2021, 07:56:28 PM
Quote from: FL SAAC on February 20, 2020, 06:27:11 PM
Ford Maverick Estate (1970)
Ford exhibited the Maverick Estate Coupe concept vehicle at the 1971 Chicago Auto Show.
I have driven that concept car! Was shipped into Buffalo for the auto show, the FoMoCo driver left the the truck in in the lot an flew home. Forgot to leave keys for the truck. Several calls to Ford transport got the key code for the C600 but the lock on the body was an issue. The Sears at the mall where the show was held provided a cutter that removed the lock. Dropped the ramps and did many laps of the mall lot with the tail end hung out.
1967 Ford Allegro II Concept
Ford stressed that its dream cars, particularly the Allegro, were essentially existing production unibody platforms upon which new design features could be tested. "This "idea car" incorporates many new design features tailored to existing engine, drive line and frame components," Ford intoned as it described the purpose behind the Allegro. Later, Ford restyled – some would say ruined – the Allegro by turning it into a roadster.
The front end of the Allegro (from this angle) looks kind of like a 1970-71 Camaro RS with a Firebird grille.
Quote from: Side-Oilers on April 08, 2021, 04:37:08 PM
The front end of the Allegro (from this angle) looks kind of like a 1970-71 Camaro RS with a Firebird grille.
The front looks more like a Chevy Vega to me.
Steve
Quote from: SFM6S087 on April 09, 2021, 06:25:46 PM
Quote from: Side-Oilers on April 08, 2021, 04:37:08 PM
The front end of the Allegro (from this angle) looks kind of like a 1970-71 Camaro RS with a Firebird grille.
The front looks more like a Chevy Vega to me.
Steve
both great automotive examples.....
The lovely 1981-82 Ford AFV
Ford AFV: This aerodynamically optimized two-seater can be driven with various fuels. At the Geneva Motor Show, it is available in a natural gas version that can be filled up at home. A small compressor compresses the gas and fills it in the 122 liter pressure container behind the seats. That is enough for about 340 kilometres. Simply stunning
Early glimpse of the Taurus nose.
Ford Muroc concept model
The 1950 Muroc. In addition to the exotic fender styling, one of the most unique features is the speedometer located across the base of the windshield.
However the grill of this Muroc, could have easily inspired the design of electric shavers.
Quote from: FL SAAC on May 11, 2021, 06:13:43 PM
Ford Muroc concept model
The 1950 Muroc. In addition to the exotic fender styling, one of the most unique features is the speedometer located across the base of the windshield.
However the grill of this Muroc, could have easily inspired the design of electric shavers.
The shape looks like something a 12-year-old in the 1960s would have built from the AMT model kit that "Let's you customize your car three ways!"
Good idea to sell car models, but it looks like that kid at Ford Advanced Design used every part in the box, all at the same time.
Quote from: Side-Oilers on May 11, 2021, 11:16:22 PM
Quote from: FL SAAC on May 11, 2021, 06:13:43 PM
Ford Muroc concept model
The 1950 Muroc. In addition to the exotic fender styling, one of the most unique features is the speedometer located across the base of the windshield.
However the grill of this Muroc, could have easily inspired the design of electric shavers.
The shape looks like something a 12-year-old in the 1960s would have built from the AMT model kit that "Let's you customize your car three ways!"
Good idea to sell car models, but it looks like that kid at Ford Advanced Design used every part in the box, all at the same time.
You are correct LMAO !
Ford Division's Ranger III, is an ultra-modern pickup truck with a custom-designed passenger compartment. The vehicle converts in seconds from a conventional two-passenger pickup (top) to a four-passenger pickup/sedan combination (bottom). Other Ranger III "better ideas" include a power-operated hood that can be opened from inside the vehicle and hydraulic aircraft-type canopy doors that operate at the turn of a key.
Debuting at the 1962 Chicago show, the Ford Cougar 406 featured top-hinged, electrically operated gull-wing doors, and came equipped with the new 406 cubic inch V-8. The engine developed 405 horsepower and 448 pound feet of torque. Swing-up headlights were concealed in tips of the fenders. This was the second Ford concept car to wear the Cougar nameplate. The original was a 3/8-scale model from 1956. Mercury first applied the Cougar moniker on a 1967 two-door hardtop pony car, based on the Mustang.
"Cougar" was an experimental Ford built on a T-Bird chassis, with fuel injection. This car was designed in Gil Spear's studio in 1954, largely by Samsen, whose original concept sketches are shown below.
1958 Ford De Paolo
I
Though Tremulis didn't design the 1956 DePaolo 3/8-scale model, another of Tremulis's designs (the DePalma), inspired Buzz Grisinger to submit the DePaolo design for Ford's Stylerama program. Named for Peter DePaolo, Indy 500 winner and, later, Ford racing coordinator, the design – which looks to borrow much from contemporary Bonneville streamliners and "represent an inversion of the form most typical of American automotive styling," according to the Farrells – eventually became the catalyst for Robert McNamara's interchangeability program, which aimed to reduce costs by creating common body panels across the Ford, Mercury and Edsel model lines.
The Farrells credit Tremulis with a number of other concept cars as well, including the aforementioned DePalma and X-1000, the 1954 Mexico, the 1954 Taj Mahal, the 1955 Madam X, the 1956 999 dragster, the late 1950s Wind Brake Car, the 1956 Scorpion and the 1961 Astrion. He would found his own consulting and design firm after leaving Ford.
1963 Ford Allegro Fastback Coupe Concept
The Allegro — the first of the second-generation X-Cars, fashioned in late 1962 — was based upon the earlier DeLaRossa Avventura design and built on a Falcon unibody.
Originally painted a delicate metallic gold, it established design elements that would heavily influence Ford styling throughout the Sixties: An isolated, centrally-mounted grille with satellite headlights, a long frontal aspect, and a short-coupled fastback roof line. The Allegro's rear fender treatment mimicked the 1961-1963 Thunderbird design and anticipated the styling of the production British Ford Cortina later in the decade. Moreover, the Allegro"s fastback styling established the basic configuration for the later production Mustang fastback, and clearly traced its rear quarter panel treatment to a 1957 Ford Styling Studio exercise during the original Falcon's development effort. Prominently featured in Styling, a beautiful book on automotive design published by Ford in 1963, the Allegro was described as a "...practical dream car, developed jointly by stylists and engineers." In Styling, Ford went on to further describe the Allegro as:
"Symbolizing sleekness, motion and, as its name indicates, brisk and lively performance, the Allegro is distinguished by a long hood, compact passenger compartment and a "fastback" roof line with grille waste gates in the fender area."
The Allegro presented a Cobra-esque front end design, and presaged the later production Mustang fastback roof. The small, vestigal fin picked up elements of the '61-'63 Thunderbirds, also.
Though the proportions on the front clip were exaggerated, the fastback roof had clear influence on the first-generation, 1965 Mustang fastback. There were two Allegros built: a red-painted fiberglas mule that appeared in a 1964 Mustang promotional film, and this fully-functional car.
El Gato
Sporting a bold lime green paint job, El Gato (Spanish for "The Cat") was produced as a styling exercise for a futuristic-looking Cougar. Note the shaved door handles, chopped roof, and ultracool three-spoke 16″ wheels with new-at-the-time Goodyear Polyglass radials. To say this Cat was before its time would be a serious understatement.
While the front end merged styling from both the Cougar and the GTO, it still projected an evil stance. Note how the limited flat black striping ends inside the molded-on hood scoop. Also, the front and rear pans were rolled a very advanced looking feature in an era of chrome bumpers. This was the first ever fastback Cougar.
At the rear, LTD-style taillamps were broken at the left by the racing-style gas filler cap. The square center-exit exhaust tips lended a very unique air to the car. It is not known if El Gato still exists but it's presumed to have been destroyed (standard Ford practice for show vehicles at the time).
Quote from: FL SAAC on July 28, 2021, 11:33:05 AM
Sporting a bold lime green paint job, El Gato (Spanish for "The Cat") was produced as a styling exercise for a futuristic-looking Cougar. Note the shaved door handles, chopped roof, and ultracool three-spoke 16″ wheels with new-at-the-time Goodyear Polyglass radials. To say this Cat was before its time would be a serious understatement.
While the front end merged styling from both the Cougar and the GTO, it still projected an evil stance. Note how the limited flat black striping ends inside the molded-on hood scoop. Also, the front and rear pans were rolled a very advanced looking feature in an era of chrome bumpers. This was the first ever fastback Cougar.
At the rear, LTD-style taillamps were broken at the left by the racing-style gas filler cap. The square center-exit exhaust tips lended a very unique air to the car. It is not known if El Gato still exists but it's presumed to have been destroyed (standard Ford practice for show vehicles at the time).
That is jaw dropping beautiful! I bet they did not make that because of one word. "Mustang"
I like everything but the gas cap in the taillights. Kills the design flow. Pretty bitchin otherwise.
1969 Ranchero Scrambler, Chicago show. Weird perspectives in this shot, is the car that huge, or is the man behind the drivers
door in the distance :o
Quote from: 68krrrr on December 31, 2020, 10:48:32 AM
Lol yea are those the guys that made the continuation 1966 convertible Shelbys,Beverly Hills Ford ?
Jay Brunk who owned Beverly Hills Mustang - a "restoration" shop (not a Ford dealer and no connection to FMC) that did very poor work. It was either him or Ole' Shel himself that dreamed up the idea to build 12 convertibles. Shelby would get 4, Brunk would get 4 and the other 4 would be sold to pay the tab for all 12 cars. This was the event that Shelby renewed his Auto Manufacturer license for. I knew a guy working at Shelby's at the time and he said he had to spend a week or two on each car they got to make them presentable and reliable. As a condition of them be eligible for being "New" they were required to install either 80 or 90% (I forget which) of NOS parts (didn't happen).
Quote from: 98SVT - was 06GT on August 11, 2021, 01:16:40 PM
Quote from: 68krrrr on December 31, 2020, 10:48:32 AM
Lol yea are those the guys that made the continuation 1966 convertible Shelbys,Beverly Hills Ford ?
Jay Brunk who owned Beverly Hills Mustang - a "restoration" shop (not a Ford dealer and no connection to FMC) that did very poor work. It was either him or Ole' Shel himself that dreamed up the idea to build 12 convertibles. Shelby would get 4, Brunk would get 4 and the other 4 would be sold to pay the tab for all 12 cars. This was the event that Shelby renewed his Auto Manufacturer license for. I knew a guy working at Shelby's at the time and he said he had to spend a week or two on each car they got to make them presentable and reliable. As a condition of them be eligible for being "New" they were required to install either 80 or 90% (I forget which) of NOS parts (didn't happen).
So in essence this commences the start of the "continuation cars" or as I call them the fakaroos, fobras, etc
Now this is one cool kitty
1963 Ford-Mercury Cougar II Concept Vignale
In the 1963 Ford shown the third Cougar dream car, it was called Cougar II. This very handsome two-passenger GT sports car would have made a timely contender to the popular Corvette String Ray. (Ford explained that GT, or gran turismo, is a term usually applied to two-seat coupes designed for super highways.) Cougar II featured a fastback roof, conceaied "pop-up" headlamps, and a serious, fully instrumented interior.
Powertrain was a high-performance 260 cu. in. V-8 engine that connected a four-speed transmission with a console-mounted gearshift lever. It was claimed that Cougar II was engineered to reach speeds in the 170 miles-an-hour range. When interior air pressure exceeded 15 pounds per square inch, a reliefpanel across the rear of the passenger compartment opened automatically.
This panel was required, since there was the possibility that at high speeds, the extreme pressure against the rear window might blow it out. Cougar also had a unique spring-loaded window-lift mechanism that allowed adjustment to the curved side windows.
The Cougar II, the third of the X-Car group, was named after the Cougar I which preceded it by a scant 18 months. It was the most radical of the first three show cars and was not based upon an established Ford platform. Instead, the iridescent candy red car was constructed on AC-Cobra tube frame (Chassis #CSX2004) obtained from the newly-created Carroll Shelby Enterprises in California. However, the chassis set up had to be modified: To clear the hood, the high-performance 289 Ford engine was moved rearward in the chassis. Intended as a response to the powerful and lithe Ferrari, it was the most competition-oriented of the first three X-Cars.
The Cobra II was probably the most beautiful of the three X-Cars, but was the least influential in terms of styling. This fastback coupe was designed before the Corvette Stingray. Built on a Cobra frame, the 289 K-Code powered car and wire wheels set a styling standard that was hard to replicate. The candy-red car still exists today
One of the scarcest of all Edsels is the 1960 Ranger convertible, of which 76 were produced. It's prized today, but interestingly, it's also the most conventional of the breed. Facing a backlash against the Edselness of its Edsels, Ford instituted a hasty redesign for the 1960 model year, which would be the ill-fated marque's last.The trademark horse collar grille was gone, replaced with a more conventionally styled horizontal layout. Edsel's once mind-numbingly numerous models and styles were further pared down--a process that began in the 1959 model year. For 1960, there were just seven configurations offered: four-door sedan, two-door sedan, four-door hardtop, two-door hardtop, six- and nine-passenger wagons and the convertible. The full-figured Corsair line was eliminated (the Citation never returned after 1958), so all of the '60 Edsels were either Rangers or Villager station wagons.
Ford Division's Ranger III, a refined version of the Ranger II introduced last year, is an ultra-modern pickup truck with a custom-designed passenger compartment. The vehicle converts in seconds from a conventional two-passenger pickup (top) to a four-passenger pickup/sedan combination (bottom). Other Ranger III "better ideas" include a power-operated hood that can be opened from inside the vehicle and hydraulic aircraft-type canopy doors that operate at the turn of a ke
1968 Ford Fiera
The 1968 XL-based Fiera featured several styling modifications. Among these were a lowered roofline which altered the angles of the front and rear windshields resulting in a very sleek looking car. The mostly stock-looking grille was deeply recessed and had auxiliary rectangular driving lights positioned on either side of the stock grille divider. Under the louvered hood was a 428. Vent windows, side moldings, front side marker lamps, and rear side reflectors were deleted. Racing-style outside mirrors replaced the stock units. The rear wheel openings were enlarged a bit and a pair of brake cooling vents was installed just ahead of the rear wheels. Wide-oval white wall tires were fitted to a set of custom wheels. A wide trunk molding extended to the taillights; the extensions replaced the stock back-up lamp assemblies.
The 1968 Techna, an engineering experimental car with more than 50 new ideas in safety, electronics, powertrain layout, and body and chassis design, has been unveiled by Ford Motor Co. Harold C. MacDonald, engineering vice president, explained the car's doors push straight out instead of swinging on hinges and over all it gives engineers "an opportunity to evaluate innovations realistically and to decide which ones have the most promise for future products"
1968 Ford Thunderbird Saturn Show Car
The 1968 Thunderbird Saturn Show Car started as a design exercise at the Ford Design Center in Dearborn, Michigan, and when approved for assembly, began its life as an ordinary 1968 Thunderbird Tudor Hardtop. The modifications to the stock car were done in California, and the car was kept under lock and key until it debuted at the 45th Annual Southern California Automobile Show, which was held at the Pan Pacific Auditorium in Los Angeles. The changes it underwent from stock to show car were fairly simple, especially when compared to other show cars. Ford lowered the roof two inches, and in a preview of things to come, added a sloping fastback roofline which would appear on the 1970 Thunderbird two door models in a slightly toned down form. The hood was extended four inches to emphasize the long, low look of the car. The grille section remained mostly stock, but the head lights were concealed behind clear covers, which gave them a European look. Door handles were removed and concealed up near the beltline. To open the door, pressing on one side of the panel that concealed the handle allowed the panel to open, revealing the handle.
One of the most unique features of the show car was the concealed back up lights. When not in use, they were flush with the rear quarter panels. When the transmission selector lever was moved to "Reverse," the light assemblies popped out from their housings to illuminate the area behind and to the side of the car. When the tranny lever was moved out of "Reverse" the lights swung back to a concealed position in the rear quarter panels. These lights were mounted just below the mid-body line, under the stock 1965-1967 Thunderbird script, which was mounted just above the mid-body line. A Saturn nameplate was also affixed to each rear quarter panel, next to the Thunderbird script. Up front, the slender front turn indicators wrapped around the outboard edges of the hood. The exterior was finished in an iridescent Candy Apple Red finish.
Inside, individually contoured front bucket seats with built-in head rests appeared, another preview of things to come in 1970. The interior was upholstered in a red knitted vinyl, sewn in a wide waffle pattern. This same vinyl material was also used in some production Mustangs at the time. The custom center console between the front seats contained a Trip Programmer, another peek into the future!
Although many show cars are doomed to destruction when they've served their duty, it is believed that the Saturn may have actually survived
Neat looking show car.
I can't recall seeing it before, even though I would've been at the LA Auto Show with my dad that year. (I was probably distracted by the Shelbys.)
"The grille section remained mostly stock" Huh? It almost gave me parallax vertigo looking straight-on at that weird grille.
Indeed it's very kool. What caught my interest was this:
One of the most unique features of the show car was the concealed back up lights. When not in use, they were flush with the rear quarter panels. When the transmission selector lever was moved to "Reverse," the light assemblies popped out from their housings to illuminate the area behind and to the side of the car
Quote from: Side-Oilers on October 27, 2021, 10:54:14 PM
Neat looking show car.
I can't recall seeing it before, even though I would've been at the LA Auto Show with my dad that year. (I was probably distracted by the Shelbys.)
"The grille section remained mostly stock" Huh? It almost gave me parallax vertigo looking straight-on at that weird grille.
Quote from: FL SAAC on October 28, 2021, 08:32:21 AM
Indeed it's very kool. What caught my interest was this:
One of the most unique features of the show car was the concealed back up lights. When not in use, they were flush with the rear quarter panels. When the transmission selector lever was moved to "Reverse," the light assemblies popped out from their housings to illuminate the area behind and to the side of the car
Quote from: Side-Oilers on October 27, 2021, 10:54:14 PM
Neat looking show car.
I can't recall seeing it before, even though I would've been at the LA Auto Show with my dad that year. (I was probably distracted by the Shelbys.)
"The grille section remained mostly stock" Huh? It almost gave me parallax vertigo looking straight-on at that weird grille.
Ford did know and understand it's market. The show car could never work in real life.
You wouldn't be able to wear your fedora and smoke your cigar.
I do find the gold custom colors very appropriate to the show cars and acknowledge that they aren't so in real life production. I find that a strange contradiction.
I think of the Mangusta show car with the glass roof like that. It's the only one every produced and to this day no one can match the exact color.
That El Gato with the girl in the picture could have gone against the Buick Riveria and WON!
Super Cobra Vignale, 1969
Starting with a 1969 Fairlane, the Super Cobra SportsRoof show car was lowered 2-inches and the front clip was stretched by 8-inches. Concealed headlights, wall-to-wall taillights, black metal louvers, and slant back windshield added to the racy exterior. The high performance 428 cubic inch V-8 engine powered the Super Cobra, and featured a tall shaker air scoop that poked through the hood. Custom interior was finished in candy-murano and hot red to compliment the red exterior.
Continuing with our refreshing educational program, here you have the Ford Mach 2 was design by Larry Shinoda in 1970 as a challenger to the Chevrolet Corvette. It did not however meet production. The car was based on a De Tomaso Pantera chassis and engine. The rear design was influneced by the 1962 Corvair Monza GT. The Mach II project was abandonned when Ford teamed up with De Tomaso to sell the Pantera in the USA through there Lincoln-Mercury dealer network, which was cheaper than developing this car. Larry Shinoda left Ford soon after designing this car and went on to set up his own Comapny, Shinoda Design Associates.
I realize that you are probably just reading data from another source but the Pantera doesn't have a chassis. It is monocoque. It is one big tub of sheet metal.
You can't make it into a flip top without reinventing it.
The rear uprights are just sheet metal reinforcements of the rear fenders and it essentially has an integral sub frame in the rear.
If you told me that it was a tube chassis much like that of a coil spring Cobra, I'd believe that and with a molded fiberglass body.
That is correct following script, thanks for the correction much appreciated.
Quote from: shelbydoug on November 22, 2021, 03:57:24 PM
I realize that you are probably just reading data from another source but the Pantera doesn't have a chassis. It is monocoque. It is one big tub of sheet metal.
You can't make it into a flip top without reinventing it.
The rear uprights are just sheet metal reinforcements of the rear fenders and it essentially has an integral sub frame in the rear.
If you told me that it was a tube chassis much like that of a coil spring Cobra, I'd believe that and with a molded fiberglass body.
Quote from: FL SAAC on November 22, 2021, 03:59:54 PM
That is correct following script, thanks for the correction much appreciated.
Quote from: shelbydoug on November 22, 2021, 03:57:24 PM
I realize that you are probably just reading data from another source but the Pantera doesn't have a chassis. It is monocoque. It is one big tub of sheet metal.
You can't make it into a flip top without reinventing it.
The rear uprights are just sheet metal reinforcements of the rear fenders and it essentially has an integral sub frame in the rear.
If you told me that it was a tube chassis much like that of a coil spring Cobra, I'd believe that and with a molded fiberglass body.
I see the influences in the design from the GT40 a little but not much else? Show me a complete car that Shinoda actually did other then adding stripes, louvres and scoops to? Is there one?
The 1970 Maverick Estate Coupe
Ford exhibited the Maverick Estate Coupe concept vehicle at the 1971 Chicago Auto Show. The Estate Coupe had a dark green padded "Landaulet" roof over the rear seating, and the body finished in limefire green. That unique color used a subtle gold-flake base, and complimented the avocado interior. Cast magnesium wheels had spoke design reminiscent of the classic wire wheels.
More elegant puctures of the very desirable 1970 Maverick Estate Coupe
What fascinating and breathtaking vehicle
That is very cool....
Has that Gazzelle look? Not sure of my spelling.
Looks like the result of a joke challenge between the Maverick's designers.
Designer Clem: "Okay, who can make the Mav look even worse?"
Designer Jed: "We already designed a four-door, but it still isn't hideous enough."
Designer Goob: "I got it! Gimme a minute to sketch this beauty out!"
BTW: No disrespect to the Maverick Grabber 302. I think that's actually pretty cool.
Quote from: Side-Oilers on November 23, 2021, 11:55:08 AM
Looks like the result of a joke challenge between the Maverick's designers.
Designer Clem: "Okay, who can make the Mav look even worse?"
Designer Jed: "We already designed a four-door, but it still isn't hideous enough."
Designer Goob: "I got it! Gimme a minute to sketch this beauty out!"
BTW: No disrespect to the Maverick Grabber 302. I think that's actually pretty cool.
I think that in some cases these "design studies" are just to keep the designers busy.
It's like the military. If the platoon has nothing to do, you take them out in the woods and have them dig a hole. When you think that you are about half way through, you have them fill it up.
If the enemy happens to be watching, even better. Let them try to figure out what the hole is for?
Same thought process with the cars.
This turns out to be more mysterious than Mithras
Quote from: shelbydoug on November 23, 2021, 12:07:00 PM
Quote from: Side-Oilers on November 23, 2021, 11:55:08 AM
Looks like the result of a joke challenge between the Maverick's designers.
Designer Clem: "Okay, who can make the Mav look even worse?"
Designer Jed: "We already designed a four-door, but it still isn't hideous enough."
Designer Goob: "I got it! Gimme a minute to sketch this beauty out!"
BTW: No disrespect to the Maverick Grabber 302. I think that's actually pretty cool.
I think that in some cases these "design studies" are just to keep the designers busy.
It's like the military. If the platoon has nothing to do, you take them out in the woods and have them dig a hole. When you think that you are about half way through, you have them fill it up.
If the enemy happens to be watching, even better. Let them try to figure out what the hole is for?
Same thought process with the cars.
Quote from: FL SAAC on November 27, 2021, 08:41:28 AM
This turns out to be more mysterious than Mithras
Quote from: shelbydoug on November 23, 2021, 12:07:00 PM
Quote from: Side-Oilers on November 23, 2021, 11:55:08 AM
Looks like the result of a joke challenge between the Maverick's designers.
Designer Clem: "Okay, who can make the Mav look even worse?"
Designer Jed: "We already designed a four-door, but it still isn't hideous enough."
Designer Goob: "I got it! Gimme a minute to sketch this beauty out!"
BTW: No disrespect to the Maverick Grabber 302. I think that's actually pretty cool.
I think that in some cases these "design studies" are just to keep the designers busy.
It's like the military. If the platoon has nothing to do, you take them out in the woods and have them dig a hole. When you think that you are about half way through, you have them fill it up.
If the enemy happens to be watching, even better. Let them try to figure out what the hole is for?
Same thought process with the cars.
Iranian's have nothing to do with it. Romans had an opinion on everyone. If they didn't like you, you got crucified.
Actually, that's incorrect. It wasn't Iran then. It was Persia, but no problem. We'll crucify you anyway, just for the Hell of it. Those troops needed to be kept busy. There was only so much burning, looting and raping you could do.
Not quite the same thing as a military excavation exercise.
The car / truck that never was, 1964 Mercury Ranchero
Mustang concepts article.
https://www.hotcars.com/60s-mustang-concepts-show-wild-paths/
1969 Ford Aurora II Station Wagon
That looks more like something from 1974.
It's a '69-70. I doubt it was from 1964...even as a concept car.
Pretty cool interior...sorta like Dean Martin/Matt Helm's Mercury Colony Park.
Gentlemen you are correct that is the 1969 version the Aurora II
The Aurora II takes the large wagon of the era and really re-evaluates how it can best be used. The two rows of big bench seats aren't really the best use of that interior space, are they? They just chop the interior of the car up into two stubby little half-rooms, using the same basic rules of cramming people into carsthat railcars have been using since the 1850s.
And I think the Aurora II did find a better way. Perhaps inspired by the flexible interiors of cars like the Stout Scarab, the Aurora II sacrifices driver's side rear access for a nice large pair of suicide doors on the passenger's side. Without a dividing B-pillar, the doors reveal a vast, unbroken space.
The rear bench has grown into a wraparound couch that curves and follows the other side of the car, leaving a nice large open area in the middle. The passenger's seat has become a Captain's Chair, and can swivel to engage the seating area in the back of the car, instead of being locked down, uselessly staring out the windshield.
The result was a car interior that felt like a room interior, and was airy and inviting and fun. The rear luggage area appears to be padded and upholstered as well, for more seating, but the real action is in this swank white-leather lounge lurking behind the woodgrain.
This is the 1964 Aurora Station wagon
The 1950s and 1960s are considered by many to be the golden era of car production in the U.S. High standards of production, combined with stiff competition, and innovative design made this period a time when most of what are the desirable classic cars were built. A common part of publicity of many car companies of the era was to design concept cars. These models often had extremely high-tech features, only a handful of which would ever be incorporated into production car designs. Instead, concept cars showed what was possible and were made in limited numbers as bellwethers of how cutting edge a car company truly was. And, in 1964 Ford came out with a station wagon to beat all other station wagons.
Ford GN34
In the era of the original Acura NSX, the Lotus Esprit, the DeLorean, and even the Pontiac Fierro, wedged, mid-engined sports cars were bursting onto the scene. Some of which (Acura, Lotus) took the fight directly to Ferrari. Others (DeLorean, Fierro), failed to really take off. As for Ford Motor Company, there was an incredible mid-engined sports car in the works that would have been a retrolicious predecessor to the mighty Ford GT supercar we see today. Internally, it was called the Ford GN34, and it almost happened.
Early Design And Engineering
It began as just an idea from some of Ford's top brass as they wanted a sports car to rival the mid-engine Ferrari 328 and Honda's developing NSX but also wanted it to be affordable enough for the average person to buy. That being the case, part of the Ford GN34 market strategy was to kill off the iconic Ford Mustang, which didn't carry the same prestige as it does today, and slot this mid-engined sports car in its place. Can you imagine?
As for its looks, Ford also thought that designing the vehicle outside of the United States would ultimately make the GN34 perceived as more exotic than just a Corvette rival, they wanted it to be more "special." So, they phoned up Italdesign (founded by the legendary Giorgetto Giugiaro)
Upon searching far and wide for an engineering partner, Roush Engineering eventually rose to the top, coming up with an actual prototype based on the DeTomaso Pantera. Under the hood, the Ford GN34 was supposed to utilize a Yamaha built SHO V6 engine, which was actually used in the 1989-1991 Ford Taurus SHO. Yup, just as the Ford GT utilizes a EcoBoost today, Ford was tinkering with boosted V6 engines over 30 years ago.
Yet Ford didn't seem too keen on the Italdesign proposal anymore, so they continued to shop around for design houses, eventually landing on equally Italian Ghia. Except Ghia was actually a Ford subsidiary, and the design mock up they presented scored just as high as Ferraris did in the customer research clinics. It's the red one below. Maybe it's just the color, but you can see the Ferrari (and second-gen Esprit if we're honest) themes applied here.
The End Of The Ford GN34 Program
The decision to approve or deny the Ford GN34 program climaxed at a meeting in California where presentations were made on the mid-engined sports car, with the legendary Bob Lutz in the room. Yes, Lutz was a Ford executive, as well.
Maximum Bob decided it would be better to develop a four-door vehicle based on the Ford Bronco II, and call it an SUV. His thinking was it was more practical and easier to sell to existing Ford customers. With this decision, the GN34 program went stillborn, and resources were allocated to this new SUV program, while the Ford Mustang stayed alive.
This vehicle became known as the Ford Explorer.
Where is the Ford GN34 today? If you want to see it, the mid-engined sports car is at the Roush Museum in Livonia, Michigan.
^^^ I see some Mitsubishi Starion in there, too.
Quote from: FL SAAC on November 22, 2021, 03:47:40 PM
Continuing with our refreshing educational program, here you have the Ford Mach 2 was design by Larry Shinoda in 1970 as a challenger to the Chevrolet Corvette. It did not however meet production. The car was based on a De Tomaso Pantera chassis and engine. The rear design was influneced by the 1962 Corvair Monza GT. The Mach II project was abandonned when Ford teamed up with De Tomaso to sell the Pantera in the USA through there Lincoln-Mercury dealer network, which was cheaper than developing this car. Larry Shinoda left Ford soon after designing this car and went on to set up his own Comapny, Shinoda Design Associates.
The RED car is interesting, now I know where Steve Saleen got his ideas from.
Quote from: 67 GT350 on March 22, 2022, 10:38:36 AM
Quote from: FL SAAC on November 22, 2021, 03:47:40 PM
Continuing with our refreshing educational program, here you have the Ford Mach 2 was design by Larry Shinoda in 1970 as a challenger to the Chevrolet Corvette. It did not however meet production. The car was based on a De Tomaso Pantera chassis and engine. The rear design was influneced by the 1962 Corvair Monza GT. The Mach II project was abandonned when Ford teamed up with De Tomaso to sell the Pantera in the USA through there Lincoln-Mercury dealer network, which was cheaper than developing this car. Larry Shinoda left Ford soon after designing this car and went on to set up his own Comapny, Shinoda Design Associates.
The RED car is interesting, now I know where Steve Saleen got his ideas from.
+ 1
Ford 1968 Machete
Torino Machete is a racy new idea car from Ford Division. A modified version of the 1968 Fairlane Torino GT Fastback, the show car was created at the Ford Design Center in Dearborn, Mich. It has a special two-tone "pearlescent" white and silver finish. The unusual grille features twin horizontal black air scoops. Headlamps are concealed behind electrically operated doors. Roof pillars have been widened to provide additional privacy for rear seat passengers. Machete's taillights are flush with the lower portion of the deck panel, and concealed by white coated lenses. With light off, the taillamps are hidden, blending smoothly into the white rear panel.
1969 Ford Ranchero Scrambler
Ranchero Scrambler, a show car version of Ford Division's Ranchero pickup, features a high, through-the-hood "shaker" air sсoop, extended roof panels which create a tunnel-back effect and a unique tailgate with a built in spoiler and full-width taillights. A novel extra with this Scrambler is a set of "his" and "her" mini motor bikes mounted in the pickup box.
Under the familiar Shaker hood scoop was a 428 CID Cobra Jet V8, coupled to a C6 three-speed automatic transmission with its console-mounted shifter nestled between a pair of black vinyl bucket seats. Goodyear F60 Polyglas tires rode on Kelsey Hayes Magstar 15×7 wheels borrowed from the Shelby Mustang parts bin, dressed up with custom center caps wearing the Ranchero longhorn emblem.
Ford Fairlane (Torino) Super Cobra Vignale, 1969
Super Cobra is a show car version of the 1969 Fairlane's "going thing" in performance, the Cobra. It features a unique two-part grille, a tall, wide shaker airscoop and a louvred backlite. The airscoop is a modification of the Cobra's airscoop, allowing cool, above-the-hood air to rush directly into the air cleaner, giving a power boost from the engine. The Super Cobra is powered by Ford's 335-horsepower, 428 cubic-inch-displacement Cobra Jet Ram Air engine, a popular option in the hot new car.
Public Relations, Ford Division
Starting with a 1969 Fairlane, the Super Cobra SportsRoof show car was lowered 2-inches and the front clip was stretched by 8-inches. Concealed headlights, wall-to-wall taillights, black metal louvers, and slant back windshield added to the racy exterior. The high performance 428 cubic inch V-8 engine powered the Super Cobra, and featured a tall shaker air scoop that poked through the hood. Custom interior was finished in candy-murano and hot red to compliment the red exterior.
I think the name "super Charger" would fit better?
I remember seeing the Super Cobra at a car show in Atlanta back in the day. The main thing I remember is the door handles were on the top of the door instead of the side... :)
TOB
Quote from: FL SAAC on March 21, 2022, 08:21:33 PM
Ford GN34
In the era of the original Acura NSX, the Lotus Esprit, the DeLorean, and even the Pontiac Fierro, wedged, mid-engined sports cars were bursting onto the scene. Some of which (Acura, Lotus) took the fight directly to Ferrari. Others (DeLorean, Fierro), failed to really take off. As for Ford Motor Company, there was an incredible mid-engined sports car in the works that would have been a retrolicious predecessor to the mighty Ford GT supercar we see today. Internally, it was called the Ford GN34, and it almost happened.
Early Design And Engineering
It began as just an idea from some of Ford's top brass as they wanted a sports car to rival the mid-engine Ferrari 328 and Honda's developing NSX but also wanted it to be affordable enough for the average person to buy. That being the case, part of the Ford GN34 market strategy was to kill off the iconic Ford Mustang, which didn't carry the same prestige as it does today, and slot this mid-engined sports car in its place. Can you imagine?
As for its looks, Ford also thought that designing the vehicle outside of the United States would ultimately make the GN34 perceived as more exotic than just a Corvette rival, they wanted it to be more "special." So, they phoned up Italdesign (founded by the legendary Giorgetto Giugiaro)
Upon searching far and wide for an engineering partner, Roush Engineering eventually rose to the top, coming up with an actual prototype based on the DeTomaso Pantera. Under the hood, the Ford GN34 was supposed to utilize a Yamaha built SHO V6 engine, which was actually used in the 1989-1991 Ford Taurus SHO. Yup, just as the Ford GT utilizes a EcoBoost today, Ford was tinkering with boosted V6 engines over 30 years ago.
Yet Ford didn't seem too keen on the Italdesign proposal anymore, so they continued to shop around for design houses, eventually landing on equally Italian Ghia. Except Ghia was actually a Ford subsidiary, and the design mock up they presented scored just as high as Ferraris did in the customer research clinics. It's the red one below. Maybe it's just the color, but you can see the Ferrari (and second-gen Esprit if we're honest) themes applied here.
The End Of The Ford GN34 Program
The decision to approve or deny the Ford GN34 program climaxed at a meeting in California where presentations were made on the mid-engined sports car, with the legendary Bob Lutz in the room. Yes, Lutz was a Ford executive, as well.
Maximum Bob decided it would be better to develop a four-door vehicle based on the Ford Bronco II, and call it an SUV. His thinking was it was more practical and easier to sell to existing Ford customers. With this decision, the GN34 program went stillborn, and resources were allocated to this new SUV program, while the Ford Mustang stayed alive.
This vehicle became known as the Ford Explorer.
Where is the Ford GN34 today? If you want to see it, the mid-engined sports car is at the Roush Museum in Livonia, Michigan.
I've been at many Roush open houses and don't recall that car. Maybe I was too busy looking at all the other cars he had in there(been given tours behind the scenes of cars in progress a few times like the Tijuana Taxi and the 69 CJ Vert that started it all as well as the Mustang II pro stocker that were not on public display). I remember Jack outbid John V for the Indigo and 94 Boss 429 Mustang that were on display when Ford auctioned off some of their cars. John did get the Ford GT90 though along with spare parts. I don't think he owns it now. https://blog.dupontregistry.com/ford/whatever-happened-ford-gt90/
Quote from: FL SAAC on February 19, 2020, 07:21:02 PM
The 1963 Mustang II running prototype was displayed at the U.S. Grand Prix and previewed many of the design elements that would be incorporated into the production model, including the long hood, short rear deck, 108-inch wheelbase, the rear wheel scoops and tri-bar taillights.
I helped my friend make a custom gas cap for it last year. Got it done for MCACN. The original one disappeared decades ago. We made sure it had some patina.
Quote from: shelbymann1970 on May 05, 2022, 09:21:39 AM
Quote from: FL SAAC on February 19, 2020, 07:21:02 PM
The 1963 Mustang II running prototype was displayed at the U.S. Grand Prix and previewed many of the design elements that would be incorporated into the production model, including the long hood, short rear deck, 108-inch wheelbase, the rear wheel scoops and tri-bar taillights.
I helped my friend make a custom gas cap for it last year. Got it done for MCACN. The original one disappeared decades ago. We made sure it had some patina.
Impressive !
Quote from: FL SAAC on May 05, 2022, 09:26:33 AM
Quote from: shelbymann1970 on May 05, 2022, 09:21:39 AM
Quote from: FL SAAC on February 19, 2020, 07:21:02 PM
The 1963 Mustang II running prototype was displayed at the U.S. Grand Prix and previewed many of the design elements that would be incorporated into the production model, including the long hood, short rear deck, 108-inch wheelbase, the rear wheel scoops and tri-bar taillights.
I helped my friend make a custom gas cap for it last year. Got it done for MCACN. The original one disappeared decades ago. We made sure it had some patina.
Impressive !
It got me and the Mrs. in for the show. :) :) Curator is a really nice guy. My friend's version built we believe in the 70s. Could never document it came out of Ford but was done "old school" like the prototypes were done. My friend had access to the II down in Detroit hidden in a basement(I think with the Cougar concept) more than a few times and that is how the gas cap came about. 2 were made. One for the real one and one for the fake one.
1950s... ::)
Here's my GT90:
Roy
1970 Ford Maverick Estate Coupe
Ford exhibited the Maverick Estate Coupe concept vehicle at the 1971 Chicago Auto Show. The Estate Coupe had a dark green padded "Landaulet" roof over the rear seating, and the body finished in limefire green. That unique color used a subtle gold-flake base, and complimented the avocado interior. Cast magnesium wheels had spoke design reminiscent of the classic wire wheels.
What a STUNNER of a car especially in avocado green....styling !
Simply beautiful
The Ford GT70 was a mid-engined GT sports car, based on on Ford's GT70 rally car. It was designed by Filippo Sapino, head of Ford's Turin design Studio. The car was displayed at Turin in November 1971. The car featured alloy wheels from the Ford RS2000.
THUNDERBIRD TRIDON
Ford's experimental Tridon show vehicle was based on the 1971 Thunderbird, and on public display for the first time that year. Broad, low and rakish, Tridon featured a long, sleek hood and forward-thrusting fenders that created a pronounced, tri-element design. In the rear the treatment was strictly Thunderbird, with taillights deeply recessed in a broad oval frame that extended the width of the car. A depressed scoop beneath the formal "backlite" contained the-controlled-ventilation exhaust vent, flanked on either side by high-level stop-turn flashers that work in conjunction with the conventional flasher flare. Turned aluminum wheels, with a circular brushed finish, were held to the wheel by bolts around the entire perimeter of the outer wheel surface. Special tires for the Tridon were designed by Firestone Tire & Rubber Co. A flush tinted skylight strip extended across the roof over the rear passengers and wrapped over the roof pillars down to the beltline. The exterior was painted with 20 coats of a murano lacquer called Moongold Mist. All exterior glass, including the skylight strip, was amber, tinted to harmonize with the paint.
The Thunderbird Tridon an imensly large beauty....
Thanks for those shots of the Thunderbird Tridon, what a boat ! 8)
Reminds me in profile, of the '69 Mercury Marauder X-1, a friend had one in the early '70s.
Quote from: honker on August 24, 2022, 04:53:47 PM
Thanks for those shots of the Thunderbird Tridon, what a boat ! 8)
Reminds me in profile, of the '69 Mercury Marauder X-1, a friend had one in the early '70s.
First thing that came to mind when I viewed the Tridon was a giant white moth
Quote from: honker on August 24, 2022, 04:53:47 PM
Thanks for those shots of the Thunderbird Tridon, what a boat ! 8)
Reminds me in profile, of the '69 Mercury Marauder X-1, a friend had one in the early '70s.
Also reminds of a '68 Grand Prix. Giant, with the bird beak and fender skirts like that. The year before the DeLorean downsized model came out.
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/1968-grand-prix-it-is-an-unrestored-original-car-with-only-36k-miles-i-bought-is-at-the-pontiac-nationals-in-norwal--242912973624187034/
I always liked the Marauder X-100. The flat black hood rear deck was unique, especially on a large car.
I had a 67 Grand Prix in college. Last of the full size models. Fun car; I'm lucky I'm alive. Sold it for an 80 Pinto (geez) because I couldn't afford the $5 a day in gas to get to school. ;D
Interesting how the front of the Thunderbird is shaped almost exactly like the back of the 1963 Chrysler turbine car.
And how much the Turbine Car looked like a '61-63 T-bird.
I believe Elwood Engel had a hand in the 1961 Thunderbird design. He also designed the Chrysler Turbine car. He left Ford in 1961 for Chrysler. I don't know who designed that Thunderbird concept.
Engel also was part of the '61 slab-side Continental design...then went to Chrysler and did the slab-side Imperials.
1972 Pinto Sportiva for the win !
Sign me up for the new Sportiva !
^^ Make it a mid-engine and it'd be a Fiero. Dimensions look to be about the same.
Quote from: Side-Oilers on August 25, 2022, 05:35:17 PM
^^ Make it a mid-engine and it'd be a Fiero. Dimensions look to be about the same.
...AND just as ugly!
1972 DeTomaso Longchamp (Ghia)
Alejandro de Tomaso and Tom Tjaarda
When the Longchamps was released, Alejandro de Tomaso had been designing, racing and building cars for 20 years. By that time Ford had completely bought out his interest in Ghia, Vignale and De Tomaso Automobili, so there was plenty of speculation as to what he would do with the superb looking Longchamp prototype front-engine coupe first shown at the 1973 Turin show.
De Tomaso claimed himself as the designer, having a thorough knowledge on the evolution of a prototype from conception to the finished car. History records Tom Tjaarda from Ghia as the chief designer, but De Tomaso was so involved in all his projects from beginning to end that he also had the right to claim responsibility for it. And every car De Tomaso produced had style and distinction.
The Longchamp was developed from the Deauville four-door sedan, using a shorter wheelbase chassis with the same suspension, engine and transmission. These two models were the only front-engined production cars produced by De Tomaso. The styling was influenced by Tjaarda's previous Lancia Marica prototype.
The Longchamp was compared to the Mercedes 450SL by the motoring press - but when you look at it close up there was little if any resemblance there beyond the actual grille and headlight shapes. From a standpoint of design it was deceptively large - dimensionally close to a typical mid-size American sedan (understandable given the US was always the target market). Everything was drawn tightly around the wheels, and the surface detail was outstanding. Restraint was its keynote, along with proportion and balance - not startlingly new, but the work of a master.
In 1973 it represented the perfect solution to a 2+2 design. Longchamp tooling was planned for 10 cars a day. Engine and transmission were from Ford, as usual; air-conditioning, power steering, electric windows and the other amenities were standard as was either full leather or velvet upholstery. The prototype had velvet, which strangely was more expensive than leather because it was more difficult to work with. At the Turin show De Tomaso was pricing the Longchamp at US$12,000, which, considering what you got for your money, made it a bargain.
The Longchamp was initially offered only as a two-door 2+2 coupé. The taillights were the same units as were used for the Alfa Romeo 1750/2000 saloon.The Longchamp featured a long hood to accommodate a 351 in³ (5766cc) Ford Cleveland V8. The 351 Cleveland, a popular engine in late 1960s Ford "muscle cars," was the same as that used in the Pantera. The Cleveland produced 330 hp (246 kW) and gave the Longchamp a 240 km/h (149 mph) top speed. The engine power was later reduced to 270 hp (200 kW). The standard gearbox was a 3-speed Ford C-6 Cruise-o-Matic automatic gearbox, however around 17 cars were equipped with a 5-speed ZF manual gearbox. The suspension was independent front and rear with coil spring and wishbone suspension. Steering was power assisted rack and pinion with vented disc brakes all around, the rear discs being positioned inboard.
De Tomaso Pantera II 197x (or 7x) / Montella, 1973
The year was May 21, 1971 and American car enthusiasts had just fallen in love with the recently introduced mid-engine Pantera sport car. With great reviews, Ford's joint venture with DeTomaso seemed like a sure sell for years to come.
That is, until the new highway safety and emissions act hit the auto industry, and eventually forced Ford to pull the plug on the Pantera in 1974. Refusing to just give up in the face of power robbing emission laws, DeTomaso sought a replacement for their Pantera.
The planned production Pantera II 197x (or 7x) was based on the chassis of the original Pantera. With all-new styling and a sweeping cantilevered roofline with open pillars to the rear, Ghia designers had done a great job at advancing both the appearance of the prototype, at the same time carrying over as many components as possible from the Pantera L model.
Unfortunately, the Pantera II 7x production car never came to be. Penned by the legendary Ghia designer Tom Tjaarda and hand built in 1973 in Italy by Ghia, the prototype enjoyed a tour as a show car in the spring of 1974, before the Ford venture came to an end late in that year. In 1975, supervised by Ghia design studio president Don DeLaRossa, the prototype underwent a conversion. The car was repainted Pearl White over Metallic Bronze, stripped of its Pantera nameplates and fitted with new ones bearing the name DeTomaso Monttella. The car was then shipped off to the U.S. and titled in Michigan, where it was stored with the hopes of showing it to other manufactures for possible production. Five years passed, and in 1981 the car was sold to a local Michigan sports car dealer that in turn sold it to a family member of the current owner
De Tomaso Pantera II 197x (or 7x) / Montella, 1973
The De Tomaso Pantera has posthumously achieved legend status but, in period, its fortunes were much different. In fact, it was nearly replaced just two years into its life by this: the Pantera Series II, also known as the Monttella.
In the late sixties, Henry Ford II was still bitter about his company's failure to acquire Ferrari. The legendary GT40 wins at Le Mans offered him some sense of retribution, but he still yearned to sell an Italian sports car under the Blue Oval. A partnership developed with De Tomaso, which also hailed from Modena and, while not enjoying the same prestige as the Prancing Horse, had the added benefit of owning Italian coachbuilders Ghia and Vignale – assets which Ford soon happily acquired, with Alejandro de Tomaso anticipating them making little future profit for his company.
With Tom Tjaarda at the helm, one of Ghia's first projects under Ford tenure was to design and build the Pantera, a joint collaboration between Ghia's previous and current owners. It debuted in 1971, boasting a 5,780cc Ford V8 cloaked by Italian coachwork: a combination which many Americans found irresistible despite the car's well-reported build quality issues. While sales were mounting all seemed well, but when the 1973 oil crisis and U.S. safety and emissions laws combined to make design changes to the Pantera necessary, Ford began losing patience.
De Tomaso saw life yet in the young Pantera, so enlisted Ghia to design a 'Pantera Series II' using the underpinnings of the existing model. Tjaarda gave the concept the relevant bumper modifications to satisfy new legislation, but also reworked his original design to include flying buttresses in place of rear pillars – a flourish used on the Maserati Merak a year earlier, which was coincidentally penned by Tjaarda's predecessor at Ghia, Giorgetto Giugiaro. The Pantera Series II concept was finished in a striking bronze colour, and was unveiled at the 1974 LA Auto Show.
Meanwhile, the worsening state of the automotive industry had led Ford to rethink its priorities, and by the end of that year the American giant had withdrawn its corporate finger from the Pantera pie. The Vignale factory (where the original Pantera was being built) was closed, with all tooling within being scrapped, although De Tomaso continued Pantera production up until 1991 using its own dies and casts. In 1975, the Pantera II concept was re-christened 'Monttella', given a fresh white-on-bronze colour scheme and shipped to Ford's Michigan HQ. The intention was to find a replacement production suitor; however, there was little interest, with few manufacturers wishing to take on new projects in such uncertain times. As a result, the Monttella sat unused until 1981, when Ford sold it – alongside several other Ghia prototypes – to a local dentist.
It remained in the dentist's ownership until his death in 2006, and a year later his sons consigned the car to be auctioned at RM's Monterey sale. It realised 99,000 dollars, the buyer being a Milanese architect who happened to be a close friend of the car's original designer. Tjaarda gladly assisted with the subsequent body-off-frame restoration, and the car was promptly returned to its original bronze colour and Pantera identity in time for its re-inauguration at the 2008 Villa d'Este, piloted by its beaming creator.
Regularly seen at UK events on British registration plates, it seems the Pantera II concept now has yet another stamp in its passport. And as for the birth certificate – it may have spent the majority of its life under an alias, but the car's identity is clear. It's the Pantera that would have been, were it not for such unhappy external factors.
Quote from: FL SAAC on August 25, 2022, 03:51:16 PM
1972 Pinto Sportiva for the win !
Ended up as the Ford EXP
Quote from: FL SAAC on August 24, 2022, 05:58:47 PMFirst thing that came to mind when I viewed the Tridon was a giant white moth
The word that struck me was pimpmobile.
This is pretty kool, pictures are I believe recent, is this the real deal ? or a tribute ?
looks like GT40 style seats.
!966 Ford Fairlane GTX 427
Mike
Quote from: honker on October 22, 2022, 04:30:31 PM
This is pretty kool, pictures are I believe recent, is this the real deal ? or a tribute ?
looks like GT40 style seats.
!966 Ford Fairlane GTX 427
Mike
Real - built by Gene Winfield for Ford
https://www.musclecardefinition.com/one-of-a-kind-1966-ford-fairlane-gt-x-prototype/
Hurst wheels
Those wheels are beautiful.
Quote from: 67 GT350 on October 22, 2022, 09:53:35 PM
Those wheels are beautiful.
That's a great looking car
The Hurst wheels where or are available
Quote from: FL SAAC on October 22, 2022, 10:12:03 PM
Quote from: 67 GT350 on October 22, 2022, 09:53:35 PM
Those wheels are beautiful.
That's a great looking car
The Hurst wheels where or are available
The repop doesn't look as good. My originals had a chrome trim ring that was held on by wire clips behind the spokes. The spokes actually had a relief cut to clear the trim ring.
Ford Mustela II (Ghia), 1973
After its acquisition by Ford Ghia in 1973, Ghia were used as the European styling and prototype wing of Ford's global organization. Immediately, Ghia came up with a string of concept cars, inevitably based on Fords. Early examples were the Mustela (a Capri alternative), the Tuareg (an off-road Fiesta) and the Microsport (a truncated Fiesta-based sports coupe).
Another Ghia 1979
A Shinoda car
https://macsmotorcitygarage.com/going-thing-the-1969-ford-super-cobra-concept/
Quote from: 98SVT - was 06GT on December 03, 2022, 06:54:53 PM
A Shinoda car
https://macsmotorcitygarage.com/going-thing-the-1969-ford-super-cobra-concept/
what a beauty !
Ooouuuhhh! Beatuiful....Am I to guess because of Government outreach, (BUMPERS), Ford had many great designs, but had to ugly-afy, their cars?
Quote from: 98SVT - was 06GT on December 03, 2022, 06:54:53 PM
A Shinoda car
https://macsmotorcitygarage.com/going-thing-the-1969-ford-super-cobra-concept/
Sorry, guys its FUGLY! Looks like a wannabe Charger...
Speaking of ugly...what's with the tranny model?
Quote from: Side-Oilers on December 05, 2022, 05:43:58 PM
Speaking of ugly...what's with the tranny model?
That was my thought too - but didn't want to go there.
the one and only 1973 Lincoln Mark I (Ghia) Designed/Built by Ghia
The original MACH-1
THE FLYING CAR - HENRY FORD'S ATTEMPT TO MAKE US ALL PILOTS
READ HERE: https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/28764/flying-flivver-henry-fords-attempt-make-us-all-pilots?a_aid=46813
1959 saw the completion of the FORD LEVACAR MACH 1, a concept car built to be the first full-scale wheeless vehicle, utilising air propulsion to move around.
It was a full-sized prototype being a one-man "flying car" that was "levitated" several inches off the ground by three powerful air jets located on the bottom of its chassis.
Planned to be powered by a small-scale turbojet engine, the Levacar was purportedly designed to reach a top speed of nearly 500 mph.
Ford's single-seat space coupe was tethered to an arm, enabling it to glide smoothly above a circular glass track. The tiny car was suspended just slightly above the surface by ducted air from pads on its underside. An attached arm guided it around a display in Ford's famous Rotunda.
Ford promotional materials projected that the single-seat, fiberglass-bodied Levacar might be capable of reaching speeds of five hundred miles per hour, but its utter lack of brakes might have made that a one-time experiment.
Ford gave away thousands of plastic promotional models of their exciting new air car. AMT produced a popular model kit that came complete with a rubber hose that kids could blow in to levitate their toys like the real thing. Unfortunately, those tiny plastic models are all that's left of Ford's bold air car experiment. And we're still bumping along on rubber tires, just like Ford's Model T.
leva car, simply stunning !
Ford Ghia Coins, 1974
Ford Ghia Coins, 1974 (definetly a 3 H winner)
The 1974 Coins was a striking curved wedge with a single rear-sited door.
Built to celebrate the first anniversary of Ford's takeover of the once-proud carrozzeria, stylist Tom Tjaarda produced this radical device in double-quick time. It's notable for its three-abreast seating, central driving position and means of access via a rear hatch, but Tjaarda positively hates the car...
What is sad with all these prototypes is that todays designer has no imagination. All cars with the exception of the car companies look, look the same, and drive the same.
Quote from: 67 GT350 on January 26, 2023, 08:36:06 PM
What is sad with all these prototypes is that todays designer has no imagination. All cars with the exception of the car companies look, look the same, and drive the same.
Thank .gov. They put in the rules that cars need to meet. Aerodynamics is a set of natural laws that the manufacturers need to use to get the most MPG to meet the .gov regs. Tricking engine efficiency with things like superchargers and turbos helps get more hp out of small engines bit it's a false economy because as soon as you reach for the max level you're burning more fuel.
1968 Ford F3L / P68
Also known as the Ford P68, this curvaceous racecar was built as a possible replacement for the GT40. Alan Mann Racing was specifically responsible for development of the new prototype. It used an upcoming F1 car as a basis for both its engine and chassis.
Prototype racing was limited to a three liter capacity in 1968. This restriction motivated Alan Mann Racing take a very close look at the Lotus Type 49 which featured a three liter V8. Financed by Ford, the Cosworth DFV V8 was designed specifically for Type 49. After a promising 1967 season, the DFV V8 seemed fitting for the basis of a new sports prototype.
Unlike the steel GT40, an aluminum monocoque with a rear sub frame supported the F3L. Such a setup was similar to the Lotus Type 49, but the in the F3Ls case, the engine was not fully stressed. An aluminum body designed by Len Bailey covered the car which was not only strikingly beautiful, but featured a low drag of 0.27 Cd.
Quote from: FL SAAC on February 07, 2023, 06:37:46 PM
1968 Ford F3L / P68
It's even red like the Ferrari P330 - but 2 years late.
Ford Flashback Coupe Hatchback (Ghia), 1975
With this pint-sized city car, dubbed Flashback, Ford and Ghia -- the famous design house and coachbuilder based in Turin, Italy -- explored the concept of a premium luxury subcompact that packed in as many 1930s- and '40s-era design touches as its little body could hold.
Note the formal grille, stand-up hood ornament, podded headlights, knockoff wire wheels, glass roof, side vents in the front fenders, hood louvers, and faux leather luggage straps on its bustled trunk panel.
We can't imagine that this little guy would perform too well in rear-end crash testing. It appears to be just a two-seater, with an upholstered package shelf in back. There was no talk of powertrains or performance at the time of its reveal, as the goal was luxury and classic ethos crammed into a super-subcompact package. Lincoln and Cadillac continue to wrestle with the notion of a premium ultracompact commuter machine, but neither has yet created the magic design nor committed to the idea of producing one.
Ford owned Ghia at the time, having purchased it from Alejandro deTomaso as part of the whole Ghia/DeTomaso/Vignale acquisition in the early 1970s, and it has since (unfortunately) squandered the name entirely.
Quote from: FL SAAC on February 20, 2023, 03:27:32 PM
Ford Flashback Coupe Hatchback (Ghia), 1975
Prototype for the AMC Gremlin?
Quote from: 98SVT - was 06GT on February 20, 2023, 04:36:34 PM
Quote from: FL SAAC on February 20, 2023, 03:27:32 PM
Ford Flashback Coupe Hatchback (Ghia), 1975
Prototype for the AMC Gremlin?
If it was it would be called an Angrylim the little angry car from AMC
I can see the history books now: "And then, Lee Iacocca told the styling department to put a Rolls Royce grille on a go kart."
Quote from: Side-Oilers on February 20, 2023, 11:01:54 PM
I can see the history books now: "And then, Lee Iacocca told the styling department to put a Rolls Royce grille on a go kart."
LMAO !
She's a beauty.....
The Ghia Urban, later called the Ghia Manx, was one of the early Ghia creations using Fiesta architecture and running gear. It was a small city car, standing just 137 centimetres tall and only 259 centimetres long.
Despite its diminutive size and short, two-door profile, this concept car could seat four people. It was designed in the aftermath of the fuel crisis of 1973 as a solution to urban congestion and higher fuel prices. It even had storage for luggage in a storage area in front of the driver.
1976 Ford Corrida (Ghia)
The Ghia Corrida was the first Fiesta-based concept car, introduced at the Turin Motor Show in November of 1976, the year the Fiesta was introduced. Corrida means bullfight, and the Corrida Concept was Ghia's vision of a new age sports car with an array of safety features.
Corrida was not only based on a Fiesta, but was also powered by a Fiesta engine. It featured pneumatically operated gull wing doors hinged in two segments and electrically operated flaps for the headlamps to provide optimal aerodynamics performance. The rear luggage compartment was hinged at the bottom.
Corrida's driving environment was unique. The instrument cluster was an array of boxes that provided a distinctive look of compartmentalization. The concept car was bold orange with black accents.
1976 Ford Prima
or an exercise in who can build the ugliest vehicle known to man
coupe , fastback, pick up truck
One of the first Fiesta-based concepts, the Ghia Prima was featured at the 1976 Turin Motor Show. It was a joint collaboration between Ford designers and Ghia's coachbuilders.
Prima's concept was for interchanging roof sections that would transform the shape and functionality of the vehicle. Its character could change into a pickup, station wagon, fastback coupe or two-door notchback. It was shown with a red exterior and beige interior.
Fords version of the Aztec... ::)
Quote from: 557 on February 24, 2023, 05:29:40 PM
Fords version of the Aztec... ::)
Another 3H award winner hideous, horrendous and horrible
AZTEC !
The 1977 Megastar was a Granada-based saloon (sedan), though you would never guess so from its amazing glass-house molding (the front doors were 80 percent glass).
NEW GHIA MEGASTAR AT THE GENEVA SHOW
15 March 1977
Based on a 3-litre Ford Granada, this advanced concept design exercise is featured at the Geneva Show which opens on Thursday. It is a four-door saloon with folding rear seat and very deep glass areas for maximum visibility. It represents a response by the Ford Ghia Operations in Turin to today's rapidly changing conditions.
Quote from: FL SAAC on February 28, 2023, 02:37:51 PMNEW GHIA MEGASTAR
The Megastar and 2 other Ghia concept Fords can be yours - https://www.dragoneclassic.com/inventory
Quote from: 557 on February 24, 2023, 05:29:40 PMFords version of the Aztec... ::)
The Aztec was so unsalable to reduce inventory Pontiac made all the execs take them as company cars instead of any other model.
Quote from: FL SAAC on February 28, 2023, 02:37:51 PM
The 1977 Megastar was a Granada-based saloon (sedan), though you would never guess so from its amazing glass-house molding (the front doors were 80 percent glass).
NEW GHIA MEGASTAR AT THE GENEVA SHOW
15 March 1977
The top two photos look to be Cobo Hall, not Geneva. Notice the custom yellow van with mural in the right-side background. Not exactly sophisticated Swiss style.
Quote from: 98SVT - was 06GT on February 28, 2023, 06:37:18 PM
Quote from: 557 on February 24, 2023, 05:29:40 PMFords version of the Aztec... ::)
The Aztec was so unsalable to reduce inventory Pontiac made all the execs take them as company cars instead of any other model.
It's spelled AZTEK...Not Aztec. GM didn't want to pizz-off the natives, or their gods.
Quote from: Side-Oilers on February 28, 2023, 10:22:05 PM
Quote from: 98SVT - was 06GT on February 28, 2023, 06:37:18 PM
Quote from: 557 on February 24, 2023, 05:29:40 PMFords version of the Aztec... ::)
The Aztec was so unsalable to reduce inventory Pontiac made all the execs take them as company cars instead of any other model.
It's spelled AZTEK...Not Aztec. GM didn't want to pizz-off the natives, or their gods.
Gentlemen please let's not get all ruffled up over semantics, AZTEC, Aztec.....we all know it's really an asstec....
By the way during this time period the Ford design team was called the "House of Ugly"....
1978 Ford Fiesta Tuareg
The Fiesta Tuareg — a functional one-of-a-kind all-terrain vehicle — is equipped for rugged off-road recreational use. Based on Ford Division's popular Fiesta, the Tuareg was a joint design project between Ford's Ghia Operation in Turin, Italy, and the Ford Design Center in Dearborn, Mich. The concept car is built on a 90-inch wheelbase and powered by a 1.1-liter engine with a four-speed manual transmission.
1978 Ford Lucano (Ghia)
The Lucano is a two-seat sports car, based on the European Escort, which resembles the TR-7 in its wedged lines. The front-mounted engine could range anywhere from 1.1 to 2.0 liters.
Stunning !
1978 Ford Megastar II (Ghia)
The Megastar II, a Ford Motor Company design concept car for the family of the future, will be shown by Ford Division at major auto shows in the United States this year.
First shown at the Geneva, Switzerland, International Motor Show, the Megastar II was developed by Ford's Ghia Operations in Turin, Italy. Based on Ford's European Taunus Sport, the futuristic, silver-and-black wedge-shaped sedan offers seating for five people.
"Although not a production car, the Megastar II demonstrates ideas and concepts that might be used on Ford cars of the future," said Filippo Sapino, Ghia's managing director.
"On our Megastar project, we have paid particular attention to aerodynamics," he added. "The sleek design helps conserve energy and improve fuel economy and performance."
Megastar II is built on a 101-inch wheelbase and is equipped with a two-liter, four-cylinder engine and four-speed manual transmission, independent front- and rear-suspension systems and aluminum road wheels.
The front of the car incorporates a louvered, airfoil grille with four headlights recessed behind clear plastic covers. Additional halogen driving lamps are located beneath an impact-absorbent front bumper, also shaped for reduced wind drag.
Megastar II's tailgate opens to the top of the rear bumper, with the assistance of gas-filled struts. The rear seats fold down individually to provide additional luggage space.
Teardrop-shaped door windows are lowered electrically, and front-hinged quarter windows can be opened for the comfort of rear-seat passengers.
The interior of Megastar II features black leather upholstery and black carpeting with orange stripes to reflect the car's exterior color scheme.
The instrument panel is a modular unit behind the padded four-spoke steering wheel. Instruments and controls always are illuminated behind a heavily tinted screen for reflection-free visibility.
Dual exterior mirrors can be adjusted electrically from the driver's seat.
Megastar II is a true 4H winner...the first three H's we know, plus this car's styling makes me want to HURL.
Who the hell looked at this, amid all the other Ghia designs, and said: "That's it! That's the one we want to showcase our talents!"...???
Quote from: Side-Oilers on May 12, 2023, 10:49:50 PM
Megastar II is a true 4H winner...the first three H's we know, plus this car's styling makes me want to HURL.
Who the hell looked at this, amid all the other Ghia designs, and said: "That's it! That's the one we want to showcase our talents!"...???
During that time it was being guided by this engineer....
1961 Ford Gyron
The two-wheeled Gyron, however, would shortly afterward consume much of Tremulis's effort and time. As the Farrells wrote, Tremulis – whose chief and overwhelming concern was for aerodynamics – believed his design for a two-wheeled gyroscopically balanced car would represent the ultimate in automotive aerodynamics. "In short, Tremulis expected the Gyron to be a genuine breakthrough that would influence all future car design."
The earliest Gyron sketches were rendered in 1956, but Tremulis renewed his interest in the Gyron after learning of GM's 1959 Firebird III concept, which was hailed as the world's most advanced and most exotic car. Tremulis felt he could do better. At about that time, Tremulis's superiors at Ford assigned new hire Syd Mead to work with Tremulis on the Gyron, and together they convinced Ford to let them build a full-scale version of the car.
Because a gyroscope of sufficient size to keep the full-scale Gyron upright proved far too expensive for the show car, a pair of wheels on outriggers were added to the design to keep the Gyron upright on the show stand (copywriters explained them away as necessary at low speeds and noted they'd retract at higher speeds); however, its front wheel did steer via a console-mounted dial, and an electric motor did propel the fiberglass-bodied show car up to about 5 MPH.
The Gyron debuted in 1961 and would be one of Tremulis's last projects at Ford, though he would continue to pursue the idea of a two-wheeled gyro car long after he left the company
The fire that destroyed Ford's Rotunda reportedly took the Gyron as well.
^^^ No doubt where Ford borrowed the design for the afterburner 1961-63 T-bird taillights.
1978 Ford Fiesta Tuareg
a functional one-of-a-kind all-terrain vehicle — is equipped for rugged off-road recreational use. Based on Ford Division's popular Fiesta, the Tuareg was a joint design project between Ford's Ghia Operation in Turin, Italy, and the Ford Design Center in Dearborn, Mich.
The concept car is built on a 90-inch wheelbase and powered by a 1.1-liter engine with a four-speed manual transmission. The Fiesta Tuareg will be a featured attraction at Ford Division auto show displays this year.
1978 Ford GT80 (Colani)
Luigi Colani was unique in the automotive world, in that he was both an engineer in aerodynamics (Sorbonne, Paris) and an artist and sculptor (Berlin), and that was an invaluable combination for a car designer today when aerodynamics was such a critically important word. From the mid 1950s Luigi Colani had been designing cars, most of them very advanced sports and racing machines.
By the mid 1980s he had become one of the most famous designers in Europe and was design consultant to BMW and Volkswagen, among others. Being a specialist in aerodynamics Colani alway put a very steamlined body to his cars and by using his experience with the aircraft industry, Colani had, with the GT80, finally come up with a design very similar to racing's wing cars.
The fully enclosed rear-end, as on the Lotus 80 Formula One car and the Chaparral 2K Indy car, was previewed by Colani in 1970. Long before Colin Chapman and other designers did it, Colani conceived prototypes with the whole body designed as a converted wing. He called it the C-Form (C = Colani) and his principle was patented in Munich by "Deutsches Patentamt" on November 25, 1967. Stern magazine published an article on the C-Form principle the following year.
During the decade that was the 70s, Colani built several full scale models and mock-ups of C-Form wing cars. The Colani GT80 prototype unveiled at the Frankfurt show in 1980 was the result of these many years of aerodynamic study and development. In 1973 the first 1:1 mock-up model of this very advanced project was ready at Colani's studio at his Harkotten water-castle near Munster, Germany.
Two years later the final layout of the design was done and a final mock-up model with a rolling chassis was built. In 1978 a two-seater monocoque aluminium chassis was built (to Formula One standards) for Colani by Tiga Racing Cars in England. In 1979 the showcar was just ready for Frankfurt, but the following year the Colani GT80 was ready for the road.
The GT80 was more expensive than a Rolls-Royce, Colani said, because in every respect the very best materials were used. Like the famous Ford GT40, the Colani GT80 was a Le Mans type car for the road. The actual Le Mans racing version had already been built at Harkotten Castle. The Colani GT80 prototype shown at Frankfurt was built around the Ford Cosworth V6 engine, which was highly successful in the racing Capris from Cologne. It had also been used in Formula 5000 in England. It was a 24-valved engine of 3400 cm3 with 298 kW at 10,500 rpm.
The Frankfurt Show press material on the GT80 was produced by Ford of Europe, but the whole project was paid for by Colani himself. The show car had Formula One wheels and tyres but the road brakes and suspension were up to Formula One standard, too, and were designed by Howden Ganley. The brakes were outboard. There were double wishbones at the front; lower wishbones and upper trailing link at the rear with twin radius rods. The suspension parts were originally designed for Howden Ganley's private Formula One project.
To further improve airflow the second GT80 prototype was fitted with inboard rocker type suspension. The gearbox was a five-speed ZF and the same firm designed a very special steering rack for the car. ZF went on to help design some electronic components for the GT80; for example, an automatic down-force sensing device to adjust the front wing section. Thus it was possible to reduce air resistance while driving at high speed and to produce more down-force when in corners.
Colani claimed that the GT80 had a coefficient of drag less than 0.2, which was remarkably slippery. As the car had a complete wing shaped body with a sharp trailing edge like an aircraft wing, the lack of a rear window was overcome by placing a wide angled video-camera into a roof fairing. By pushing a switch, a monitor built into the spokeless steering wheel showed the whole rear view. An airbag was also placed in the steering wheel - a unique feature back in 1980. The noise level of the production car would have been very low thanks to a 20 cm wall of insulation material between the engine and seats - but the car never made the production line.
The good aerodynamic shape of the car reduced wind noise to a very low level. The glass was all flat and black with one big wiper on the windscreen and one on each side window. The very dramatically shaped body is aluminium, handmade for Colani by Marsh Developments in England. "It has been a long way," Colani said. "But seeing the result, I really feel that it has all been worthwhile". In this case - you judge for yourself.
There are only 3 cars of this type in different variants:
1. First was plastic body "New RS" with Castrol sponsor marking.
2. Second was aluminum version - Ford GT 80 Colani. Ford give motor for these car, the same as in the De Tomaso Pantera.
3. Body number 3 was renovating or damaged
1957 Edsel Raven
The Ford Thunderbird began life in 1953 as a direct response to Chevrolet's recently unveiled Corvette prototype. Calling in some major players in the design field, the Thunderbird rapidly developed from idea to prototype in about a year. Ford was very pleased to see record-breaking sales of the Thunderbird reach 23 times the number of Corvettes sold in 1955.
With a new Edsel Corsair model staged for production in 1958, Edsel saw the great success and popularity of the Thunderbird as a viable platform for a mid-level entry personal luxury car within the Ford corporate lineup below the top-of-the-line Continental. In 1956, borrowing the Thunderbird's basic frame and removable hardtop roof, Edsel had its design team rush to create a prototype similar to the Thunderbird in length, though being slightly heftier in general proportions to fit the fresh styling of the new Corsair.
Edsel was so confident it had a winner, that an operable prototype of the car was driven to a meeting with Ford execs where it was touted that the new Raven model would provide a bit more headroom and elbow room than the Thunderbird, and offer even more luxury options at mid-level pricing. Edsel also went on to elaborate how Ford could then focus more attention to racing applications of the Thunderbird as to be more competitive against the Corvette.
However Ford execs, fearing diluting the market for such a popular vehicle as the Thunderbird, quickly axed the project, and this specially made prototype was presumably destined for scrap. Edsel continued with its full-sized Corsair as planned for the 1958 model year. Though, sadly, on November 19, 1959, Ford discontinued the Edsel marque and the last Edsel car soon rolled off the assembly line
Quote from: 98SVT - was 06GT on February 28, 2023, 06:37:18 PM
Quote from: 557 on February 24, 2023, 05:29:40 PMFords version of the Aztec... ::)
The Aztec was so unsalable to reduce inventory Pontiac made all the execs take them as company cars instead of any other model.
Not true. I work for GM. I played hockey with a fuel systems engineer and he had a company Aztek at the time. They got a better deal driving them he said. Another engineer who was on our team drove a nice Caddy. Also their joke was the best view of the Aztek was from behind the wheel. It was actually a really good vehicle-just ugly. When Toyota stylists saw the Aztek and heard it was the ugliest they said "hold my sake" and out came the Prius. How do you make an uglier car than the current Prius? they came out with a revised version with those ugly tail lights. Toyota lovers and Nissan lovers(Juke buyers) prove that you can sell butt ugly cars to the public.
This just in :
when you look up the word ugly there us a picture of a pontiac aztec
copy of actual dictionary page......
1978 Ford Lucano Ghia
The Lucano was a two-seat sports car, based on the European Escort, which resembles the TR-7 in its wedged lines. The front-mounted engine could range anywhere from 1.1 to 2.0 liters
Quote from: FL SAAC on August 11, 2023, 03:46:03 PM
1978 Ford Lucano Ghia
The Lucano was a two-seat sports car, based on the European Escort, which resembles the TR-7 in its wedged lines. The front-mounted engine could range anywhere from 1.1 to 2.0 liters
The Dark Car in the middle photo reminds me of the Ford EXP when it first came out but IT had single Head Lights.
It reminded me of one doritos chip....delicious !
1978 Ford Microsport
Based on a 1.0-litre Ford Fiesta, the Ghia Microsport was about compact, sports car performance. It was 10 inches shorter than a Fiesta and featured lightweight aluminium panels and impact-absorbing plastic materials at the front and rear.
The two-seater Ghia Microsport was geared for fun and fuel efficiency. Lightweight glass panels were used for the windscreen, rear screen and side glass. The car, finished in two tone white and red, was distinctly wedge shaped with a severely sloping front grille. Twin air ducts characterised the rear-end treatment.
Inside, black leather and red cloth were used for the seats, and a unique plastic cover was used to segregate the luggage compartment from the passenger compartment. This movable cover could be folded away for more stowage capacity
Based on a 1.0-litre Ford Fiesta, the Ghia Microsport was about compact, sports car performance. It was 10 inches shorter than a Fiesta and featured lightweight aluminium panels and impact-absorbing plastic materials at the front and rear.
1959 FORD LEVACAR MACH 1
October 1959 saw the completion of the FORD LEVACAR MACH 1, a concept car built to be the first full-scale wheeless vehicle, utilizing air propulsion to move around.
It was a full-sized prototype being a one-man "flying car" that was "levitated" several inches off the ground by three powerful air jets located on the bottom of its chassis.
Planned to be powered by a small-scale turbojet engine, the Levacar was purportedly designed to reach a top speed of nearly 500 mph.
Ford's single-seat space coupe was tethered to an arm, enabling it to glide smoothly above a circular glass track. The tiny car was suspended just slightly above the surface by ducted air from pads on its underside. An attached arm guided it around a display in Ford's famous Rotunda.
Ford promotional materials projected that the single-seat, fiberglass-bodied Levacar might be capable of reaching speeds of five hundred miles per hour, but its utter lack of brakes might have made that a one-time experiment.
Ford gave away thousands of plastic promotional models of their exciting new air car. AMT produced a popular model kit that came complete with a rubber hose that kids could blow in to levitate their toys like the real thing. Unfortunately, those tiny plastic models are all that's left of Ford's bold air car experiment.
Quote from: FL SAAC on October 23, 2023, 11:14:11 AM
1959 FORD LEVACAR MACH 1
October 1959 saw the completion of the FORD LEVACAR MACH 1, a concept car built to be the first full-scale wheeless vehicle, utilizing air propulsion to move around.
It was a full-sized prototype being a one-man "flying car" that was "levitated" several inches off the ground by three powerful air jets located on the bottom of its chassis.
Planned to be powered by a small-scale turbojet engine, the Levacar was purportedly designed to reach a top speed of nearly 500 mph.
Ford's single-seat space coupe was tethered to an arm, enabling it to glide smoothly above a circular glass track. The tiny car was suspended just slightly above the surface by ducted air from pads on its underside. An attached arm guided it around a display in Ford's famous Rotunda.
Ford promotional materials projected that the single-seat, fiberglass-bodied Levacar might be capable of reaching speeds of five hundred miles per hour, but its utter lack of brakes might have made that a one-time experiment.
Ford gave away thousands of plastic promotional models of their exciting new air car. AMT produced a popular model kit that came complete with a rubber hose that kids could blow in to levitate their toys like the real thing. Unfortunately, those tiny plastic models are all that's left of Ford's bold air car experiment.
I recall that the Levacar model kit was not all that popular. AMT (Aluminum Model Toys), which produced it, later paired it up with a factory assembled promotional model of the then new 1960 Falcon and marketed them as a double model.
Each model had its own box with graphics and the two boxes were bonded together and sold as a set. I recall seeing these lingering in hobby shops and other retail stores for a long time. I recall that when the price got down to a buck or less, I bought one and being disappointed that when I blew into the rubber tube, the car did not levitate, this despite the attached ad stating that it was a "working replica". Apparently, the tube and vents on the underside were intended only to demonstrate the concept, not to actually float the model. But hey, I was eleven years old and had a lot to learn!
At least I had the Falcon, which is still in my collection. The Leva Car is long gone. Interestingly, its full name was "
Ford Levacar Mach I" preceding the use of the Mach I name on the Mustang by ten years.
I find it humorous that this flying car had (what looks like) turn signals in the nose.
Brake lights too, I presume?
Be sure to slow to 25 mph in over school zones.
EXPERIMENTAL MUSTANG III BASED ON NEW FORD FIESTA
Ford Ghia Operations in Turin are showing this experimental new sports car at the Geneva Show. It uses the running gear of the Ford Fiesta, which will be announced later this year, and is designed to carry four adults in a car 70 cms (28 in.) shorter than the production Mustang II.
Source: Ford Press Release
1978 Ghia Action
Probably the most striking GHIA show car of all was the 1978 Action, the most severe wedge shape ever seen. Designed by Filippo Sapino, it had a rear-mounted DFV Formula I V-eight engine and completely enclosed rear wheels.
1978 Mercury XM (Ghia)
Ford's Motor Company's world-famous Ghia Studio of Turin, Italy designed the Mercury XM concept car. The one-of-a-kind prototype's unique feature was a rumble seat mounted beneath the rear decklid. By raising the rear hatch window and flipping back the decklid, the car became a four-passenger vehicle. It had a wheelbase of 94 inches, an overall length of 13 feet, four inches, and a height of four feet.
The lovely 1979 Ford GTK (Ghia)
Highly futuristic, the GTK concept stood for Grand Touring Kombi. It was intended as a sporty, aerodynamic grand touring car with ample luggage space.
GTK Concept was built on an extended Fiesta platform. It featured a number of advanced elements, including electric side windows, an on-board computer and digital instrumentation.
Its design included a central greenhouse effect for the passenger area, which even incorporated glass side pillars. Other GTK features included headlights behind electrically controlled panels. Aero ducts behind these panels channelled air over the bonnet and roof.
1979 Ford Navarre
The Navarre is based on the U.S. Granada and is the five-seat sport coupe fitted with a 5.0-liter V8. It featured flat rear deck with tie-dawn straps which could carry extra luggage.
1979 Ford Probe I (Ghia)
Probe I was created at the Ford Dearborn Design Center where Kopka was the executive director of the Advanced and International Design Studio. Its sleek and pointy aerodynamic shape, flat wheel covers, popup headlights and skirted rear wheels achieved a drag coefficient in the wind tunnel of 0.25, some 37% less than the 0.40 then typical for a 2door 4-passenger coupe. It was introduced at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September 1979. Probe I was extensively displayed at shows and events following its introduction and received widespread media attention, helping to spread the impression that Ford was on to something.
Built on a Mustang chassis of the period, or perhaps a Pinto, there wasn't much difference, the Probe I package envisioned a collection of the advanced technological functions with which show concepts seem to be endowed. Little of it works, but it would be easy to cut a slot in the console and then say it "can be started by a universal credit card which also can be used to buy gas and pay tolls." Probe I once had the 2.3 liter Mustang/Pinto 4-cylinder engine and automatic transmission but they have long since been removed. Ford claimed the Probe could achieve a fuel economy of 39 miles per gallon.
1980 Ford Granada Altair (Ghia)
Built on a Ford Granada chassis extended by two inches in length, three inches in height, and four inches in width, the Altair was a four-door future family car capable of seating five people. The car's sharp front end and smooth lines aided the low drag coefficient of 0.35. The four headlights and two auxiliary lights were placed behind a transparent bronze-tinted plastic shield. The bronze-tinted plexiglass line running the length of the car provided increased visibility and was used to recess the door handles and air extraction vents for air conditioning. Impact-absorbent bumpers were used front and rear. The mirrors and single windshield wiper were controlled electrically. It was powered by the Ford Granada's 2.8-liter fuel-injected V6 engine. It also featured independent front and rear suspension, low-profile tires, and a stereo sound system.
Mustang RSX (Rallye Sport eXperimental) Coupe Concept Car
One of the concept cars Ford displayed in 1981 was the Mustang RSX. The initials stood for Rallye Sport Experimental. This two-seat sport coupe was designed by Ford's Ghia studio in Turin, Italy. Finished in orange metallic, the body featured simulated all glass doors, and a rear airfoil was used to improve directional stability and lessen wind resistance. With a wheelbase nearly 6-inches shorter than the production Mustang, the lighter RSX came powered by a 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine that was teamed with a four-speed manual gearbox.
First there is a concept. Then a drawing, followed by model of the concept.
Where are these today?
Ford Styling Studios
The men behind the concepts:
William Schmidt worked with Edsel Ford, Bob Gregorie, George Walker, chief engineer Earle MacPherson, and many other talented Ford designers.
Schmidt was also involved with the great looking 1953 XL-500 show car. William Schmidt was considered by some automotive historians as a creative genius. Schmidt was a part of the auto industry design community during the 1950s.
His career started when he joined Ford Motor Company in 1940. Schmidt attended Ford's old trade school before moving to the Lincoln and Mercury styling studio. His first assignment was to redesign the 1950 and 1951 Lincoln front end facelifts, which included an updated new front grille along with some side and rear end design changes.
The resulting 1950 and 1951 Lincoln models featured more clean and functional lines than the previous year's cars. Perhaps one of Schmidt's greatest styling achievements was the design of the 1956 Lincoln Premiere models, along with the extremely popular Lincoln Futura show car.
In the late 1950s, Schmidt left Ford for Studebaker-Packard, where he and Dick Teague designed the popular Packard Predictor show car. It was hoped this design shift would save the Packard name plate.
After Studebaker-Packard, Schmidt moved to Chrysler from 1957 to 1959, where he was involved with many great looking designs under the leadership of the great Virgil Exner and his creative design staff. He also established William M. Schmidt Associates on January 16, 1956.
The company was an industrial design and engineering firm, comprised of product designers, graphic and packaging designers, and, most importantly, automotive designers. In the ensuing years, Schmidt would become the designer that many automotive manufacturers would go to for special futuristic automotive projects.
William M. Schmidt Associates was located on Harper Avenue in Harper Woods, Michigan. Unfortunately, Schmidt died of a heart attack at his winter home in Florida in February 1990 .
Pockar - pocket car. (One of Fords better ideas....not)
The Pockar, named as "pocket car", featured luggage compartments built in to the exterior door panels. Both side doors were cut horizontally 3 the middle, and the lower portion dropped like a tailgate. In addition to the two lockable luggage compartments built into the doors, there was ample luggage space inside and room for four passengers. The rear seat could also be folded down flat for increased cargo capacity.
Pockar - pocket car (yikes !)
The side door luggage compartments protruded into the interiors of the doors, and served as armrests. Electronic instruments on the dashboard were clustered in a semi-circular pod which was clearly visible through the upper half of the steering wheel.
1981 AC ME3000 (Ghia)
The Ghia AC was a mid-engined sports car mounted on the AC ME 3000 chassis. A sleek front end housed two sets of headlights; one integrated into the front spoiler and the other placed behind protective retractable flaps. Cut-outs in the rear pillars allowed for better rear visibility. The air ducts mounted behind the doors provided air to cool the engine and brakes.
Built on the mechanical package of the clunky A.C. ME3000, the mid-engined A.C. Ghia is one of those, "If they'd built it ..." cars. Ghia also stretched the ME3000 and made Quicksilver, a 4-door, 4-seat mid-engined sedan that actually looks good.
1981 Ford Aerovan.
( definitely a 3H Award ( hideous-horrible'-horendous ) Winner )
The ultimate in small-car packaging is the Aerovan, which is designed to be either a station wagon or a small van. Built on an Escort platform, it can accommodate up to seven passengers. The Aerovan's "fast front" silhouette provides highly efficient aerodynamics characteristics as well as good driver viability. The Aerovan is built on a 94-inch wheelbase, has an overall height of 63 inches, overall width of 65 inches and overall length of 157 inches.
1981 Ford Avant Garde
THE AVANT GARDE is an elegant, sleek, two-plus-two sports coupe based on the Ford Escort. The Ford Motor Company concept car combines advanced aerodynamic research with such luxurious features as a hand-finished suede interior. It has a number of innovative design concepts, such as electronic instruments, a handbrake control integrated with the lid of the center console unit, and four detachable suede shoulder bags recessed into the doors. On a wheelbase of 94 inches, Avant Garde is 155.5 inches long, 63.8 inches wide and 49.7 inches high. The car is a featured attraction in Ford Division's 1982 auto show exhibit.
1981 Ford Cockpit
According to Ford, the two-seat Cockpit could achieve fuel economy better than 75 miles per gallon. Seating two people in a tandem position, and featuring a single rear wheel driven by a motor, the Cockpit was intended for use in heavily-congested cities. The three-hinged canopy lifted hydraulically upward, revealing an aircraft-style cockpit, hence the car's name. Powered by a 12-horsepower 200cc single-cylinder motorcycle-like engine, the Cockpit offered the dual advantage of outstanding fuel economy linked with optimum cruising speed to provide acceptable inner-city highway transportation during an energy crisis. The triangular chassis, with additional side support bars, incorporated all the mechanical accessories. The windshield was made of laminated glass and the canopy and rear window were made of reinforced plastic. The transverse-spring front suspension was controlled by hydraulic shock absorbers. While the rear-mounted engine and driving wheel were set at the apex of the chassis and sprung by two integral coil spring shock absorbers.
1981 Ford EXP
what can one say.....3 H winner
1981 Ford EXP-II
just as ugly as version one but now with wheel covers
Ford Shuttler (Ghia), 1981
With Shuttler, under the direction of Filippo Sapino, Ghia managed to create a very attractive little city coupe that was, when it was new in 1982, the center of attention wherever it was shown. The small greenhouse slopes gracefully down to a deck so short it barely deserves to be described with the word deck.
Around the greenhouse, continuing the waistline created on the nose by the intersection between the hood and fender, Ghia has built an attractive and functional tray-style spoiler that builds from the middle of the door and wraps around the edge of the decklid which is actually part of the rear hatch.
Great care has been paid to the Ghia Shuttler concept's aerodynamics as well. The side window glass fits flush with its frames, mirrors are in faired-in enclosures and the door handles are recessed into the doors. A group of 20 holes punched into the hood helps to draw air into the engine compartment.
Ford Shuttler (Ghia), 1981
The interior of the Ghia Shuttler concept has two seats and is unusually well appointed with grey/brown suede cloth accented with orange covering the seats, dash (formed in a sloping tray for storage) and door panels. Ergonomics played and important part as there is ample room for two large adults plus luggage storage behind the seats. Easy access is provided by the hinged rear window/tailgate. The leather covered steering wheel is unique and attractively shaped with a wide single spoke pierced by a good-sized round hole. Instruments and switches are arranged in a cluster of four round housings on the steering column. There is even a small console between the seats with the power window switches, cigarette lighter and a small armrest. The bodywork of hand-formed metal highlights Ghia's nearly century-old reputation for quality one-off concepts and innovative design.
Ford Shuttler (Ghia), 1981
"Cute" is a positive attribute in automobiles and the Ghia Shuttler concept is undeniably cute.
1981 Ford Super Gnat
In a response to the OPEC oil embargo in the mid-1970's, there had been a push for automobile manufacturers to produce smaller, more fuel efficient vehicles. In the short time following, Ford had studied a two seater commuter car called the "Super Gnat", which was to have a three-cylinder engine with a short wheelbase. Along with this, Ford also produced a concept named Mustang RSX, which was a smaller, two-seat derivative of the Mustang.
1981 Ford Super Gnat
The two-passenger Super Gnat is proof that small, fuel efficient cars don't have to look like boxes. Despite its compact 148-inch length and overall height of 48 inches, it has plenty of room inside for six-footers.
1982 Ghia Brezza Concept Car
The Ghia Brezza concept is a shining example of the talents of Ghia's artisans and the practicality with which they and Ghia's designers approach their work. Unlike its contemporary Ghia Barchetta, Ghia Brezza is a mid-engined concept created from front-engined components. It was the cover feature of the July 1982 Road & Track magazine article written by Doug Nye.
Nye quotes Ghia Managing Director Filippo Sapino extensively and it's fitting to let Sapino, also Brezza's designer, speak for himself: - "We had made the AC Ghia to explore solutions to the mid-engine coupe arrangement with Ford power. But that was not a real Ford. We took two [Escort] EXPs, chopped one off at three-quarters length, just ahead of the back axle, and the other just behind the front wheels, forward of the front bulkhead. We fitted the short engine front-end unit at the back of the three-quarter length chassis pad [and] removed the engine from the three-quarter length chassis. In that way we created a driveable car, though it was not properly engineered."
1982 Ghia Brezza Concept Car
The Ghia Brezza concept's body is gently rounded with a low and smoothly sloping nose that takes advantage of the engine's relocation behind the seats to penetrate the air with as little disruption as possible. Headlights retract and the marker lights are flush with the body corners. The nose flows smoothly into a steeply raked windshield. Side windows are nearly flush with the door frames also to smooth airflow over the Ghia Brezza concept's sides. The rocker panels curve under, then flow down to rear wheel skirts which nearly fully enclose the wheels. The radiator is in the front, with an undercar vent for air after it passes through the radiator. The chassis itself is partially covered by a belly pan to smooth airflow. :)
1982 Ghia Brezza Concept Car
The roofline extends to the tail via a pair of buttresses each containing a quarter window for driver's visibility. The rear window is nearly vertical between the buttresses and the engine cover is flat. One of the Ghia Brezza concept's distinctive features are the two rows of gills, a larger set in the rear fender just behind the wheels which provide fresh, cool air to the engine and a smaller set located above them in the C-pillar. Ghia's craftsmen make some of the prettiest vents in the business. Ghia extrapolated a very impressive drag coefficient of .30 from 3/s-scale model wind tunnel testing. In his book "Ghia", David Burgess-Wise recounts his experience testing Ghia Brezza in Turin before its announcement at the Turin Motor Show. Stopping to take some photos, Ghia Brezza immediately distracted a crown of Torinese boys from their football game. Their comment? "Oh bella! Che bella machina!" As offered, Ghia Brezza has no engine or transmission. Its overall condition is fair, especially considering its age. The exterior paint is generally good but has some not unexpected chips and scratches. There are some paint fisheyes on the nose and the left headlight cover doesn"t retract flush with the bodywork. The interior is presentable, but again beginning to show its age a little, the bright red cloth-covered Ghia designed adjustable seats are very comfortable. Ghia Brezza rides on cast alloy wheels with 195 60R 14 Goodyear Eagle GT tires. Very few concepts are significant enough to become cover stories in American enthusiast magazines, even fewer attain the standards of Road& Track. Ghia Brezza is highly significant for the recognition which it received. The creativity of its design and the caliber of its bodywork, interior and finish set it even further apart.
Ford/Lincoln Quicksilver
Like the Ghia AC of 1981, the Quicksilver was based on the AC ME 3000 chassis, lengthened by eleven inches. Five passengers could be seated within the car's 116-inch wheelbase. Presented at the 1982 Turin Auto Show, and powered by Ford's 3-liter V6 engine connected to a 5-speed manual transmission, the Quicksilver featured an updated version of flush-mounted glass and retractable headlights. Built for Lincoln, the Quicksilver first appeared in metallic silver, but was later reworked in dark black. The interior consisted of analog gauges clustered into "segments", continuing throughout the dashboard.
Ford Mustang Topaz 1982
The Mustang-based Topaz was unveiled at the 1982 Congress of the International Society of Automotive Engineers in Detroit. With flush-glazed windows, the Topaz featured a sleek 65-degree windshield and engine cooling via ducted opening beneath the bumpers. Soft plastic headlight covers were used to mount the lights forward without the risk of glass breakage. The fixed side windows incorporated the car's customized logo, and a single taillight ran the car's width.
Mini Max 1982
Mini Max is a Ghia platform concept for a two-door sport wagon with a commodious rear compartment and an immense nearly vertical glass rear hatch. Attractively styled with a sloped nose that leads directly into the windshield and covered headlights, the Ghia Mini Max concept is undoubtedly aerodynamically efficient while at the same time accommodating a large internal volume within a small footprint. Ghia Mini Max appears to have been constructed in fiberglass. Only the driver's door is functional. There is a full interior upholstered in red velour with grey carpet and trim. A single spoke steering wheel is fitted and a formed clear plastic dummy panel is mounted to the steering column. 12" cast alloy wheels are fitted with 155SR-12 tires. Glazing is Plexiglas and the side windows are fastened to the frames with exposed screws.
Ghia Mini Max has two comfortable and reasonably bolstered bucket style front seats. Bench-style rear seating is provided and it is likely the rear seat back folds for access to, and expansion of, the cargo area. The date of Ghia Mini Max's creation is not known at the time of cataloguing, however its livery and aerodynamic cues suggest it may have been during the period when Ghia was creating the highly aerodynamic Probe series.
Ghia Mini Max is another design concept of interest; perhaps it could be used as a schoolroom educational tool for the potential young designers of tomorrow to explore?
De Tomaso Pampero
A 1.5-litre Ford Kent engine was installed albeit one with various De Tomaso upgrades like all Vallelunga motors. These modifications included a higher 10.3:1 compression ratio, twin Weber 40 DCOE 2 carburettors and a custom aluminium alloy De Tomaso head.
Peak output was 105bhp at 6500rpm.
Transmission was via four Hewland gears mounted in a De Tomaso-prepared upturned Volkswagen gearbox.
Displayed at the Turin Motor Show in November 1966, the Pampero failed to excite in the same was as the standard Vallelunga had.
Despite having been quite pretty, the rather subdued shape didn't reflect the Pampero's state of the art underpinnings - the Vallelunga was, after all, 1964's under two-litre Italian Championship winning sports car
Initially kept at the Ghia factory where it was retailed at $5500, who acquired the Pampero and its current whereabouts remain unknown.
Ghia was sold to Alejandro de Tomaso in 1967 and, soon afterwards, the firm began to produce bodywork for De Tomaso's
1983 Ford Barchetta
Ghia Barchetta originated to fill the empty niche identified by Ford's V.P. of International Automotive Operations for a low cost, modern two-seat sports model, a market left unfilled in the early Eighties. Constructed on the Fiesta XR2 platform, Ghia Barchetta was never intended to be displayed publicly but rather to demonstrate that a profitable market could be developed from good design and standard production components. It is an example of what-might-have-been for its concept did not find a cost-effective production home in Europe even though it eventually inspired the Ford Australia Mercury Capri which was confined to that market.
1983 Ford Barchetta
Constructed by Ghia on the Fiesta XR2 platform, with 86 horsepower 1.6 liter overhead valve 4-cylinder engine, Ghia Barchetta took both its inspiration and its name from the lightweight, elemental barchettas of the Fifties. Constructed at Ghia in steel, the Ghia Barchetta concept's taut construction with minimal front and rear overhangs emphasized the economy of design inherent in its front-wheel drive platform while displaying the good looks and style of larger packages. The matte dark grey bumpers give Ghia Barchetta a dressed-up look and highlight its rounded wedge profile. Small extractor vents behind the front wheels complement the barchetta heritage and highlight the metal-forming talents of Ghia's calderai, the traditional crafters of ornamental brass and copperware from the Turin area.
The realization of the Ghia Barchetta so enthused the sports car fans among Ford Europe's management that the intention to use it only internally as a demonstration was rethought and it was publicly displayed in 1983 as a concept illustrating the versatility of Ford's FWD powertrain and chassis components. At least some enthusiasts felt the same, starting a "Barchetta Club" in Germany which counted as many as 10,000 members but still not enough support to find Ghia Barchetta a home in Europe. Built as an operating concept, Ghia Barchetta has a fully functional cloth soft top and rides on 13" cast alloy wheels with 185/60HR-13 Goodyear NCT tires. Ghia's strength among Ford's several design studios was its ability, in a very short period, to construct a functional concept, very close to the production realization. Ghia Barchetta demonstrates that capability.
Presented here in its original silver livery with two-tone grey cloth interior, Ghia Barchetta is showing its age. The exterior finish is in good condition but the interior shows the effects of its-life as a demonstrator for the proposition that a sporty convertible could be created on existing components. The driver's seat back bolster, particularly, is worn through from repeated entry and exit. The Ghia Barchetta concept bodywork is exceptional, functioning well and displaying even panel gaps and smooth panels that would be enviable on a restored car, much less on one that has seen potentially exhaustive use as a concept demonstrator and show car. In 1989 Mazda (now a Ford affiliate) introduced the Miata 2-seater based upon the 323 sedan. It was a runaway sales success and inspired a number of competitors. Ghia's little Barchetta was just a little too early to catch the wave.
1965 Mercury Comet Cyclone Sportster Concept
Mercury Comet Cyclone Sportster Concept, 1965. A customized Comet designed by Mercury and built by Gene Winfield. The Cyclone Speedster used the wrist-twist steering system Ford was experimenting with at the time.
Mercury Comet Escapade, 1966
This dream car was a high-performance roadster. George Barris customized this Comet in six weeks. The car was shortened sixteen inches and featured custom sheet metal, sequential turn signals, white leather interior, and pearlescent blue paint.
1954 Mercury XM-800
Ford Motor concept car. Designed in the Mercury pre-production studio by John Najjar (studio manager) and Elwood Engle (consultant assigned to Ford by George Walker"s design firm). Built for Ford by Creative Industries, Detroit, it was first shown to the public at the 1954 Detroit Auto Show.
Promoted as an "advanced design, engineered to go into volume production" , Benson Ford proposed building the XM 800 as a second Mercury car line, something to compete with Buick, Oldsmobile and Pontiac offerings. Plans were scrapped when the Davis committee recommended making Mercury into a distinct mid-sized car produced by a separate Mercury division and when a second new division was set up producing what became the Edsel.
The XM 800 traveled the auto show circuit through out the 1954 season. It made a brief appearance in the 1954 20th Century Fox film - Woman"s World, starring Clifton Webb, Van Heflin, Cornel Wilde, Fred MacMurray, June Allyson and Lauren Bacall. The car was also immortalized as what has become one of the most sought after automotive cereal box premiums from the 1950s. A small scale model of the car, produced by the F & F Mold Company, was offered in boxes of Post"s Grape Nuts Flakes.
In 1957 Ford Motor Company gifted the XM 800 to the University of Michigan"s Automotive Engineering Lab for use in training "future" automotive engineers. Later sold at auction, its whereabouts were unknown for many years. In the early 1980s Dan Brooks discovered the XM 800 in a farmer"s barnyard in a small rural town about 50 miles west of Detroit. The car is currently in the Bortz Dream Car Collection.
Mercury D-528 Beldone
Built by Ford Mercury in 1953-55 and used as a rolling laboratory. Prototype Y block motor XY-3, fully cast fiberglass body, first opening rear electric window. The colors on it are original colors as is the interior design. Restored such that the original build quality was not compromised.
The D-528 was built to test advanced concepts in seating, lighting, air conditioning, and front frame design. The hinged rear fender bulges were functional, concealing a spare tire on one side and a gas tank on the other. Such a design gave the car adequate luggage capacity despite the need to accommodate a large air conditioning system. Although it boasted design features such as a pillarless windshield and Ford's first reverse-sloping retractable rear window, it was an in-house research vehicle that was never shown publicly
XM-8100 Turnpike Cruiser Experimental Car
One of Mercury's most memorable dream cars of all time is the audacious XM Turnpike Cruiser from 1956. Bold styling featured 12-inch wide V-shaped taillights and matching pealescent concave-sculpted rear fenders. The XM Turnpike Cruiser's large, flat roof seemed to float above the two-tone interior. Twin transparent roof panels flipped-up when doors were opened.
1956 Mercury XM Turnpike Cruiser Concept was designed with fast, long driving in mind. It was inspired of the Interstate Highway System. A lot of the design elements was later seen on the regular production model 1957 Turnpike Cruiser
1961 Mercury Palomar (named after Mt. Palomar where the largest telescope in the world at the time was located) was Ford Motor Company's first station wagon concept car. The silver-blue fiberglass prototype had a some very atypical features; it was a four-door hardtop on the driver's side only with "suicide" type doors, had a so-called flying bridge third passenger seat inspired by boats, and a sliding roof section. This design was proposed as a possible 1966 Mercury, but unfortunately the design got no further than this singular concept car. In fact, it was never seriously considered for production. The Palomar was on display inside Ford's Rotunda building for some months and is believed to have been destroyed when a fire engulfed the building on November 9, 1962
Mercury's Palomar two-door hardtop station wagon featured a roof with an opening rear section. When open, the rear seat rose and a small windshield popped up allowing the passengers to see over the roof. The concept car was named in honor of Mt. Palomar Observatory in California.
1964 & 1965 Mercury Comet Super Cyclone
What if you are dissatisfied with the 1964 Comet Caliente and wanted to build a sleek fastback coupe? One real-world design was this car built at Dearborn Steel Tubing for the Lincoln-Mercury Caravan of Stars. You'd need to present a well-reasoned document explaining why your design appears as it does, and how it might be realistically used.
Mercury exhibited its one-of-a-kind Comet Super Cyclone at the 1964 Chicago show. The sleek fastback roof was custom and included a large wrap around back window, like the 1964-65 Plymouth Barracuda. Stylish European-style headlights were rectangular in shape, but illegal on U.S. highways at the time.
Mercury Super Marauder
1964 Mercury Super Marauder was created by the legendary customizer George ( the king ) Barris for Mercury. It was powered by a 427 V8 and featured side-mounted exhaust pipes and a chopped windshield. The overall length was cut eight inches, and the wheelbase shortened four inches from the production Marauder.
The wheelbase of "Super Marauder" is five inches shorter and overall length eight inches shorter than the standard Mercury. It is built for two passengers, with no top. The windscreen and side windows are designed to eliminate the need for goggles at high speeds. Two futuristic headrests, located on filled-in deck area, are individually adjustable and contain rear turn signals. Velocity stacks are incorporated into the bonnet in order to accommodate a multi-carb system, not yet out of the drawing board stage. Engine is a stock 427 incher. Two front fender intakes feed air to the brakes. Exhaust exits through outlets located in stainless steel mouldings, just ahead of the rear wheels. The steering is two-handle type, utilizing conventional power steering. the exterior finish is "Golden Cinnabar," a bright Vermillion color
Mercury Comet Escapade, 1966
This dream car was a high-performance roadster. George Barris customized this Comet in six weeks. The car was shortened sixteen inches and featured custom sheet metal, sequential turn signals, white leather interior, and pearlescent blue paint.
Always cool looking at prototypes. Maybe a dumb question, but why is there a competing post? or is my double vision kicking in?
Quote from: 67 GT350 on December 22, 2023, 12:37:29 PM
Always cool looking at prototypes. Maybe a dumb question, but why is there a competing post? or is my double vision kicking in?
First and foremost please do not ever think any question is dumb.
What the saying "Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery that mediocrity can pay to greatness"
Mercury LeGrand Marquis, 1968
A dual action trunk lid based on the principle of the dual action station wagon tailgate has been applied with exciting results to a new idea car called the Mercury LeGrand Marquis. The trunk lid of the Mercury LeGrand marquis, including half the right rear fender, swings up from the rear and also swings over like the cover of a book to provide convenient, low loading height. This method also permits loading from the right side, affording the advantage of curb level access on city streets and protection from on-coming traffic on open roads. Other innovations on the Mercury LeGrand Marquis which have production possibilities include twin sun roof sections and unique interior lighting.
very rare Mercury transporter
1956 - Van-O-Rama
specially designed trailer with large plexiglass side panels was used to transport the vehicle; a standard Ford COE tractor pulled the trailer and its unique cargo.
Mercury Cyclone Super Spoiler, 1969
The Super Spoiler cut the roof off of the production Cyclone and replaced it with a built-in roll bar. There were four bucket seats, and Marauder X-100 taillights. Notice the "duck tail" spoiler blended into the body.
Lincoln-Mercury Montego Cyclone Sportshauler Show Car, 1970-72
Cyclone Sportshauler, Lincoln-Mercury's newest show car, carries a surprise in its trunk. The car, designed by Ford's Design Center, has a special compartment which stores an all-terrain vehicle behind the two front seats. The Sportshauler has a unique rear window and deck lid which form a rear door that opens electrically. When the rear is fully open, a tailgate drops to the ground to form a ramp and the vehicle is lowered by an electric winch. The all-terrain vehicle can be replaced by a minibike, snowmobile or other recreation vehicle. Cyclone Sportshauler will be unveiled at the Detroit Auto Show, November 21-29 at Cobo Hall.
Mercury's Montego-based Sportshauler concept vehicle was a huge attraction during the 1971 Chicago Auto Show. The Montego Sportshauler was reconfigured to carried two-passengers and their all-terrain vehicles. Both spokeswomen posing with the experimental Mercury wore the trendy miniskirts, vests, wide belts and white boots. Visitors to the Mercury exhibit had the opportunity to be one of the three daily winners of a five-foot long stuffed Cougar feline.
Mercury Antser 1976 another quality and informative post
Mercury's answer to America's driving needs in the late 1980s and beyond was shown in the proposed Antser concept car. The prototype featured an aerodynamic design, lightweight construction and a 1,200-pound electric hybrid power system. Anster was approximately the size of a Mercury Bobcat, and could seat 4-passengers (2-regular seats and 2-jump seats). A comprehensive computer-controlled electronic map display could be programmed to give detours and alternate routes, plus, the instrument panel displayed a computer-calculated average distance required to stop the car.
From Hagerty online today - 10 insane concepts from Ford's Heritage Vault https://www.hagerty.com/media/car-profiles/10-insane-concepts-from-fords-heritage-vault/?utm_source=SFMC&utm_medium=email&utm_content=MED_UN_NA_EML_UN_UN_DailyDriver_Tuesday&hashed_email=fdb456c44c4ce6b1fc045174310048189f73c408c06b400ab5276ae1c03273df&dtm_em=fdb456c44c4ce6b1fc045174310048189f73c408c06b400ab5276ae1c03273df
Quote from: jk66gt350 on December 26, 2023, 01:02:55 PM
From Hagerty online today - 10 insane concepts from Ford's Heritage Vault https://www.hagerty.com/media/car-profiles/10-insane-concepts-from-fords-heritage-vault/?utm_source=SFMC&utm_medium=email&utm_content=MED_UN_NA_EML_UN_UN_DailyDriver_Tuesday&hashed_email=fdb456c44c4ce6b1fc045174310048189f73c408c06b400ab5276ae1c03273df&dtm_em=fdb456c44c4ce6b1fc045174310048189f73c408c06b400ab5276ae1c03273df
Excellent article, thanks for the contribution
C 50
Mercury called the Concept 50 a "concept for fun". The idea was to show the public what small specialty front-wheel-drive vehicles of the future might resemble. The Concept 50 had clean cab-forward styling resembling that of the 1989 Ford Probe production vehicle. The 102.6-inch wheelbase, 177.4-inch length, and the 50.6-inch height were also similar to the 1989 Probe. Created as a two-door hatchback, the Concept 50 was intended for 18-30-year-olds or young two-income couples. Features included a small multi-valve V6 engine and all-wheel- drive. The five-spoke wheels resembled those of the 1989 Ford Thunderbird SC and the 1990 Mercury
Mercury One compact car concept, 1989
Ford and Mazda combined talents and developed the fiberglass Mercury One compact car concept. Outstanding aerodynamics was achieved by flush glass all around and smooth integrated body panels. The Mercury One indicated the design philosophy of future Mercury Tracer and Ford Escort.
Is it a Econoline, Red Wagon or Deora ?
No it's a Ford Explorer
Ford revealed a concept vehicle at the 1973 Chicago Auto Show. It was called the Explorer, and it very much looked like it was patterned after the Deora.
Interestingly, a period press release describes the 1973 Explorer as "a foretaste" of what the full-size "Ford F-100 pickup could become," not as a potential replacement for the car-based Ranchero utility vehicle. It's quite possible, therefore, that Ford's Deora-esque show truck was intended to promote the Explorer option package. Either way, this 1973 concept was the first Ford vehicle known as an Explorer.
Interestingly, a period press release describes the 1973 Explorer as "a foretaste" of what the full-size "Ford F-100 pickup could become," not as a potential replacement for the car-based Ranchero utility vehicle. It's quite possible, therefore, that Ford's Deora-esque show truck was intended to promote the Explorer option package. Either way, this 1973 concept was the first Ford vehicle known as an Explorer.
Both the Explorer and the Deora rely on some sort of mid-engine layout, though the Ford's is more extreme. The Alexanders moved the Deora's six-cylinder only 15 inches; to create the Explorer, the Ford designers moved the truck's (or van's) V-8 back a full five feet.
When it came to speed, the Deora wasn't much of a hot rod. Chrysler's venerable slant-six engine probably deserves a plaque in the engine hall of fame, but most folks don't regard it as a performance powerplant. For the Explorer, Ford chose V-8 power, selecting its 429-cubic-inch big-block in the 375-hp / 450 lb-ft tune of the contemporary Thunderbird. The Explorer and the Deora differed in transmission design, too: The Explorer's two-pedal interior indicates an automatic gearbox. The Deora had a three-speed manual.
Ironically, though the Deora came from the radical world of custom cars and the Explorer from a relatively staid corporate culture, the Ford was theoretically the higher-performance vehicle. I say theoretically, because I haven't been able to determine if the '73 concept was operational or just a show-car pushmobile. If any reader recalls any contemporary coverage clarifying the matter, please let us know in the comments.
Although there's no indication that Ford ever intended to put the Explorer concept into production (it was still selling the Ranchero ute), the Explorer's design is more practical than the Deora's. The latter has no side doors; the windshield flips up and the lower front panel swivels open, allowing the driver and passenger to get in and out via the front of the vehicle, in the style of the Isetta microcar.
The Deora also relied on a complicated linkage to swing the steering wheel out of the way when passengers were entering or exiting, and the steering "wheel" itself is actually a dragster-sourced yoke. In contrast, the Explorer had a more user- (and production-) friendly interior, with conventional driver- and passenger-side doors.
That interior, by the way, indicates how quickly trends changed between 1965 and the early '70s. The Deora's cab is upholstered mostly in black vinyl, while the Explorer's is very, very orange—down to the roots of its shag carpet and the spokes on its Torq Thrust–looking wheels. Even the truck bed is carpeted in orange.
It would be nice to credit the team responsible for styling the Explorer, but Ford archivists say that fact isn't recorded. They were, however, able to locate studio photos dated April 29, 1971, of two clay models with 1974 license plates. Apparently, Ford was considering two alternatives as theoretical replacements for the F-100 pickup: a more conventional pickup with a separate bed and a rearward driving position, whose front-end styling may have influenced the 1986 Aerostar minivan; and what appears to be a fully formed version of the cab-forward Explorer concept, wearing a slightly different grille.
Interestingly, that second clay model bore a "Caribou" nameplate. If you zoom in on the first, you'll see that designers used a truly generic placeholder badge.
There is no indication that Ford ever exhibited the Explorer after its brief display in Chicago and at auto shows and state fairs in 1973. While Ford archivists have graciously provided Hagerty with period publicity materials, they were not able to find any record of what happened to the Explorer concept. Details of its ultimate destiny are not in Ford's corporate collection, as far as I have been able to determine. Most likely, it was crushed years ago.
The Deora is currently owned by Detroit-area collector Tom Abrams, who operates the Reliable Carriers service used by many to transport their vehicles to shows and to new owners. The 1973 Ford Explorer concept survives in name only.
Mercury Messenger Concept (2003)
The 2003 Mercury Messenger Concept is a sporty coupe that was designed to breathe new life into the now-defunct brand prior to its discontinuation in 2010, and like the MK9, is the work of Gerry McGovern, who oversaw design at Lincoln and Mercury for a short time in the early 2000s. The Messenger debuted at the 2003 Detroit Auto Show, repelling down from the roof as part of an elaborate Blue Oval display at that particular event.
The idea behind the Messenger was to usher in a new era of styling for the mid-priced brand, one that would help differentiate it from its Ford-based brethren. However, it was just that – a design exercise, not a functioning car – even though it's equipped with a fully adorned exterior and interior. The concept was built with no engine or transmission, though an electric motor was added later on to make it easier to move around the various shows it attended.
Unlike many other concepts that have been crushed or lost to history, the 2003 Mercury Messenger Concept is alive and well after it was purchased by Chicago-based restaurant and night club developer Joe Bortz a few years ago, who owns a rather large collection of concepts – including the MK9. Bortz later upgraded the Messenger's electric motor and added bigger batteries to enable it to cruise at speeds of up to 35-40 mph, keeping this little slice of history alive for future generations to enjoy.
2004 Lincoln Mark X concept car
The retractable hardtop and 1963 Continental–inspired egg-crate grille would bring excitement to the brand in the same way the folding-droptop genre was benefitting the likes of Mercedes, Cadillac, Lexus, BMW, and Infiniti during that time.
But this concept car was more than a Thunderbird with a Continental grille. The chrome strip running across the Mark X's belt line is a nice throwback to yesteryear's slab-sided Lincolns. Or. as the press release said, "The Mark X concept is designed to demonstrate the potential of the Lincoln brand by stretching its DNA to a sophisticated roadster."
The Mark X's interior was a concept car dream that looked close to production, as sharing bits with the Thunderbird meant you could do a fair amount of implementation behind the scenes and nobody would be the wiser. But the "lime sorbet" leather interior paired with Corian accents was likely never in the cards, the latter being the preferred finish for high-end kitchens, not cars. (This was before everyone demanded granite countertops in their McMansions).
Introduced in March 1964 as a "rolling laboratory of new ideas in styling and engineering," the Ford Aurora concept car featured a unique lighting system, special seating arrangement, clamshell tailgate, and electric door locks. While on display at the New York World's Fair, the Aurora caught the attention of producers for "2001: A Space Odyssey," who considered, but ultimately rejected, using the car in the now-iconic science fiction film.
The Elegant and Always Lovely Mercury Cyclone 1990
Mercury's Cyclone concept car featured extreme cab-forward design, and a transparent, electrochromic glass roof that changed tints depending on the lighting. Inside the four-passenger cabin was a television screen that showed what was behind the car via tiny rearview TV cameras, eliminating the need for sideview mirrors. No one power source was specified, but the concept was enginieered to house a V-8.