1979 Ghia Ford Probe 1 Concept Car

[cfg83]

Hello -

Got $575K? :

Ghia for sale | Hemmings Motor News

*One-off debuted at the 48th Frankfurt International Motor Show September 1979
*Carefully conserved preservation vehicle
*Fully running and functional
*Hand built by Carrozzeria Ghia in Turin, Italy
*170HP Turbocharged 2.3 liter Mustang Cobra Engine
*Extended Mustang Cobra Fox Chassis
*Steel and glass body


1979 Ghia Concept Car, Probe I represents the re-birth of the “American Dream Car” that Harley Earl’s Buick Y-Job started in 1939 and GM continued with the Motorama Extravaganza’s of the 1950’s. By the beginning of the 70’s the purpose built Dream Car was all but extinct.

Probe I is a product of the collaborative efforts of the famous Turin based design firm Corrozeria Ghia and Ford. Ghia, which traces its roots in coachbuilding back to 1915 and is former home to design icons, Guigaro, Tjaarda and De Tomaso, hand crafted this one of a kind, fully functioning prototype.

Probe I marks the beginning of a new era. An era brought about by a fuel crisis, at a time where a shift in consciousness toward a cleaner environment was born.

From the beginning of the Industrial Revolution in the early 1700s until the late 20th Century, Industry consumed as if the Earths bounty were infinite with little to no regard for tomorrow.

In 1973 everything changed. The Arab Oil Embargo that year provided the catalyst. From Oct 1973 to March of 1974 the price of a barrel of oil quadrupled.

Automakers common motivation is to sell automobiles. As a designer, Earle’s solution to this fundamental problem was to anticipate and set styling trends. Automotive designs became based on excess and planned obsolescence with secondary emphasis placed on innovation and function.

Ford had a “Better Idea”. As a facet of Ford’s Project Alpha, Kopka, head of Ford’s design department, reasoned that a design based upon serious Aerodynamic Science was an attainable solution to the fuel economy issue. At that time there was a considerable bugaboo regarding Aerodynamics in Automobile design. It was argued that cars would all look like jelly beans and all look alike. Kopka believed there was considerable room for implementing advanced aerodynamics without sacrificing style and individuality.

Probe I was considerably more immune to the fluctuations of the petroleum market. Its sleek and angular aerodynamic shape achieved a drag coefficient in the wind tunnel of 0.22, some 37% less than the 0.40 then typical for a 2door 4-passenger coupe. It’s use of the newly developed W Code Mustang Cobra Engine was able to double the average fuel economy of the conventional 2 +2 Sports sedan without sacrificing horse power.

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.

CarloSW2

[ecomodded]

Wow I like it, I thought it was a GM or Pontiac with that front end.
The ford probe did turn into a low cd car, it reached at some point something like 23 cd.

[TOOQIKK]

Me likey!

[kach22i]

Originally Posted by cfg83

$575K?

I do not see that figure in the link. Is that an auction reserve or sold price?

Back when this car was built, I came into some fresh 8x10 B&W photos of it, also acquired (grew up in Dearborn) some B&W Ford truck photos and a few others I cannot remember.

I want to think they are buried in a box somewhere. However in college I moved every six months or so, and really doubt they survived. I need to do some serious cleaning, must have saved 75% of everything worthwhile I ever drew.

[RandomFact314]

Originally Posted by ecomodded

Wow I like it, I thought it was a GM or Pontiac with that front end.
The ford probe did turn into a low cd car, it reached at some point something like 23 cd.

Yeah I thought that the front looked alot like the Pontiac Fiero I used to own

[jime57]

Looks more like a styling exercise than an aero car IMO. The nose is too high, and the tail section is too fast. The lack of mirrors and the fender skirts would help.

It pretty though.

[cfg83]

kach22i -

Originally Posted by kach22i

I do not see that figure in the link. Is that an auction reserve or sold price?

Back when this car was built, I came into some fresh 8x10 B&W photos of it, also acquired (grew up in Dearborn) some B&W Ford truck photos and a few others I cannot remember.

I want to think they are buried in a box somewhere. However in college I moved every six months or so, and really doubt they survived. I need to do some serious cleaning, must have saved 75% of everything worthwhile I ever drew.

I swear the price was there when I looked at the website, so maybe he took it off to entice more enquiries.

You can zoom into the large pictures and download them for posterity.

CarloSW2

[cfg83]

Hello -

At the Hemmings website I searched for "concept" and had some interesting hits :

Hemmings Auto Classifieds features cars for sale nationwide | Hemmings Motor News

Here's one :

1941 Chrysler Thunderbolt for sale | Hemmings Motor News


Good place to watch for when some 1980's aero-concepts pop up.

CarloSW2

[Sven7]

Originally Posted by ecomodded

Wow I like it, I thought it was a GM or Pontiac with that front end.
The ford probe did turn into a low cd car, it reached at some point something like 23 cd.

Wikipedia says the Mk1 Probe gets 0.304, which to me sounds more likely. It's definitely a stylish, dare I say... sexy car!

Originally Posted by kach22i

Back when this car was built, I came into some fresh 8x10 B&W photos of it, also acquired (grew up in Dearborn) some B&W Ford truck photos and a few others I cannot remember.

I want to think they are buried in a box somewhere. However in college I moved every six months or so, and really doubt they survived. I need to do some serious cleaning, must have saved 75% of everything worthwhile I ever drew.

Did you go to CCS? I'm entering my senior year of Transportation Design there this fall. I'd love to see those prints if you ever come across them!

[kach22i]

Originally Posted by Sven7

Did you go to CCS? I'm entering my senior year of Transportation Design there this fall. I'd love to see those prints if you ever come across them!

I wish now that I went to CCS. I did not know it even existed until I was already involved in Architecture (1981-ish)

History | www.collegeforcreativestudies.edu

The Detroit Society of Arts and Crafts changed its name to the Center for Creative Studies-College of Art and Design in 1975.

If I ever find them I'll scan them, don't hold your breath.