Ford Unveils New Sports Car!

**nsap** · 08-13-2004, 09:09 AM

Ford unveils new Ford Shelby GR-1 concept sportscar at Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance.
PEBBLE BEACH, Calif., August 12, 2004 - Ford took the occasion of the world's foremost showcase of automotive splendor, the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, to unveil the Ford Shelby GR-1 concept, calling the new sports car a salute to "performance art."

The Ford Shelby GR-1 is a uniquely emotional American sports car design that makes a bold statement about Ford's performance future.

"The Ford Shelby Cobra concept was a small step in our plans for the Ford GT supercar architecture and our relationship with Carroll Shelby," says J Mays, Ford Motor Company group vice president of Global Design. "And the Ford Shelby GR-1 is a giant leap toward the future."

The GR-1 concept takes the performance car genre in a new direction combining modern sculptured surfaces in a sleek muscular fastback design. The result is a forward-looking supercar with attention grabbing Ford presence and Carroll Shelby inspiration.

The Ford Shelby GR-1 is a front-engined, two-seat, fastback supercar that is based on the architecture of the Ford GT.

Ford and Carroll Shelby
More than 42 years after their original agreement to produce performance cars, Ford Motor Company and Carroll Shelby are back together producing production and concept cars. Shelby, a former race car driver and creator of numerous collectable performance cars returned to collaboration with Ford in the design of the 2005 Ford GT, which goes on sale this summer.

Shelby worked closely with the Ford Design team and Advanced Product Creation group to develop the Ford Shelby Cobra concept car. In addition, Shelby will produce a high-performance, limited edition, Shelby Ford Expedition, for sale through select dealers next year.

Design
Racing inspired and wholly modern in design, this show car builds on the success of the Ford Shelby Cobra concept - the 2004 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) "Best in Show" winner - and reinforces Ford's on-going commitment to performance excellence.

The Ford Shelby GR-1 concept is a sinewy, athletic design with a dramatic front engine proportion. The long hood blends seamlessly into the teardrop-shaped cabin while the dramatic fenders dart rearwards into curvaceous haunches thrusting the car forward and enhancing the aggressive stance and width.

The car looks as if it is in motion, even when standing still. The optimized wheel arches and compact overhangs define the dramatic proportion while the sensual surfaces express the car's athletic nature. A chiseled physique is achieved with sheer and full surfaces working together, interfacing one another in harmonious lines such as the strong shoulder line orbiting the car's form.

The front of the GR-1 is dominated by an impressive air intake aperture and air flow splitter, directing cooling air into the engine bay and wheel wells, while air vents on the top surface of the hood exhaust hot air from the radiator.

The V10 engine pushes unashamedly upwards into the hood's surface exposing prominent bulges - a potent reminder of the car's powerful performance - while air vents at the base of the front screen allow the motor to breathe. Intakes and vents perforate the body side and Kamm tail, further exhausting hot air out of the vehicle.

The front corners of the GR-1 are dominated by the front wheel well and trapezoidal HISS (high intensity solid state) and LED headlamps. The distinctive Kamm tail, a strong concave section, is further defined by the bold vertical tail lights at the rear.

A visor-like side glass graphic gives a hint of the dramatic motion of the butterfly-hinged doors.

The race-inspired, ultimate high performance, Ford Shelby GR-1 is the next chapter in a long line of emotionally-charged Ford supercar concepts.

Building Another Showstopper
Ford worked closely with Carroll Shelby to develop the Ford Shelby Cobra concept for the 2004 North American International Auto Show. The show car was the brainchild of Ford's Advanced Product Creation Group, engineered in Michigan and designed in California, a partnership which is charged with developing future car concepts and technologies with an eye toward production possibilities. The group used the Ford GT architecture and fully engineered the Ford Shelby Cobra concept. For demonstration purposes, two chassis were ordered for the Cobra concept, but only one show car was built.

Before body panels were even created, the fully-operational running chassis was test-driven at high speeds at Ford's Dearborn Proving Ground. So pleased were Ford officials with the concept's chassis that they took the extra demonstration chassis and went to work on another concept before the Ford Shelby Cobra concept was unveiled in January.

The Ford Shelby Cobra and its predecessor, the Ford GT were hits of the two previous North American International Auto Shows. The Ford Design team was challenged to follow-up with another exciting concept.

The Designer
In the Irvine Advanced Design Studio, George Saridakis, a young designer, new to Ford in 2000, was known for his contributions in executing the details of some of Ford, Lincoln and Mercury's latest production and concept designs.

Saridakis created a sketch that caught the attention of the Irvine team and resonated with Mays.

"George produced this completely resolved sketch - the best I've seen in 10 years," says Mays. "When I saw it, it wasn't a matter of 'Let's do more sketches.' It was really more of a 'Let's get this into clay.'"

Remarkably, only the original sketch of the car, in three perspectives, was created.

"George nailed it in one crack," Mays opines. "This is a designer so masterful at visualizing every aspect of the car and its story that it literally flowed out of his pen. And because the design is so pure, we really believe this show car will be a hit."

Ford Shelby GR-1
Preliminary Specifications
(Measurements in inches, unless otherwise noted)

Length 173.7 (4413mm)
Width 74.6 (1834mm)
Height 46.0 (1168mm)
Wheelbase 100 (2540mm)
Track Front 63.0 (1598mm)
Track Rear 61.3 (1558mm)
Front Overhang 35.6 (903mm)
Rear Overhang 38.2 (970mm)
Min. Ground Clearance 5.9 (150mm)
Curb Weight 3900 lbs est.
Tire Size 275/40/R19 front 345/35/R19 rear
Engine Ford 6.4L V10
Max RPM 7500RPM
Horsepower 605 @ 6750RPM
Torque 501lb/ft @ 5550RPM
Transmission 6-speed transaxle with LSD
Final Drive Ratio 3.36:1

**nsap** · 08-13-2004, 09:12 AM

Photos

**Ming** · 08-13-2004, 09:16 AM

I really like the side view. Reminds me of my favorite concept car:

atomicshark · 08-13-2004, 09:32 AM

Kinda reminds me of a Saab Sonnet. The front looks too unresolved and busy.

http://homepage.eircom.net/~pkanters/image...onnet3_72_2.jpg

PontiacDriver123 · 08-13-2004, 09:35 AM

WHOA!! :mf_boff: I can't believe thats a ford product.Well after staring at it for a bit it reminds me of an aston martin or w/e.

amark329 · 08-13-2004, 09:39 AM

Looks like an Aston Martin in the first pic. I don't like it.

**paul8488** · 08-13-2004, 09:49 AM

can't think of the last time i was so struck by a concept (oh yeah... since ming posted that cool AMX pic... that's awesome!). that ford is something else. hints at a few cars perhaps but 100 years into the business it must get tricky to be 100% unique. the third pic down shows the cars best lines. overall i think that's rather unique... with some perfect design elements.

looks stainless steel (like the delorean)... gotta love a car you can buff with steel wool!

**nsap** · 08-13-2004, 09:52 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by atomicshark@Aug 13 2004, 07:32 AM
Kinda reminds me of a Saab Sonnet. The front looks too unresolved and busy.

http://homepage.eircom.net/~pkanters/image...onnet3_72_2.jpg

The production version will likely be "toned down"...

**Rex Raider** · 08-13-2004, 10:07 AM

I have a feeling they aren't planning on making this a sub $20k car though.

Bladon · 08-13-2004, 10:18 AM

I know it was "retro" but the Cobra convertible concept they revealed earlier has that thing backed of the map. They're already building the GT40, they have a new Mustang. Yet their mainstream cars are getting yawns. Only Chrysler and Asians seem to want to market to the average buying public. Ever wonder why Detroit keeps loosing market share?

SUPERBADD75 · 08-13-2004, 10:34 AM

retro again. Cobra Daytona. Ford, come on... you're better than that!! NEW ideas, please?

vanshmack · 08-13-2004, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by laserwizard@Aug 13 2004, 08:46 AM
Awesome.

Remember it is a showcar, a concept car, and that many of the front features won't make it to production. This car has all the character that that wimpy little solstace never had. Nice to see character lines and sharp fender creases. Out with that used bar of soap styling that was passe in the 1990's. In with character!

Way to go Ford!

In profile, it looks to me like the Solstice coupe concept from TWO years ago. In every other angle, it looks like "been there, done that."

All that said, it's a nice looking piece of work. It's just a shame Ford's design people can't seem to draw an original line without lifting it from something built 35 years ago.

And laserwizard, you know if this car had a GM badge hanging from it, YOU WOULD HATE IT!

**paul8488** · 08-13-2004, 10:48 AM

the GR-1 only looks retro when placed beside that old pic. the concept looks as modern and clean-sheet as anything i've seen this year. some designs are timeless... that's one of them.

silverado_13 · 08-13-2004, 10:51 AM

I like the look of this car but a 605hp V10 isn't a good idea in my opinion. Ford needs a car between the GT and the mustang. Something to compete with the viper adn corvette. If they released this car with hp in the 400 to 500 range at about 50 to 60,000 it would be a smart move. They already have a supercar, why build two? Also, I believe that ford should put more money into it's other brands and high volume products instead of trying to build supercars.

silverado_13 · 08-13-2004, 10:53 AM

I just noticed something I feel is important to point out...

3900lbs!!!!!!!!!!!

Its a bit heavy.

08-13-2004, 09:09 AM	#1 (permalink)
nsap Administrator Join Date: Jan 2003 Drives: 2006 Pontiac G6 GTP 2009 Ford Focus SEL Posts: 14,965	Ford unveils new Ford Shelby GR-1 concept sportscar at Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. PEBBLE BEACH, Calif., August 12, 2004 - Ford took the occasion of the world's foremost showcase of automotive splendor, the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, to unveil the Ford Shelby GR-1 concept, calling the new sports car a salute to "performance art." The Ford Shelby GR-1 is a uniquely emotional American sports car design that makes a bold statement about Ford's performance future. "The Ford Shelby Cobra concept was a small step in our plans for the Ford GT supercar architecture and our relationship with Carroll Shelby," says J Mays, Ford Motor Company group vice president of Global Design. "And the Ford Shelby GR-1 is a giant leap toward the future." The GR-1 concept takes the performance car genre in a new direction combining modern sculptured surfaces in a sleek muscular fastback design. The result is a forward-looking supercar with attention grabbing Ford presence and Carroll Shelby inspiration. The Ford Shelby GR-1 is a front-engined, two-seat, fastback supercar that is based on the architecture of the Ford GT. Ford and Carroll Shelby More than 42 years after their original agreement to produce performance cars, Ford Motor Company and Carroll Shelby are back together producing production and concept cars. Shelby, a former race car driver and creator of numerous collectable performance cars returned to collaboration with Ford in the design of the 2005 Ford GT, which goes on sale this summer. Shelby worked closely with the Ford Design team and Advanced Product Creation group to develop the Ford Shelby Cobra concept car. In addition, Shelby will produce a high-performance, limited edition, Shelby Ford Expedition, for sale through select dealers next year. Design Racing inspired and wholly modern in design, this show car builds on the success of the Ford Shelby Cobra concept - the 2004 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) "Best in Show" winner - and reinforces Ford's on-going commitment to performance excellence. The Ford Shelby GR-1 concept is a sinewy, athletic design with a dramatic front engine proportion. The long hood blends seamlessly into the teardrop-shaped cabin while the dramatic fenders dart rearwards into curvaceous haunches thrusting the car forward and enhancing the aggressive stance and width. The car looks as if it is in motion, even when standing still. The optimized wheel arches and compact overhangs define the dramatic proportion while the sensual surfaces express the car's athletic nature. A chiseled physique is achieved with sheer and full surfaces working together, interfacing one another in harmonious lines such as the strong shoulder line orbiting the car's form. The front of the GR-1 is dominated by an impressive air intake aperture and air flow splitter, directing cooling air into the engine bay and wheel wells, while air vents on the top surface of the hood exhaust hot air from the radiator. The V10 engine pushes unashamedly upwards into the hood's surface exposing prominent bulges - a potent reminder of the car's powerful performance - while air vents at the base of the front screen allow the motor to breathe. Intakes and vents perforate the body side and Kamm tail, further exhausting hot air out of the vehicle. The front corners of the GR-1 are dominated by the front wheel well and trapezoidal HISS (high intensity solid state) and LED headlamps. The distinctive Kamm tail, a strong concave section, is further defined by the bold vertical tail lights at the rear. A visor-like side glass graphic gives a hint of the dramatic motion of the butterfly-hinged doors. The race-inspired, ultimate high performance, Ford Shelby GR-1 is the next chapter in a long line of emotionally-charged Ford supercar concepts. Building Another Showstopper Ford worked closely with Carroll Shelby to develop the Ford Shelby Cobra concept for the 2004 North American International Auto Show. The show car was the brainchild of Ford's Advanced Product Creation Group, engineered in Michigan and designed in California, a partnership which is charged with developing future car concepts and technologies with an eye toward production possibilities. The group used the Ford GT architecture and fully engineered the Ford Shelby Cobra concept. For demonstration purposes, two chassis were ordered for the Cobra concept, but only one show car was built. Before body panels were even created, the fully-operational running chassis was test-driven at high speeds at Ford's Dearborn Proving Ground. So pleased were Ford officials with the concept's chassis that they took the extra demonstration chassis and went to work on another concept before the Ford Shelby Cobra concept was unveiled in January. The Ford Shelby Cobra and its predecessor, the Ford GT were hits of the two previous North American International Auto Shows. The Ford Design team was challenged to follow-up with another exciting concept. The Designer In the Irvine Advanced Design Studio, George Saridakis, a young designer, new to Ford in 2000, was known for his contributions in executing the details of some of Ford, Lincoln and Mercury's latest production and concept designs. Saridakis created a sketch that caught the attention of the Irvine team and resonated with Mays. "George produced this completely resolved sketch - the best I've seen in 10 years," says Mays. "When I saw it, it wasn't a matter of 'Let's do more sketches.' It was really more of a 'Let's get this into clay.'" Remarkably, only the original sketch of the car, in three perspectives, was created. "George nailed it in one crack," Mays opines. "This is a designer so masterful at visualizing every aspect of the car and its story that it literally flowed out of his pen. And because the design is so pure, we really believe this show car will be a hit." Ford Shelby GR-1 Preliminary Specifications (Measurements in inches, unless otherwise noted) Length 173.7 (4413mm) Width 74.6 (1834mm) Height 46.0 (1168mm) Wheelbase 100 (2540mm) Track Front 63.0 (1598mm) Track Rear 61.3 (1558mm) Front Overhang 35.6 (903mm) Rear Overhang 38.2 (970mm) Min. Ground Clearance 5.9 (150mm) Curb Weight 3900 lbs est. Tire Size 275/40/R19 front 345/35/R19 rear Engine Ford 6.4L V10 Max RPM 7500RPM Horsepower 605 @ 6750RPM Torque 501lb/ft @ 5550RPM Transmission 6-speed transaxle with LSD Final Drive Ratio 3.36:1 __________________ E-Mail Me Engine Guide Updated!! -- Revised layout, more info., up-to-date

08-13-2004, 09:12 AM	#2 (permalink)
nsap Administrator Join Date: Jan 2003 Drives: 2006 Pontiac G6 GTP 2009 Ford Focus SEL Posts: 14,965	Photos __________________ E-Mail Me Engine Guide Updated!! -- Revised layout, more info., up-to-date

08-13-2004, 09:16 AM	#3 (permalink)
Ming GMI Staff Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: SE Texas Posts: 13,396	I really like the side view. Reminds me of my favorite concept car: __________________ The Latest: Necromancer A Web Browser for the Commodore 64?

08-13-2004, 09:32 AM	#4 (permalink)
atomicshark 6.0 Liter LS2 V8 Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Long Island, New York Posts: 4,429	Kinda reminds me of a Saab Sonnet. The front looks too unresolved and busy. http://homepage.eircom.net/~pkanters/image...onnet3_72_2.jpg __________________ 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt - 9,800 miles 2008 Saturn Vue - 6,300 miles 2004 Pontiac GTO - 71,864 miles atomicshark's flickr gallery

08-13-2004, 09:39 AM	#6 (permalink)
amark329 3.9 Liter V6 Join Date: May 2004 Location: Maine Posts: 918	Looks like an Aston Martin in the first pic. I don't like it. __________________

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08-13-2004, 09:35 AM	#5 (permalink)
PontiacDriver123 2.2 Liter ECOTEC Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 89	WHOA!! :mf_boff: I can't believe thats a ford product.Well after staring at it for a bit it reminds me of an aston martin or w/e.

08-13-2004, 09:49 AM	#7 (permalink)
paul8488 GMI Staff Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: France Drives: 2007 MBK Flipper Scooter Posts: 13,251	can't think of the last time i was so struck by a concept (oh yeah... since ming posted that cool AMX pic... that's awesome!). that ford is something else. hints at a few cars perhaps but 100 years into the business it must get tricky to be 100% unique. the third pic down shows the cars best lines. overall i think that's rather unique... with some perfect design elements. looks stainless steel (like the delorean)... gotta love a car you can buff with steel wool! __________________ *The department of redundancy department.*

08-13-2004, 10:07 AM	#9 (permalink)
Rex Raider Administrator Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Toronto, Canada Drives: 2009 Camry Hybrid (company car) Posts: 11,782	I have a feeling they aren't planning on making this a sub $20k car though. __________________ Sure, I drive a Toyota, but at least I don't have to pay for it.

08-13-2004, 10:18 AM	#10 (permalink)
Bladon 1.8 Liter ECOTEC Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 56	I know it was "retro" but the Cobra convertible concept they revealed earlier has that thing backed of the map. They're already building the GT40, they have a new Mustang. Yet their mainstream cars are getting yawns. Only Chrysler and Asians seem to want to market to the average buying public. Ever wonder why Detroit keeps loosing market share?

08-13-2004, 10:34 AM	#11 (permalink)
SUPERBADD75 6.2 Liter Vortec V8 Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: at the corner of walk and don't walk Drives: 2008 Trailblazer LT3 2005 MB SLK350 Posts: 2,898	retro again. Cobra Daytona. Ford, come on... you're better than that!! NEW ideas, please? __________________ Acura: Because if you want a really nice Honda, there's only one choice. "Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former." --Albert Einstein - 2008 Trailblazer LT3 - 2005 MB SLK350 SUPPORT AMERICA: BOYCOTT WAL-MART

08-13-2004, 10:48 AM	#13 (permalink)
paul8488 GMI Staff Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: France Drives: 2007 MBK Flipper Scooter Posts: 13,251	the GR-1 only looks retro when placed beside that old pic. the concept looks as modern and clean-sheet as anything i've seen this year. some designs are timeless... that's one of them. __________________ *The department of redundancy department.*

08-13-2004, 10:51 AM	#14 (permalink)
silverado_13 3.9 Liter V6 Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Newfoundland Drives: 1998 Malibu, 3100V6 155hp 180tq. Dark Cherry Met. Posts: 820	I like the look of this car but a 605hp V10 isn't a good idea in my opinion. Ford needs a car between the GT and the mustang. Something to compete with the viper adn corvette. If they released this car with hp in the 400 to 500 range at about 50 to 60,000 it would be a smart move. They already have a supercar, why build two? Also, I believe that ford should put more money into it's other brands and high volume products instead of trying to build supercars.

08-13-2004, 10:53 AM	#15 (permalink)
silverado_13 3.9 Liter V6 Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Newfoundland Drives: 1998 Malibu, 3100V6 155hp 180tq. Dark Cherry Met. Posts: 820	I just noticed something I feel is important to point out... 3900lbs!!!!!!!!!!! Its a bit heavy.

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