Over its rather long existence, Ford has churned out some truly special and memorable concept cars, models that have previewed the future in many ways and sometimes led to production counterparts. However, automotive concepts typically face a variety of fates after their time on the show circuit is up – some are kept by the automaker, others are destroyed, and a few wind up being sold to the public. Sadly, one rather famous concept – the 1979 Ford Probe 1 – just met its proverbial maker in a sad accident.
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The folks behind the automotive restoration outfit known as the Scott Grundfor Company have had the 1979 Ford Probe Concept 1 in their possession for 20 years now, most recently showing it off at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. However, when the concept was being transported home in an enclosed trailer, a fire broke out and burned it to the literal ground, leaving nothing more than a shell behind.
It’s a sad ending for the truly groundbreaking 1979 Ford Probe 1, which was the first of several Ghia-bodied concepts that was intended to preview the future of the automobile in general. At the time, Ford envisioned a future in which lightweight vehicles powered by four-cylinder engines were the norm, which makes sense considering the energy crisis America was dealing with at the time. True to form, the Ford Probe 1 was built on elongated Fox Body Mustang underpinnings and powered by the turbocharged 2.3L I-4 engine, sporting a Ford/Ghia-designed body with a slick 0.25 drag coefficient.
Thankfully, no one was hurt in the fire that sadly destroyed the Ford Probe 1 concept, and emergency responders were able to prevent it from spreading to the surrounding foliage as well. Now, Scott Grundfor plans to bring the concept’s remains back to its headquarters, where it will at least continue to serve as a display piece next to the rest of its Ford/Ghia collection of prototypes.
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Comments
An irreplaceable piece of Ford’s history has been lost. Very sad.
Back when Ford, Mercury and Lincoln had style.
I remember that concept well. It was the first concept car that I’d ever seen and it made me a car guy for life. What a sad ending to that car.
Oh, the humanity. Oh, the automobility.