Concept car shines in the showroom By: News 8 Austin Staff The GR-1 Ford Shelby Concept is a car Ford says could someday replace the Ford GT. It has a polished aluminum exterior, butterfly doors and is extremely aerodynamic. It was showcased at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. The engine is the same 6.4, V10 engine that was unveiled at the 2004 show in the Cobra Roadster. It produces a 605 horsepower and goes from 0-60 in less than four seconds. Ford Design manager George Saridakis said the interior is functional. “It’s a very basic, simple sporting interior. We wanted a comprehensive, ergonomic package for the driver, so we have a six-speed manual transmission. There’s not many terribly high-tech features other than enjoying the feel of the car when you’re driving. It’s a very racecar-inspired interior,” Saridakis said. The GR-1 is an homage to racing legend Carroll Shelby. “There are smiling references to the cars he raced in the 60s, which had aluminum bodies as well. Aluminum as a material evokes lightweight, precision engineering and quality. By polishing it up, there’s no better way to express a very sculptural form,” Saridakis said. Copyright © 2005 TWEAN d.b.a. News 8 Austin http://www.news8austin.com/shared/print/default.asp?ArID=129057
The GR-1 shows up in the new Ford commercial. Any chance they may be re-thinking production? http://www.blueovalforums.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=11197
Re: Concept car --why can't they make it now? Now that Ford sold Aston martin (or most of it) for over $600 million, can't they spare enough to put the GR-1 into production? it only cost $100 million to do the Ford GT program so it seems like they have enough to make the GR-1 especially since the tooling is done as it uses much of the GT chassis. I am afraid if they don't make it, Chrysler will get their rebodied Viper into production as a 170-mph coupe and take the wind out of the sales of a new Ford produced Cobra coupe.
We had the GR-1 here in Hawaii for a Motor Trend Auto Show billing it as the Ford GT replacement that used many of the chassis, engine and interior components. My conversation with the Ford rep. at the time revealed a production problem with the scizzor swing up doors. Apparently the GR-1 need to have the frame at the single point hinge reinforced with heavier aluminum, the front extended for moving the windshield forward, and other production mods that were raising the cost quite a bit beyond the original figures. Fun note on the model at this show was that it was the non-engine (second) GR-1 concept display model. The doors were kept shut as there was no interior-no seats, dash or steering wheel. To turn the front wheels, it was necessary to open the Ford emblem below the rear spoiler and turn the recessed adjustment nut with the lug wrench. I assisted the display personnel before and after the show and saw this done. Be careful if the car ever comes up for auction!
