The GR-1 is an arresting sight. Previously shown at the Pebble Beach concours, it is shown in Detroit with a polished aluminium finish that, whilst hard to read, emphasises the 'wow factor' of the car. Also newly shown at Detroit is its interior.
The car is Ford’s latest 'living legend' design, this time paying homage to the Daytona Coupe produced forty years ago – something most evident in its high kamm tail with a raked back and concave rearmost surface.
The kink in the small DLO is one of its strongest signatures, a kink that is echoed throughout the design in a way which lends it exceptional harmony. This signature is employed inside also where a slightly less automotive and very innovative design identity imbues the cockpit with a real sense of purpose.
Based on the platform of the Ford Shelby concept shown last year to little acclaim, the GR-1 could be Ford’s riposte to GM’s Corvette, as Chrysler’s Firepower might also be. Unlikely perhaps, but lets hope so.
I've seen that a while ago somewhere. The interior looks a bit bland, and I'm not liking that uniswitch thing that's capable of doing dozens of capabilities. They've got that in certain model BMW's and all I've heard were complaints from the testers and owners.
Well last year they said that after the three year production run of the Ford GT, the Shelby Cobra Concept from last year was going to be the replacement for the GT. But since a lot of people who weren't Ford fans and were Shelby fans, cut down the front end styling of the car, Ford shot back this past fall, but showing this car at Pebble Beach. The new GR-1 is said to be the replacement of the GT in 2008. The car will share the same platform as the outgoing GT, which is a cost saving expense for Ford.
The model, doing the speaking about the car, said they put 200 hours of buffing into the NAIAS Concept version, to get that glassy look! Thats right, 200 hours!
2005 Ford Shelby GR-1 Concept:
