That is an installment in a collection of posts wanting again on present automobiles that we really feel deserved a bit of extra consideration than they received. You probably have a suggestion for a Forgotten Idea subject, please shoot us a line or depart a remark beneath.
Ford Forty-9 Idea
First Seen: 2001 Detroit Auto Present
Description: Retro-themed midsize coupe
Gross sales Pitch: “The Forty-9 Idea harkens again to the romance of a Friday evening on the drive-in…”
Extra Forgotten Ideas
Particulars:
First seen on the 2001 Detroit Auto Present, the Ford Forty-9 Idea was an homage to the model’s revolutionary 1949 mannequin lineup. Penned by scorching rod and customized automobile designer Chip Foose—star of the automotive actuality present Overhaulin’—the Forty-9 was based mostly on the identical Ford DEW98 structure because the modern Ford Thunderbird, Lincoln LS, and Jaguar S-Sort.
The pillarless coupe was powered by a 3.9-liter V8 mated to a 5-speed automated transmission and rode on polished 20-inch alloy wheels. Ford executives hinted on the time that the Forty-9 can be comparatively easy to place into manufacturing, although a plans for a retail model of the idea had been by no means realized. A convertible model of the Forty-9 (pictured beneath) was additionally constructed as a static show automobile, however was not proven as recurrently on the auto-show circuit because the coupe was. The Forty-9 Idea convertible was bought at public sale in 2019 for $51,700.
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CG Says:
It’s at the very least a bit of ironic to pay tribute to a ground-breaking, game-changing automobile with a mechanically standard retro-themed idea, however good intentions depend for one thing. That mentioned, the Forty-9 is a great-looking automobile, although the gross sales potential of a manufacturing variant was probably restricted. With its revived Thunderbird on deck for the 2002 mannequin 12 months, Ford already had one neo-classic journey arriving in showrooms… which, because it turned out, proved to be loads.
Forgotten Idea: Chrysler Imperial
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Ford Forty-9 Idea Gallery
(Click on beneath for enlarged pictures)
Evaluation Flashback! 2002 Ford Thunderbird