As the 1980's rolled around the idea of the future, space and technology were hugely popular. The advent of the computer pushed this as well as movies like "Star Wars" and "Back to the Future" really encapsulate this 1980's infatuation. The early 1980's also saw the major gas crisis so efficiency was also something on the minds of the big auto manufacturers. The Probe series cars, although don't wear Ghia badging, are in fact a product of Ghia and Ford. The Probe IV was actually the third car in the Probe series and was hugely advanced in aerodynamic design. Ford and Ghia went to great lengths to make its outside surfaces as smooth as possible as well as a low ride height to have the least amount of under car airflow possible. Extremely advanced for its time, it also is equipped with a speed sensitive ride height control system where at certain speeds Probe IV would actually adjust its own ride height so at high speed the rear would raise up six inches and the nose would drop four inches for maximum nose down attitude. The front air dam is also designed to adjust depending on the nose attitude for maximum efficiency. Super smooth panels with recessed emblems, door handles and windows as well as a full belly pan for maximum air flow efficiency. Mechanical innovations were also required to meet Probe IV design requirements including a highly sophisticated short MacPherson strut front suspension. Its front engine, rear drive chassis is powered by a 1.6 liter 4-cylinder turbocharged engine which was actually canted 70 degrees to the side to lower the hood. It also features four fully skirted wheels and tires that have a membrane between the inner and outer wheel wells that actually flex when the wheels are turned to allow for normal driving, but they reduce wheel well turbulence drastically. It actually achieved a drag coefficient of 0.152, the same as the F-16 fighter jet! The Probe IV was an unbelievable accomplishment for Ford, again using the excellent and old coachbuilding experience of Carrozzeria Ghia. Another concept that the Ford Motor company used technology and ideas for its future production cars, but would ultimately put into storage not to be seen for decades. Contact us for more information.
