The story of Ghia – part 1
The beginning In tracing the genealogy of coachbuilding firms, it turns out that they originated in the early years of the last century as…
© Paolo Martin
© Paolo Martin
© Paolo Martin
© Paolo Martin
Ford Blue Car
In December 1971, Ghia (part of the De Tomaso Group) was commissioned by Lee Jacocca to study a small compact in order to identify the stylistic trends of an expanding market in the European area.
Vehicle Overview
The Ford Blue Car study was a remarkable project carried out by Ghia with an unparalleled level of speed and secrecy. The effort was so discreet that, to this day, there is only one known photograph of the prototype – a snapshot taken as a memento during its air shipment. Beyond that, no additional images or documentation have surfaced, making this study shrouded in mystery. The prototype was built on the platform of a Fiat 127, retaining all the original mechanical and volumetric dimensions of the base vehicle. This decision was integral to maintaining consistency in the study, ensuring that the design could evolve without altering the underlying technical specifications. The final product, referred to as the “Blue Car,” was a key point of reference during the early development stages of the Ford Fiesta I Series. Filippo Sapino and Tom Tjaarda, both prominent figures in automotive design, were involved in this study, and their work likely influenced the design direction for the Fiesta. The Ford Blue Car prototype served as an important reference in refining ideas that would later be incorporated into the iconic Fiesta I Series, a model that would go on to become a cornerstone of Ford’s compact car lineup. The drawings on display were created by the talented Paolo Martin, and they are the only known original sketches of the Blue Car prototype. These drawings hold immense historical value, especially considering that the 1:1 scale drawing was destroyed and no further documentation of the project remains. As a result, these artworks are the sole surviving link to a fascinating chapter in automotive history. The secrecy and rapid pace of the study, combined with the limited surviving materials, make the Ford Blue Car an intriguing example of how automotive design can evolve under intense pressure and confidentiality.
Technical Specifications
-
Body
-
Year1971
-
MakeFord
-
ModelBlue Car
-
CoachbuilderGhia
-
Length (mm)N/A
-
Width (mm)N/A
-
Height (mm)N/A
-
Units built1
-
Engine TypeN/A
-
MakeN/A
-
ModelN/A
-
Cylinder CapacityN/A
-
Number Of DoorsN/A
-
Six Month RateN/A
-
Twelve Month RateN/A
-
Date Of First RegistrationN/A
-
Year Of ManufactureN/A
-
CO2 EmissionsN/A
-
Fuel TypeN/A
-
Tax StatusN/A
-
TransmissionN/A
-
ColourN/A
-
Type ApprovalN/A
-
Wheel PlanN/A
-
Revenue WeightN/A
-
Tax DetailsN/A
-
Mot DetailsN/A
-
TaxedN/A
-
motN/A
-
MakeN/A
-
Cylinder CapacityN/A
-
RegistrationN/A
-
Year Of ManufactureN/A
-
CO2 MissionsN/A
-
Fuel TypeN/A
-
Tax StatusN/A
-
ColourN/A
-
Type ApprovalN/A
-
Wheel PlanN/A
-
Revenue WeightN/A
-
DESIGNER
Subscribe
Login
Please login to comment
0 Comments
Oldest
