The world is now without a single beautiful concept car after a fire at this year’s Monterey Car Week claimed the life of this one-of-a-kind Ford.
A 1979 Ford Ghia Probe I Prototype owned by Scott Grundford Company was being transported to the company’s headquarters when a fire broke out in the enclosed trailer carrying the vehicle.
While the person in the trailer was unharmed, the Ford was destroyed by the fire.
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“We are deeply saddened and heartbroken to have lost our 1979 Ford Ghia Probe I Prototype in a highway accident late Sunday after displaying the car at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance,” the company posted on Instagram.
“We are a family-oriented company, and we feel as though we lost a member of our own family today. We are incredibly grateful that our team member who was driving the tow truck at the time of this accident was unharmed, and his immediate actions prevented this tragic loss of our vehicle from spreading to the local foliage and, of course, others who were driving on the Monterey highway at the time.”
Designed by Ford chief designer Don F. Kopka in collaboration with Italian design firm Carrozzeria Ghia, the Probe I was built on the ‘Fox’ platform also used on the Mustang from the late 1970s.
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Credit: Scott Grundfor Company
The model was unveiled at the 1979 Frankfurt Motor Show, although it never really made it to production, despite Ford later using the Probe name for a Mazda MX-6-based coupe.
Ford owned the idea until 2002, when Scott Grundfor Company became the managing entity.
Current Ford CEO Jim Farley sent his condolences to the company online, saying, “Our hearts are heavy too. A beautiful car and part of Ford history. Grateful that everyone is safe. Thinking of you all.”
