2003 Ford 427 Concept - Images, Specifications and Information

Click here to download printer friendly version

The 1960s were the heyday of the truly cool American car; a time when slabs of sheet metal, chrome and the Rat Pack defined cool. Those days have given way to multi-purpose vehicles, pop-idols and plastic. But, Ford is signaling a renaissance in the classic American sedan with the new Ford 427 concept introduced at the North American International Auto Show. The Ford 427 concept is a showpiece of the possible design direction for a future lineup of Ford cars. It debuts at the 2003 North American International Auto Show as part of Ford�s biggest-ever wave of new product and concept introductions, nine of which are cars. The 427 concept is a modern, all-American sedan inspired by the exuberance of the company�s landmark sedans of the 1960s, replete with the uncompromising, 590-horsepower engine that inspired its name.

Menacingly blunt in its all-black silhouette with glints of chrome and billet aluminum, the 427 concept is dark and mysterious, day or night. Striking an almost sinister pose wherever goes, the car seems like it was designed for film noir.

Where the Ford 427 concept exterior design is all-American, the interior is fully modern. Contemporary exterior themes of the muscular bent grille, the squared vertical headlamps and clean American profile are carried over to the interior in an uncompromising fashion. There is no mistaking that the exterior and interior of the 427 are in complete alignment with the car�s mission and mystery. The sedan�s striking black interior is tightly wrapped in sophisticated black handcrafted leather with cornmeal stitching. These long, flowing, stitched lines are consistent with the soft and sexy lines of the 427 concept�s exterior silhouette. The detailed stitching has no harsh corners and describes the interior in a single fluid graphic.

The modern version of the Ford 427 concept�s power plant started off as a cloak and dagger �skunk works� project commissioned by Theodore, who wanted to know if it was feasible to craft an all-new, lightweight 427 cubic inch (7.0-liter) engine out of Ford�s highly flexible modular V-8 engine family. Ford�s Powertrain Research & Development answered the call and began working under the radar screen on a limited budget. The result shocked everyone. Remarkably, the engine is almost 70 pounds lighter than the 5.4-liter 32-valve Cobra R engine from the Ford Mustang.