Ford Has Discovered This Concept After Decades; Now It's Available For Purchase in an Unlikely Location | Carscoops

      One of just two Ford Probe IV concepts ever created is now available, although it is for display purposes only.

      Ford Probe IV Chassis 001 has reappeared after being presumed lost for years.

      This concept, meant for display, contributed to the testing of aerodynamic performance.

      The prototype has recently been listed on Facebook Marketplace by the seller.

      Facebook Marketplace is a chaotic environment for buying and selling. There, one can find a wide range of items, from knickknacks and dubious listings to extremely rare concept cars. Proof of this is seen today, as one seller has made available the first-ever Ford Probe IV concept. This isn't a replica or tribute build; it’s the authentic model.

      It's a vehicle once thought to be permanently lost, but it has now emerged, and the owner is looking to sell.

      The vehicle was first reported by the Ford Authority team, currently listed in Spring, Texas, as the 1983 Ford Probe IV Concept, chassis 001. This was constructed by Ghia for Ford as part of the automaker’s advanced aerodynamics program in the early 1980s.

      The seller is taking offers, with a placeholder price of $11,111. Importantly, this Probe is primarily a design study. It does not run, so it is not a one-of-a-kind vehicle suitable for daily driving.

      Ford’s Probe program began in 1979 when the company collaborated with Ghia to investigate how innovative aerodynamics could enhance fuel efficiency. By the time the Probe IV was introduced in 1983, these efforts had resulted in a concept that reportedly boasted a drag coefficient of only 0.15—a figure that still outshines many modern production vehicles.

      However, it’s worth noting that the Probe IV bypassed certain factors like safety regulations, drivability, and drivetrain elements.

      The composite body is mounted on a wooden chassis with steel subframes supporting the wheels. The suspension can be manually adjusted for testing purposes, and an electric front splitter highlights how advanced this vehicle actually was.

      This particular model is the very first one created, specifically for wind tunnel testing and development. For many years, it was thought to be missing.

      Now it has resurfaced, joining its only known counterpart, Chassis 002, which was sold for approximately $125,000 in 2022 and is currently housed at the Petersen Automotive Museum in California.

      Given that 001 is non-functional and cannot drive, we wouldn’t expect the price to reach such heights. Nevertheless, it is undeniably a significant piece of automotive history awaiting a new owner.