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Ford Forty-Nine

The future's bright at Ford... At least, that's how it appears as we sit in the cockpit of the American giant's sensational Forty-Nine. From here, the road ahead looks tempting, even for the company which has been plagued with problems.

By Phil Berg

July 2002

The future's bright at Ford... At least, that's how it appears as we sit in the cockpit of the American giant's sensational Forty-Nine. From here, the road ahead looks tempting, even for the company which has been plagued with problems.

Revealed at the Detroit Motor Show in 2001, the Forty-Nine is part of the same Living Legends family which includes the recently relaunched Thunderbird and production-ready version of the all-new GT40. According to blue oval insiders, the Forty-Nine will be next to reach the showrooms...

We hope they are right. The stunning machine's styling harks back to a 1949 Ford which was a huge hit for the company. And in the same way as its predecessor, the new car's thumping V8 engine, style and desirability have forced jaws to drop and crowds to cheer at motor shows across the world - and we got to drive it first.

Turn the key and the 3.9-litre V8, borrowed from the Thunderbird, snarls purposefully into life. The noise from the tailpipes is much rortier than the tamer exhaust tone of the T-bird, but we were surprised how well engine vibration is isolated from the cabin. And when the electro-hydraulic bonnet is raised - a show in itself - you notice the motor is almost completely encased in polished stainless covers and panels, as if packaged for a museum display. Yet none of the trimmings rattle, even at full revs.

This is not only for show, though, and as you'd expect acceleration is brisk, up to a point. The V8 is obviously powerful, but for our photoshoot, the Forty-Nine has been speed-limited since there are no seatbelts and the huge 20-inch chromed front wheels don't have enough space to steer further than a few degrees. The brakes on this concept need some attention, too!

While these attributes are hardly desirable, the experience is somehow fitting of a car from the hot rod era. Nothing sends you back in time more than driving a vehicle without belts and with anchors which only stop your heart when you need them...

Safety is obviously not a priority, though. The flat, wide, black-and-brown leather seats (Ford called them "sofa wide" in 1949) add to the experience, but offer no lateral support. Corner at more than walking pace and you'll need to wedge yourself into position with your elbows to prevent sliding over the smooth hide upholstery. The seats are not the only blast from the past. The thick leather-wrapped steering wheel is bus-like in size and positioned right up against your chest - great for cruising as you can still reach the wheel with your hands, while your elbows are planted on the armrest and shoulder-high door for full posing cruise mode.

The gearlever is concealed in the raised armrest which extends between the rear seats, but this doesn't disguise the fact that it works much better as a place to rest your arm than as a shifter. We found it best just to leave it in the 'D' position and allow the T-bird's four-speed gearbox to do all of the work, rather than manually selecting ratios.

The armrest also houses the rear air vents and serves to increase structural rigidity, says Ford. However, this is no super-stiff sports car. The Forty-Nine's ride is floaty and the steering numb and slow, too. But what that tells you is to relax, lean back, cruise and soak up the admiring glances. And they're easy to spot, too, thanks to the great visibility out of the cabin. The back window slopes into the roof without a break, and the A and C-pillars are so narrow you almost feel as if you're driving a full convertible when the windows are rolled down.

It's the final glance around the cabin which convinces you of the Forty-Nine's appeal. So what if it doesn't quite work properly, who cares if the interior is impractical? The Ford is great fun. Strange though it may seem, we have driven more accomplished cars that aren't.

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FIRST OPINION

    With its alluring looks and powerful character, Ford's Forty-Nine concept is a car the company can take pride in. Focusing on a fictional point in history, the two-door celebrates a style developed by hot rodders during the Fifties, and is the perfect car for those who like to be noticed while cruising. It might not have advanced technology and the driving experience is honed on the drag strip, but let's pray the Forty-Nine gets the green light.
 

AT A GLANCE

    Ford Forty-Nine concept starred at the 2001 Detroit Motor Show
    Powered by 3.9-litre V8 engine borrowed from new Thunderbird
    Features glass roof, retro-style four-seat interior and enormous 20-inch chromed wheels
     
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