What Ever Happened to the Ford Forty Nine?

[Marauder]

That was such a beautiful concept car.
http://www.autointell.com/nao_companies/ford/forty_nine/Forty-Nine_01-550.jpg
http://www.autointell.com/nao_companies/ford/forty_nine/Forty-Nine_02-550.jpg
http://www.ganleyford.com/Concepts/Forty-Nine.htm
http://www.edmunds.com/news/conceptcarspotlight/articles/46726/article.html

[michburt]

I would like the answer to that as well. All the pixs look good.

Mike:party:

[Joe Walsh]

It is gourgeous, RWD, and Ford might sell too many, so they promptly S__T canned the concept...see "FORD. OUT OF TOUCH" thread.

[Cobra25]

I've been waiting for since February 2001 since I saw it on the cover of Automobile Magazine for Ford to make that car. That car Rocks! I still have the magazine and I've always said If Ford makes that car what ever I have consider it traded in.

[merc406]

That was such a beautiful concept car.
http://www.autointell.com/nao_companies/ford/forty_nine/Forty-Nine_01-550.jpg
http://www.autointell.com/nao_companies/ford/forty_nine/Forty-Nine_02-550.jpg
http://www.ganleyford.com/Concepts/Forty-Nine.htm
http://www.edmunds.com/news/conceptcarspotlight/articles/46726/article.html






I heard it went to the scrap yard, along with all of the other of FoMoCo's better designs it seems. :toss: :gunfire:

[MAD-3R]

Looks to much like the latest T-Bird. Just a bit to... Just not likey

[rayjay]

I'll tell ya, they make that in a 4dr, with our engine, and I'll be hard pressed not to trade my beloved Marauder...

[bigslim]

The Forty-Nine was based on a T-Bird chassis. It was a huge hit at the Autoshow. As usual Ford took the info and did nothing with it. The 427 was also a cool concept but it too died a fast death. One thing I credit Chrysler for, they show a car, if it gets a good reception, they build it. Ford says something like "this is not the direction we want to go in".

[jgc61sr2002]

Fine looking ride. IMO most concept cars never go into production. They are an attraction to get you into the show room.

[Cobra25]

Some one at Ford should be Shot for playing with our minds all the time. Ford has too catch up with the times.

[Krytin]

I too had been hoping they would build this - it has a tinted glass roof section from the top of the windshield back to the rear deck! It is beautiful just the way it is in two door!
It came out shortly after the Marauder concept and got as much if not better reception. When they said they would put the Marauder into production they made some noise about the Forty Nine but it quickly died! What a shame!

[Joe Walsh]

Let's see...Chrysler had a Viper concept car...a Prowler concept car...a Magnum concept car...a 300C concept car...and a PT concept car...ALL were put into production due to the overwhelming response that they received. Ford has managed to put the GT into production and for ONLY $150,000!!!

[Mike Brown]

I purchase one at Sharp Ford in Indy, very nice looks good setting on top of the TV. (1:18 scale)

[JDC 302]

From what they (ford) learned from the Marauder Stint. They will know how to kill the Ford Forty Nine in record time.
1.) Build it
2.) Spend money for 1 week of advertising
3.) Overprice It
4.) Start decontenting.....ASAP
5.) Don't build more than 2 alike
6.) Than Discontinue

The Marauder was my First And the way It looks my last FORD Product. They got it right with the Merc Marauder.than in record time Killed a great example of what a real American car should be. They were a little off the mark when it came to packing the engine compartment with more Horespower than it could handle This car was always lacking a Supercharger in stock trim. But It still puts a smile on my face everytime I unload what it has, against some unsuspecting TOUGH GUY.. I really like this Car!!
The bottom line is this, some American Car Buyers still buy cars for more than just transportation. The one I just Spoke about has been AXED!! And I'm glad I got to be one of the few who are "In The Know"

[jgc61sr2002]

From what they (ford) learned from the Marauder Stint. They will know how to kill the Ford Forty Nine in record time.
1.) Build it
2.) Spend money for 1 week of advertising
3.) Overprice It
4.) Start decontenting.....ASAP
5.) Don't build more than 2 alike
6.) Than Discontinue

The Marauder was my First And the way It looks my last FORD Product. They got it right with the Merc Marauder.than in record time Killed a great example of what a real American car should be. They were a little off the mark when it came to packing the engine compartment with more Horespower than it could handle This car was always lacking a Supercharger in stock trim. But It still puts a smile on my face everytime I unload what it has, against some unsuspecting TOUGH GUY.. I really like this Car!!
The bottom line is this, some American Car Buyers still buy cars for more than just transportation. The one I just Spoke about has been AXED!! And I'm glad I got to be one of the few who are "In The Know"


Very true. :(

[bigslim]

I purchase one at Sharp Ford in Indy, very nice looks good setting on top of the TV. (1:18 scale)
I have one too. I set it in my garage everynight and click my heels three times but nothing happens.

[rookie1]

Ford is currently focusing on the successful launch of the 500 series. This line is crucial to Fords future in the car biz. Were it not for the huge profit margins on Suvs and relatively robust truck sales Ford would be hemmoraghing red ink.
Let's also not forget the ill fated Lincoln Blackwood which they decided to build after a great reception at Autoshows and focus groups that promptly went in the crapper, you could also include the Tbird as a concept to production vehicle that didn't quite pan out.
It is a little unfair to include Chryslers Prowler and Viper in comparisons. The Prowler went out of production almost as fast as it went in, and the Viper is such a limited production vehicle that it is only profitable at ridiculously high prices.
I'm not defending Ford, their reluctance to match what their competition spends on advertising is defininitely hurting their showroom traffic and market share.
In regards to the lack of Marauder advertising, I think the market for our beloved vehicles is, in reality, miniscule in comparison to any other vehicle class. General Motors learned this quickly with the Impala SS. It wasn't advertised heavily either and went out of production in 3 short years(their decision to exit the rwd business contibuting also).
As a former SS owner and now a proud MM owner, I can live with the fact that not too many other people wanted to shell out $30k for my vehicle and can only hope that the MM will hold it's value like the SS did.
Just my 2 cents.