Concept Car Of The Day: 1976 Ford Corrida - AllCarIndex

Concept Car Of The Day: 1976 Ford Corrida

Jul 26, 2024

At the New York Auto Expo in April of 1976, Ford Motor Company's Ghia Operations of Turin, Italy, showcased two experimental concept cars based on the new European Ford Fiesta. These unique vehicles, the Corrida and the Prima, made their United States debut at the event.

The Corrida was a sporty fastback 2+2 coupe with gull-wing doors, recessed concealed headlamps, and a bottom-hinged tailgate. It was designed with a focus on performance and featured a sleek black-and-red paint treatment, forged-aluminium wheels, and contoured seats for the driver and front passenger. The top-hinged gull-wing doors folded in the middle to provide easy access to the interior in tight spaces, while the additional hinged rear door increased the load space capacity.

On the other hand, the Prima was a multi-purpose vehicle that could be quickly converted into four different body styles by adding detachable roof sections. It started as a two-seat pickup truck and could be transformed into a two-seat sports coupe, a 2+2 three-door fastback, or a four-seat station wagon. The design incorporated technical and practical features to meet market demands for an economical and utilitarian vehicle.

Both the Corrida and the Prima had 90-inch wheelbases, transverse-mounted engines, and front-wheel drive, which allowed for a wide range of body styles within the same basic vehicle structure. While these concept cars were not intended for production, they were instrumental in gathering public feedback on the innovative ideas being developed by Ghia designers for future transportation solutions.

Overall, the Corrida and Prima concept cars showcased at the New York Auto Expo in 1976 demonstrated Ford's commitment to pushing the boundaries of automotive design and technology. These experimental vehicles paved the way for future innovations in the industry and continue to inspire new ideas in the world of transportation.