1978 Ford Fiesta Fantasy

The Fiesta Fantasy, a functional show vehicle that easily converts from a pickup truck into four different types of cars, will be a featured attraction at Ford Division auto-show displays in the United States during Ford Motor Company's 75th Anniversary year.

Conceived by the company's Advanced Vehicles Development group in Dearborn, Mich., the Fantasy was built from a standard Ford Fiesta as a diamond-jubilee show car.

"By exchanging easy-to-install modules on the rear section of the vehicle, the Fantasy can be converted from a two-seat pickup truck into a two-seat sports coupe, a 2+2 hardtop, a 2+2 soft-top convertible or a four-passenger station wagon," Lewis C. Veraldi, vice president - Advanced Vehicles Development, said.

"Although it's a one-of-a-kind show vehicle, the Fantasy has styling and design features that make it a viable approach for meeting the demand for economical, versatile and fuel-efficient small cars in future years."

Mr. Veraldi noted that Ford's first multi-purpose concept vehicle, the Prima, was unveiled at the Los Angeles International Auto Show in 1976 and converted from a pickup into a two-seat coupe, 2+2 fastback or station wagon with specially fitted steel tops.

Unlike the Prima, the Fantasy has a convertible model and offers a soft tonneau cover on its pickup version. Ford's newest concept vehicle also is 10 inches shorter than the Prima, weighs approximately 300 pounds less and has fiberglass rather than steel conversion tops.

"Unlike the Prima and most other futuristic show cars, the Fantasy also was designed to be a fully functional, roadworthy vehicle," Mr. Veraldi said. "Vehicle performance, fuel economy and passenger comfort should be comparable to a production Fiesta."

He pointed out that the Fantasy's basic dimensions, transverse-mounted 1.6-liter engine and front-wheel drive, suspension, brakes, front-and-rear bumper systems and front appearance were unchanged from the German-built Fiesta introduced at Ford dealerships here last August.

The lightweight fiberglass tops clamp easily onto both sides of the pickup's cargo box to form the Fantasy's four other models. A removable glass-and-aluminum bulkhead separates the passenger compartment from the rear section of the pickup and sports coupe versions of the vehicle.

When folded down, the rear seat forms a portion of the cargo bed on the pickup and provides for additional cargo area in the station wagon, convertible and 2+2 hardtop models. It also serves as a "rumble" seat on the pickup truck when the bulkhead dividing the passenger compartment from the pickup bed is removed.

Clint D. Mahlke, Ford Division's display and exhibit manager, said the Division plans to exhibit the Prima and two other futuristic vehicles — the Corrida and the Megastar — at major auto shows during the coming year.

The Corrida, a 2+2 sports car also based on the Fiesta, features an aluminum body, top-hinged gull-wing doors and a black and red-metallic paint treatment.

Designed by Ghia's Operations in Turin, Italy, the Megastar is a design concept for family cars of the future. Its four-door wedge-shaped aluminum body is based on Ford's European Granada and could accommodate up to five adults.