1978 Ford Lucano - AllCarIndex

Two Ford Motor Company concept cars, which dramatize how the fully functional cars of the future might be conceived internationally, will make their West Coast debuts at Auto Expo/L.A., the International Auto Show at the Los Angeles Convention Center May 12-20.

The cars are the Navarre, a five-seater sports coupe based on the Ford Granada and Mercury Monarch, the Lucano, a two-seater sports model off the European Ford Escort.

Both cars were designed by the Ghia Studio of Turin, Italy, Ford's international design "think tank. " Filippo Sapino, managing director of the Ghia operations, said of the two concept cars: "North American and European vehicle dimensions are moving closer together, and Navarre and Lucano show how we can satisfy the tastes of drivers on both sides of the Atlantic. These sporty models would be especially pleasing to Californians.

"Design of the Lucano specifically was inspired by the general reduction in size and weight of North American cars to help meet fuel-economy standards. The car's sporting lines would make it particularly appealing to the youth market. The Navarre is a more formal touring coupe. "

The Navarre, named after a Pyrenees-Mountain region in southern Europe, has a unitized steel body with a 5. 0-liter V-8 engine. The low front section is specially designed to be manufactured in impact-absorbant urethane. Air enters a small louvered grille and two wide slots below the bumper line. A deflector baffle behind the grille directs the air toward the centrally mounted radiator. Headlamps have tinted-glass covers that retract.

The Navarre's horizontal theme is reflected in a low belt line, set two inches below the cowl height, and in the decklid. The roof line runs horizontally toward the rear to maintain a wedge profile.

The roof, pillars and decklid are covered in tan vinyl similar to a convertible top. Adjustable straps are provided to retain luggage, surf boards or even a small motorcycle.

By carefully optimizing the interior layout, the Ghia designers have provided exceptional shoulder room of 58 inches in both front and rear. The Navarre's wheelbase is 110 inches and overall length is 189.7 inches.

The Lucano's wheelbase is 94. 6 inches — one-tenth of an inch longer than the Ford Pinto. Overall length is 166.8 inches.

The car has a small frontal area, with a louvered air-intake system beneath the front bumper for engine cooling. A louvered air extractor on the hood creates a positive air flow through the engine compartment.

The Lucano, named after a town in Italy, can be powered by a range of engines from 1.1 to 2.0 liters, equipped with either manual or automatic transmission.

Headlamps are recessed behind clear plastic shields, and both the front and rear ends are designed to be constructed of lightweight, impact-absorbant urethane. The rear bumper and tail lamps can be removed as a single unit for quick replacement.

The area behind the two seats provides excellent luggage space, or it can be used for a third passenger if necessary.