1982 Ford Quicksilver

Official press release:

The Ford Ghia Quicksilver, an aerodynamic, midengine, high performance five-seat luxury concept sedan, marks the third stage of a mid-engine design study which was begun at the Ford Ghia Studios in Turin in the late 1970s.

"With Quicksilver we were moving into unknown territory," said Donald F. Kopka, Ford vice president of Design. "There were few precedents to guide us, as in the past, midengine cars have had at best 2-plus-2 seating, with only small bench seats for the rear passengers. Completion of this unique concept car demonstrates that we can produce a practical five-seat, four-door sports sedan."

The interior accommodation has, to some extent, dictated the side profile of the car, although with its low, rounded nose, tapered belt-line, slanted windshield and smoothly-contoured glass areas, the Quicksilver is also extremely efficient aerodynamically.

"Our inital tests showed the Quicksilver to have a drag coefficient of approximately 0.30," Mr. Kopka said, "although now we expect to have improved considerably on that by subsequent fine-tuning of the body."

Among the aerodynamic features of Quicksilver are a flush-fitting belly pan, retractable headlamps and skirted rear wheels, plus a totally new method of flush-mounting the retractable curved windows.

This system, which was developed by Ghia, combines a new design of channels and window frames which moves the glass laterally when it is fully raised, so that it lies virtually flush with the body sides.

It is powered by a transverse-mounted Ford 3.0-litre V-6 engine and has a five-speed transmission. The mid-engine position permits a particularly short hood, which houses the forward luggage compartment and spare wheel. The rear baggage compartment has even more luggage space.

Quicksilver's interior is trimmed in a combination of cloth with contrasting panels of tweed, in warm grey tones. The rear seat is wide enough for three people. The sports front seats are a special design built in the Ghia studio.

Classic round dials are set in an unusual assymetric dashboard, the design of which is based on sectors of a circle springing from the center of the steering column. The steering wheel is adjustable.

DIMENSIONS:

Length: 15 feet
Wheelbase: 9 feet, 8 inches
Width: 5 feet, 9 inches
Height: 4 feet, 2inches

Engine & performance:

Position: mid-engined, transversely

Type: Ford V6

Capacity: 2994 cc

Power: 138 hp @ 5000 rpm

Torque: 235 Nm @ 3000 rpm

Top speed: 200 km/h

Dimensions:

Length: 4560 mm

Width: 1750 mm