2003 Ford 427 Concept - For the Sake of Driving
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| Its hard to grasp the 427's fluid grace of design in pictures. Somehow, up close and personal, it takes on a life of its own. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press) |
Do you remember the 427 cubic inch V8 powered Galaxie 500 of the '60s? Ford wants you to. But even if the new 427 concept's few retro styling details cause the memory to be stirred with emotions from the past its V10 engine configuration and comparatively small exterior dimensions foretell a truly modern sophisticated design.
Technically advanced yes, but the 427 is pure American guts and glory too. "This is a car that you take home, park in your driveway, sit back and let your neighbor eat his heart out," stated J Mays, Ford Motor Company Vice President, Design. "The 427 concept is unmistakably Ford and 100 percent American. It demonstrates that a sedan from a U.S. manufacturer can once again be exciting, sexy, sophisticated and powerful."
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| TWin rectangular tailpipes stick out of a squared off back end. The taillights are tall, vertical lenses typical of muscle cars of the '60s, particularly the Galaxie 500 this concept pays tribute to. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press) |
Powerful? Its 7.0-L V10 - that's 427 cubic inches for those over 35 - puts an impressive 590-hp out to the rear wheels via a 6-speed manual transmission. The engine rasps to life with enough gusto to make a Harley shrink into obscurity. All 509 lb-ft of torque is ready and willing to light up the asphalt, or rather melt it into tar.
"From the first time we drew it up, we knew we had to do a powerplant that lived up to the image of this sinister sedan... Putting a 590-horsepower 427 in this car is like putting a Navy Seal in an Armani suit," said Chris Theodore, Ford Motor Company Vice President, North American Product Development.