You learn something new... - Cars you didn't know existed, until now!

[Turbo]

ohhhhh, that's what it was? I knew I've seen a body style like that before. Thanks!

---
and I just learned about the Ford p100, it was based on the Cortina in earlier years and the Sierra in later years. So yeah, a Sierra pickup; I kinda like that. It makes me want to do a silly project with it involving a cosworth engine swap.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_P100

Your dreams can be a reality. It's been done before.

 

[RandomCarGuy17]

Your dreams can be a reality. It's been done before.

Yeah, I looked up p100 cosworth mods right after posting that. Should've guessed I wasn't the only one with the same idea.

 

[TheCracker]

Yeah, I looked up p100 cosworth mods right after posting that. Should've guessed I wasn't the only one with the same idea.

I think every single P100 that still exists today has had a Cosworth mod done to it. I bet the unsophisticated live rear axle makes it challenging to drive.

 

[Turbo]

Daihatsu Mira Milano







Yes, you could've bought a Kei car like this.

 

[The Vanishing Boy]

^ A Kei-car perfect for people 6'5 and up! Genius!

=======

BT -> I've never knew that there was a Crew-Cab American-spec Ford Ranger since 1998 in Brazil!!!

-> But the best looking version was the 2004-2009 version:

^ If only Ford NA realized this back in 2004, they would've have the excuse to phasing it out in 2011 for poor sales. And the US market could've gotten the T6 Ranger since 2013!

~> I skipped the 2010-2012 version simply because it looked too dorky:

 

[Ze Elephant]

I think my favorite part about that is how shameless the photoshopping is.;

 

[Turbo]

A 4-door Ranger wouldn't have been a bad idea here in the States... wonder why Ford never sold it here?

 

[RocZX]

A 4-door Ranger wouldn't have been a bad idea here in the States... wonder why Ford never sold it here?

Cause the US had the Explorer Sport Trac.

 

[The Vanishing Boy]

-> The Sport Trac is meant to compete with either the Avalanche, Ridgeline, & Baja. Not with the TacoColoTier...So the Ranger Crew-Cab makes a HUGE sense in the US and gives the TacoColoTier a run of their money.

 

[TheNuvolari]

Lynk & Co 03

Spoiler

Holy Scirocco, Batman.

 

[TexRex]

Lynk & Co 03

Spoiler

Holy Scirocco, Batman.

Yeah, apart from the color and the general roundness of the wheels, I just don't see it. If anything, it's an odd combination of Jeep Cherokee and Nissan Juke in the front, and very Kia Optima toward the rear.

Anyway...

While this generation of Ford Focus isn't new to me, I was unaware it was touched by Ghia. I don't know what differentiates them across the board, but it appears some Ghia examples carry that chrome strip under the headlights and grill, while I don't believe non-Ghia examples (US-spec, anyway) did. I saw the model referenced in GTPlanet user @Moglet's signature and decided to investigate.

 

[Moglet]

While this generation of Ford Focus isn't new to me, I was unaware it was touched by Ghia. I don't know what differentiates them across the board, but it appears some Ghia examples carry that chrome strip under the headlights and grill, while I don't believe non-Ghia examples (US-spec, anyway) did. I saw the model referenced in GTPlanet user @Moglet's signature and decided to investigate.

In the UK "Ghia models get electric heated mirrors, folding centre armrest, a leather gear knob with bright trim, woodgrain effect door trim and front door scuff plates". They also had a chrome boot/trunk handle, or at least my facelift one does. Interestingly it doesn't have the chrome strip on the front...

 

[TexRex]

"Ghia models get electric heated mirrors, folding centre armrest, a leather gear knob with bright trim, woodgrain effect door trim and front door scuff plates"

Are there any features to identify it as a "Ghia" for those uninitiated? A badge, for example?

 

[Michelin Man]

Are there any features to identify it as a "Ghia" for those uninitiated? A badge, for example?

Yea, usually there was one the rear c pillar's behind the rear windows, whether it was the Escort, Mondeo or Focus etc. Otherwise that was it, was simply a trim level that added a few extra goodies.

 

[TexRex]

I had no idea it was so pervasive (and for so long; since 1976), but it appears they were equipped with three-dimensional badges as opposed to basic script decals...so that's something.

Lastly (I hope), because in my post hoc research I have been unable to find out, did Ghia have any involvement in development (or production, though that seems highly unlikely) or is it more of a commemorative use of the name to denote trim level? I know they were involved in initial design work on the Mustang II here, though, come to think of it, I don't know how they figured in Mustang II "Ghia" development.

 

[Michelin Man]

From what I can remember, I'm pretty sure Ghia had no involvement when it came to developing any of the Ford's that bore the Ghia name at the time. Ghia were just the design house Ford used to denote their more "luxurious" models, otherwise that was it.

Ghia was eventually phased out by Ford as a trim level as far as I'm aware, as it did get rather old hat by the time the Mk1 Focus' production came to end, something Ford even said themselves (or along the lines of) if I remember correctly. Ghia trimmed Fords did sort of became synonymous with lovely velour seats and faux wood trim for many over here, myself included .

 

[VXR]

Ghia and Ghia X were replaced with Titanium and Titanium X respectively.

The Escort Ghia Si of the mid-90s that mixed wood trim with sports seats was pretty offbeat.

 

[Turbo]

Yeah, apart from the color and the general roundness of the wheels, I just don't see it. If anything, it's an odd combination of Jeep Cherokee and Nissan Juke in the front, and very Kia Optima toward the rear.

Anyway...

While this generation of Ford Focus isn't new to me, I was unaware it was touched by Ghia. I don't know what differentiates them across the board, but it appears some Ghia examples carry that chrome strip under the headlights and grill, while I don't believe non-Ghia examples (US-spec, anyway) did. I saw the model referenced in GTPlanet user @Moglet's signature and decided to investigate.

You clearly never played Gran Turismo 2...

 

[TexRex]

You clearly never played Gran Turismo 2...

Nor have I 1, 3 or 4, and I only played 5 ever so briefly after having started with 6; only out of curiosity and only because it was made available to me.

 

[Turbo]

On the topic of Ghia Fords still... 1979 Ford Fiesta Statesman Concept by Ghia.

 

[VXR]

You clearly never played Gran Turismo 2...

Curiously, that's not depicting a Ghia, either. It doesn't have the chrome trim under the grille, which was the signifier of that trim level for the phase 1 Focus. Whilst Zetec was the engine family, on the Focus it was used as the sport trim grade, so in GT2 the car is a mixture of both trim grades.

 

[The Vanishing Boy]

-> ...

Curiously, that's not depicting a Ghia, either. It doesn't have the chrome trim under the grille, which was the signifier of that trim level for the phase 1 Focus. Whilst Zetec was the engine family, on the Focus it was used as the sport trim grade, so in GT2 the car is a mixture of both trim grades.

^ In today's generation graphics, yes. But back in the day, that chrome strip in front is too thin to be visible with the pixels PD trying to replicate.

 

[RocZX]

-> The Sport Trac is meant to compete with either the Avalanche, Ridgeline, & Baja. Not with the TacoColoTier...So the Ranger Crew-Cab makes a HUGE sense in the US and gives the TacoColoTier a run of their money.

What?
The Explorer Sport Trac same class as the Ridgeline (Tacoma, Colorad/Canyon, Frontier and Dakota) but the Avalanche was bigger and the Baja was smaller.
The Ranger and Explorer were built on the somewhat same platform. The Ranger crew cab is about the size Sport Trac, so why would Ford have 2 similar trucks ( 4 doors and a short bed) in the same class to compete with each other?

 

[Turbo]

Renault 5 6x6 Prototype





There was an R5 6x6 prototype as well.

 

[StreetHawk555]

Another 6 wheeler goes by the name of Dodge.

Dodge T-Rex (1997)
A Ram based concept truck that has three axles and six-wheel drive. Powered by the 8.0L Magnum V10 from the Ram 2500/3500, although the power specifications weren't officially rated, dodgeram.org suggests more than stock. This concept was later rejuvenated to the 2013 Mercedes-Benz G63 AMG 6x6.

 

[TexRex]

What about 6 the hard way?

 

[The Vanishing Boy]

-> ...

What?
The Explorer Sport Trac same class as the Ridgeline (Tacoma, Colorado/Canyon, Frontier and Dakota) but the Avalanche was bigger and the Baja was smaller.

^ Set aside the size disparity, those vehicles cater to the same niche, "Sport Activity Pickup Trucks." Meaning, they're not as capable as a traditional-designed pickup truck.

The Ranger and Explorer were built on the somewhat same platform. The Ranger crew cab is about the size Sport Trac, so why would Ford have 2 similar trucks ( 4 doors and a short bed) in the same class to compete with each other?

^ As what I stated above, the EST was more of an SUV. The Ranger was more capable, nimbler off-road, smaller, beefier, and more basic (which majority of people prefer). While the EST was bulkier, more sophisticated, more expensive, and slightly bigger than the Ranger CrewCab.

US Ranger CrewCab

Explorer Sport Trac

Global Ranger/Courier (Mazda based)

What about 6 the hard way?

^ That car looks like a land-yacht compared to the Covini C6W:

Another 6 wheeler goes by the name of Dodge.

Dodge T-Rex (1997)
A Ram based concept truck that has three axles and six-wheel drive. Powered by the 8.0L Magnum V10 from the Ram 2500/3500, although the power specifications weren't officially rated, dodgeram.org suggests more than stock. This concept was later rejuvenated to the 2013 Mercedes-Benz G63 AMG 6x6.

^ At first thought the G 6x6 is yuge. But it was easily dwarfed by the new Hennessey's Velociraptor, wow.

 

[Turbo]

A few Supra Mk. IV prototypes, dating from 1992.

Mk. III Supra design studies, date unknown.





Supra Mk. III Group A rally car. I had already known about an Mk. IV used for rallying, but I never knew these were used as well.







2000 Toyota Ultimate Celica Concept

 

[RocZX]

"Sport Activity Pickup Trucks."

It's not a BMW. Its Sports Utility Truck.

Set aside the size disparity, those vehicles cater to the same niche, "Sport Activity Utility Pickup Trucks." Meaning, they're not as capable as a traditional-designed pickup truck.

The person buying a Avalanche is going to cross shop it with a Baja?

Some SUTs made to complete pickup trucks in their size class for people wanted better ride quilty of an SUV but wanted versatility of a pickup
As I said Explorer Sports Trac was made to complete with Ridgeline, 4 door Tacoma, 4 door Colorado/Canyon,4 door Frontier and 4 door Dakota.

As what I stated above, the EST was more of an SUV. The Ranger was more capable, nimbler off-road, smaller, beefier, and more basic (which majority of people prefer). While the EST was bulkier, more sophisticated, more expensive, and slightly bigger than the Ranger CrewCab.

Yes the Ranger crewcab would have been better the Sports Trac.
As I said at the time the Ranger Crewcab was released Ford decided to give the US a Explorer pickup which was about the same size

 

[Turbo]

1974 Gazella 2001

Nope, it's not a Porsche. It's actually just a Skoda 110R, powered by a 2.0L BMW engine, designed to resemble a 911. It was also developed in Brazil. Sadly, it never raced, as it didn't go past the prototype stage.​