Some of the things for sale on Facebook Marketplace are out there. Ford Authority recently posted about a 1983 Ford Probe IV concept car, reportedly one of only two built. The other frame is at the Petersen Museum. Still, this one was recently found again and is being sold on Facebook without a price. In 1979, Ford first showed the Probe concept to the world. It was built on Ghia’s Fox base and was shaped like a wedge. The idea, which was new at the time, was to make an affordable car as big as a racecar to improve fuel efficiency by reducing wind resistance. In the years that followed, the ideas behind Probe II and III changed. The Probe III’s general form had a big effect on the Ford Sierra/Merkur XR4Ti. Sadly, a trailer fire in 2024 destroyed the only Probe I that was ever found. Before Ford even got to Probe IV, Ghia had lowered its drag coefficient to 15. This amazingly low number, which shows that Probe IV works better than any modern passenger car, is boldly displayed on the vehicle’s back deck. Of course, the Probe IV had an easy job because it was only supposed to cut through the air, without regard for safety or efficiency. Also, it lacked steering and an engine, so the idea became a work of art rather than a real car. But it’s a beautiful piece of art. I have always thought that the last Probe production car looked better than people said it did. The Probe V, introduced in 1985, was even more radical. It looked like an airship that floated across the road. The Probe IV, on the other hand, looked the best. It’s great how the side windows go over the beltline, and I love how triangular the headlights look on a long, sloped hood. It makes me think of the first Chevy Volt idea or BMW’s Neue Klasse designs. I’ve always wanted someone to figure out how to add a feature like this while keeping the passengers safe. The bodywork strakes make the headlights look like they’re from the 1980s. This Probe IV is engine-less. Its main structure is wood, with steel frames supporting it at the front and back. The seller says the item is old, so it has some issues and missing parts, including a side mirror, a rear glass section that has collapsed and needs to be repaired, and a wheel cover. Hopefully, someone can come to the rescue for a fair price. For people who remember when Ford made more than just pickup trucks, the Probe series marked the start of what I hope will be a historic era of great ideas from the Blue Oval. The brand should still be kept the same, even if it has changed.
