Ford 427 concept
by Christopher A. Sawyer

During an interview at the 2002 New York Auto Show, Ford’s Design director, J Mays, agreed there was a need for a “broad shouldered sedan that was unmistakably American, but borrowed its tailoring and craftsmanship from European luxury models.” Less than one year later, the subject of that conversation sits on the show floor in Detroit.

Students of early Ford LTDs will notice the striking similarity between the shape of that car’s tail lights and those found on the 427. Internally divided into upper and lower sections, the concept’s lights do without the crosshair motif of the ‘60s sedan. The broad brushed metal accent between the lights, combined with the rake of the trunk lid and rear quarter, and placement of the “427” and “V10” badges mimic the original without descending into imitation or – worse yet – mockery.

The body sides are relatively flat and bounded by bright work along the lower edge of the windows and doors. To enhance the 427’s visual strength and power, the sections along the greenhouse look as though they were deliberately folded around a form, and placed over an internal structure. This aspect transitions into a near-90º join between the upper panels and body sides, without creating a “knife-edge” section more suited to Lincoln’s Continental concept.

The headlights are stacked one atop another in alloy-rimmed rectangular boxes, and frame a three-bar alloy grille. Below the bumper face this motif is repeated with a three-bar opening flanked by large brake ducts. The brakes – four-wheel-discs – live behind large 5-spoke dished alloy wheels.

Inside is all black leather and aluminum trim (Ford must have gotten a deal on the stuff), punctuated by white stitching on nearly every surface. The gauge cluster is shaped like a figure0eight laid on its side, while a broad, Y-shaped (to clear the punched-out 7.0-liter V10) console dominates the surroundings by neatly bisecting the interior into four quadrants at elbow height.

Judging from the 427, Detroit may once again be on the verge of understanding what it means to design an American sedan.

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