Solved - NEH 458: Ford Fiesta 'BlueCar' prototype

[Carnut]

Identify this car for 1 point:

[DeAutogids.nl]

I saw it on the net as a Ford Fiesta proto

[Carnut]

I saw it on the net as a Ford Fiesta proto

Yes.  Don't know when it dates from but the site claims it to be a prototype for the original Fiesta I believe.  Looks a bit later than that to me...

[Allemano]

That's the BlueCar a Fiesta proposal by Ghia....

[Carnut]

That's the BlueCar a Fiesta proposal by Ghia....

I actually compared my puzzle picture with the BlueCar picture I had because of the similarities (the grilles on bonnet/sides and C pillar for instance) but concluded it was NOT the same car, because the wheel positions were different (look at the front overhang) and the bottom line of the glasshouse was different too, as are the bumpers.  But my picture of the BlueCar was very small.  Do you have a bigger picture so can compare it properly?  There must be more than one version of the BlueCar; the picture below is the only one I have:

[Allemano]

Here You go:

[ImpishGrin]

I'd guess the 2nd b&w car is a mock-up, at least that's what it looks like. An early one probably, as the proportions are a bit ungainly compared to the puzzle car (which is also on the colour photo I think).

[Carnut]

I'd guess the 2nd b&w car is a mock-up, at least that's what it looks like. An early one probably, as the proportions are a bit ungainly compared to the puzzle car (which is also on the colour photo I think).

Reckon that's probably the answer.  Thanks.

[Allemano]

Actually there had been many more different designs for the Blue Car. As for the Mini Mite as well..

[Carnut]

Yes, as ever with Ford the final version is a committee design with elements of dozens of different proposals and mock-ups..!

[Carnut]

The side profile of the puzzle picture also looks remarkably similar to an early 90s Peugeot 106 to me, showing how advanced this design was in the 70s.  Probably done by the same bloke years later when he was disappointed his nice design never got anywhere at Ford...!

[Allemano]

You definetly should add "Blue Car" to the topic's subject to make sure that it will be found later.

And "Mini Mite" to the other puzzle you've titled just the same.

[Carnut]

You definetly should add "Blue Car" to the topic's subject to make sure that it will be found later.

And "Mini Mite" to the other puzzle you've titled just the same.

Good idea (I already added Mini Mite to the other one yesterday..!)

[Paul Jaray]

In the Ghia catalogue, the puzzle's car is on page 326,
"Fiat 127 Blue Cat. Although this model by Paolo Martin designed on a Fiat 127 platform got no further than the prototype stage, its importance lies in the fact that today Tom Tjaarda sees it as the starting point for the design of the Ford Fiesta"

In the same page there is a drawing of the same car and the script "Tealio 127 Fiat" plus Martin's signature.

[DeAutogids.nl]

In the Ghia catalogue, the puzzle's car is on page 326,
"Fiat 127 Blue Cat. Although this model by Paolo Martin designed on a Fiat 127 platform got no further than the prototype stage, its importance lies in the fact that today Tom Tjaarda sees it as the starting point for the design of the Ford Fiesta"

In the same page there is a drawing of the same car and the script "Tealio 127 Fiat" plus Martin's signature.

So in fact, we should see this not as a Ford at all, but as a Fiat?

[Allemano]

One has only to look at Paolo Martin's site where the car is documented as well. It's titled as Ford Blue Car from 1971, but the Fiat 127 base is also mentioned (easily recognizable are the Fiat wheels) "Prototipo funzionante su telaio Fiat 127,studio stilistico antesignana della Ford Fiesta 1976/83"
In 1969 Ghia and Vignale were overtaken by A. De Tomaso and in the very same year sold to Ford.