Specifications: N/A

- Offered by Ford Motor Company

- Proceeds to Benefit the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation

For nearly fifty years, Carroll Shelby and the Ford Motor Company have collaborated on some of the most successful, attractive and downright thrilling race and street cars in the company’s history. In 2004, Shelby worked closely with Ford Design and the Advanced Product Creation group to produce the Ford Shelby Cobra concept. It was based on the Ford GT platform and was a huge success at the 2004 North American International Auto Show unveiling. Reinforcing Ford’s commitment to cutting-edge design and performance excellence, the Cobra concept garnered “Best in Show” honors in Detroit.

Continuing on the success of the Shelby Cobra-inspired concept, Ford took it one step further by unveiling the Ford Shelby GR-1 concept at the 2004 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance in August.

The Ford Shelby GR-1 took life at the Irvine Advanced Design Studio as a sketch by young designer George Saridakis. The initial drawing caught the attention of the Irvine Design team and most notably head of Ford Design J. Mays. He remarked that it wasn’t a case of needing more ideation but rather getting the GR-1 into clay right away. Remarkably only three sketches of the car were created.

Also based on the Ford GT platform, the GR-1 concept is a front-engine, two-seat, fastback supercar whose design pays homage to the 1964 Shelby Daytona Coupe. Its athletic shape and muscular proportions give the GR-1 the allusion of speed and strength even when standing still. The race-inspired design is forward-looking while retaining its Shelby heritage.

Like the Daytona Coupe, Ford’s concept has a beautifully long hood that blends seamlessly with the teardrop-shaped cabin. Up front, the large air dam is complemented by two large hood vents. Beneath its muscular arches, the GR-1 sits on elegant, 12-spoke 19" wheels inspired by the original ’64 Shelby. The dramatic fenders give the GR-1 a very aggressive stance that is further enforced by its curvaceous rear haunches. Defining the rear of the car is the distinctive Kamm tail that is finished with additional vents, quad exhaust ports and unique vertical tail lamps.

Few collaborators have yielded a greater automotive heritage than the Ford Motor Company and Carroll Shelby. With five decades of racing history, the partnership continues to create incredible road-going machines as well as out-of-this-world concepts that not only perform on the track but also inspire future design. Offered here is an extremely unique concept from the Ford Design Studio that pushes the boundaries of design while evoking the Shelby racing dominance of the past. It is one of only two such vehicles and was unveiled as a fiberglass platform model prior to the 2005 NAIAS debut of the polished aluminum, driving model. Please note that Ford will provide all proceeds from the sale of the 2005 Ford Shelby GR-1 concept platform to benefit the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

As a platform model, this car does not contain an engine, drivetrain or interior.