Ford Unveils GTX1 Concept at SEMA Tradeshow

Motoring Channel Staff- 3/11/2005

With the many motor shows in the last few months spilling more and more automotive product into the world, it is with much anticipation that the Motoring Channel turns its focus to the 2005 SEMA show, which stands for Specialty Equipment Market Association.

This American tradeshow, which takes place in Las Vegas, celebrates the best of aftermarket car tuning -- now a multi-billion dollar industry that spans the globe -- where anything from chipped engines to chopped roofs gets the nod.

One of the standout vehicles on show was from the Blue Oval - a very special open-air version of its exotic supercharged V8 Ford GT.

Using aftermarket parts from around the globe, from Sparco carbon fibre seats and Brembo brakes to Pirelli tyres and RMD roof latching, the Ford GTX1 concept shows what can be done to a rare and exotic car to add even more individuality.

As Ford points out, the GTX1 concept started out a year and a half ago as a sketch on a placemat, and using the 1966 Sebring-winning Ford GTX1 roadster as his inspiration, Kip Ewing (a Ford Special Vehicle Team engineering supervisor) sketched a convertible version of the current Ford GT, which he named -- quite appropriately -- the Ford GTX1.

"The Ford GT has been an amazing automotive icon that I've had the pleasure to work on," said Ewing. "The X1 project is a great way to answer the question, 'What if?' and utilise the power of SEMA's members in the aftermarket to get it done."

The SEMA show is quite probably the premier automotive specialty products trade event in the world, and is not open to the general public.

Even so, more than 100,000 industry professionals and media attachés will attend this year's show, which will briefly be home to about 2000 aftermarket and vehicle manufacturers, all hoping to wow attendees with their wares at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

Ford explains that getting the idea accepted as a SEMA project required some creative thinking on Ewing's part: "Sometimes people have a hard time understanding what you want to accomplish, but if you can show them a three-dimensional representation, it helps to seal the deal," he said.

So Ewing did just that. He took a 1:18 die-cast model of the GT and modified it.

"I cut the roof off and then remodeled the body using typical auto body materials like Bondo. Then I repainted it," he said. "It was a nice visual that I could put on someone's desk."

And Ewing's industrious plan worked. In June, Hau Thai-Tang, director of Ford SVT and Advanced Product Creation, gave Ewing the stamp of approval he needed to do bring his dream to life as a SEMA vehicle.

"I've spent my education between engineering and fine arts, but my career path has been engineering," said Ewing. "To be able to get my design work recognised in a show is something I've longed for my whole life."

Has Ewing worked wonders with the GTX1? Let us know your thoughts on its design on our Letters page. But before you do, the Ford concept deserves a more detailed look and, as Ford points out, one of the most innovative aspects of Ewing's GTX1 is its configurable roof. The roof system consists of four individual hard panels, which can be configured as a coupe, targa-top, or full convertible.

Meanwhile the GTX1's rear clamshell engine covering has been redesigned to feature two buttresses that flow rearward from the seatbacks.

Without the need for a backlight due to its open-top configuration, the view into the engine bay could have gone away, but Ewing knew the importance of showcasing the 550 horsepower (410kW) 5.4-litre supercharged V8.

The car's image has been massaged with the removal of the roof and addition of the new engine cover, but the new wheels certainly add another dimension to the car's appearance. With 19-inch fronts and 20-inch rear (from 6061 Alloy Corporation) the Ford GTX1 is the visual equivalent of the sound of a thunderclap.

"The Ford GTX1 project is a great example of manufacturers working together with the aftermarket to stretch the boundaries and investigate potential design and product innovation," said Ford SVT chief Thai-Tang.

"SEMA showcases trends in styling, accessories, and performance, and whether it’s a new Fusion, Mustang, F-150 or Ford GT, there is something new to be learned by going through this process," added Thai-Tang.

Thankful that his boss gave the X1 project the green light, Ewing says the project became an all-consuming one.

"I was in Wisconsin every other weekend working on the car with the builder," he said. "We finished the construction at a shop I have in my home. In the last week, I've probably had about 16 hours of sleep because I've been so busy finishing the car."

The Genaddi Design Group, a Wisconsin coachbuilder with experience cutting the roofs off of expensive and exotic cars, was chosen to build the car.

Ford explains that Sony is using the Ford GTX1 roadster to showcase its latest product from its Xplôd audio system product line. Music in the GTX1 comes courtesy of the Sony Xplôd MEX-1GP “Giga Panel” AM/FM CD receiver. This new device allows users to simply transfer their favorite MP3 and WMA files from virtually any computer to the receiver's detachable faceplate via USB cable. Dubbed “Drag and Drive,” its built-in 1GB of flash memory holds up to 500 songs as well.

And finishing the project? "It's very gratifying to see something that was in your head transfer to paper and then transfer to real life," he said. "But to actually get behind the wheel of it and drive your sketch is just a mind-blowing experience."

For those readers with loads of money who may have pondered the question: “Can I buy one?” - the answer is yes. First, take a trip to your local Ford dealer to purchase a Ford GT, and then put in a call to Genaddi Design Group, or visit www.gtx1.com.