The 1979 Ford Probe I Ghia concept car, showcased in the 2024 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance within the Wedge Shaped Concept Cars & Prototypes category, unfortunately caught fire while being transported from the renowned auto event on Sunday, August 18.

Drew Grundfor from Scott Grundfor, Co., a California restoration firm that purchased the Probe 1 from Ford in 2002 and owns other Ford concept vehicles, reported that the car was severely damaged in the fire. The Probe I was being towed on the highway when another driver alerted the Scott Grundfor employee that smoke was billowing from the trailer. Upon stopping, they discovered that the fire had worsened to the point where the car couldn’t be saved. Both the car and trailer were completely consumed, but thankfully, there were no injuries, and the way the trailer was parked prevented the fire from spreading to nearby vegetation. The exact cause of the fire is still under investigation.

Update August 20, 2024: The Monterey Fire Department provided further details about their response to the incident. Seventeen firefighters were dispatched with “four engines (including one from CAL Fire), one ladder truck, one water tender from the Presidio of Monterey Fire Department, and one Division Chief from Monterey Fire Department.” There were no reported injuries to civilians, although a firefighter did sustain minor injuries during the incident.

Firefighters arrived to find both the trailer and Probe I “fully engulfed” in flames, with flames threatening “nearby flora.” They managed to disconnect the towing vehicle from the trailer just in time to spare it from serious damage and contained the fire’s perimeter within fifteen minutes. The Fire Department estimates the Ford Probe concept’s value at about “$1,000,000,” adding that “the total loss from the incident is about $1,028,300.”

Probe I: Ford’s Vision for the 1980s

The Probe I Ghia was the first in a series of five numbered concept cars bearing the Probe name. Initially unveiled at the 1979 Frankfurt Auto Show, the Probe I aimed to represent the potential design of a family car for the 1980s. While Ford’s latest models featured angular designs, and the auto industry buzzed about GM’s troubled front-wheel-drive X-cars, the Probe I resembled a spaceship, boasting a low nose, pop-up headlights, a sharply slanted windshield, and an expansive fastback design adorned with plenty of glass. The rear wheels were concealed by deep skirts, and the door handles were seamlessly integrated into the body design. Ford claimed a drag coefficient of 0.25 cD, which compares favorably to modern cars like the Toyota Prius (0.27) and Tesla Model 3 (0.23).

The interior of the Probe featured advanced computerized elements, including touch-sensitive controls, digital gauges, and an access card instead of a conventional key—innovations that have gradually appeared in vehicles over the past forty years. The running gear was adapted from an extended Fox-body Ford Mustang chassis, paired with a 2.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine and an automatic transmission. Ford claimed that the Probe I could achieve 39 miles per gallon at a constant speed of 56 mph, perfectly timed with the second oil crisis of the 1970s.

The Transition to Production

Ford created a total of five Probe concept cars, including the 1982 Probe III, which hinted at the design of the Ford Sierra for the European market, a design that would influence the iconic 1986 Ford Taurus. At the early 1980s, Ford considered a Probe-based successor for the Mustang, leading to modifications in the Probe I to illustrate what such a vehicle might resemble. It was given a more production-ready interior with up-to-date controls, though the exterior remained unchanged apart from a fresh red paint job.

The Probe eventually hit the market but not as a replacement for the Mustang; instead, it essentially took the place of the Capri, which had been sold in Europe as a Ford and marketed as a Mercury in the U.S. throughout most of the 1970s. The 1989 Ford Probe was founded on the front-wheel-drive Mazda MX-6 platform, sharing numerous styling features with the 1979 Probe 1 concept, such as a low nose, pop-up headlights, and a wrap-around rear glass.

The Probe featured sleek door handles and a unique design for its three-section taillights. (Its presence in Europe began with the second generation in 1993.)

The Future of the Probe I

The immediate objective of Grundfor Co. is to restore the Probe I and exhibit it alongside other concept cars. The company has a collection of fifteen concept vehicles, which includes the 1984 Ford Probe IV and 1985 Probe V. Many concept cars end up being destroyed, so it’s great to see both the Probe I and its other models survive for four decades. The Probe I had the opportunity to be displayed at Pebble Beach, allowing fans to appreciate it. Grunfor mentioned that the Probe I might get another chance to shine in the future.

“Since it’s a steel-bodied vehicle,” Grundfor explained to MotorTrend, “the core structure is intact, and the wheels and body parts are also present. We will bring it home to be with the other cars, and perhaps one day we can restore it to its former glory. It could remain as it is as a historical piece, or someone, possibly us, might revamp it for a future reveal.”

Update August 21, 2024: The Probe 1 Ghia returned to Scott Grunfor, Co., yesterday, and Drew Grundfor offered this update:

“Bringing it back, no matter how worn down it is, has really lifted our spirits. Amazingly, the deep glove compartment served as a protective spot, and we found some items in it that brought smiles to our faces. Among the finds was the original emissions tag in pristine condition, nestled between other unidentifiable plastic pieces, as well as a scorched tie that was part of our welcome kit at Pebble Beach, which I will be proudly wearing this weekend at the car show in San Marino.”

“The support we’ve received from the automotive community has been incredibly heartwarming. We wish for people to view this not as an ending but as a continuation. This isn’t a vehicle for the junkyard. We’re committed to preserving it and will consider its future—whether we keep it as is or find a way to bring it back to life.”

credit: Scott Grundfor Co., Manufacturer, MotorTrend staff