Ford unveiled the stunning Ford Shelby GR-1 concept at the 2004 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance this week, indicating that the Ford-Shelby relationship is strong and likely to produce a production sportscar in the not too distant future.

Racing inspired and wholly modern in design, this show car builds on the success of the Ford Shelby Cobra concept - the 2004 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) "Best in Show" winner. The Ford Shelby GR-1 concept is a sinewy, athletic design with a dramatic front engine proportion. The long bonnet blends seamlessly into the teardrop-shaped cabin while the dramatic bumpers dart rearwards into curvaceous haunches thrusting the car forward and enhancing the aggressive stance and width.

The bulging wheel arches and compact overhangs define the dramatic proportions. A chiselled physique is achieved with such details as the strong shoulder line orbiting the car's form.

The front of the GR-1 is dominated by an impressive air intake aperture and air flow splitter, directing cooling air into the engine bay and wheel wells, while air vents on the top surface of the bonnet exhaust hot air from the radiator.

The front corners of the GR-1 are dominated by the front wheel well and trapezoidal HISS (high intensity solid state) and LED headlamps. The bold vertical taillights at the rear further define the distinctive Kamm tail, a strong concave section.

A visor-like side glass graphic gives a hint of the dramatic motion of the butterfly-hinged doors.

The V10 engine pushes unashamedly upwards into the hood's surface exposing prominent bulges - a potent reminder of the car's powerful performance - while air vents at the base of the front screen allow the engine to breathe. Intakes and vents perforate the body side and Kamm tail, further exhausting hot air out of the vehicle.

Indeed, a V10! Not much was said about the engine in the press release from Ford, though it is known to be of 6.4-litre capacity and is claimed to push out 605bhp at 6750rpm, with peak torque of 501lb.ft at 5550rpm. The high engine speeds hint that this is a naturally aspirated unit, unlike the supercharged V8 used in the Ford GT. The GR-1 concept is also fitted with a 6-speed gearbox and LSD, as in the GT.

The Pebble Beach show is not the most obvious venue to reveal such an exciting concept car at. We suspect that there may well be something else production-based in the pipeline for the 2005 Detroit Motor Show. If it looks half as good as the GR-1, Ford will have another bestseller on its hands.

Shane O' Donoghue - 13 Aug 2004