Archive: The GN34. Ford's Vette beater

[todras]

I bring you the GN34 (what it was known internally as). The two mid-engined prototypes pictured below at Roush are two survivors from the GN34 program, which was going to be Ford's answer to the Corvette. Those two examples don't just have a few Pantera parts on them - they are actually Pantera bodies that were grafted onto fabricated chassis. Take a close look at the doors, roof, and windshield. They took a brand new 1985 gray market Pantera GT5, chop it completely up, and use the body as a basis for a workhorse.

Most of the GN34s were powered by a Yamaha designed SHO V6 engine with a ZF 5 speed (integral bellhousing, perhaps from the BMW M-1?). There were 3.0, 3.2, 3.4, and 3.6 liter versions as the car kept getting heavier. This was the late 80s so some people wanted to make a luxo-cruiser as the Vette was becoming, while the die-hard enthusiasts wanted pure performance with no frills at all. Chissaun (sp?) in France was going to build the production bodies. There were also Ford EXPs used as earlier prototypes - some were 4 wheel drive with a center diff and everything! They had IMSA style fender flares, and you could see the engine through the EXP's bubble hatch glass. (They were just mules)

There was also a show car, called the Miah, done by Ital design, that was purchased, and was also considered for the GN34. The Miah was like a Lotus Europa, only way sexier.

The reason the GN34 was cancelled wasn't that it was overly ambitious – it came down that there was only enough development money at that time for one of two programs - either the GN34, or a "four-door Bronco" as it was called. If Ford would have chosen to continue with the GN34 instead of a "four-door Bronco". Demand for sports cars in the early 90s plummeted, while demand for "four door Broncos" sky-rocketed. The "four door Bronco" was introduced as the Explorer.

[TGO]

i'd love to know the specs of the 3.6 liter yamahammer!!!

[todras]

Would blow your undergarments off!

[Fmr12B]

This:





Reminds me of this:

[ZoomZoom Diva]

It's a shame with the profitability of Ford at the time that they could not have managed to simply expand the R&D budget to allow for both projects.

[baco99]

they should have made that!!!!!

[Pre98]

But, they didn't produce it. It would make too much sense to do so.

[Pope]

two survivors from the GN34 program, which was going to be Ford's answer to the Corvette.

I hate to be the cynic, (actually I don't) but I have to call BS on the R&D budget story.

The real story was surely more along the lines:

Ford: This vehicle is being designed for what market again?

Design Team: The Corvette.

Ford: Do we or do we not still produce the Thunderbird?

Design Team: We do, but it does not...

Ford: (interjects) Well then this is settled, there is no need to work on another vehicle to compete with the Corvette, we already have one.

Design Team: But...

Ford: Stop right there, this discussion is finished, if you need something to do go work on the Front-Wheel-Drive Mustang.

(Design Team exists stage left. Ford Turns to the rest of the Board)

Ford: Alright men, looks like we have a strong future ahead of us.

Board: (with enthusiasm and group-think) Right Chief.

[Dyoel182]

I love when the new Mustang/Probe gets brought up as the reason design time and space was taken away when all they did was take the successful Mx6 and make it ugly/futuristic looking.

[BloodyTomFlint]

You really think the first gen MX6 was a good looking car?