Ford Probe

[Arran]

A liftback coupe based on a Mazda and assembled in the United States that was intended as the late replacement for the Capri ended up as the only Ford that you didn't commonly see even during the years it was in production. The Probe was discontinued in 1998 as a result of low sales both in Europe and the US then died rather quietly. A very rare sight on the roads nowadays. A forgotten 1990s classic?

[Richard1978]

Re: Ford Probe

I remember Steve Coogan's character Gareth Cheeseman drove one.

[big kid]

Re: Ford Probe

not seen one of those in ages. another car i've not seen in a long time is the ford cougar. i think that was only in production for about four years.

[Arran]

Re: Ford Probe

The Cougar was the successor of the Probe but it only lasted four years before production ended in 2002. It shared mechanical parts with the Mondeo. Another rare sight on the roads.

[Twocky61]

Re: Ford Probe

Is the Mondeo a modern take on the Cortina?

[zabadak]

Re: Ford Probe

At a quiz night, the quizninja said it replaced the Escort...

[Arran]

Re: Ford Probe

Is the Mondeo a modern take on the Cortina?

The Sierra is a Cortina in all but name and both cars share many mechanical parts. The Mondeo is a front wheel drive car developed from the ground up in both the US and Europe with no connection with the Sierra. It was intended to be a 'world car' replacing the Sierra in Europe and the Tempo in the US.

[Twocky61]

Re: Ford Probe

Thanks Arran

[George 1978]

Re: Ford Probe

The Ford Probe always reminds me of KITT out of Knight Rider.

[Twocky61]

Re: Ford Probe

Never thought of that George, but now you mention it...............

[Zincubus]

Re: Ford Probe

The Ford Probe always reminds me of KITT out of Knight Rider.

Isn't there a sister car to the probe under another badge though ..??


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[Arran]

Re: Ford Probe

Isn't there a sister car to the probe under another badge though ..??

There were two Ford Probes – the mk1 from 1989 to 1992 and the mk2 from 1993 to 1998. The mk1 was not sold in Europe. All Probes sold worldwide were manufactured in the US at Flat Rock, Michigan.

The Probe was based on a Mazda MX-6 and used the same chassis and mechanical parts, but the bodyshell and interior were unique to the Probe as it was a hatchback whereas the MX-6 was a coupe. The MX-6 is actually the coupe version of the 626 saloon which also uses the same chassis.

[Richard1978]

Re: Ford Probe

There were two Ford Probes – the mk1 from 1989 to 1992 and the mk2 from 1993 to 1998. The mk1 was not sold in Europe. All Probes sold worldwide were manufactured in the US at Flat Rock, Michigan.

The Probe was based on a Mazda MX-6 and used the same chassis and mechanical parts, but the bodyshell and interior were unique to the Probe as it was a hatchback whereas the MX-6 was a coupe. The MX-6 is actually the coupe version of the 626 saloon which also uses the same chassis.

I remember Top Gear featuring the Probe when it was launched, mentioning it was the first American built RHD Ford for many years, as well as being Mazda based.

[Arran]

Re: Ford Probe

Why was the Probe such a poor seller in Britain?

[George 1978]

Re: Ford Probe

I could have sworn that they were going in 1984, although it was probably in the United States - KITT makes me think of that.

Reminds me of a modernised Capri.