J_Swigz

Ok, first of all I would like to make it clear that I have nothing against ford probes, they are good cars. But has anyone ever wondered where and when they decided to call it a probe? I just dont understand why they could name a car that, dont ask me why, it just strikes me as odd. oh well.

__________________




AF User Guidelines <----Click and read if you don't know these.

"Dream as if you'll live forever. Live as if you'll die today."


Cotidie damnatur qui semper timet; Aquila non captat muscas.

Paperfish

Uh... because it's meant to be a pain in your ass?

xxxmonoxidechild

actually its called that cause they designed the probe to replace the mustang, and it was supposed to be called a mustang, but they decided to keep the mustang as a rear wheel drive, so they had this car they needed a name for, well they had a promo vehicle on tour and it was called a probe, the demo actually became losely based on the taures.

Paperfish

Um, the Probe replaced the EXP.

xxxmonoxidechild

no, it was designed to replace the mustang, go to performanceprobe.com, then go to INFORMATION on the side bar, then click on HISTORY. It will tell u the life story of the probe down to the designers names. its a good read, but its long as hell.

Paperfish

Ah yes. You're right. I read on multiple EXP sites that it was the precursor to the probe. Probably based on that the EXP was discontinued in 88 and the Probe was officially released in 89.

Unit 5302

As a Mustang enthusiast, I can vouch for the Ford's original plan for the Probe. Fortunately, the gigantic backlash Ford was unable to predict was enough to avert the stupidity.

A FWD Mustang is just wrong.

__________________
2002 Mustang GT Coupe
1993 Yamaha FZR 600

kfoote

There was an earlier Ford Probe, though I don't know the exact years, there was an IMSA GTP project that Ford ran in the early 80's that was called the Probe. The car was designed to compete against the Porsche 962/956 and the Corvette GTP program (run by Hendrick Motorsports, currently of NASCAR car ownership fame). IMHO, Ford probably was thinking that they could link the on-track performance of the Probe to the street car after it was determined that it was not going to be a Mustang.

kfoote

More info on the Probe GTP (1985-1989) and the Ford Mustang Probe that came before it, as well as some pics from a race at Charlotte in 1985 (not it's most successful outing) are at

http://www.fastdetails.com/historics/85Probe.htm