A uncommon prototype with personalised coach from Turin
In 1971, guests from Paris Salon de L’amobil had the possibility to see a Ford Escort Monte Carlo, a novel automotive This didn’t present something like those that happen of manufacturing traces. Extra elegant, inferior and wearing polished metallic paint, Ford Escort Monte Carlo was not a particular version or a engine with motor sports activities. It was a single conceived and constructed by Pietro Frua, an Italian chief, or Carrozzia, from the center of the belt.
Frua was recognized for the Maseratis constructed by coach and chic GTs, so his resolution to revive a humble I see The MK1 escort in one thing fully new felt surprising and radically. Primarily based on two Escort 1300 doorways, the Monte Carlo prototype maintained the mechanics, however modified the physique totally for one thing extra refined. The automotive is to be auctioned with Bonhams on June 29, 2025 – View itemizing Right here.
Bonhams kindness photographs until in any other case supplied
Ford Escort Monte Carlo: Distinctive curious
From a distance, distinctive Ford Escort Monte Carlo might move virtually for a reduction Ferrari 330 GTC. The lengthy entrance hood, the curved aspect profile and the again, give it a Gran Turismo character, which is kilometers away from the vertical escort, the field, which most individuals knew. Pietro fruit He smoothed the traces, eradicated the surplus of particulars and gave the automotive a proportion that’s without delay assured and compact.
In entrance, the grid is minimalist and clear, the lights stand with the fences, and the surfaces move with out interruption. Across the again, the skinny lights of tail and a barely inclined again finish assist the automotive to really feel balanced and thought of. As he feels visually lifted, he nonetheless walks on small wheels and wears a modest 1.three -liter according to 4 -cylinder traces, which affords solely about 70 horsepower.
There isn’t any clear report of the explanation why FRUA has taken over the challenge. Perhaps he noticed potential within the proportions of the escort, or possibly he hoped that Ford could be inquisitive about carrying it. Anyway, just one was constructed and introduced in Paris together with the opposite creations of Frua, together with a behavior Maserati quattroporte.
That is the one Ford Escort Monte Carlo ever constructed
Pietro Frua’s automotive as a canvas
The Ford Monte Carlo escort discovered the primary home only a 12 months later, when the spouse of a Swiss architect purchased the automotive straight from Frua. He remained in his non-public arms for many years, passing quietly between collectors. In the beginning of the 2000s, it was restored and painted from the preliminary brown to the wealthy crimson metallic he wears immediately.
Whereas Escorta Monte Carlo shares her chassis and engine with a automotive constructed to be sensible and accessible, the Frua model treats it as a canvas. The transformation isn’t primarily based on the modernization of efficiency, however about rethinking kind and presence. On this sense, it’s extra of a design assertion than a automotive or prototype within the typical sense.
It’s nonetheless fed by the usual 4 -step customary engine and the 4 -cylinder Kent engine, so on paper it really works like every other 1300 escort. However this model is extra about the way it feels to look, the way it has house. There’s a restraint in traces and a real sense of objective in the best way the surfaces are managed.
Was designed by Pietro Frua and introduced in Paris in 1971
Skinny tail lights level a barely inclined again finish
Entrance Finish is supplied with gentle mounted lighting and a clear, carved hood