Did You Know That Ford Almost Made the Mustang Front Wheel Drive?

Engine Revving

The sound of an engine revving is music to many car enthusiasts' ears, and it's no surprise that this particular moment has captured the attention of those who have spent countless hours tinkering with their own vehicles. The roar of the engine is a reminder of the power and potential that lies beneath the hood, waiting to be unleashed on the open road. As we continue our journey through the fascinating history of the Ford Probe, it's essential to take a moment to appreciate the raw energy that drives us all.

Tires Squealing

The screeching of tires is another sound that evokes a strong emotional response in many car enthusiasts. There's something about the sensation of speed and power that gets our hearts racing, and the squeal of the tires is an integral part of that experience. Whether we're cruising down the highway or carving through the canyons, the sound of the tires provides a tangible connection to the vehicle itself, reminding us that we are in control behind the wheel.

From Mazda Roots

When it comes to the Ford Probe, it's essential to acknowledge its rich history and connections to the Japanese automaker Mazda. The story begins with Toyo Cork Kogyo Company, which was founded in 1920 and initially produced corks. As the company grew and evolved, it began to experiment with vehicles, eventually producing the first automobile in 1931 – a power tricycles designed specifically for carrying corks.

As Mazda continued to innovate and expand its product line, it wasn't long before they entered the world of passenger cars. The Mazda R60, released in the '60s, marked an important turning point in the company's history. With its rotary engines, the Mazda R60 represented a significant departure from traditional automotive designs, setting the stage for future innovations and successes.

The woman who engineered it with women in mind

While Mazda has come a long way since its humble beginnings as a cork manufacturer, it's essential to acknowledge the trailblazing work of the women who played a crucial role in shaping the company's history. One such individual is often referred to as the "maverick" behind the Ford Probe – a woman who defied convention and pushed boundaries in her pursuit of innovation.

Chapter One: The Almost 'Stang

The mention of the Mustang front-wheel drive sparks an interesting question: what if Ford had followed through on its original design plans? Would we have seen a different kind of car hit the market, one that blended the classic Mustang style with the practicality of a front-wheel drive layout?

Unfortunately, history took a different turn, and the Ford Probe became the focus of our attention. But by exploring the almost-familiar story of how Mazda got its start as a cork manufacturer, we gain a deeper understanding of the automotive world's complexities.

Chapter Two: The Woman Who Engineered It

In 1980s Japan, there was a woman named Yuko Nagasaka who left an indelible mark on the automotive industry. As one of the first women to join Toyota and later become a senior executive at Mazda, she played a pivotal role in shaping the company's strategy and direction.

Yuko's expertise and vision led her to focus on innovative designs that would appeal to women consumers, particularly those with families or limited budgets. By leveraging her unique perspective and creative approach, Yuko helped guide Mazda towards creating vehicles like the Ford Probe, which would go on to capture the hearts of many car enthusiasts worldwide.

Lightning Strikes

In a world where lightning strikes can be both beautiful and terrifying, we find ourselves drawn to the dramatic and unpredictable nature of this phenomenon. The sound of thunder echoes through our minds long after the storm has passed, leaving us with an indelible sense of awe and wonder.

As we delve deeper into the world of the Ford Probe, it's essential to acknowledge the role that lightning plays in shaping our perceptions and experiences. Whether we're exploring the great outdoors or simply trying to make sense of a challenging situation, lightning serves as a powerful reminder of nature's raw power.

The Bottle Pops

As we settle in for an evening of exploration, I invite you to grab your favorite bottle of wine or root beer – whatever tickles your fancy. As we navigate the fascinating world of the Ford Probe, take a moment to appreciate the simple pleasures that bring us joy and comfort.

Whether it's the taste of fine wine or the sound of soft jazz music, these small indulgences can help us unwind and prepare ourselves for the journey ahead. So go ahead, pop the cap on your bottle, and let's dive into the world of this captivating car.

Soft Jazz Music

As we begin our exploration of the Ford Probe, I want to create an atmosphere that is both relaxing and engaging. Soft jazz music provides the perfect background melody, allowing us to focus on the story without distractions.

Let the gentle rhythms guide you through the twists and turns of this fascinating tale, as we delve into the world of car enthusiasts and explore the unexpected connections between Mazda, Ford, and the Ford Probe.

DMC DeLorean Whirring

As we continue our journey, the sounds of the DMC DeLorean whirring to life provides a thrilling reminder of the iconic cars that have shaped our automotive history. Whether you're a fan of futuristic designs or vintage roadsters, there's something undeniably captivating about this particular sound.

The horse neighs and lightning strikes can be unsettling at times, but it's essential to acknowledge the emotional resonance of these sounds. By embracing the unpredictability of life, we open ourselves up to new experiences and connections that can enrich our lives in meaningful ways.

Bottle Pops

As we pause for a moment, take another sip from your bottle, and let the soft jazz music continue to play in the background. You're on the right track – this is going to be a wild ride!

The Cork: A Mazda Question Mark

Let's revisit that initial question: Is this cork a Mazda? The answer lies in the history of Toyo Cork Kogyo Company, which initially produced corks before transitioning into more ambitious ventures.

By examining this humble beginning, we gain insight into the evolution of Mazda and its gradual expansion into the automotive world. From power tricycles to passenger cars, each step forward marked a significant milestone in the company's development.

The Story Unfolds

As we delve deeper into the story of the Ford Probe, it becomes clear that there are many more fascinating tales waiting to be uncovered. The intersection of Mazda and Ford sets the stage for an intriguing narrative that spans decades, continents, and technological advancements.

Whether you're a seasoned car enthusiast or simply curious about the world of automotive history, this tale is sure to captivate your imagination. So grab a seat, pour yourself another drink, and let's embark on this captivating journey through the world of the Ford Probe.

Get Comfy

As we settle in for our exploration, I invite you to get comfortable – both physically and mentally. Find that perfect spot where you can relax and absorb every detail, from the nuances of car design to the intricate histories behind each model.

The lights are low, the music is soft, and the world outside recedes as we focus on this captivating story. Whether you're a fan of vintage cars or modern marvels, this tale has something for everyone – so sit back, get cozy, and let's dive into the fascinating world of the Ford Probe.

WEBVTTKind: captionsLanguage: en- Did you know that Fordalmost made the Mustangfront wheel drive?(engine revving)(tires squealing)From it's Mazda roots tothe woman who engineered itwith women in mind,this is everything you need to knowto get up to speed on the Ford Probe.(classic video game music)(horse neighs)(DMC DeLorean whirring)(lightning cracks)Now before we begin, all right,(soft jazz music)I want you to turnthe lights down, I want you to get comfy,(bottle pops)open a nice bottle of wineor fancy root beer if you're under 21.I know it's 9:00 or 10:00 a.m. right nowand you're probably onthe toilet, but it's cool,it's summer, baby.(bottle pops)Now go ahead and take anice long look at that cork.All right, you looking?Great, because now Iwant you to ask yourselfis this cork a Mazda?Chapter one, the almost 'Stang.Believe it or not, Mazda gotit's start by making corks.It began as the Toyo CorkKogyo Company in 1920.They invented their first vehicle,1931 power tricycles, tospecifically carry corks.The Mazda-Go auto rickshaw was the firstin what would be a long lineof utilitarian vehicles,and it wasn't until the'60s with the Mazda R60that they'd get into passenger cars.Even though they werebuilding up a nice reputationwith their rotary engines,the transition into theautomotive world was roughand by the end of the decade,they were looking to sellsome stake in the companyto help raise capital.Enter the Ford Motor Company.Around that time, Ford waslooking to take advantageof the Japanese market and Ford thought,"Mazda, that sounds good, I'll have that."Thus began the lovestory of Mazda and Ford.In 1971, they started toget all real hot and heavywith the Mazda B Series pickup truckbecame the Ford Courier in North America.Not long after that, Ford was rebadgingMazda's commercial trucks in Asia.It was such a successful partnershipthat in 1979 Ford bought25% of Mazda shares.You see, Ford needed accessto some more fuel efficient vehiclesbecause they were in themiddle of an oil crisis.Muscle cars were taking a beating.By the early '80s, even themost speed-obsessed consumershad decided that the extrapower wasn't worth the costof filling their tank for, I don't know,$1 million adjusted for inflation.I'm not sure if that'sactually 100% correct,I didn't Google it.The few pony cars that were sellingwere oftentimes thelow-powered based models,like the base Mustang, whichhad a 2.3 liter four-cylinderthat made 88 horsepower.That's not a lot, that's likeair-cooled Beetle territory.Front engine, rear wheeldrive was looking moreand more like a thing of the pastand the future was gonna bemore economical platformslike the K-car, Chrysler'scheap, reliable platformthat ended up being theunderpinnings of more than 50,yes, 50 different models, one chassis.Now all of this led toFord having an aha moment.You know what?I think I'm gonna havean aha moment myself.♪ Take on me ♪Yo, we can't use that,we're gonna get sued.So, in 1982 Ford assigned ToshiSaito to start re-imaginingthe Mustang as a front... (gags)As a... (gags)As a front... (gags)As a front wheel... (gags)(beep)As a front wheel drive car.(retrowave music)Codenamed the SN16,and wouldn't you know it,that same year Mazdadebuted their G platform,the company's first midsize,front wheel drive chassis.Huh, coincidence.It was the base for the Mazda Capella,the Mazda 626 and Ford Telstar.Yes, Ford was already badgingcars on the G platform,so it was perfectly logicalto take a long, hard lookat swapping it for the thenstruggling Fox-body 'Stangs,but thankfully not everyoneinside Ford was behind the idea.The most vocal critic ofthe plan was John Coletti.Now, he is the legendarydesigner behind the SVT teamin the '90s.He's responsible forpretty much every cool Fordfrom the decade, and heabsolutely hated the SN16.He tells a story of being ona tour of the design centerwith Ford VP, Ken Dabrowski.They saw the models(John gasps)for the SN16 and Johnwas like, "What's that?"And Ken explained all of the cost benefitsthat the new model wouldhave for the company.(record player scratches)"That may be a lot of things,"but a Mustang it ain't."Now his biggest problem withthe design was the low cowl.The SN16 was much sleeker thanthe current Fox-body Mustang,but that low profile meant thatthere'd be no room for a V8.Now, when Dabrowski told himthere were no plans for a V8,John said his reaction was,(engine crashes)"I'd rather the Mustang name die"than for it to be put on that."And I mean, honestly, you know what?He's not wrong.I'd love to know what he thinksof the Mach-E (chuckles).Anyway, John kicked hiscomplaints up the chain of commandand internally there cameto be some apprehensionabout the dramatic change to the Mustang.I mean, the Fox-body yearshad been good for the Mustang,pairing the legendary five liter V8with a four-barreledcarb and upped the powerto 175 horsepower right around the timethat consumers were onceagain developing a taste-mentfor displacement, theywere sick for the quick,they had a desire forthe fire on the tires!(engine revving)(tires squealing)And then there was the1987 AutoWeek cover storywhere writer, Chris Sawyer,revealed leaked detailsof the SN16 and theMustang community (inhales)lost their freaking minds!Front wheel drive, what?No V8?Double what!Are you freaking kidding me, Ford?(steam whistling)We're gonna come up thereto Dearborn and kick you in the nuts!One fan wrote in a letterto AutoWeek and said,"Tell Dearborn I canceled my Mustang GT"and ordered an IROC-Z."Ford guys were theK-pop stans of the '80s.They called it the "Maztang",which is pretty good,I think it's pretty good,I think the almost-Stang is better.Anyway, all of this worked.The initial plan was torelease the SN16 as the Mustangand release the Mustangas the Mustang Classic,but someone at Ford was paying attention(can pops and fizzes)to another PR nightmaregoing on, New! Coke,and decided to just keepthe Mustang the Mustang and the SN16,much like my uncle who livesright outside of Area 51,it was about to get probed.Chapter two, it's probin' time!At last, it's time to get probed.The SN16 wouldn't be thenew Mustang after all,but Ford had a new problem,because Mazda had already startedconstruction on a facilityto produce G platform cars in Michiganand part of that constructioncontract said that Fordwould be ordering a certainnumber of those cars,so the SN16 had to come out as something.So product planners gotto work on introducing itas its own sports car modelseparate from the Mustang.They'd call it the Probe,which was a name that they borrowedfrom a series of conceptcars they made with Ghiain the early 1980s, andinterestingly enough,the first of those conceptcars was the Fox body.So, that name technicallyhad more in commonwith the Mustang than the SN16.(microphone muffling)Nothing is a coincidence, nothing.The result was Mazda on theinside, Ford on the outside,and pretty cool throughout, I like 'em.The base model used Mazda's F2 engine,a 2.2 liter four-cylinderthat made 110 hrsprs.There was also a GT modelthat was more performance-oriented.(engine revving)(tires squealing)When the Probe launched, theGT used the same inline-four,but it added a turbocharger,bringing it up to 145 hrsprs.The whole thing was sorad in a so late '80s way.Two years after it debuted,the GT would switch overto using Ford's naturallyaspirated Vulcan V6.It was smoother for sure,but the gripe with the Vulcanwas that you really had torev it out to get any power,and even though it madean identical 145 hrsprs,it put out 25 less pound feet of torques.The base trims did havean automatic option,but it was really bad, as alot of '80s automatics are...But the GT came exclusivelyin a five-speed manual.This thing was as sleek as ariver otter covered in jelly.It had a long, angular front-endand a steeply-raked windshieldthat made it look wedgie.Did it have pop up, upand down headlights?(chuckles) Did it have popup, up and down headlights?Does this answer your question?♪ Pop pop up, up and down headlights! ♪♪ Pop pop up, up and down headlights ♪(beep)The probe was enteringa very crowded market.By the late '80s, demand forcompact sports cars was strong,like Nolan strong, particularlyfor Japanese models,which the Probe essentially was.We're talking about the Honda Prelude,the Mitsubishi Eclipse, the Nissan 240SX,shouts to Nico from Canada, youwrote us a very nice letter,tell your dad I said what's up?And also the Toyota Celicawere all eating up market sharewith both car peopleand normal people alike,but the Probe held its own.In 1990, Jeffrey Collier seta track record at Daytonain a Probe with an averagespeed of 166.553 miles per hour.That record still stands asthe fastest closed course lapfor a non-turbo, four-cylinder-powered carin the NASCAR Dash Series, and sure,that's an awful lottaqualifiers to count as a record,but still, it's pretty coolnonetheless, records are cool.Chapter three, do re Mimi.The Probe was a success.There was a growing segment of buyerswho wanted somethingsportier than a Taurus,but weren't after all themuscle car stats of the Mustang.(jazz music)By the way, at this point, theMustang had fully recoveredwith its brush with front wheel drive,and Ford was well underwaywith designs for the SVT Cobraand you know that the KentuckyCobra is down with that.(lightning cracks)Cobras are so cool,they're so big, so vascular...It's got big ol' traps.(beep)Ford went to work on thesecond generation Probe.This time they understoodwhat they had betterthan when they were dreamingof a Mustang replacement.It would still be mostlyMazda under the hood,but the look would be allFord and to look at that,let's meet Mimi Vandermolen.Mimi was responsible forthe design of the new Probebecause she was the designexecutive for small cars,a first for a woman in the car industry.During World War II, Ford hired womenfor their design teams, thefirst being Liotta Carol,an illustrator who wasbrought on to do drafts.In the '40s, there were womendesigning instrument panels,ornamentation, color, trim, everything,but in a league of theirown style, waste of talent,they were all replaced bymen returning from the warand Ford wouldn't hire anotherfemale designer until 1970when they brought on Mimi Vandermolenwhen she was asked to work on team Taurus.The Taurus exterior wouldbe a radical new directionfor Ford with soft curve that they called,"the rounded edge revolution".With the Taurus, she alsorevolutionized car interiorsby applying her ergonomic wizardry.Tactile controls, youknow those little bumpson the buttons that you can feelso you don't have to takeyour eyes off the road?Mimi thought of that.She also changed the climate controlsfrom being push buttons tomore intuitive rotary dialsand broke up the centerstack into multiple zonesrather than one straightline which made the driverreach far away for switches.Plus she spent two and a half yearsand a hundred thousand milesprototype testing new seats.All of it added up to a game-changing carthat would make up 25% ofFord North American sales.After the galactic hitthat was the Taurus,Mimi was promoted to theexecutive level and the first carto come up for a refresh underher tenure was the Probe.Now, with this car she had a mission,to design with female drivers in mind,and she was completely transparentabout what she was up to.She said, "If I can solve all the problems"inherent to operatinga vehicle for a woman,"it'll be that mucheasier for a man to use."She lowered the front-endto improve visibilityfor smaller drivers,she made the trunk door more lightweight.The moon roof slid out toprotect the big '90s hair.She did away with seat buttonsthat would rip pantyhose,the pedals were lessbulky to make it easierto drive in heels.For the knobs and door handles,she made her maledesigners wear fake nailsto understand the ease of operation,and wouldn't you know,this generation of Probeswould increase marketshare right out the gate...God, do you know what?It's almost like Mimi knewthat if they made a carmore people would enjoy driving,then more people would buy it!For this generation, there were again,two drivetrains available.The base used the Mazda FS engine,a two liter, inline-fourthat delivered 115 hrspr.The GT though, used Mazda'sKLDE, a 2.5 liter V6that made 165 hrsprs,which combined with a2,900 pound curb weightgave the GT a zero to60 time of 7.1 seconds,which is fast for back then!(engine revving)(tires squealing)The second gen startedout with strong salesand over the course of its runwould see a few specialappearance packages.The all around sickest of whichwas the 1994 Probe Wild Orchid.But by the mid '90s,sales has started to slow.Now this was a time of anti-gas crisis.Cheap fuel prices meanta huge uptick in carslike Ford's own super popular Explorer.By 1996, work was startingon a third generation Probe,but in a cruel twist of fate,the car that was originallydesigned to be the new Mustangended up having its own design cribbed.What was to be the Gen-3 Probeended up being re-imaginedas a new, sportier Cougarin an effort to attractyounger people to Mercury.The last Probe came out in 1997,putting an end to one ofthe most unlikely carsin Ford history.What began as Mustangowner's worst nightmare,ended up being a successstory of collaborationbetween American and Japanese automakersand lives in our heartsas one of the coolest,American-ish, compactsports cars of the '90s.Thank you guys for watching this video.If you wanna watch more videos like it,go ahead and hit that subscribe button,we put out something newdang near about every day.I mentioned SVT in this episode,if you wanna watch my videoon that, check this out.Go get yourself somemerch, donutmedia.com.Follow me on Instagram, @jamespumphrey,follow Donut, @donutmedia, I love you.(upbeat music)