The press loved the car, and it was mentioned or featured in at least 13 magazines, including two covers, in 19. A few of the most striking examples being the AMC Marlin, the Plymouth Barracuda, and the 1967-1968 full-size Pontiac, Impala, Olds 88, Buick LeSabre and Wildcat.Ī press release dated January 21, 1963, announced the Ford Custom Car Caravan for 1963 and the Italien for the first time: “LOS ANGELES – The Ford Custom Car Caravan, a special display of customized 1963 Ford models will be displayed at the Winter Nationals…February 7,8,9 and 10.” At the end of the press release the Italien is metioned: “An additional ‘custom’ unit is the Thunderbird Italien, a study in style created by the Styling Office of the Ford Motor Company.” In addition to the all the auto shows, in 1964 the Ford Custom Car Caravan, including the Italien, was featured at the 1964-1965 World’s Fair in New York. The fastback roof would also be used on the Mustang, introduced in the Spring of 1964 with great success, starting a trend that would influence the styling of GM, AMC and Chrysler products that would last for several years. The concept of a fastback roof would become a reality at Ford midway through the 1963 model year when Ford offered a less dramatic version of a fastback roof on the Galaxie, Falcon and similar Mercury models. ![]() The sleek fastback roof flows gracefully into the trunk lid invoking the look of speed and excitement in contrast to the production car’s more formal roofline. ![]() With its dramatic roofline, sumptuous leather interior, unique trim and eye-catching deep candy apple red paint scheme, the Italien was show stopper. The Ford Italien, a Thunderbird-based, fastback concept car with an Italian flair, was one of the most popular cars on tour at the time. The public’s response to these concept cars often influences a car maker’s decision to implement design concepts into production cars at a later date. ![]() Concept cars are built to showcase new and futuristic designs and to capture the imagination of the public. Maruska said he drove the car to a couple of local car shows and to various locations for photos after he finished the restoration in August, putting a grand total of 60 to 70 miles on it.ĭoes he think he'll miss it? No, he said, "I bought it to sell it.If you visited a car show in 1963 or 1964, you would have seen concept cars on display from many different manufactures, just as you do today. It was shown at the New York World's Fair's Cavalcade of Custom Cars as well as in Ford's Custom Car Caravan at auto shows nationwide.Īfter the World's Fair it was supposed to be scrapped, but instead was sold to actor Dale Robertson, who gave it to its gardener and then was bought by a California Ford collector before Maruska bought it for an undisclosed price two years ago. Ford took a 1962 Thunderbird convertible and gave it fastback body design. The car was shown at the 1964 World's Fair as a concept car. The News Tribune was unable to contact Williams on Sunday. , so it probably wasn't necessary, he added. But the car's history is fully laid out on his Web site, He didn't have any questions about it," Maruska said. "He sat in it, said how much he loved it. Maruska said he met Williams before the auction. Maruska identified the winner as Don Williams, who owns a car museum in a Las Vegas hotel and is president of the Blackhawk Museum, another car museum, in Danville, Calif.
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