Using the 1966 Sebring-winning Ford GTX1 roadster as his inspiration, Kip Ewing, a Ford Special Vehicle Team engineering supervisor, sketched a convertible version of the Ford GT, which he named -- quite appropriately -- the Ford GTX1.
"The Ford GT has been an amazing automotive icon that I've had the pleasure to work on," said Ewing. "The X1 project is a great way to answer the question, 'What if?' and utilize the power of SEMA's members in the aftermarket to get it done."
The SEMA show is the premier automotive specialty products trade event in the world. This year, more than 2,000 manufacturers will display their wares in over one million square feet of space at the Las Vegas Convention Center. More than 100,000 trade professionals are expected to attend the show, which is open only to verified industry professionals and media.
Getting his idea accepted as a SEMA project required some creative thinking on Ewing's part.
"Sometimes people have a hard time understanding what you want to accomplish, but if you can show them a three-dimensional representation, it helps to seal the deal," he said.
So Ewing did just that. He took a 1:18 die-cast model of the GT and modified it.
"I cut the roof off and then remodeled the body using typical auto body materials like Bondo. Then I repainted it," he said. "It was a nice visual that I could put on someone's desk."
Ewing's craftiness paid off.
In June, Hau Thai-Tang, director of Ford SVT and Advanced Product Creation, gave Ewing the stamp of approval he needed to do bring his dream to life as a SEMA vehicle.
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