Obscure today but totally fascinating, the 1968 Ford Techna concept explored a number of innovations in engineering and packaging. Here’s more.
While the 1968 Ford Techna is largely forgotten today, the car may represent one interesting historic first. From what we can gather, this is possibly the first official, published use of the term “concept car” by an American automaker—in a technical paper for the SAE, the Society of Automotive Engineers. (Previous Motor City euphemisms included “dream car” and “idea car.”) More than the usual styling studio proposal, the Techna was created in part to explore new approaches in engineering, including in vehicle packaging and body construction.
A full-sized, six-place coupe on a 120-in wheelbase, the Techna boasted a number of novel construction features, including large, cantilevered doors that moved both out and open for passenger entry and egress. A tilt-up, one-piece nose assembly (ala Jaguar E-Type) provided ample access to the 427 cubic-inch V8, and included a smaller hatch in the center of the hood for checking fluid levels.
Unlike many of its ilk, the Techna was a fully functional and roadworthy prototype. Home movies show the concept vehicle cruising around the city of Dearborn as Ford engineers try out its various gadgets. The cutaway illustration above shows that the front and rear suspension assemblies were based on the production Galaxie. However, the unit-construction floor pan was of honeycomb steel-panel construction, similar to the aluminum tub of the Ford Mark IV Le Mans racer, while the drivetrain was skewed in the chassis 12 degrees to maximize cabin volume.
A pet project of Ford engineering vice-president Harold C. McDonald (pictured above), the Techna was featured in the August 1968 issue of Car Life magazine, where readers were invited to chime in with their views on both the overall design and the advanced body features. This front view shows off the nearly non-existent A-pillars and the hidden headlamps.
This rear view below (from the original June 1968 press release) provides a better look at the enormous cantilever door. Note also the energy-absorbing plastic rear bumper and the auxiliary turn/stop lamps integrated into the C-pillars and backlite. For those who wish to discover more about the Techna, the original SAE paper no. 690267 is available from the Society of Automotive Engineers.
I thought the lead photo was a Toronado but other pics show the front end much differently. It’s is an attractive car although in the photo with McDonald, it strikes me as an AMC design.
I remember this car because of the hatch in the hood. I recall an article saying the future cars would need so little maintenance that the hood would be sealed and everything would be done through the hatch. It seems absurd, but we no longer have points, plugs go 100k, longer oil change intervals, no chassis lube. Instead of a hatch on the hood there’s a sheet of plastic covering the engine.
A lot of Galaxie in this car. Using composite material may have got rid of some weight. And the lack of bumpers would have too. The doors however would have made a large amount of weight. And like the bumpers not been seen as practical as chrome bumpers still had at least another decade.
427? in 68? more likely 428 or if the car ever hit reality a slightly lighter 429. Released 71.
IF Ford had wanted to make these cars lighter, simple engineering changes such as alloy heads intake, accescory brackets alloy radiator, lighter steel forgings for suspension components. And there alone is at least 200 lbs lighter.
Plus proper alloy road wheels @ about 10lbs a corner.
All of these technologies were available 68, undoubtedly more expensive but actually far more practical for weight reduction which is both performance and handling. And I know,, I own a 71 Galaxie which is probably 200lbs heavier than a 68!
Fords were generally overweight, Even compare a ‘mid size’ Holden in Oz. The Holden V8 had alloy intake, waterpump, quite light cylinder heads and block. Physically bigger than a Chev but lighter..
The ‘mid size’ 302W again a fairly light engine but everything was cast iron making it heavier.
That’s an interesting point about the term “concept car.” I have wondered about that myself. It seemed to appear one day.
Would wondering if Ford have this in as a Poster size picture of this one concept car ? Be great that they’re able to bring it out to reality of 2018 or maybe 2019 for sure. Be cool to see it on the road near future of course.
They should build and sell this now. Itd be a big hit.