Ford Taurus SHO Intercoast GTP: The 90s Supercar Concept Ahead of Its Time

The Extinct - In the world of automotive design, some unique creations are destined to capture imaginations even if they remain elusive to the public. Among these, the Ford Taurus SHO Intercoast GTP is a standout, a car that exemplifies innovation and ambition, yet slipped into obscurity not long after its creation. Though the 1990s were full of experimental vehicles, few concepts have as intriguing a story as this tandem-seat supercar. Designed by Mel Francis, a visionary car builder from California, this car was meant to be a fusion of high-speed performance and practical efficiency—a combination that felt far ahead of its time.

The Ford Taurus SHO Intercoast GTP was a wild tandem-seat concept, built by Californian Mel Francis in 1993 and scrapped four years later. (Picture from: Carakoom)

The Ford Taurus SHO Intercoast GTP first took shape in 1992, a period when tandem seating was an experimental feature in car design. While other models, like Mazda’s E-Go Concept, Yamaha’s OX99-11, and Rinspeed's E-Go Rocket, played with similar configurations, the Intercoast GTP uniquely brought this design into the American market. Francis envisioned a streamlined, transcontinental “road cruiser” with tandem seating that positioned the driver at the center of the car, with room for a passenger directly behind—a bold departure from traditional seating arrangements. Inspired partly by the Ford Taurus SHO (SHO stand for Super High Output), a popular sports sedan, this concept car was set to blend comfort and sporty aesthetics in an innovative way.

The Ford Taurus SHO Intercoast GTP embodies Mel Francis's vision of a streamlined transcontinental "road cruiser" with center-positioned tandem seating for the driver and a passenger directly behind. (Picture from: Carakoom)

At its core, the Intercoast GTP borrowed heavily from the 1992 Ford Taurus SHO, utilizing its mechanical elements while reconfiguring them for the mid-engine layout within a custom-built steel tube spaceframe chassis. Francis aimed to transform the Taurus SHO’s sedan qualities into something radically different. The car’s structure positioned the driver in the center, similar to the configuration found later in the famous McLaren F1. This unusual setup created a cockpit-focused driving experience, which was intended to improve aerodynamics and provide a more engaging connection to the road. Meanwhile, a full-size trunk allowed ample space for long journeys, aligning with Francis’s vision of a practical, cross-country cruiser.

The Ford Taurus SHO Intercoast GTP featured a sleek, futuristic design with likely “gull-wing” doors that enhanced its supercar appeal. (Picture from: Carakoom)

In terms of design, the Intercoast GTP was sleek and futuristic, featuring what was likely a “gull-wing” door mechanism, adding to its supercar appeal. The car was intended to offer better fuel efficiency than other supercars of the time, thanks to its narrow greenhouse and aerodynamic body. This low-drag profile was a key part of Francis’s vision, designed to enable long, fuel-efficient drives across highways without compromising on style or performance. The Taurus SHO’s 3.0-liter V6 engine was likely adapted to this prototype, capable of delivering 220 horsepower—enough for exhilarating highway speeds.

One of the most distinctive features of the Ford Taurus SHO Intercoast GTP was its motorbike-inspired tandem seating, with the driver seated centrally and a second seat directly behind. (Picture from: Carakoom)

Despite its promise, the Intercoast GTP never made it beyond its concept phase. Francis’s workshop was eventually closed in 1997, and the unique supercar was dismantled, with its parts reportedly repurposed for other projects. It’s thought that the car was simply too advanced for its era, a vehicle that perhaps couldn’t find the necessary investors to bring it into production. The few glimpses of it that remain showcase a car that may have been built before its time, unable to attract mainstream attention or support in an industry not yet ready for such a blend of speed and practicality.

The Ford Taurus SHO Intercoast GTP was intended to offer better fuel efficiency than other supercars of the time, thanks to its narrow greenhouse and aerodynamic body. (Picture from: Carakoom)

The legacy of the Ford Taurus SHO Intercoast GTP is a fascinating chapter in automotive history, underscoring the potential of innovative design in car manufacturing. Though only a single prototype was ever produced, its story continues to intrigue automotive enthusiasts who see in it a concept that dared to break conventions. This long-forgotten prototype remains a testament to the boldness of ideas that sometimes get lost in the fast-paced world of car design, leaving us to wonder what could have been if the Intercoast GTP had found its way to the open road. ***  [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | MEL FRANCIS IN FLICKR | ITS SHO TIME | FORDAUTHORITY | ROADANDTRACK | AUTOYAHOO | 9GAG | CARAKOOM | CARSTHATNEVERMADEITETC | HEARTBOOMCARS ]

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