Ford
427: Ford's Re-Interpretation of a Heavy-Hitting Sedan
By Andrew Gardner; Photos Courtesy Ford Media
Apr 21, 2003, 13:23 PST

The 1960s saw the height of the American sedan. Bigger was always better. Nobody worried about gas prices, so big-block V8s were the rumblin, gas-guzzlin engines of choice. Steel was America's favorite material; perhaps if someone had invented see-through steel, the Big Three would have made their windshields out of that rather than glass. Sedans of the 1960s era were built to allow the consumer to cruise in style.

And this culture has been maintained in some respects. Cruising in the big cars of old is still definitely in style. The rumble of a huge Detroit engine passing through your neighborhood is now less common amidst the high-pitched whine of fuel-efficient 4 cylinders, but it is there nonetheless. Those who listen to and write rap still romanticize the "Six-Four Impala" as their iconic ride. But now Ford has plans which will make them want to sing about the "Four-Two-Seven."

In tandem with their "Living Legends," Ford has brought back the the classic 60s cruiser in the 427 Concept. They have drawn upon their 1960s 427 Galaxie in designing this car. And it just has bad-ass written all over it.

The 427 looks like it was carved out of a solid block of steel. Its simple solid box shape definitely pays homage to its ancestors. The grille draws up images of raw steel being hammered and bent into shape, then slammed firmly into place in the front of the car.

Its outline is long and low-slung. The 427's long hood especially adds to this effect, while hinting at the huge beast which lies underneath. In front of the driver rests a four hundred and twenty seven cubic inch, all-aluminum V10.

Because of the block's all aluminum makeup, this huge engine is 70 pounds lighter than Ford's 5.4 liter V8 used in the Mustang Cobra R.This 427 cubic inch monster features newly designed, lightweight, forged aluminum pistons, which allow a very short compression height. And at the base of  it all is a set of billet H-beam con-rods mated to a billet steel common pin crankshaft; this construction is strong enough to eliminate the need for a balance shaft, despite the massive power output. This powerplant churns out 590 horsepower at 6500 rpms, and 509 lb-ft of torque at 5500 rpms.  With that much power, the 427 is sure to scare anybody the heck out of your way, or just entertain you by setting off all the car alarms on the street as your rumble by.

In the interior the driver and passengers are treated to sleak, supple seats clothed in rich handcrafted leather. The interior is sown up in cormeal stitching, which give a cool outline to the interior components. A center tunnel runs through the center of the interior, adding visual and structural strength to the cockpit. At the front of the center console stands the brushed billet six speed shifter.

Above and to the left of the shifter, the driver will find a retro dash, with square gauges engraved with numbers in old school script. The gauges are lit up by a classic red glow reminiscient of diner lights. The extensive use of metal and black leather throughout the cockpit forms an overall solid and tough feel to the 427.

The 427 looks like it feels equally at home resting silently in a back alley, roaring down the main drag or just rumbling up to a night club. Its simple lines give it poise and a touch of elegance, but its huge size and power make it mean. It's a set of brass - or, rather, steel - knuckles, kept on the inside coat pocket of a custom tailored American suit. The 427 Ford's bid at producing America's official bad-ass car.

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