Rare Car Archive

Makes › Ford United States › Indigo (1996 concept) · Prototype · 1996 Ultra Rare

Ford
Indigo (1996 concept)

V12 roadster concept shown in 1996 in a non-driveable show version and a fully functional driveable version.

Still being researched: identification guide. Everything shown is checked against the cited sources. Know more? Send us a source.

IDENTIFICATION CARD · FORD INDIGO (1996 CONCEPT) 1996
No licensed photograph yet. Photographs are published only when their licence permits it.
2BuiltFactory reported
0Chassis documentedin this archive
1SurvivingIndependently researched
Contents
  1. 01Overview
  2. 02Production & history
  3. 03Specifications
  4. 04Colours & options
  5. 05Individual cars
  6. 06Reference

01Overview

At a glance

Built
2 Built
Years
1996
Engine
V12, 60 degrees, DOHC · 5,970 cc / 6.0 LFactory: 5,970 cc
Power
324 kW / 441 PSFactory: 435 hp · converted
Top speed
274 km/hFactory: 170 mph · converted
Body
Not yet verified
Designer
Claude Lobo
In this archive
Not yet verified
Surviving
1 (independently researched)

Sources and any conflicting figures are in the sections below.

Why it matters

The Indigo was a two-seat, street-legal concept built to show Indy-car and Formula 1 technology on the road. Its carbon monocoque and racing-style suspension came from a race-car supplier, and its V12 was built from production V6 parts.

How rare is it?

Six separate kinds of rarity – never combined into one number.

Model rarityUltra Rare 2 · Built1,2
Specification rarityNot yet assessed
Colour rarityNot yet assessed
Individual rarityNot yet assessed
Historical rarityNot yet assessed
Survival rarityNot yet assessed 1 · Surviving3

Each kind of rarity is rated separately and never combined.

02Production & history

Production

Every figure says what it counts.

What is countedFigureBasisStatus
Total model productiondriveable prototype kept by Ford; the show car was auctioned and later wrecked. Current status is not stated in the sources 13 Surviving examples Independently researched
Total model productionIndigo cars produced: one non-driveable show car and one fully functional driveable car 21,2 Factory production Factory reported

Independent counts (e.g. engine and colour) are never combined into a calculated figure. Surviving examples are never presented as original production.

History

The Indigo was first presented at the 1996 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. Two cars were built: a non-driveable show car for the auto-show circuit and a fully-functional, engineered and driveable model.

The chassis was developed with Reynard Racing Cars. The V12 shares its pistons, rings, rods and valves with the Duratec V6. Ford said the car took about six months from the first computer design rendering to a driveable car.

Ford never put the Indigo into production, although Motor Trend reported that insiders had floated limited production. Ford kept the running car and auctioned the show car, which was later wrecked.

Variants

How each version differs from the standard Indigo (1996 concept).

No variants documented yet. Have a source? Contribute it.

03Specifications

Technical specifications

Engine

Engine familyDuratec-based, built from 3.0-litre Duratec V6 parts1
Engine codeNot yet verified
LayoutV12, 60 degrees, DOHC1
Displacement 5,970 cc / 6.0 LFactory: 5,970 cc4 Independently researchedMotor Trend gives 5970 cc (364 ci). Ford's press text gives 6.0 litre.
Bore 89 mmFactory: 89 mm1
Stroke 79.5 mmFactory: 79.5 mm1
Compression ratioNot yet verified
Fuel systemDual spray fuel injectors, one injector per cylinder1
Power 324 kW / 441 PSFactory: 435 hp · converted1Rating: SAE netFord's expected final output; the engine was still in development testing per the source.
Power at 6,100 rpm1
Torque 549 NmFactory: 405 lb-ft · converted4,1Rating: SAE net
Torque at 5,250 rpm1

Transmission & drivetrain

ManufacturerReynard (modified Indy car transaxle)1
Gearbox6-speed sequential manual, electro-hydraulic shift1,4 Independently researched
Gears61
Final drive3.11:14 Independently researched
Driven wheelsNot yet verified

Chassis, body & dimensions

ChassisCarbon fibre and aluminium honeycomb monocoque tub, with front suspension mounted to it1
Front suspensionNot yet verified
Rear suspensionNot yet verified
BrakesNot yet verified
SteeringNot yet verified
Body constructionCarbon fibre and glass fibre with Nomex honeycomb4 Independently researched
Wheelbase 2,895 mmFactory: 2,895 mm4 Independently researchedCar Design News gives 2896 mm.
Length 4,453 mmFactory: 4,453 mm3,4 Independently researched
Width 2,052 mmFactory: 2,052 mm3 Independently researched
Height 1,003 mmFactory: 1,003 mm3 Independently researched
Front trackNot yet verified
Rear trackNot yet verified
Kerb weight 1,040 kgFactory: 2,300 lb · converted4,3 EstimatedMotor Trend's base curb weight is an estimate; Car Design News gives 1043 kg, which is the same mass.
Dry weightNot yet verified

Performance

Maximum speed 274 km/hFactory: 170 mph · converted3 Independently researched
0–100 km/hNot yet verified
0–60 mph 3.9 s3,4 Independently researchedCar Design News gives about 3.9 s. Motor Trend says just under four seconds.
Fuel tankNot yet verified

“Not yet verified” means no source has been checked for that value yet. Nothing is estimated to fill a gap.

04Colours & options

Factory colours & interiors

Original paint and trim, with the number of cars in each where a source gives it.

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

Factory options & codes

Codes are shown exactly as written by the manufacturer.

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

05Individual cars

Chassis register

Every documented car, with its colours, history and where it is now. Open a row for the full record. Known chassis are not automatically authenticated originals.

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

Competition history

Every race result of the individual cars, in date order. Click a chassis number to open its full record in the register.

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

Auction & sale history

Documented public sales of the individual cars. Click a chassis number to open its full record in the register.

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

See one in person

Museums where an example of this car can be seen.

No example is documented on public display yet. Have a source? Contribute it.

06Reference

Identification guide

How to tell an original from a replica or later conversion.

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

Sources

Each number links to the exact facts it supports.

  1. 1
    Race track design and technology drives the Ford Indigo concept sports car Level A Ford Motor Company (media.ford.com)
    • Two versions of the car have been produced
    • current production 3.0-liter Duratec V-6 engine
    • a 6.0-liter, four-cam, 48-valve, 60 degree engine
    • 89.0 mm x 79.5 mm
    • Dual spray fuel injectors
    • 435 hp (SAE net) at 6,100 rpm
    • 405 lbs-ft torque at 5,250 rpm
    • modified Reynard Indy car transaxle
    • electronic, hydraulic shifter
    • six forward gears and a reverse
    • carbon fiber, aluminum honeycomb composite material
    Accessed 2026-11-13
  2. 2
    Ford Motor Company media release on the Indigo concept (1996) Level A
    • 2 Indigo cars produced: one non-driveable show car and one fully functional driveable car
    Accessed 2026-11-12
  3. 3
    Concept Car of the Week: Ford Indigo (1996) Level C Karl Smith · Car Design News · 2016-10-07
    • Ford kept the running version and auctioned off the show car
    • Length 4453mm
    • Width 2052mm
    • Height 1003mm
    • Weight 1043 kg
    • Top speed 170mph
    • 0–60mph ~3.9 seconds
    Accessed 2026-11-13
  4. 4
    Ford Indigo Concept: A Two-Seat Indy Racer For The Interstate Level C Motor Trend · 1996-04-01
    • 364/5970 (Tech data table)
    • 405 @ 5250
    • 6-speed manual
    • Axle ratio 3.11:1
    • constructed of carbon fiber and glass fiber with a Nomex honeycomb
    • Wheelbase, in./mm | 114.0/2895
    • Length, in./mm | 175.3/4453
    • 2300 (est. )
    • capable of leaping to 60 mph in just under four seconds
    Accessed 2026-11-13

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