好みの自動車デザイン：第45回ーー2ドア・クーペの系譜： 第25回【米国車編②】 フォード・シェルビーGR-1 コンセプト、2004（クローム） 『コブラ・デイトナ、復活の布石？』Ford Shelby GR-1 Concept『Cobra Daytona Coupe Revive！』

第45回ーー2ドア・クーペの系譜： 第25回【米国車編②】 フォード・シェルビーGR-1 コンセプト、2004（クローム） 『コブラ・デイトナ、復活の布石？』Ford Shelby GR-1 Concept『Cobra Daytona Coupe Revive！』

＃好みの自動車デザインーー2ドア・クーペの系譜：

第45回目の今回は、『2ドアクーペの系譜、第25回』と題しまして、各国のお国柄や、外観デザインの個性が強く表れる、高級2ドア（GT）クーペ / ロードスターについてお話ししてみたいです。【注意：オープンカーを含む】

以下の要領で進めていきます。

第25回の今回はいよいよ
【米国車編②】としまして、

2004年発表の
フォード・シェルビーGR-1 コンセプト（クローム）
についてのお話です。

【2ドア・クーペの系譜：目次】

＃シェルビー・デイトナクーペの復活？

かねてより、『シェルビー・デイトナクーペ』の

『武骨でアメリカン』な

『コーダトロンカ・テール』

のデザインが大好きだったこともあり、

初めてフォード・シェルビーGR-1のテール部分の写真を見た時、

『一目ぼれ状態』

に陥り、

それ以来適当な模型やミニカーを探していました。

そんな中、昨年今回取り上げました、ホットホイールの通常版のメッキ塗装版GR-1 をイーベイで見つけまして、一目惚れ、さっそく入手してボディの厚みと車高を中心に「地を這うイメージに』大改造、いよいよ記事製作開始となりにけり。

それではこんな感じで、『シェルビー版
類まれなメッキボディーの未来派レーサー』を

ご紹介していきます。

＊実写解説：実車写真集付き
＊外観デザインの特徴：
＊『私』とシェルビーGR-1
＊三題噺：フェラーリ250GTO・コーダトロンカ・サリダキス
＊その他のキャロル・シェルビーの末裔たち、、、

＊実車解説：シェルビー・デイトナクーペ復活の狼煙？

＃実車の写真館：

今回のマテル製のミニカーですが、

大まかなイメージは素晴らしいのですが、
ボディー表面が全面的に分厚くメッキ処理されているせいで、全体的にもっさりしていてディテールのしゃぷさにかけるきらいがありますので、実車の写真集を用意しました。
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概要：

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＃こぼれ話：

＃三面写真館：

＃主要諸元：

＊外観デザインの特徴：蘇った『コーダトロンカ・テール』

(写真撮影に使用したミニカー：Jeda社製、1/64ダイキャスト完成品【実際には1/50ぐらい？）】フォード・シェルビーGR-1（メタリック・ブルー）－－→無改造で使用）

斜め後ろからの見た目が、
超絶美しい、現代に蘇った世紀のレーサー

『コブラ・デイトナ―クーペ』

この迫力満点な、
フォード版のコンセプトカーの外観デザインの特徴を
紐解いていきましょう！

以下のの5点＋アルファが私の意見です。

ではそれぞれ
写真入りで見て行きましょう。

1：オリジナルのプロポーションを引き継いだうえ、大胆に革新した、ロングホイールベース＋超絶に低い全高が生み出す、大胆さと、均衡の間でのせめぎ合いの静寂感・清潔感

（すべての面造り、ディテール、アルミボディーの造形などの丁寧さが光ります。）

ーーーー＞動いていない時も、レース後の余韻に満ち満ちています。嬉

2：大きく張り出した全後フェンダーを横断して最大幅から後端では極端に絞り込まれた【ドアからリアクオーターへつながる】ボディー横断面の醸し出す、いやおうなしのドラマ

ーーーーー＞後方から見下ろしたとき、窓横からの絞り込みがたまりません！！

3：デイトナクーペ譲りのボンネット、リアフェイシアやボディー横にちりばめられた、レース仕様車独特の、ダクト、補器類のグラフィック処理のスマートさ

ーーーー＞『拡散と集中』のコントラストが素晴らしいです！

4：重いっ切り絞り込まれたボディー後端に現われる、迫力に満ち満ちた【コーダ・トロンカスタイル】のテールエンド

ーーーー＞この部分はオリジナルの数倍迫力があります。

5：オリジナルに比べて、動的不安定さが皆無な、低い重心位置を生かし切った余裕を感じる安定感≒フォードのデザイン流儀の深い味わい

ーーーー＞「走って良し、止まって良し』の気品すら感じる騎士道的奥ゆかしさ

弱点：
＃唯一の弱点は、フロントエンドの「表情」がイマイチ迫力に欠ける点でしょうか？
ーーーー＞この部分は、初代のデイトナ・クーペに軍配が上がります。泣

次章では、私の個人的な『GR-1』体験を
お話しいたします。

*『私』とシェルビーGR-1コンセプト：

＃広報写真の衝撃！！

2004年に、週刊雑誌【AUTOWEEk】誌上、
モーターショーのコンセプトカー特集で発見した

この写真に写った『コード・トロンカ』テールの迫力に一目ぼれした私ですが、

その後市販化のニュースがなく、
すっかり忘れかけていた中、

昨年末に、
イーベイのホットホイール検索中に偶然発見した、

ホットホイール通常版のメッキボディーバージョンに

再度眼がくぎ付けとなりました！！

このミニカーのメッキ表面の波打ち具合になぜか心が引かれ、入手後まっさきに車高最小化を中心に大改造を施し、写真撮影！－－－＞本記事執筆に相成りいました。

記事の制作に入ってから、
こんな感じで、新たな発見がありましたが、
始めに見つけた、ホットホイール版のオーラにはかないませんでした。

＊1 Badd Ride 社製、1/64ダイキャスト完成品、フォード・シェルビーGR-1コンセプト（メタリック・ブルー＆白のストライプ）

（スケールが1/50位と大き過ぎる以外は、カチットしたシャープなモールドがHW版と対照的

ーーー＞タイヤ・ホイールサイズが少し大きすぎる以外は至第点です。）

＊マテル社製、ホットホイール, 1/87【珍しいHOスケール！】 フォード・シェルビーGR-1コンセプト（各色あり）

（出来は良さそうなのですが入手出来てません。

—->ヨーロッパの鉄道模型のアクセサリー市場向け商品でしょうか？? ）

次はいよいよお待ちかね？の
             三大噺のお時間です！

張り切っていきましょう。

＊三題噺：フェラーリ250GTO’62・コーダトロンカ・サリダキス

さて今回も、
会場のお客様から頂きました3っつのお題から、
見事におかしく、ためになる落語を作ってお見せします。

リラックスして、
お楽しみに、

お題：

＊フェラーリ250GTO’62
＊コーダ・トロンカ
＊ジョージ・サリダキス

（パン、パン、パパンと、張り扇の小気味よい音が静まり返った釈台に響き渡る）
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『ええー、時に自動車の歩みにおいて、ただ一度として忘れ去られることなき、血湧き肉躍る黄金の時代がございます。時は1960年代。大国アメリカの誇りと、ヨーロッパの伝統的な美意識が、サーキットという名の戦場において激突をいたしました、まさにあのでございます。
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本日のお題に据えますは、
＊その戦場に燦然と輝く至高の美神「フェラーリ250GTO’62」。
＊空気を切り裂き、風を従える究極の機能美「コーダトロンカ」。
＊そして、その伝説の魂を二一世紀の未来へと甦らせた気鋭のデザイナー：ジョージ・「サリダキス」。

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この三題の糸を縦横無尽に織り成し、2004年に世界を震撼させながらも、ついに市販されることのなかった幻のスーパーカー「フォード・シェルビーGR-1コンセプト」の、その驚天動地の機構と外観デザインを、一席、格調高く読み上げてまいろうという趣向でございます。

（パン！）

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さあ、まずは時計の針を、1962年へと一気に巻き戻さねばなりません。当時、モータースポーツの頂点たる国際マニュファクチャラーズ選手権において、絶対王者として君臨しておりましたイタリアの跳ね馬、スクーデリア・フェラーリ。その王座に座る「フェラーリ250GTO’62」を打倒せんとして、テキサス魂を体現する巨匠、キャロル・シェルビーが名車コブラのシャシーをベースに創り上げた秘密兵器こそが、初代「コブラ・デイトナクーペ」であった。

直線スピードでライバルを圧倒するためには、どうしても超えねばならぬ壁、それが「空気抵抗」という目に見えぬ怪物。ここで、シェルビーらが取り入れたのが、当時最先端の空気力学、すなわちリアの末端でスパッと刃物で切り落としたかのように絶壁にする「コーダトロンカ」の思想でございます。

（パン！）

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この無骨にして冷徹なコーダトロンカの機能美をもって風を力でねじ伏せ、1965年、デイトナクーペは見事に世界選手権のタイトルを奪取！ アメリカの荒々しい闘志が、世界の頂点を極めた歴史的瞬間でございました。

（パパパン！）

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時代は流れ、それから約40年の歳月が流れた2004年。あのキャロル・シェルビーの熱き闘志と、デイトナクーペの伝説のプロポーションを、二一世紀のアグレッシブな未来志向の技術をもって現代に甦らせようという、壮大なプロジェクトがフォードの社内で沸き起こる。この時、チーフデザイナーのJ・メイズ率いるデザインチームの中で、一人の若き天才が一本のスケッチを描き上げた。それこそが、のちに世界の度肝を抜くこととなるデザイナー、ジョージ・「サリダキス」であった。

（パン！）

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サリダキスは苦悩した。「単なる過去のノスタルジー、古き良き時代のレプリカを作ったのでは、キャロル・シェルビーの魂に対する侮辱である。我々が作るべきは、輝かしい過去（古典）に最敬礼をしつつも、その視線は遥か一光年先の未来を睨み据えるような、アグレッシブな未来志向の塊でなければならない」

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そうしてサリダキスのペンから生み出された「フォード・シェルビーGR-1コンセプト」の外観デザインは、まさに古典と未来の狭間で激しく火花を散らす、空前絶後の「見物（みもの）」となったのでございます。

（パン、パン、パパン！）

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見よ、2004年のペブルビーチでお披露目されたその威容を！
主役たるGR-1のボディの表面を覆うのは、塗装ではない。職人が何百時間もかけて磨き上げた、鏡面仕上げの、むき出しのアルミニウム。カリフォルニアの太陽の光を浴びてギラギラと眩い光を放つその姿は、まるで近未来の戦闘機か、あるいは一本の銀のインゴットから削り出された超彫刻。

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フロントマスクは、初代デイトナクーペの面影を残しながらも、冷徹に発光するHIDヘッドライトと、大容量の空気を吸い込む巨大なメッシュグリルが配され、まるで獲物を一噛みで噛み殺さんとする、未来の肉食獣の如き獰猛さを湛えている。

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そして、ルーフからリアへと至るライン。これこそが、サリダキスが現代に再定義した究極の「コーダトロンカ」。滑らかに、絞り込まれるように後ろへと流れたボディラインが、リアエンドにおいて、一点の躊躇もなく垂直、否、、、それ以上に過激に『なんと！逆スラントに』切り落とされている。その断面には、現代のLED技術によるテールランプがスリット状に埋め込まれ、マフラーからは太い排気管が突き出している。

これぞ、デイトナクーペが誇ったコーダトロンカの直進性と、サリダキスの未来志向が一本に結晶化させた、美の極致。
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過去のデザインへの郷愁（ノスタルジー）に引き込まれそうになりながらも、アルミニウムの硬質な輝きとエッジの効いたラインが、それを力づくで未来へと押し進めている。

（パン！）

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しかし、このGR-1が真の「見物」たる所以は、その美しい皮一枚の下に隠された、凄まじき「機構＝メカ」にこそあった。

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「未来志向」を謳うスーパーカーの多くが、ハイブリッドや電子制御といった、人間の感覚を遮断するテクノロジーへと傾倒していく中で、このGR-1が選択した機構は、極めてアグレッシブ、かつ狂暴なまでの古典적マッスル思想であった。長いボンネットの下に鎮座いたしまするは、フォードGTのシャシーをベースに、さらに磨き上げられた心臓。なんと、最高出力605馬力を叩き出す、6.4リッター、オールアルミ製の「V型10気筒自然吸気エンジン」！

（パパン！）

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過給機（ターボ）の力を借りず、排気量とシリンダーの数だけで勝負する、これぞアメリカの伝統。そこへ組み合わされるトランスミッションは、パドルシフトにあらず、ドライバーが自らの腕でギアを叩き込む「六速マニュアル・トランスミッション」！ 電子制御の介入を最小限に抑え、6百頭の野生の馬を、右足一本と、己のシフトワークだけで御する。

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外観は、21世紀の鏡面アルミボディという未来の鎧を纏いながら、その中身には、かつて世界を驚かせたキャロル・シェルビーの「生々しい野性とパワー」がそのまま息づいている。まさに、身体は未来の宇宙を見つめながら、心臓は過去の戦場（サーキット）の泥を吸い込んでいる。この「古典と未来の狭間」の矛盾こそが、このクルマをただの工業製品ではなく、一世一代の芸術的な「見物」へと昇華させたのでございます。

（パン、パン、パン！）

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さあ、そうして世界中の熱狂的なファンが、「これこそ、シェルビーの血統を次世代に繋ぐ、真のハイパースポーツだ！ 市販はいつか、発売はいつか！」と固唾を呑んで見守った。しかし、大衆の期待とは裏腹に、フォードの経営陣が下した決断は、冷酷なものであった。諸般の事情、リーマンショックへと向かう時代の足音、市販化への高いハードル……様々な要因が絡み合い、この「フォード・シェルビーGR-1コンセプト」は、ついに量産ラインに乗ることはなく、ただ一台のプロトタイプとして、歴史の闇へと消えていく運命を辿ったのであります。

（張り扇の音が、どこか哀愁を帯びて響く。パパン）

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夢は潰えたかに見えた。しかし、モータースポーツの、そしてレースカーの流儀というものは、決して後ろを振り向いて涙を流すことではございません。

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過去の名車の美しさに溺れるためではなく、それを踏み台にして、まだ見ぬ未来の地平へと一歩でも早く到達するために、彼らは過去を振り返る。温故知新とは、立ち止まることではなく、より遠くへ跳ぶための助走に他ならない。

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市販されず、幻の見世物としてガレージの奥に眠ることとなったGR-1。しかし、そのアルミニウムのボディに刻まれたサリダキスの情熱、そしてコーダトロンカの機能美は、今もなお、未来のハイパーカーを創り出すデザイナーたちの血の中に、脈々と受け継がれているのでございます。

（ここで、釈台を大きく一度、叩く！ ドン！）

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さあ、それでは本日の読み物の締め括り、格調高き大サゲへと一気に語り進めましょう。
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＊レースカーがバックミラーで過去の歴史を確認し、未来へ向かって全力で前進するその流儀。
＊そして、デザイナーが古典の美に最敬礼を捧げ、アグレッシブな近未来のデザインへとジャンプする、その飽くなき冒険。
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この２つの熱き文脈が交錯する、フォード・シェルビーGR-1という一世一代の「見物」の正体を、我々はいったい何と呼ぶべきか。

（講談師、ゆっくりと視線を上げ、威風堂々と、声を張り上げる）

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往（ゆ）く先は常に、眩いばかりの未来の地平！

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これぞまさしく、

「歴史（リヤ）を確かめ、未来へと、さあダッシュ（サリダキス）！！」

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という、モータースポーツとデザイン冒険の、永遠の美学そのものでございます。

（パン、パン、パパパパン！）

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ええ、フォード・シェルビーGR-1コンセプトにまつわる一席、これにて読み終わりといたします。
長らくのご静聴、誠にありがとうございました。

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（一礼し、格調高き余韻を残して舞台を去る）
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＊その他のフォードの超新星たち、、、

アメリカフォードの最近の後ろ向きなデザイン戦略はともかく、
海の向こう、ヨーロッパフォードに目を移しますと、

一時的にカロッツェリア・ギアを所有していた経緯もありまして、
非常にアグレッシブな生産車、ショーカーが
うごめいております。

＊フォード・ギア フォーカス（コンセプト）

（オーガニック（昆虫型・有機デザイン）の傑作として『サイバーパンク映画におけるブレードランナー的な立ち位置』を有する超傑作車です。複雑怪奇な曲面、スムーズにブラ型幌が収まる美しいプロポーション、小さな穴型のグラフィックテーマなど全身が見どころのカタマリです。
ーーー＞私の学生時代のアイドルです！）

＊マーキュリーMC4【コンセプト】（1997年）

（当時のフォードデザインの清潔感あふれる面構成＋ドアや開閉部のキリかクラインのぐらf引く感覚の妙味

ーーー＞実物の表面を触ってみたい衝動にかられます。）

＊フォード 24.7 コンセプト (2000）

（現在のコネクテッド・カーのご先祖様的な立ち位置の、先進性あふれたコンセプトとそれ体現した、軽やかで親しみのある外観デザイン

ーーー＞このころまでは、日本が強い分野でした、、、泣）

3台のアメ車にまつわる
お話もこれにて一件落着です！

今後もアメ車のデザイン記事は
描き続けていきたいテーマです。

お楽しみに、、、

次回は、
ガラッと変わって、

隠れた名車、2台のマイナー三菱車
につて語ってみたいです。

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Translated in English !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

(Miniature Car for Photography #1: Mattel, Hot Wheels Standard Series, Ford Shelby GR-1 Concept, 2004 [Chrome]—Modifications: Removed the rivets; significantly thinned the chassis; carefully and substantially trimmed the height of the rear bumper to match the actual vehicle; raised the axle position as much as possible; adjusted the ride height to the lowest setting)

(Miniature Car #2: Johnny Lightning, 1/64 die-cast ready-to-display model, Ford Shelby Cobra Daytona Coupe [Racing Blue] —— Modifications: Removed the rivets and adjusted the ride height to be lower)

(Die-cast Model ③: M2, 1/64 scale die-cast ready-to-display model, Dodge Challenger, 1970 [Plum Pink] —— Modifications: Only minor adjustments to ride height)

Part 45—The Lineage of 2-Door Coupes: Part 25 [American Cars Part 2] Ford Shelby GR-1 Concept, 2004 (Chrome) “Cobra Daytona: A Prelude to a Revival?” Ford Shelby GR-1 Concept “Cobra Daytona Coupe Revive!”

#Favorite Car Designs—The Lineage of 2-Door Coupes:

For this 45th installment, titled “The Lineage of 2-Door Coupes, Part 25,” I’d like to discuss luxury 2-door (GT) coupes and roadsters, which strongly reflect the national characteristics and unique exterior design styles of various countries. [Note: Includes convertibles]

I’ll proceed as follows.

In this 25th installment, we finally move on to

[U.S. Cars Part 2],

featuring the

Ford Shelby GR-1 Concept (Chrome),

unveiled in 2004.

[The Lineage of 2-Door Coupes: Table of Contents]

[U.S. Cars]

Part 1: Cadillac Elmirage, 2013 (Metallic Red)

Part 2: Lincoln Continental MK4, 1972 (Black)

Part 3: Mercury Cougar, 1967 (LT Metallic Green)

[German Cars]

Part 4: MB 500K Special Roadster, 1936 (Black)

Episode 5: MB 300SL Roadster, 1957 (Silver)

Episode 6: MB SLS AMR Gullwing, 2010 (Black)

[British Cars]

Episode 7: McLaren F1, 1992 (Metallic Orange)

Episode 8: Jaguar XKSS Roadster, 1957 (Royal Blue)

Episode 9: Jaguar XKR Coupe, 1996 (Dark Metallic Green)

[Japanese Cars / Nissan Edition]

Episode 10: Nissan First-Generation Silvia, 1965 (Champagne Gold)

Episode 11: Nissan Fifth-Generation Silvia, 1988 (LT Metallic Green)

[Italian Cars]

Episode 12: Ferrari 250TR Pontoon Fender, 1958 (Red)

Episode 13: Ferrari 250GTO, 1962 (Italian Red)

Episode 14: Lamborghini Concept S, 2005 (Pearl White)

[Japanese Cars: Mazda]

Episode 15: Mazda Cosmo Sport, 1968 (Racing White)

Episode 16: Mazda Eunos Cosmo, Type-S (Two-Tone: Black & Gray)

[French Cars]

Episode 17: Bugatti Type 59, 1935 (French Blue)

Episode 18: Citroën SM, 1970 (Champagne Gold)

Episode 19: Bugatti La Voiture Noire, 2019 (Black)

[Japanese Cars: Toyota Edition]

Episode 20: Toyota/Yamaha 2000GT, 1967 (Ivory White)

Episode 21: Toyota 2nd-generation Soarer, 1986 (Crystal White II)

Episode 22: Lexus LC500 [GWZ100], 2017 (Manual Transmission, Red)

[American Cars Part 2]

Episode 23: Dodge Challenger, 1970 & Plymouth Barracuda, 1971

Episode 24: Dodge Viper SRT-10 ACR, 2008 (Black)

Episode 25: Ford Shelby GR-1 Concept, 2004 (Chrome)

[Japanese Cars: Mitsubishi Edition]

Episode 26: Mitsubishi Galant λ, 1976 (Brown Metallic)

Episode 27: Mitsubishi Eclipse [North American Spec], 2006 (Orange Metallic)

[German Cars Part 2]

Episode 28: BMW M635CSi, 1984 (Dark Metallic Blue)

Episode 29: MB 560SEC AMG 6.0 Widebody, 1989 (Black)

Episode 30: BMW M2 with Genuine Performance Parts, 2025 (Neon Lime)

Episode 31: First-Generation Audi TT, 1998 (Lake Silver Metallic)

[Japanese Cars: Subaru Edition]

Episode 32: Subaru Crosstrek XV, 2012 (Lime Green Metallic)

[British Cars Part 2]

Episode 33: Lotus First-Generation Elite, 1959 (British Green)

Episode 34: Lotus Elan S4 Sprint (2-Tone: Blue, White & Gold)

Episode 35: Jaguar E-Type Roadster (Light Blue Metallic)

[Japanese Cars: Honda (Lightweight Sports Cars)]

Episode 36: Honda S800, 1966 (Red)

Episode 37: Honda First-Generation CR-X 1.5i, 1983 (Blue & Silver Two-Tone)

Episode 38: Honda Beat, 1991 (Samba Yellow)

[Special Edition]: The Corvette Lineage

Episode 1: 1967 Stingray [C2] Convertible (Hardtop, Metallic Blue)

Episode 2: 1972 Corvette [C3] Convertible (Metallic Blue)

Episode 3: 1984 Corvette Coupe [C4] (Bright Red)

Part 4: Corvette Indy [Mid-Ship Prototype] (Silver)

Part 5: Stingray Concept [Prototype], 2009 (Metallic Blue)

#The Return of the Shelby Daytona Coupe?

I’ve long been a huge fan of the “Shelby Daytona Coupe’s”

“rugged, American”

“coda tronca tail”

design, so

when I first saw a photo of the rear end of the Ford Shelby GR-1,

I fell in love at first sight

,

and ever since then, I’ve been on the hunt for a suitable model or die-cast car.

Then, last year, I found the standard Hot Wheels version of the GR-1 with a chrome finish—the one I’m featuring here—on eBay. It was love at first sight, so I snapped it up right away. I gave it a major overhaul, focusing on the body thickness and ride height to achieve a “ground-hugging” look, and finally, I’m ready to start writing this article.

So, with that in mind, I’d like to introduce the “Shelby Edition

Futuristic Racer with a Rare Chrome Body”

to you.

* Real-life commentary: Includes a photo collection of the actual car

* Exterior design features:

* “Me” and the Shelby GR-1

* Three-topic story: Ferrari 250 GTO, Codatronca, Salidakis

* Other Descendants of Carroll Shelby…

* Real Car Commentary: A Signal for the Return of the Shelby Daytona Coupe?

#Real Car Photo Gallery:

Regarding this Mattel die-cast model,

while the overall impression is excellent,

the body surface is thickly plated across the entire surface, giving it a somewhat clunky appearance and making the details seem a bit lacking in sharpness. Therefore, I’ve prepared a photo collection of the actual car.

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Overview:

The Ford Shelby GR-1 is a stunningly beautiful two-seater high-performance concept car jointly unveiled in 2005 by legendary designer Carroll Shelby and Ford. It is characterized by its retro-futuristic design—heavily influenced by the iconic 1960s “Shelby Daytona Coupe”—a powertrain featuring a 6.4-liter V10 engine delivering a maximum output of 605 horsepower, and the fact that it was never put into production.

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Design and Features:

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The exterior design of the Ford Shelby GR-1 Concept is characterized by its striking “long-nose, short-deck” proportions, inspired by the legendary “Shelby Daytona Coupe” racing car. The lead designer of the Ford Shelby GR-1 Concept (unveiled in 2004 and 2005) was George Saridakis, who was an in-house designer at Ford at the time.

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Proportions and Body Lines

* Long-nose fastback: A long hood housing a massive V10 engine flows seamlessly into a teardrop-shaped cabin and fastback roof that slopes smoothly toward the rear.

* Muscular stance: Widely flared front and rear fender arches and powerful shoulder lines convey a sense of dynamism, making the car appear as if it’s in motion even when stationary.

* Shortened Overhangs: The front and rear overhangs have been minimized to the absolute limit, emphasizing an aggressive stance.

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Details and Materials:

* Polished Aluminum Body: Features glossy, machined-aluminum-style body panels that highlight the sculpted, beautiful contours.

* Butterfly Doors: Features distinctive supercar-style doors that open by swinging upward.

* Large-Diameter Wheels: 19-inch, 12-spoke machined aluminum wheels are fitted.

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Specifications and Performance:

* Engine: 6.4-liter (390 cubic inches) all-aluminum V10 engine.

* Power: Maximum output 605 horsepower / Torque 501 lb-ft.

* Transmission: Rear-mounted 6-speed manual (transaxle) with a limited-slip differential (LSD).

* Performance: 0-60 mph acceleration in approximately 3.9 seconds; top speed expected to exceed 190 mph (approximately 306 km/h).

Production Status:

* Although mass production was initially anticipated, the plan was canceled for financial reasons due to concerns over the sales performance of the “Ford GT” at the time and the anticipated high costs.

* Since then, the car has continued to enjoy great popularity among fans; for example, in 2016, the U.S.-based company Super Performance acquired the rights to produce a limited run.

#Trivia:

Who is designer George Saridakis?

George Saridakis is a Greek-born automotive designer who has worked for automakers such as Ford. He is best known for designing the “Ford Shelby GR-1,” one of his signature works.

Education and Early Career:

* After earning a degree in aerospace engineering from the University of Glasgow, he obtained a master’s degree in quality management.

* He completed a Master of Design in Vehicle Design at the Royal College of Art (RCA) in London.

* 1997: Joined Toyota Motor Corporation and worked at its European studio in Brussels.

Key Career Milestones at Various Manufacturers:

* 2000: Moved to Ford Motor Company.

* 2002: Relocated to Southern California, where he was responsible for Lincoln, Mercury, and Advanced Design.

* Notable Achievement: At the Advanced Design Studio in Irvine, starting from the very first sketches,

(Photo

*Later: He held various positions at Ford, including Chief Designer and Design Director for Exterior and Interior Design. He was also involved in exterior design at Rolls-Royce Motor Cars for a time.

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#Three-View Photo Gallery:

#Key Specifications:

Model: Model unknown—A 6.4-liter (390 cubic inches) all-aluminum naturally aspirated V10 engine developed based on Ford’s “MOD (Modular)” engine family

Total Displacement: 6.4 L (390 cubic inches) all-aluminum V10 (naturally aspirated)

Maximum Power: 605 bhp (613 PS) / 6,750 rpm

Maximum Torque: 679 N·m (501 lb·ft) / 5,550 rpm

Drivetrain: FR (front-engine, rear-wheel drive)

Seating Capacity: 2

Body Style: 2-door coupe

Door Type: Butterfly doors

Wheelbase: 2,540 mm

Overall Length: 4,412 mm

Overall Width: 1,895 mm

Overall Height: 1,168 mm

Curb Weight:

1,769 kg (3,900 lbs)

* Exterior Design Feature: The Revived “Coda Tronca Tail”

(Miniature car used for photography: Manufactured by Jeda, 1/64 die-cast model [actually about 1/50?]) Ford Shelby GR-1 (Metallic Blue) ——> Used as-is, unmodified)

The view from the rear at an angle is

absolutely stunning—a racer of the century brought back to life in the modern era

“Cobra Daytona Coupe”

Let’s delve into

the exterior design features of this incredibly powerful

Ford concept car!

Here are my top 5 points—plus a few extras.

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1: While retaining the original proportions, it boldly innovates with a long wheelbase and an incredibly low overall height, creating a sense of calm and purity born from the tension between boldness and balance.

ーーーー＞Even when it’s not moving, it’s brimming with the afterglow of a race. So exciting!

2: The undeniable drama created by the body’s cross-section—which extends from the door to the rear quarter panel—as it spans the large, flared rear fenders, tapering dramatically from its widest point to the rear edge.

ーーーーー＞When viewed from above at the rear, the taper along the side of the window is simply irresistible!!

3: The hood inherited from the Daytona Coupe, along with the rear fascia and the body sides, is adorned with the smart graphic treatment of ducts and auxiliary components unique to race-spec cars

ーーーー＞ The contrast between “diffusion and concentration” is magnificent!

4: The powerful “Coda Trunca-style” tail end that appears at the sharply tapered rear of the body

5: A sense of stability that fully capitalizes on the low center of gravity—completely free of the dynamic instability found in the original—equating to the deep sophistication of Ford’s design philosophy

ーーーー＞ A chivalrous subtlety that even exudes the elegance of “great to drive, great to look at”

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Weaknesses:

# The only weakness might be that the front end’s “expression” lacks a bit of impact?

——> In this regard, the first-generation Daytona Coupe takes the cake. *sob*

Hmm

Now, let’s take a look at each one

with photos.

1: While inheriting the original’s proportions, it boldly innovates with a long wheelbase and an incredibly low overall height, creating a sense of boldness balanced with a quiet, clean aesthetic born from the interplay between boldness and equilibrium

(The meticulous craftsmanship shines through in every surface, detail, and the shaping of the aluminum body.)

ーーーー＞Even when it’s not moving, it’s brimming with the afterglow of a race. So happy!

2: The undeniable drama created by the body’s cross-section—which extends from the doors to the rear quarters—as it spans the large, flared rear fenders and tapers dramatically from its widest point to the rear edge.

ーーーーー＞When viewed from above at the rear, the taper along the side of the windows is simply irresistible!!

3: The hood inherited from the Daytona Coupe, along with the rear fascia and the sides of the body, are adorned with the smart graphic treatment of ducts and auxiliary components unique to race-spec cars.

ーーーー＞The contrast between “diffusion and concentration” is magnificent!

4: The powerful [Coda Trunca-style] tail end that appears at the sharply tapered rear of the body

ーーーー＞This section has several times the impact of the original.

5: A sense of stability that fully capitalizes on the low center of gravity—with absolutely no dynamic instability compared to the original—equals the deep sophistication of Ford’s design philosophy

ーーーー＞ A chivalrous subtlety that even exudes the elegance of “great to drive, great to look at”

Weaknesses:

# Perhaps the only weakness is that the front end’s “expression” lacks a bit of impact?

ーーーー＞ In this regard, the first-generation Daytona Coupe takes the prize. *sob*

In the next chapter, I’ll share

my personal experience with the “GR-1.”

*“Me” and the Shelby GR-1 Concept:

#The Impact of the Press Photos!!

In 2004, in the weekly magazine *AUTOWEEK*,

during a special feature on motor show concept cars,

I fell in love at first sight with the sheer impact of the “Code Tronca” tail shown in this photo, but

but since there was no news of it ever going into production,

I had almost completely forgotten about it—

until late last year,

when I stumbled upon it by chance

while searching for Hot Wheels on eBay:

the chrome-bodied version of the standard Hot Wheels model

caught my eye all over again!!

For some reason, I was drawn to the rippled texture of this die-cast model’s chrome surface. As soon as I got it, I immediately gave it a major overhaul—focusing on lowering the ride height as much as possible—and took some photos! －－－＞ Which led to me writing this article.

After I started working on this article,

I made some new discoveries like this,

but none of them could match the aura of the Hot Wheels version I found at the beginning.

*1 Badd Ride, 1/64 die-cast ready-to-display model, Ford Shelby GR-1 Concept (Metallic Blue & White Stripes)

(Aside from the scale being a bit too large at about 1/50, the crisp, sharp molding stands in stark contrast to the Hot Wheels version.

—> It’s nearly perfect, except that the tire and wheel sizes are a bit too large.)

* Manufactured by Mattel, Hot Wheels, 1/87 [Rare HO scale!] Ford Shelby GR-1 Concept (available in various colors)

(It looks well-made, but I haven’t been able to get my hands on one.

—-> Is this a product intended for the European model train accessory market??)

Next up is the long-awaited?

time for the “Three-Theme Story”!

Let’s get started with enthusiasm.

* Three-Theme Story: Ferrari 250 GTO ’62, Codatronca, Salidakis

Well, once again,

based on three topics submitted by the audience here,

I’ll craft and perform a rakugo story that’s both brilliantly funny and enlightening.

Relax,

and enjoy the show!

Topics:

* Ferrari 250 GTO ’62

* Coda Tronca

* George Salidakis

(The crisp, rhythmic sound of a fan—pan, pan, papan—echoes across the silent storytelling platform.)

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“Well now, there is a golden age in the history of the automobile—a time that will never, ever be forgotten—that truly set hearts racing and blood boiling. The time was the 1960s. The pride of the superpower, America, and Europe’s traditional sense of beauty clashed on the battlefield known as the racetrack. It was, indeed, that very era.

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Today’s theme is:

* The supreme goddess of beauty shining brilliantly on that battlefield: the “Ferrari 250 GTO ’62.”

* The ultimate functional beauty that slices through the air and commands the wind: the “Coda Tronca.”

* And the up-and-coming designer who revived the soul of that legend for the 21st century: George “Salidakis.”

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Our intention here is to weave these three themes together in every possible way and present, in a dignified and elegant manner, the earth-shattering mechanics and exterior design of the “Ford Shelby GR-1 Concept”—the phantom supercar that shook the world in 2004 yet was never actually released to the public.

(Bang!)

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Now, first we must rewind the clock all the way back to 1962. At that time, in the International Manufacturers’ Championship—the pinnacle of motorsports—the Italian “Prancing Horse,” Scuderia Ferrari, reigned as the undisputed champion at the pinnacle of motorsports: the International Manufacturers’ Championship. Determined to dethrone the “Ferrari 250 GTO ’62” sitting on that throne, the master craftsman who embodied the spirit of Texas, Carroll Shelby, created a secret weapon based on the chassis of the legendary Cobra—the first-generation “Cobra Daytona Coupe.”

To overwhelm rivals with straight-line speed, there was one insurmountable barrier they simply had to overcome: the invisible monster known as “aerodynamic drag.” To tackle this, Shelby and his team adopted the cutting-edge aerodynamics of the time—namely, the “Coda Tronca” design, which created a sheer cliff at the rear end, as if it had been cleanly sliced off with a knife.

(Bang!)

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With the functional beauty of this rugged yet ruthless “Coda Tronca,” the Daytona Coupe overpowered the wind and, in 1965, brilliantly claimed the World Championship title! It was a historic moment when America’s fierce fighting spirit reached the pinnacle of the world.

(Bang-bang-bang!)

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Time passed, and in 2004—some 40 years later— A grand project took shape within Ford, aiming to revive Carol Shelby’s fiery fighting spirit and the legendary proportions of the Daytona Coupe for the modern era using the aggressive, forward-thinking technology of the 21st century. At that time, within the design team led by Chief Designer J. Mays, a young genius completed a single sketch. That young man was George “Salidakis,” the designer who would later take the world by storm.

(Bang!)

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Salidakis agonized. “If we were to create nothing more than a nostalgic replica of the ‘good old days,’ it would be an insult to the spirit of Carroll Shelby. What we must create is an aggressive, forward-looking masterpiece that pays the highest homage to our glorious past (the classics) while keeping its gaze fixed on a future a light-year away.”

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And so, the exterior design of the “Ford Shelby GR-1 Concept”—born from Salidakis’s pen—became an unprecedented “spectacle,” where sparks flew fiercely at the intersection of classic and future.

(Bang, bang, bam!)

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Behold its majestic presence, unveiled at Pebble Beach in 2004!

The surface of the GR-1—the star of the show—is not covered in paint. It is bare aluminum with a mirror finish, polished by craftsmen over hundreds of hours. Bathed in the California sun, it glitters with a dazzling radiance, resembling either a fighter jet from the near future or a super-sculpture carved from a single silver ingot.

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The front fascia retains echoes of the first-generation Daytona Coupe, yet features coldly glowing HID headlights and a massive mesh grille that draws in vast amounts of air, exuding the ferocity of a futuristic predator poised to kill its prey with a single bite.

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And then, the line extending from the roof to the rear. This is the ultimate “Coda Tronca” as redefined by Salidakis for the modern era. The body line, flowing smoothly and tapering toward the rear, is cut off at the rear end—without a moment’s hesitation—not just vertically, but even more radically: “What! In a reverse slant!” Embedded in that cross-section are slit-shaped taillights utilizing modern LED technology, while thick exhaust pipes protrude from the muffler.

This is the pinnacle of beauty—a perfect fusion of the straight-line stability of the “Coda Tronca” that the Daytona Coupe once boasted and Salidakis’s forward-thinking vision.

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Even as one is nearly drawn into nostalgia for past designs, the hard, lustrous sheen of the aluminum and the sharp, edgy lines forcefully propel it forward into the future.

(Bang!)

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However, the true reason this GR-1 is such a “spectacle” lies in the formidable “mechanism” hidden beneath its beautiful exterior.

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While many supercars touting a “future-oriented” approach are leaning toward technologies—such as hybrid systems and electronic controls—that cut off human sensory input, the mechanical setup chosen for this GR-1 was an extremely aggressive, even ferocious, embodiment of classic muscle car philosophy. Sitting majestically beneath the long hood is a heart that has been further refined based on the Ford GT chassis. Believe it or not, it’s a 6.4-liter, all-aluminum “naturally aspirated V10 engine” that delivers a maximum output of 605 horsepower!

(Boom!)

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Competing solely on displacement and the number of cylinders, without the aid of a turbocharger—this is the American tradition. Paired with this engine is not a paddle-shift transmission, but a “six-speed manual transmission” where the driver shifts gears with their own hands! With electronic intervention kept to a minimum, you tame 600 wild horses using just your right foot and your own shifting skills.

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Externally, it’s clad in the futuristic armor of a 21st-century mirror-finish aluminum body, yet inside, the “raw wildness and power” of Carroll Shelby—which once astonished the world—still lives on. Truly, while its body gazes toward the cosmos of the future, its heart inhales the mud of the battlefields (racing circuits) of the past. It is precisely this contradiction—this “gap between the classic and the future”—that has elevated this car from a mere industrial product to a once-in-a-lifetime artistic “spectacle.”

(Bang, bang, bang!)

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And so, enthusiastic fans around the world watched with bated breath, exclaiming, “This is the true hyper-sports car that carries the Shelby legacy into the next generation! When will it go on sale? When will it be released?” However, contrary to public expectations, the decision made by Ford’s management was a ruthless one. Various circumstances—the approaching footsteps of the era leading up to the Lehman Shock, the high hurdles to mass production…—all these factors intertwined, and the “Ford Shelby GR-1 Concept” ultimately never made it onto the production line. Instead, as a single prototype, it was destined to fade into the shadows of history.

(The sound of a fan echoes with a touch of melancholy. Papap)

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It seemed as though the dream had been crushed. However, the way of motorsports—and of race cars—is never to look back and shed tears.

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They look back not to wallow in the beauty of legendary cars of the past, but to use that past as a springboard to reach the unseen horizons of the future as quickly as possible. “Learning from the past to understand the present” is not about standing still; it is nothing less than a running start to leap even farther.

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The GR-1, never released to the public, ended up slumbering deep in a garage as a phantom curiosity. Yet the passion of Salidakis etched into its aluminum body, and the functional beauty of the Codatronca, continue to flow through the veins of designers creating the hypercars of the future.

(Here, strike the lectern once with a loud thud! Boom!)

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Now then, let’s move swiftly toward the grand finale—the elegant closing act—to wrap up today’s reading.

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* The style of a race car that checks its history in the rearview mirror and charges full speed toward the future.

* And the insatiable adventure of a designer who pays the highest homage to classical beauty before leaping into aggressive, near-future designs.

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Where these two passionate narratives intersect—what on earth should we call the true nature of the Ford Shelby GR-1, this once-in-a-lifetime “spectacle”?

(The storyteller slowly raises his gaze, stands majestically, and raises his voice.)

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The path ahead always leads to the dazzling horizon of the future!

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This is truly

“Confirm history (Rear), and dash (Salidakis) toward the future!!”

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—the very essence of the eternal aesthetics of motorsports and design adventure.

(Bang, bang, bap-bap-bang!)

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Well then, this concludes my tale about the Ford Shelby GR-1 Concept.

Thank you very much for your kind attention.

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(Bows and exits the stage, leaving a dignified afterglow)

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*Other Ford supernovas…

Setting aside Ford of America’s recent backward-looking design strategy for a moment,

if we turn our attention across the ocean to Ford of Europe,

partly due to its history of temporarily owning Carrozzeria Gear,

there is a swarm of highly aggressive production cars and show cars

in the works.

* Ford Gear Focus (Concept)

(As a masterpiece of organic (insect-inspired, organic) design, this is a truly exceptional car that occupies a “Blade Runner-like position in cyberpunk cinema.” With its complex and bizarre curves, beautiful proportions that allow the bra-style soft top to retract smoothly, and a graphic theme featuring small perforations, every part of it is a sight to behold.

——> This was my idol back in my college days!)

* Mercury MC4 [Concept] (1997)

(The clean, crisp surface composition characteristic of Ford’s design at the time, combined with the subtle, almost Kleinian sense of depth in the doors and opening mechanisms

——> It makes me want to reach out and touch the actual surface.)

* Ford 24.7 Concept (2000)

(A concept brimming with innovation—essentially the forerunner of today’s connected cars—and an exterior design that embodies it, light and approachable

——> Up until this point, this was an area where Japan held a strong lead… *sob*)

* 1970 Dodge Challenger

* 2002 Second-Generation Dodge Viper SRT10 (ACR trim added later)

* Ford Shelby GR-1 Concept (unveiled in 2004)

And with that,

our stories about these three American cars have come to a close!

I plan to continue writing

articles on American car design in the future.

Stay tuned…

Next time,

in a complete change of pace,

I’d like to talk about two lesser-known Mitsubishi models—

hidden gems.

Translated with DeepL.com 

ABOUT ME

折り紙キャット

愛知県生まれ、米国在住の立体造形好き、2025年の山火事で自宅、趣味で改造したガンプラ、フィギュア、ミニカー等のコレクションすべてを焼失。自宅再建と失くした物の買い直しについての日記です。

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