Budd XR-400 | |
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Overview | |
Manufacturer | Budd Company |
Body and chassis | |
Class | Concept car |
Body style | Sports car |
Layout | FR layout |
Powertrain | |
Engine | 327 cu in (5.4 L) V8 |
Transmission | 3-speed automatic |
Dimensions | |
Wheelbase | 108 inches (2,743 mm) |
The XR-400 was a fully operational concept car. A "sporty" youth-oriented convertible was built in 1962 by the Budd Company, an independent body builder in Detroit, Michigan, for evaluation by the fourth largest U.S. automaker at the time, American Motors Corporation (AMC). The phrase "ahead of its time" applies to this proposed vehicle.
The XR-400 was developed and constructed by the Automotive Division of the Budd Company. The "X" stood for experimental and the "R" stood for Rambler. The trunk lid featured Rambler lettering as the intended customer of the car.
The objective of this car was to entice AMC to expand into a new market segment with a low-cost Rambler-based "sports convertible." The Budd Company was a long-time supplier of tooling, parts, and bodies to automakers. Budd also worked with Nash Motors, AMC's predecessor company, to develop the first monocoque (unitized) automobile body in 1940.
By appealing to AMC with its concept vehicle, Budd’s already existing business with AMC would increase. It wanted to supply bodies and major sub-assemblies to the automaker for a production version of this new car. Budd estimated that the new model could be available for public sale by October 1963, six months ahead of the Ford Mustang.
The XR-400 was built on a shortened two-door 1962 Ambassador chassis. To keep costs down, Budd engineers kept front of the unit body with the suspension in the same location. The engine's position was lowered by two inches (51 mm) with new rear mounts, the radiator was lowered by 3.5 inches (89 mm), the fan blades were shortened, as was the oil-filler neck. The air cleaner was relocated, the exhaust system was reshaped, and the gas tank was new.
The XR-400's long nose was accomplished by adding a second cowl section behind the original that made space for the battery. The car was styled by Budd with a rather clean and uncluttered body giving little indication of its Rambler sedan origin. A double crease in the beltline suggested a family relationship to the contemporary styling of Rambler’s large-sized cars.