Ford 021C by Marc Newsom

As we move out of the Aughts and into what some financial analysts declare "recovery", Ford Motor Company is doing what they can to present a greener, unflappable front. It's not been a good decade for Ford. Despite the bailout, key product placement in The Dark Knight and Bond movies, and the introduction of a fusion hybrid, Ford still feels flat-footed. Too bad they aren't taking chances like they did ten years ago. In 1999, then-head of design, J. Mays, hired UK product and furniture designer Marc Newsom — who, by the way, had never before designed a land vehicle — to create a concept car for the brand.

Newsom came up with an affordable and simple design made from carbon fibre, replete with back-hinged rear doors, swivel seats, and a drawer-like boot. Dubbed 021C after Newsom's favorite Pantone color, the car was met with universal distaste, but somehow feels fresh and cheery today. I wonder what people would have thought of the Scion or Cube a decade ago? Maybe the world is ready now ... if only Ford was. Jalopnik has a nice futuristic vehicle round up here. [via Design Year Book. Thanks, Sam, for the link!]