Million dollar rare car destroyed in fire after showcasing at Pebble Beach’s Concours d’Elegance
PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. (KION-TV) -- The Scott Grundfor Company based out of Arroyo Grande announced that a 1979 Ford Ghia Probe I Prototype had been destroyed in an accident that happened on the highway late on Sunday after featuring the car at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance.
"We are a family oriented company, and it feels like we have lost a member of our family today," wrote the vehicle restoration company on Instagram Monday. "We are incredibly grateful that our team member driving the trailer at the time this accident occurred was unharmed, and his immediate action prevented this tragic loss of our car from spreading to local foliage and of course to other people who were driving on the highway in Monterey at the time."
The Monterey Fire Department released a press release about the vehicle trailer fire confirming the incident happened around 7 p.m. Sunday. The fire department also said that despite the fire spreading to nearby vegetation, they were able to extinguish that and minimize damage to the towing vehicle.
The fire department estimates the total damage to be approximately $1,028,300. They said that 17 fire personnel arrived on scene to handle the fire and that one firefighter suffered minor injuries during overhaul.
"GRATEFUL GRATEFUL GRATEFUL today," wrote The Scott Grundfor Company on Instagram. "Grateful that that nobody was hurt, especially grateful to our team member and by extension family member Jackson who reacted quickly and bravely to mitigate further damages...and eternally grateful to have had the two plus decades of time with the Probe I."
The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
From the Instagram post, it doesn't sound like the restoration company is planning to try and refurbish the charred remains.
"We are forever lucky to be a part of this car's history, however tragic this event was, and we will bring what remains of the car home to Arroyo Grande so the car can remain next to the Ghia/Ford bodied prototypes in our collection," they said.
