Old Ford pics

[CobraJoe]

[RICH MUISE]

One very strange pic.

[fdlrc]

Mustang, could you explain what the mule is?

[hemidave]

A "mule" is sometimes a test vehicle, unlike this poor '57, unless someone was "testing" it out !

[mustang6984]

Mustang, could you explain what the mule is?

Dave nailed it. Often they are used as display cars at model change years. Or test cars when modifications are being to engines, transmissions or perhaps suspensions.

On my way out to Branson last spring I ran across 4 of them at a gas station. They wouldn't tell me what their purpose was, said it was a corporate secret, but all four were outfitted with towers similar to what you see in a cop car nowadays, with a mounted laptop, and some sort of other computer below that was probably gathering data. They were being driven by 4 young guys in their mid to late 20's. Four different colors, all GTs and were licensed with MI manufacturer plates. All I got out of them was they were driving cross country to CA and back and testing new equipment. No specifics.
I asked the blunt question..."are these test miles then that will be crushed when you get back?" And the guy who would actually speak to me (I think he was the group leader) said they were and yes they would.
Sad...beautiful cars.

[John Palmer]

Vehicles "under wraps" are being driven all over the deserts of Western Arizona doing various tests in different weather every day.  Ford has a large test facility near Kingman, and other manufacturers share other test facilities in Arizona to do their extreme climate testing.  I know Subaru does some testing in Death Valley.

In a past life, I worked for a off shore new vehicle manufacturer.  They had many "preproduction" units.  Some were hand made, just wood models used for catalog photo shoots.  Others were full production vehicles that had not yet passed all of the long term emission testing.  Everyone of these vehicles were closely tracked by the Bean Counters.  They all went to "a certified" crushing facility after we were done using, or showing them.  This included Cars, Trucks, Motorcycles, ATV's, UTV's, Generators, and Boat Motors.  They all had federal emission, an/or crash safety requirements.  They were only resold if they were a legally titled vehicle, or had an MSO (Manufactures Statement of Origin). 

They never ever tried to evade these rules.   

[CobraJoe]

[mustang6984]

RIDE 'EM COWBOY!!! Oh yea!   

[CobraJoe]

For Gunther:   

Blue Heaven 1955 Sunliner, Stockholm 1969

[hemidave]

A Ford family outing (except for 1 family)

[djfordmanjack]

is that a Willys Sedan ?

[djfordmanjack]

For Gunther:   

Blue Heaven 1955 Sunliner, Stockholm 1969

Thanx Joe ! Indeed I like it a bit and it is interesting. The Swedes have some tpyical Kustom fashion and tradition and you can almost immediately spot that on the car. They used to heavily mold the frontend and tails with rolled pans, welded up grill surrounds and the like. most have wild taillight arrangements or /and fins.  Many are highly customized, yet have very little chrome and many are bumperless. they have lots of molded scoops and sunk antennae.
Sweden is one of very few European countries that also had a Hot Rod and Custom scene going from the 1950s. Probably its closer contact to the US and the wide country itself lending for individual cars. They had the American magazines available and there were even speed shops. I believe the typical Swedish custom look without heavy chrome bumpers comes from prohibitive high cost. back then you could not simply go to a salvage yard or order a new Caddy bumper from the USA in  Europe. Very interesting car, thanx, Joe !

[thomasso]

52 - 53 or 54 Willys Aero. Decent little cars.

[CobraJoe]

Larry Watson's 1958 T-Bird "Vino Pasiano"



Larry bought the Thunderbird brand new in 1958 after selling his customized 1950 Chevrolet. Three weeks after Larry had delivered the Thunderbird to Barris Kustoms it was shown on a turntable at the first Renegades Rod & Custom Motorama in 1958.

[mustang6984]

roughly translated as Friendly wine. Wonder what the meaning was? Maybe Gunther can do a better translation...my Italian is beyond rough. G?...