Ford Interceptor Concept.

[SVT666]

The Explorer still has a 2sp t-case though.

What good is a two speed transfer case when you haven't got any ground clearance?

[BRealistic]

What good is a two speed transfer case when you haven't got any ground clearance?

I am curious- how much ground clearance does the Explorer have now? What does the most direct competition have?


And I would presume that very few people buy SUVS to go rock crawling. Most are for light use on unimproved roads and for the occasional deep snow. Oh- and for pulling a boat up a wet ramp.

[SVT666]

I am curious- how much ground clearance does the Explorer have now? What does the most direct competition have?


And I would presume that very few people buy SUVS to go rock crawling. Most are for light use on unimproved roads and for the occasional deep snow. Oh- and for pulling a boat up a wet ramp.

Exactly, but I was responding to the guy who said the Explorer has off-roading credentials.  The Explorer has never been listed as having more then about 6.5" of ground clearance, however you have to remember that on trucks ground clearance is to the lowest point and on the Explorers with solid axles, the lowest point was the mounting point for the rear shocks which were about 6" inside the rear tires.  I can tell you from having lots of experience off roading (light offroading) with Explorers that the rear shock mounting point was never the problem.  The new Explorer looks to have all kinds of shit hanging below the body now.  A continuous clearance of say 8" is not as good as lots of 12" clearance with two points that are 6.5" off the ground right inside the rear tires.

[CWW]

Ford, please!

>> Interceptor Wagon <<

[MX793]

Exactly, but I was responding to the guy who said the Explorer has off-roading credentials.  The Explorer has never been listed as having more then about 6.5" of ground clearance, however you have to remember that on trucks ground clearance is to the lowest point and on the Explorers with solid axles, the lowest point was the mounting point for the rear shocks which were about 6" inside the rear tires.  I can tell you from having lots of experience off roading (light offroading) with Explorers that the rear shock mounting point was never the problem.  The new Explorer looks to have all kinds of shit hanging below the body now.  A continuous clearance of say 8" is not as good as lots of 12" clearance with two points that are 6.5" off the ground right inside the rear tires.

Also, aren't the newer Explorers running independant front and rear suspension?  Not particularly good for rock-crawling.

[Catman]

Ford, please!

>> Interceptor Wagon <<

[TheIntrepid]

Ford, please!

>> Interceptor Wagon <<

I love your chops CWW but this one looks way too boxy from the rear... almost like a hearse.

[SVT666]

Also, aren't the newer Explorers running independant front and rear suspension?? Not particularly good for rock-crawling.

I wouldn't rock crawl in an Explorer anyway.  But that suspension setup is not great for offroading period.

[SVT666]

Ford, please!

>> Interceptor Wagon <<

That's sweet man, but I think I would round off that top corner at the back to make the lines flow better.  Otherwise, it looks awesome.

[gasoline]

[TheIntrepid]

Thanks Gassy! Always appreciate the pics.

[Raghavan]

It's a blinged out basement inside.

[Raghavan]

Also, aren't the newer Explorers running independant front and rear suspension? Not particularly good for rock-crawling.

I can't  believe MX793 made a spelling error!!!1!!!one!!1!
OMFG

[BRealistic]

Ford, please!

>> Interceptor Wagon <<

Wow. That looks very good.

[S204STi]

Good, because when the 300C flops Ford will look like fools if they have a lookalike

[Edit: sirry this was in response to a post last page from Rohan lol!]

[MX793]

I can't  believe MX793 made a spelling error!!!1!!!one!!1!
OMFG

Eh, it happens.  It's surprising I don't make more since I really don't proof read and it seems like whenever I am typing up a letter or paper or something in MS Word, the spell check is always auto-correcting words.

[Atomic]

And the same roof shape. And it's in the same big, bold-styled, RWD V8 niche.

u r so right, iffy!

[Raza]

Wow, totally original.  It's a 300C with smaller windows!

[Atomic]

from all that i've read and heard firsthand from detroit, this concept is a design study only. i hope ford will take in consideration many of it's design cues when developing new vehicles.

if you like this concept, PLEASE write fmc and let them know. that's why they build concepts, eh?! you bet 

[ro51092]

Is that a manual transmission I see?

[Raza]

Is that a manual transmission I see?

Yes, it is.  But try taking a corner and you'd slide right out of those seats.

[mazda6er]

Ford, please!

>> Interceptor Wagon <<

With a little more "Art & Science" that would make a wicked Caddy. 

[ro51092]

Yes, it is.  But try taking a corner and you'd slide right out of those seats.

[Raghavan]

Eh, it happens. It's surprising I don't make more since I really don't proof read and it seems like whenever I am typing up a letter or paper or something in MS Word, the spell check is always auto-correcting words.

Eh, i'm just kidding man.

[ChrisV]

Yes, it is.  But try taking a corner and you'd slide right out of those seats.

Not with the 5 point harnesses the show car has.

And while people see 300C in it, the fact is, ALL the american companies made cars like this all over the '50s, '60s, and '70s. Now, only one does. High time they return to it.

[FoMoJo]

The Interceptor is, of course, a minor evolution of the Ford 427 concept introduced in '03



The general appearance of both came from the Ford 49 concept introduced in '01



...which was based on the '49-'51 "shoebox" Fords...as shown by ChrisV.

If you look at some examples of "chopped" '49s thru '51s, you can see where this look came from...


They're, generally, referred to as "Leadsleds".

I've always liked to look of the "Leadsled" Mercs' from that era...

[SVT666]

The Ford Forty Nine rules.  Shame on Ford for never building it.

[Raza]

Not with the 5 point harnesses the show car has.

Yeah, but still, you need some bolstering.  It's like a park bench.

[ChrisV]

So you think the car is going to be designed for Laguna Seca? Or more for cops to get in and out of fast?

[TheIntrepid]

I don't care WHO or WHAT it's designed for... if I saw one of these in my rear-view mirror, I'm moving the hell over to the right lane.