Test Truck Sighted
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More Turbo
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 615
Likes: 6
From: Tucson, AZ
Test Truck Sighted
I saw a manufacturer's test truck today in Mesa, AZ. For those of you who don't know, Arizona has testing facilities for Ford, GM, Chrysler, Toyota, Nissan and others. So occasionally, you will see a vehicle that is "disguised" with black, temporary covers on it to hide the future sheetmetal of the vehicle. You'll also see Michigan manufacturer's plates on other cars and also on the "disguised" cars.
Today, I drove next to a disguised pickup that had the sheetmetal completely covered with black naugahyde covers held on with braided, nylon straps. It was very difficult to tell if it was a Ford, Dodge or Chevy; but it was most likely a Ford F150, from the general shape and the front grille. It was gasoline powered and was pulling a trailer with a series of steel plates bolted down. It was obviously a test trailer so they could vary the load.
This one was more "disguised" than usual, so I'm assuming it was a future model that is going to have a major sheetmetal remodel.
Interesting sight, and I got caught without my camera. Nuts.
Phil
Today, I drove next to a disguised pickup that had the sheetmetal completely covered with black naugahyde covers held on with braided, nylon straps. It was very difficult to tell if it was a Ford, Dodge or Chevy; but it was most likely a Ford F150, from the general shape and the front grille. It was gasoline powered and was pulling a trailer with a series of steel plates bolted down. It was obviously a test trailer so they could vary the load.
This one was more "disguised" than usual, so I'm assuming it was a future model that is going to have a major sheetmetal remodel.
Interesting sight, and I got caught without my camera. Nuts.
Phil
Senior User
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 392
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From: CSofA
that was cool wish u had your video with you. i think i read that 09 would be the new 150 with a new and bigger engine.
http://media.putfile.com/my91s14mi-runs
http://media.putfile.com/lightning-X2
http://media.putfile.com/my91s14mi-runs
http://media.putfile.com/lightning-X2
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,684
Likes: 0
From: Phoenix, AZ
i ran into 3 GM-looking SUVs like that a few years back... I took a picture of one of the headlights. closest thing on the market to it today is the isuzu ascender. at the time i thought it was gonna be a trailblazer, but i was off...
who knows, you might have ran into the next blackwood
who knows, you might have ran into the next blackwood
Tuned
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 496
Likes: 6
From: Arizona
If I were putting money on it, I would bet it was not a Ford truck as they do their over-the-road testing out of the Yucca proving grounds west of Kingman. There are other facilities where Ford tests vehicles near Phoenix, but those vehicles are rarely driven on public roads. More than likely it was a GM test mule as they still are using their Mesa proving grounds.
