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29-04-2005, 02:36 PM
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ĕm-bär'gō? 2016
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 680
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(Don't get too excited)
Ford fans will be salivating at the news that this vehicle is one-of-a-kind, lovingly hand-built from the wheel trims to the bonnet power bulge at Ford's Geelong Manufacturing Operations, and kept under wraps until now. But before customers rush to place their orders, there is a catch. There will only be one of these ever built and this one has already been delivered custom-made to a cat! The project is part of commemorations to mark the 80th year of sponsorship between Ford Australia and the Geelong Football club, better known as 'The Cats'. Ford and GFC are hosting a number of events during 2005 to mark their special association, which is believed to be the longest continuous sporting sponsorship in the world. In this year of celebration, Ford believed it was important the GFC mascot, Half Cat, had a fitting mode of transport to use for the footy's pre-game entertainment. But first there was the dilemma of how to meet the vehicle needs of such a fussy customer. The ample-bodied Half Cat needed something easy to get in and out of, somewhere he could store his crowd giveaways such as footballs, and something that wouldn't tear up the grass. An XR8 seemed the best option but there was still the problem of size and power. Surely the cheeky Half Cat could not be trusted with a 260kW powered XR8 in the middle of a football field! Ford engineers came up with the idea to shrink the overall vehicle package and fit it all on a power-deprived golf buggy, making it much more manageable for Half Cat. The finished vehicle has all the XR8 signature pieces -- bonnet power bulge, sculptured sides, unique wheel trims, chrome sports bar, and 'Shockwave' blue paintwork -- but looks like a cartoon version of the real thing. But while the XR8 buggy may look like fun, it created a huge challenge for Ford's Tool Room technicians who painstakingly hand-made all of the one-off parts built for the car. Up to 30 people worked on the project over six weeks, fitting it in around their regular work. "To build the car, we effectively used the same processes as we would for our real prototype vehicles," explained Geelong Stamping Plant Manager, Ben Rumble. Using computer-aided design, parts of the original XR8 were re-modelled to fit the scale of a golf buggy and then tested for function and durability. Next die tools cut one-off polystyrene moulds and then layer upon layer of fibreglass built up to create the unique parts. Metal brackets to fit the parts together were also cut and machined by hand. "The employees have really enjoyed the challenge and novelty of the job," Mr Rumble said. "It has been great to contribute to the enduring association between the football club and Ford. "At Ford we are also celebrating 80 years of operation in Australia. Ford Australia's operations began in 1925 in Geelong, the same year we began sponsorship of GFC, so it is fitting that this project should come home to Geelong employees." GFC fans can see the car for the first time when Half Cat drives out at Skilled Stadium at the club's first home game this Sunday, May 1, 2005. |
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29-04-2005, 02:46 PM
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Whipple Induced
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: WWW
Posts: 4,338
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Gee thanks for the warning Jeff!!..lol
Haven't got any pics have you?
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29-04-2005, 03:01 PM
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Regular Member
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Brisbane
Posts: 55
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I want pics
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Cheers Steve 1974 Ford XB Hardtop - Custom Purple 351 Cleveland - C4 auto with stage 2 shift kit |
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29-04-2005, 03:10 PM
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Social Disaster
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Brisbane Southside
Posts: 728
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Wonder if it's road worthy? That would be so cool
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1995 EF Falcon GLi, Auto, 4.0L I6 Mods: 3.73 LSD | Darkest legal tint | tinted back lights | Sprayed Dash | Custom Trims Sound System: Fusion front splits, rear 3-ways, and 2 x 12" subs with ctrl, 3 x Fusion amps | Clarion HU | 1F Cap | 60GB Zen Xtra | 800W RMS output! |
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29-04-2005, 03:15 PM
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Banned
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 8,303
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Fords answer to mini bikes! Imagine the kiddies prowling the streets in 49cc-powered "XR8s" LOL!
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29-04-2005, 03:19 PM
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FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Croydon, VIC
Posts: 501
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...i reackon i could make it do a burnout....
-Stu 
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29-04-2005, 03:26 PM
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not here much anymore
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Sthn NSW
Posts: 22,918
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PICS! Oh how awesome.
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RAM 1500
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29-04-2005, 05:43 PM
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Lucifer's Angel
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Sydney
Posts: 5,282
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Damn it, I want one!!!
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 SINISTER BA XR6 Blueprint, manual, 4490's, Redback 2.5" dual exhaust, BA Typhoon rims, tint, fog light covers, BF tailights, blue illuminated window switches, Ghia bootlid carpet, lower grille, FPV door spears, steering wheel & interior bits, XR6T + F6 intake, K&N filter, Typhoon spoiler, tuned, sway bars, custom angel eyes & plates..YUM!
If there's one thing guys in Holdens hate more than being beaten by a Ford... It's being beaten by a girl driving a Ford  |
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29-04-2005, 05:45 PM
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ED Fairmont 4.0L
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Chch, NZ
Posts: 397
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pics?
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B'jabbers! |
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29-04-2005, 05:59 PM
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ĕm-bär'gō? 2016
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 680
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Pics will be up shortly.
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29-04-2005, 06:11 PM
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FORDISM™
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Newcastle/wodonga-ish
Posts: 382
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come on snappy with the pics, this things sound wikid.
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"The" ED. 19" APEC Apache wheels, King superlows, 2.5" cat back exhaust, midnight express tint, ED XR front  :
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29-04-2005, 06:43 PM
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ĕm-bär'gō? 2016
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 680
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The pics...
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29-04-2005, 06:47 PM
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ĕm-bär'gō? 2016
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 680
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Sorry that's as good as i can do, i have reached my quota on this site for images.
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29-04-2005, 06:55 PM
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FORDISM™
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Newcastle/wodonga-ish
Posts: 382
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LOL that thing would be awesome. but with real lights, and real rims, would look really cool that way. but still id want one of them.
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"The" ED. 19" APEC Apache wheels, King superlows, 2.5" cat back exhaust, midnight express tint, ED XR front :
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30-04-2005, 11:34 AM
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Forum Director
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Central Coast NSW
Posts: 5,741
 
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A few more pics
  
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30-04-2005, 11:55 AM
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Abuser of Charvels
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: ACT
Posts: 4,038
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Cool.....do you think it's a Ford by any chance?.....
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30-04-2005, 03:50 PM
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Silhouette AU1 TS50.
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Radiator Springs, Victoria.
Posts: 2,135
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I want one!, I want one! That is awesome. This ute will get many requests when people see it at the Football games. How cool would your kid be in one of them? Someone HAS to re-produce them!
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"People can have the Model T in any colour.. so long as it's black." HENRY FORD (30/07/1863 - 07/04/1947) PIC'S OF MY T1 TS50.
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30-04-2005, 03:58 PM
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Sublime
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Wagga
Posts: 2,029
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haha, they look sweet.
needs bigger wheels tho ;)
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30-04-2005, 03:59 PM
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windsor user
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Geelong
Posts: 13,123
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haha thats cool as!
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30-04-2005, 04:34 PM
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XB in parts...
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Sydney
Posts: 2,890
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Awesome stuff !!!
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Daily Driver 2019 Ford Escape...looking for XR6T's. |
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30-04-2005, 06:20 PM
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FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Geelong
Posts: 1,870
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THe geelong advertiser had a pic in it this morning i thought it was pretty cool! At least the Cats have one thing going for them.............FORD but i wont turn this into a footy war or anything
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30-04-2005, 10:38 PM
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Bring back the Phase
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Portland, Vic
Posts: 884
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Looks like a mini chop! pretty cool, I wonder how fast it goes
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30-04-2005, 10:46 PM
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Solution Was Boost 4?, 6 & 8
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 23,624
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hope it has a stong driveline ..lol..
it looks like a lot of fun..
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[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
AUTOTECH TUNED EDELEBROCK CHARGED 2017 GT Mustang Plenty of RWKW |
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30-04-2005, 10:51 PM
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01 Falcon Ute
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 432
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i want one, how mad is it.. GO CATS!!!
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AUII FALCON UTE 2001 WTD mags to suit AU Falcon ute, AU XR rims or BA 18" xr rims. PM ME |
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30-04-2005, 10:55 PM
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Virtuous Bogan (TM)
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: TAS
Posts: 27,483
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Haha toyota going to love that!
Its a top idea, but its not like Skilled Staduim needed anymore Fors stuff..lol God exposure though.
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01-05-2005, 01:03 AM
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not here much anymore
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Sthn NSW
Posts: 22,918
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Quote:
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RAM 1500
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01-05-2005, 01:15 AM
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Guest
Posts: n/a
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Bet it's electric - wonder if it comes with a sound chip and amp to give the V8 sound ?
Regards Prof Rabbit |
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01-05-2005, 10:57 AM
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DJR TM#54
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: on my p.c now with internet! ok i'll still use works internet too.
Posts: 2,248
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Pretty cool look car. Yer would fun to hoon around car parks in.
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When traveling to V8 Supercar rounds, i book through KYLEE MOLE Travel agents, She Goes, She Goes, She Goes & I just went. Now Zetec Powered. 1.6lt of madness. But the XR8 still remains 
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01-05-2005, 12:27 PM
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Banned
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Not suffering Fools Gladly!!
Posts: 2,864
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Of course it will start a whole batch of new rumours about chinese built Falcons and the likely dimension changes. lol
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Ford Australia's New XR8 Prototype
Linear Mode
