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Old 29-04-2005, 01:36 PM   #1
RPO83
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Default Ford Australia's New XR8 Prototype

(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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Old 29-04-2005, 01:46 PM   #2
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Gee thanks for the warning Jeff!!..lol

Haven't got any pics have you?
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Old 29-04-2005, 02:01 PM   #3
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I want pics
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Old 29-04-2005, 02:03 PM   #4
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I really want pics!
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Old 29-04-2005, 02:10 PM   #5
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Wonder if it's road worthy? That would be so cool :
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Old 29-04-2005, 02:15 PM   #6
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Fords answer to mini bikes! Imagine the kiddies prowling the streets in 49cc-powered "XR8s" LOL!
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Old 29-04-2005, 02:19 PM   #7
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...i reackon i could make it do a burnout....

-Stu
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Old 29-04-2005, 02:26 PM   #8
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PICS! Oh how awesome.
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Old 29-04-2005, 04:43 PM   #9
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Damn it, I want one!!!
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Old 29-04-2005, 04:45 PM   #10
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pics?
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Old 29-04-2005, 04:59 PM   #11
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Pics will be up shortly.
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Old 29-04-2005, 05:11 PM   #12
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come on snappy with the pics, this things sound wikid.
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Old 29-04-2005, 05:43 PM   #13
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The pics...
Attached Images
File Type: jpg XRc1.jpg (28.5 KB, 264 views)
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Old 29-04-2005, 05:47 PM   #14
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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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Old 29-04-2005, 05:55 PM   #15
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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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Old 30-04-2005, 10:34 AM   #16
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A few more pics


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Old 30-04-2005, 10:55 AM   #17
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Cool.....do you think it's a Ford by any chance?.....
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Old 30-04-2005, 02:50 PM   #18
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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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Old 30-04-2005, 02:58 PM   #19
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haha, they look sweet.

needs bigger wheels tho ;)
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Old 30-04-2005, 02:59 PM   #20
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haha thats cool as!
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Old 30-04-2005, 03:34 PM   #21
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Awesome stuff !!!
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Old 30-04-2005, 05:20 PM   #22
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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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Old 30-04-2005, 09:38 PM   #23
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Looks like a mini chop! pretty cool, I wonder how fast it goes
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Old 30-04-2005, 09:46 PM   #24
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hope it has a stong driveline ..lol..
it looks like a lot of fun..
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Old 30-04-2005, 09:51 PM   #25
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i want one, how mad is it.. GO CATS!!!
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Old 30-04-2005, 09:55 PM   #26
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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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Old 01-05-2005, 12:03 AM   #27
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Quote:
Originally Posted by XRFPV8
hope it has a stong driveline ..lol..
it looks like a lot of fun..
Apparently there have been complaints about it already, they told him to stop being such a pussy.
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Old 01-05-2005, 12:15 AM   #28
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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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Old 01-05-2005, 09:57 AM   #29
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Pretty cool look car. Yer would fun to hoon around car parks in.
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Old 01-05-2005, 11:27 AM   #30
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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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