News has finally broken on the revised 2005 Ford Super Duty pickups and we can now shed some light on what Ford has in store for us. Since we have been receiving so much mail about the spy shots we took back in November, we are taking this opportunity to answer some of your questions now that the trucks have broken cover. Read more…
Whilst out and about in southeast Michigan, on Ford road no less, I caught this guy hanging out in a Home Depot parking lot. It was a test mule for sure for the soon to be released 2005 Ford Super Duty. We saw earlier what Ford could do with their bread and butter F-150, and we are looking forward to some great things from the harder working Super Duty’s. Judging by the wear and tear this test mule has seen most if not all of Michigan’s fine roads already. From what we can tell the new truck is sporting some frame enhancements; evidenced by the coil sprung front suspension, and their appears to be a reworked facsia and new clear headlights. The rest of the body work looks to be carryover. Unfortunately, through the windows we aren’t seeing much influence from the F-150’s stunning interior. Based on the badging the V10 lives on in some form. Likely to feature the 3-valve per cylinder configuration of the smaller 5.4L V8 that debuted in the F-150. Click into the post for a gallery of our shots. Read more…
The Best Gets Even Better
Alas, our number finally came up for a chance to have a go at the latest edition of Ford’s top seller, the F-150. Upon taking delivery of our well broken in pre-production model Lariat SuperCrew 4×4 we promptly declared that this truck was huge and got the most obvious part of our evaluation done. Greenies, tree huggers, environmental wackos and otherwise small car weenies need not continue reading. Read more…
Focus…Focus…Focus
Once again I find myself at the mercy of the small car quota. “Muxlow, call up Ford and get a Focus for the week,” read the note on my desk. Ok, thought I, the primary truck editor here at AT. Half an hour later I had an Infra-Red ZX5 waiting for my impending pick-up. Nothing against the Focus, but when you are moving down from a full-size pick-up one week to a small car the next, the size difference is noticeable to say the least. At first I thought it was a joke when Ford asked whether I wanted it in paper or plastic. Alright, all jokes aside, but it did come in a Hot Wheels package. Ok, that’s not true either. Anyway, for an entry-level car, the Focus can add a flare of fun and style to your everyday commute as we quickly found out. Read more…
The Muscle Car Lives
We have discovered a fail-proof litmus test of automotive enthusiasm. If you sit behind the wheel of a Mustang Mach 1 while you blip the aluminum throttle pedal, watch the shaker hood torque to the right, listen to the burly exhaust note, and the hair on your neck does not stand up, you are dead–or might as well be. That result means you are one of the millions who prefer a Camry to a Camaro and there’s no point in you reading the rest of this review because you’ll just dismiss the Mustang as cramped and loud. Now we’re the first to admit the Camry is as near to perfection in automotive transportation as you can get, but we are part of that ever-shrinking minority that will trade off a good chunk of perfection for a big dose of muscular styling and a throaty V8 to back it up. Call us old-fashioned, but we’ll take a Mustang over a pocket-rocket any day of the week-especially a Mustang this good. Read more…
Judging from its slightly revamped exterior, you might think little has changed on the 2003 Ford Expedition. Read more…
A Harley For Home Depot
At first sight the Ford Harley-Davidson F-150 demands respect and shows authority. What grabs your attention first is the outstanding two-tone paint job; black over silver metallic clear coat separated by inscribed Harley-Davidson tape. After that, your eyes have a multitude of features for which to fall upon. The massive chromed wheels demand attention, while huge Harley/Ford 100 year insignia plaques surface into sight. The new front fascia/grille/headlamps also require a closer inspection. Not only does the Harley talk the talk, but she walks the walk as well. More on that later. Read more…
A Time Machine On Wheels
These days people will try anything to turn back Father Time’s clock. Most every city in the country houses a doctor or twelve that will inject you with Botox, suck your fat out through a tube or prescribe pills that promise to firm up sagging skin. These remedies might do the trick for a while, but they are still only temporary. Ford, however, would love to sell you a more permanent solution. They call it the Thunderbird, and it’ll take you back through the years faster than you can say, “I need a facelift”. Read more…
Sunny Side Up
“Lets take the Bonneville to Florida,” somebody says. “OK” came the unanimous response. Who wouldn’t take the opportunity to get out of the office for a few days? Of course, the rest of us didn’t know what Executive Editor Dye had up his sleeve. “We’ll make it a working holiday!” he exclaimed. Some low mumbling followed. So we packed up Assistant Editor Vloet, which in itself is no small task, and readied for the journey. Then, at the last moment, there was a problem with availability. The Bonneville had decided it needed to be at the other side of the state. Being the flexible people we are, we readied the next best of our armada of vehicles, a 2003 Ford Expedition XLT. Read more…
