blksn8k2

I thought the same thing about it being there for the reflector. If you notice in the ROW photo the top edge of the indentation sort of aligns with split between the front edge of the fender and grill surround. No idea if that was intentional. I'm guessing they just put that in there to break up the smooth contour of the flare. Debatable whether it's a styling or aero thing.

https://performance.ford.com/series/formula-1/news/articles/f1/2023/02/ford-in-formula-1.html

Looks like it's official: https://jalopnik.com/ford-returns-to-formula-1-in-2026-with-red-bull-1850069966?utm_source=jalopnik_newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=2023-02-03

Maybe, but I doubt that's the case. The timing says that since they already did the reveal of the new model wouldn't it make sense to be promoting the new model at every opportunity? Isn't that one of the reasons why they're involved in racing? A more believable reason might be that the new bodies are just not available yet to the race teams. Will be interesting to see what nose and decals are on the NASCAR Mustangs this weekend at the Clash and then, more importantly, at Daytona. As I recall, NASCAR was also mentioned in the previous hype about the S650 Mustang in racing.

After all the hype a few months ago about Ford planning to use the new S650 body in GT4 I'm a little surprised to see they are still using the old S550 GT350R bodies.

Agreed. The engine and suspension are both a step above anything else in the category.

I was so shocked when I saw these MAP pics that the first thing I did was make screen shots thinking they were going to be taken down ASAP. ? Then I recalled, as others have said, that similar pics came out of there before the Bronco was released. Must be something special about MAP. j/k On the price thing, hasn't FA been quoting in the $56k range for some time now? That would be a relative bargain IMO, if you can believe anything they say. Hell, my '18 F-150 XLT SE stickered for $56k. $56,450 to be exact.

Fuzzy, that photo of the current gen does look like it has the ROW front facia. I.E. plastic bumper cover. Does MAP build anything like that?

I thought I read somewhere that the side step was omitted on ROW Raptors because of the tailpipes for the dual exhaust. The white prototype obviously does not have dual exhaust.

April 17th. Hmmm, that sounds more like a Mustang thing than Ranger...

Are you saying MAP builds Rangers for Mexico or that Map built the one raced at Baja or both? ?? Just kidding on that second part. Read on.... As proof here's a quote from the Ford Performance website: “The truck was built by Kelly Racing in Australia, arrived on a plane in California and we headed straight to Johnson Valley for testing with final prep support from our good friends at Huseman Engineering. All the guys who drove it were impressed with it but being right-hand drive we all needed a little reprogramming for what it’s like to be driving on the other side of the truck and not smoke the opposite side against the rocks."

And if you look at the timeline (past 20 years) that pretty much aligns with the Big Al's self proclaimed invention of the internet. Everyone with access has the ability to be misinformed by unscrupulous "writers" who either have an agenda to push and/or just want more clicks.

How long before F1 goes EV? I'm only asking because I don't pay any attention to it anymore. Too political...

I bought the car used. I won't tell you how low the price was because it would make both of us sick. They were just another used car back then and muscle cars had gone out of favor by then. The only part I still have from that car is the oil cooler. Stupid thing is probably worth a couple grand. And, yes, I saw the Mecum broadcast. Mine was Black Jade, same color as the one that sold for $475K. BTW, according to Mecum's website the final price for Lot# T149 after adding in all the fees was $522,500. Pretty sure the black car crossed the block for $425K. I was looking through some old paperwork a few days ago and came across a Pennsylvania registration card dated June 25 1973 for the one I had. The 5th character of the VIN is the letter "Z" which denotes the 429 4V Boss engine.

Had to try don't you know. ?

Billy Griffin won in GSX in Race 1 and 2 this weekend at Daytona. He started the new GT4 spec Mustang on the pole both days but fell back to third on the first lap in both races before retaking the lead. https://racer.com/2023/01/22/goldburg-griffin-get-imsa-vp-challenge-sweeps-at-daytona/ BTW, Jim Farley finished 12th in Saturday's race in another GT4 Mustang.

While watching this test of the Aussie version of the Raptor, besides the awesome performance capabilities, I was surprised to see that the rear seat base not only folds up but you also have the option to fold the seat back down. Would be nice if the seat or at least the seat back were split but it's not a show stopper either. Not sure if the rear seat design is a Raptor only feature or if it will be available on all models. Does the current model have a similar rear seat design?

My one and only Pinto was a '72 Squire wagon, wood grain and all. I bought that when the first oil crisis hit and gas shot up to over $1/gal. My other car at the time was a Black Jade '69 Boss 429 with a 4.56:1 rear axle. Not exactly an economy car. Once fuel prices stabilized I yanked the 4 cyl, 4-speed drive train out of the Pinto and replaced that with a 289 2V and C4 auto along with the rear axle from a '65 Mustang. The fuel mileage really wasn't much worse than with the 4 banger. That eventually got replaced by a 290 hp 351W 4V and toploader 4-speed out of a '69 Torino GT. That definitely hurt the fuel mileage but the fun factor was out of sight! ?

I assume you meant '70. By '71 Ford had moved on to the Boss 351....

Lack of any major styling changes doesn't seem to hinder Wrangler sales. If anything, that signature look is one of the things that has made it so popular.

Now I'm ready. Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow....

Didn't realize Ford built anything in Columbia or Vietnam. So is MAP actually building 2024 prototypes yet?

So who else currently builds LH drive versions?

https://www.fordmuscle.com/news/ford-performance-sends-ranger-raptor-into-baja-1000-battle/ I'm assuming this was a left-hand drive version which begs the question which plant would this have come from? South Africa or does Thailand build both RH and LH?

Congrats to Joey Lagano and Team Penske on their 2022 NASCAR Cup championship!