While I have known about this vehicle for a long time, it wasnt until recently that I really began digging into it and getting more info.
First of all, this particular vehicle started life as a fully loaded 1996 Black Limited. While i do not know the exact VIN, i have a short lsit of suspect vin numbers it might have been. the Ford New Concepts program in Dearborn began this project early in 1996 for the only need as having a show vehicle for the 1997 Detroit Auto Show. David Villecky, (at the time) director of the program, oversaw it's development. I know this because I have spoken with Mr. Villecky personally about this particular vehicle (and his other creation, the Ford Indigo concept car from the year prior).
The stock frame was modified from the third rear crossmember back. New boxed c-sections were pressed brake into new frame rails and mounts were created for the thunderbird IRS subframe. It was designed to be removed from the vehicle if so needed (not welded in). the rest of the stock frame was boxed all the way foward to the transmission crossmember. The rear body shell was raised slightly because of this, thus the cargo floor is slightly higher in the rear. The stock interior was changed to the (new for 97) Prairie Tan color and 4 bucket seats were fitted (the rear seats did still fold down). it did have a floor shifter (automatic) from a Mark VIII and a full length center console from the dash to the rear seats (retained a stock second gen front arm rest, but otherwise was a custom one-off peice). It had memory seats and digital HVAC with silver backed gauges. It did have a tan steering wheel (exactly like a 95-97 limited).
The engine bay was modified as well, as several stock explorer parts were rerouted and moved to different locations (charcaol canister, abs module, relay boxes, overflow tanks, washer resevoir, hood hinges and struts). The hvac case and accumulator were one-offs. the metal cowl was removed and replaced with a custom metal cowl that accomedated the carbon fiber hood.
Sadly, the engine did suffer a valve failure while being driven by journalists in Dearborn around april 1997. Since there was only the one prototype 4.6 5V, the entire truck was scrapped and destroyed instead of rebuilt. Mr. Villecky did confirm this with me.
