The real thing?
Thinking it over, there are actually some details that make me doubt that this is the real thing. For launching a new model, also if it's just a prototype/case study, a company like Ford normally chooses a big motor show with a great setting. It looks as if the picture was taken somewhere outside, and the setting of this display is very poor (just look at the box, where the right rear wheel is standing on). I don't think there is currently an important motor show going on, and if it would have been on a show some weeks back, for sure the press would have picked it up and we would have read it somewhere. I have just read a very brief note in the last issue of one of the four wheel drive magazines (Petersen's??) that there are rumors about Ford building a Wrangler like vehicle. In this stage of a project, I assume the press would know more about it.
This truck is actually on display which means, it's not a secret prototype somebody spied in the desert of Arizona or around Detroit.
What also confuses me, is, looking at the shape of the door and specially at the location of the rollbars, I don't really see any indication for any possibility to put a soft or hard top on, or to attach a upper half to the door. Unless if it is a prototype which is never ment to go into production, I don't think a manufacturer like Ford would plan on bringing a car without any top on the market.
On the other hand, it looks almost too well built for being the artwork of an conversion company. Other giveaway of conversion companies: They normally "sign" their cars with some ugly stickers.
Well, I admit, I'm truely confused, and a definitely would like to see more pictures of this car. It looks interesting and, without knowing any technical facts, is a step in the right directions. But I think there are still too many details wrong with that thing.
Nevertheless, I think I also would like to have one!
[Edited by donkey boy on 10-12-2000 at 11:51 AM]