The post below is a copy from another thread where the idea came from...
PF500 stands for the limited production run of 5000 (or 500 whatever) speciality cars defined in conjunction with passionford members.
Ford like other companies are searching for customer driven vehicles... customizable to meet the needs of those who ultimately decide the future of company with thier wallets (Buying cars)
I work for a technology company supplying Ford and others, the technology is here to deliver the custom car in smaller quantities.
You knew that... ok, so how about we bring together our bunch and lobby Ford for what we consider to be the ultimate car or group of cars... suited to our kind, so we dont have to scavenge old cars for parts long gone..
We have engineers, software geeks, specialist GT40 builders, tuners, racers, fast road... you name it, I bet there are some really smart and connected folks on here.
Just maybe you could as a group get that concept car together and into limited production...

If you don't try you will have to settle for the mass market crap and customization will be the color of CD player and drink holders and computers will stop any wheel spin and take over feeling the road. Rather than something that really feels like a car and gives you the exhileration ...

Got ideas on how we could do this... post em

 

The original post
Tony your last quote raised a question in my mind, I wonder if getting a lobby group together one could approach ford and see if as a lobby group we could get a car like the old cossie 3 door built.... (ok I have a three door maybe theres other options and we would iterate to decide...)
I work with Auto companies in the US including Ford / GM and the big push is for the customized car... and for new direction... where the customer drives the business... Sure soccer mums out number us but the guys inside Ford do share a common interest in performance cars...
Sorry for this being off topic, but if this is of interest lets start a thread on it.. If its a stupid dream just kick me , The passionford 500 (PF500 for short)
Ah heck I will start a thread, if no one cares it will just die..., hmm where do i start it... I will kick it off general as whilst I like cossies, there are others who might be interested... and bring something new to the table...

 

If you want my thoughts, simply the new Focus Rs with 4wd or rwd & a nice 400hp+ turbocharged lump under the bonnet with a little more aggresive styling !!

That'd get me buying one !!

jb

 

so let me get this right, your idea is to get a group of people off passionford to design and manufacture a prototype from scratch?

Although this is something i am very much interested in, do you realise the amount of time and money required to take on such a project?

 

this reminds me of a simpsons episode..

 

jesus its hard enought trying to organise a passionford calendar, let alone a car!

 

hahahahh! awesome episode...

The original post is weird and also completely silly if you ask me....

 

I am not saying if we would or could design it, I like many moan that cars arent what we want, rather than keeping on moaning after each car comes out, why not tell Ford what we want in a car.
As a group we could provide the high level requirements / specification of what a drivers car should be, what we want. There are a lot of guys specializing in the nuiances of design at Ford and they would ultimately define that hopefully iterating with us (I am dreaming I know but hey thats how new concepts are born, thats part of my job). We as the end user with Fords approval provide input to those guys on what we want.
This might include some indication of geometry and physics as part of description of what a real drivers car for the consumer market should have.
How much computer control should it have, should it have self selecting gearbox or a manual clunky gearbox, Do you want to see what the ecu , management system is doing, can any of be tweaked...
I dont know if you guys see this in the UK but I have repeatedly heard the concept of customer specified individual vehicle assembly as a goal for auto manufacturers. And the role of the local dealer to be able to provide this customization as part of their value add service... Each year of increased technology we are showing that is becoming more and more feasible.. A recent show we did talked of M&Ms with your name on each M&M, the worlds changing... and we can manufacture to order way better nowadays.

I guess we could ask homer how he got started

 

I'll supply the wheel bearings - I have some thick wood lying around and a holesaw.
Just let me know the axle dimensions so I fit the right bit in the middle.

I could also supply a limited number of axles and prop/drive shafts but the misses will do her nut if I nick the handles off the mop and brush.
CV joints could be fashioned from a sock and two rubber bands.

 

"rack and peanut steering !"

 

simple, something with motorsport cedentials, rally/touring cars etc, a certain degree of exclusivity, turbo charged engine, 4 wheel drive,

basically something that kicks the arse out of modern day EVO's and scoobies

 

and ask Homer how it end

Car was too specialised and personalised and therefore hideously expensive and compliacted and the market was very very small.... and the car made a huge huge loss.

The company was left it ruins....

Now what were you saying?

 

twin engined 3dr running 5-600 bhp each.with revolution rfx wheels and tiger stripes mmmh. . make it now,please make it now

 

As porkie says really. A manufacturer such as ford are all about making cars for the masses. Shopping trolleys to ferry people about.

If you really think that Ford will listen to a few people who tinker around with 15 year old saffs and rs turbos in their sheds, then I think you may need to think again!

Nice idea mate, but thats all it is unfortunately.