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BlueOvalNews.com |
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DEWBIRDS TESTED FOR THE FUTURE |
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Just what the hell is a DEWBIRD you ask? By Ford's own definition, a DEWBIRD is a test vehicle based on a last generation Ford Thunderbird that were utilized to test the then future DEW platform and other components to be used with it. DEWBIRDS were the warriors behind the DEW project. Certain vehicles were sent all over the country to evaluate different road and climatic conditions in which the actual production cars would encounter in real world operating conditions. Some DEWBIRDS were even issued as fleet vehicles to non-Ford companies to further evaluate their durability in various scenarios that are not found here in Dearborn - such as high altitude and continuous cold climate conditions. The DEWBIRD pictured on the top and bottom of this page was used as a powertrain, engine and transmission durability test vehicle. It was originally built as a normal 4.6 production model. . .but that's where all of the similarities end. This DEWBIRD was said to have been equipped with an experimental V-6 (3.9LS). Other modifications to the drivetrain were made and then the DEWBIRD was extensively tested in the Midwestern United States for powertrain mechanical wear of engine, axle and transmission components. Powertrain DEWBIRDS were religiously tested on the Global Test Operation program. Fluids, such as engine oil were sent to labs for sampling every 5K. The Motorcraft 5W/30 oil and filter was changed each15K. Spark plug gap was also regularly checked - but only on the driver's side. The DEWBIRD shown on this page was wrecked on the left front and side. The engine and transmission have since been removed. . .nothing else remains of this vehicle, except the Ford crush yard. . .a soon to be another part of forgotten history. Other DEWBIRDS were used to test chassis components, brake components, electronics and other subsystems to ensure that the production version would meet the demanding needs of real world driving. While most DEWBIRDS have been destroyed or are scheduled to be destroyed, their purpose as a reliable prototype testing bed has secretly served Lincoln LS, 2001 Thunderbird and S Jag vehicles in a way that no other development platform could have. COPYRIGHT 1999 WARNER PUBLICATIONS. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED BlueOvalNews.com |
Last generation Thunderbirds were used as test mules for the DEW project.
A laptop computer monitors all functions.
You'd think this was a prelude to a DC9, but it's just a DEWBIRD. BlueOvalNews.com |
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