Jump to content

Manufacturer test mules


CortinaDave

Recommended Posts

post-212-0-54112900-1526039948_thumb.jpg

 

Always been fascinated by the manufacturer test mules of forthcoming models... This was one of the Sierra mules built into some poor cortina estate. It had the sierra rear suspension fitted which is why it looks so low at the back.

 

the cortina would have been brand new at the time but the mods help it look like a knackered 15 year old heap.

 

Anyone know of any more... and do any still exist?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

xDRMDam.jpg

 

1966 Cresta mule fitted with Oldsmobile Toronado 7-litre V8 and chain-driven front-wheel-drive trans.

Sadly did not reach production. One built and written off.

Story from Vauxpedia site ↓

 

http://files.uk2sitebuilder.com/uk2group53061/image/42v.vauxhallpc98000crestaviscountresume14.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Apparently one of my uncles worked at the scrap yard that BMC sent a lot of their prototypes etc to for destruction in what must have been the very late 70s.  Makes enough sense given they lived just down the road from the place and I know he was indeed in the scrap metal trade at the time.  Apparently it used to break his heart to smash up some of the stuff that came in.  If I remember rightly the rule was that nothing larger than a shoebox was allowed to remain intact.  So the approach was usually to rip it to shreds with the claw *before* dropping it in the baler.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

BL had a spate of spy shots of their new cars appearing in magazines well before launch date, so the SD1 mules were very well disguised.

 

sd1p_1.jpg

Fantastic. I used to love seeing these pics when they appeared in the weekies Motor and Autocar, and in the monthly Car.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

xDRMDam.jpg

 

1966 Cresta mule fitted with Oldsmobile Toronado 7-litre V8 and chain-driven front-wheel-drive trans.

Sadly did not reach production. One built and written off.

 

http://files.uk2sitebuilder.com/uk2group53061/image/42v.vauxhallpc98000crestaviscountresume14.jpg

Can imagine the torque steer in the wet in that! Jesus!!!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

^ Quote,

"The engine produced 375bhp and 475ft-lb of torque, it was possible to shred the tyres in one go. In theory it was capable of 140mph but suffered from very severe scuttle shake at anything approaching 100mph",

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The MGF project had a whole fleet of interesting vehicles created for it.

 

Before the Metro's, there were a number of Mk1 Toyota MR2's that were doctored to run K series engines and PG1 transmissions. 

 

The Metro's came after, and there were a few different versions dependent on the purpose. Some had the fibreglass lift-up rear body and others were pick-up style with a canvas tilt.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Back in the early noughties Land Rover were using Ford explorers to test the Disco 3 powertrain. They basically lifted the body off and bodged it onto the Disco chassis. The company I worked for at the time made the box of tricks that converted all the new fangled CAN messages into signals that the explorer body electronics could understand. They were quite effective I think, hard to tell unless you saw the masses of wiring on the floor inside

Link to comment
Share on other sites

FB_IMG_1526039890628.jpg

 

Always been fascinated by the manufacturer test mules of forthcoming models... This was one of the Sierra mules built into some poor cortina estate. It had the sierra rear suspension fitted which is why it looks so low at the back.

 

the cortina would have been brand new at the time but the mods help it look like a knackered 15 year old heap.

 

Anyone know of any more... and do any still exist?

I love the way they carefully grafted the Sierra bumper and air intake presumably to test the cooling system.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Guest Hooli

The A35-fronted Issigonis Mini mule....

 

 

attachicon.giforange-box-1.jpg

 

 

Can't help thinking they should have kept that front to improve the current model....

 

Blimey those are early, it's before they reversed the head to fix carb icing.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...