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Thread: Factory Test Vehicle -- DST card.

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Aug 2003
    Location
    Detroit, Michigan
    Age
    65
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    Factory Test Vehicle -- DST card.

    I've always known that my MM was early (see VIN and build date in my signature), but here is a piece of documentation I recently found with my car's papers. It was in the glove box when I picked up the car (w/ 6500 miles on it) from Varsity L-M in Novi, Michigan:



    These are two sides of the same card, and it shows that my car was a test vehicle which was eventually restored to factory specs by DST Industries of Romulus, Michigan.

    Anyone else have or seen one of these?
    Yours truly,
    Meteorite - Royal Oak, Michigan

    2003 300A - Black VIN = xxxxxxxxxxx600051 *** Build Date = 3/13/2002
    Best e.t. -- 12.31 @ 111.5 mph *** Now with: Trilogy #220, Alternative Auto Performance Tune + 4.10 Gears +SW headers + Metco control arms + Addco front and rear sta-bars + Dynotech Metal Matrix Driveshaft + Weldcraft widened wheels & MT drag radials.

    2003 300B - Blue

    And now ... 2003 Black (Trilogy #58)

    1962 Mercury Meteor & 1963 Mercury Meteor

  2. #2
    Were you the first owner?

    If so was it titled as a new vehicle?

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Aug 2003
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    Detroit, Michigan
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    65
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    554
    I don't think it was titled as a new vehicle, no.

    I didn't buy it until August, 2003. So, since its Warranty Start Date is 4/17/2002, I figure that there was at least one owner before me.

  4. #4
    n-cherok Guest
    Do you know if your vehicles was wrecked or not by that company?

  5. #5
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    Parkton, MD
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    My car was built the day after yours. I spoke with Steve Babcock at Woodward, and he said our cars were indeed unique. He said they were "4A" models. Cars that were for test purposes, but where then titled to sell to the public. He estimates there may only have been 11 to 14 of our particular vehicles made. All the more unique! Let's hold on to them.
    Quote Originally Posted by Meteorite
    I've always known that my MM was early (see VIN and build date in my signature), but here is a piece of documentation I recently found with my car's papers. It was in the glove box when I picked up the car (w/ 6500 miles on it) from Varsity L-M in Novi, Michigan:



    These are two sides of the same card, and it shows that my car was a test vehicle which was eventually restored to factory specs by DST Industries of Romulus, Michigan.

    Anyone else have or seen one of these?
    Just another clown on a bike...

    As good as any man, better than none.

    Former owner of a highly modified and very fast Marauder.


    "You CAN fit a square peg into a round hole, all you need is a big enough hammer." -Original

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Aug 2003
    Location
    Detroit, Michigan
    Age
    65
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    Quote Originally Posted by n-cherok
    Do you know if your vehicles was wrecked or not by that company?
    No, it wasn't wrecked.

    Here is the OASIS information I got, courtesy of RoyLPita:

    This is the complete OASIS report for the VIN#2MEHM75V13X600051:
    Build date:3/13/02
    Wty start date:4/17/02
    vehicle has no recalls but has CA/NY/MA emmissions
    OASIS shows a 84/75k PremiumCare policy with a $50 deductible. For towing, call 1-800-241-3673.

    Warranty repair history (full):
    Keystone Ford (Norwalk, CA)
    6/21/02 @ 1233 miles
    performed alignment to specs (wheel off center)
    cut all 4 rotors (brakes making noise)
    Yours truly,
    Meteorite - Royal Oak, Michigan

    2003 300A - Black VIN = xxxxxxxxxxx600051 *** Build Date = 3/13/2002
    Best e.t. -- 12.31 @ 111.5 mph *** Now with: Trilogy #220, Alternative Auto Performance Tune + 4.10 Gears +SW headers + Metco control arms + Addco front and rear sta-bars + Dynotech Metal Matrix Driveshaft + Weldcraft widened wheels & MT drag radials.

    2003 300B - Blue

    And now ... 2003 Black (Trilogy #58)

    1962 Mercury Meteor & 1963 Mercury Meteor

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Aug 2003
    Location
    Detroit, Michigan
    Age
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    Quote Originally Posted by Cheeseheadbob
    My car was built the day after yours. I spoke with Steve Babcock at Woodward, and he said our cars were indeed unique. He said they were "4A" models. Cars that were for test purposes, but where then titled to sell to the public. He estimates there may only have been 11 to 14 of our particular vehicles made. All the more unique! Let's hold on to them.
    Cheeseheadbob,

    I'm sorry I didn't take the opportunity to find you at Woodward. I was there, but not with my Marauder. Oh, yes, I plan to hold onto this car. It'll probably get passed on to the next generation!

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Nov 2002
    Location
    Off-Shore America
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    10,219
    Wanna know what DST did to your MM? Ask them...

    http://www.dstindustries.com/

  9. #9
    Join Date
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    The Otherside of the tracks
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    2,263
    Quote Originally Posted by Cheeseheadbob
    My car was built the day after yours. I spoke with Steve Babcock at Woodward, and he said our cars were indeed unique. He said they were "4A" models. Cars that were for test purposes, but where then titled to sell to the public. He estimates there may only have been 11 to 14 of our particular vehicles made. All the more unique! Let's hold on to them.
    We call them "PP" builds. 4PP, 1PP and FEU builds. They(PP builds) allow us on the line to get acclimated to any new or significant changes engineers have done to a unit. They are usually interspersed with the current model.
    '04 MARAUDER
    Born on 4/20/04 -- Foster Care on 5/11/04 -- Adopted on 01/27/05
    Heated Seats 6 Disc CD Changer Moonroof
    JLT CAI--Silverstars Heads/Fogs--SCT-9100
    SB IX - SB X - SB XIII - SB XIV - SB XL - SB XLIII
    Trilogy S/C In Due Time

  10. #10
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    Quote Originally Posted by STLR FN
    We call them "PP" builds. 4PP, 1PP and FEU builds. They(PP builds) allow us on the line to get acclimated to any new or significant changes engineers have done to a unit. They are usually interspersed with the current model.
    Yes, "4PP" squares with my memory of what Steve Babcock told me back at MVII in Indy. Thanks.
    Yours truly,
    Meteorite - Royal Oak, Michigan

    2003 300A - Black VIN = xxxxxxxxxxx600051 *** Build Date = 3/13/2002
    Best e.t. -- 12.31 @ 111.5 mph *** Now with: Trilogy #220, Alternative Auto Performance Tune + 4.10 Gears +SW headers + Metco control arms + Addco front and rear sta-bars + Dynotech Metal Matrix Driveshaft + Weldcraft widened wheels & MT drag radials.

    2003 300B - Blue

    And now ... 2003 Black (Trilogy #58)

    1962 Mercury Meteor & 1963 Mercury Meteor

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Feb 2005
    Location
    Parkton, MD
    Age
    57
    Posts
    1,552
    You are correct. I think I had made a couple of trips to the "Trunk Organizer Mod 1.0" before I spoke with Steve. Correction noted.
    Quote Originally Posted by STLR FN
    We call them "PP" builds. 4PP, 1PP and FEU builds. They(PP builds) allow us on the line to get acclimated to any new or significant changes engineers have done to a unit. They are usually interspersed with the current model.
    Just another clown on a bike...

    As good as any man, better than none.

    Former owner of a highly modified and very fast Marauder.


    "You CAN fit a square peg into a round hole, all you need is a big enough hammer." -Original

  12. #12
    Join Date
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    Rosemount, MN
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    2,187
    I purchased my MM in June of 2003 with 7500 miles on it from the Ford dealer in Zumbrota, MN. DOB was I think July of 2002. It had a Mighigan title when I purchased it. Could it have also been one of these test vehicles or maybe a Ford executive car since it was from Michigan? Can someone out there run an Oasis report for me?

  13. #13
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    Location
    Amissville VA
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    I wonder how good DST's testing was considering they didn't even know what type of car they had. Another instance of "Grand Marquis" vs. "Marauder"

    Still interesting!
    Trilogy #112 (self installed)

    - Trilogy S/C (Stock pulley/tune) - 4.10's - JLT - SS Inserts - 4" Megs -

    12.99@106.2mph (for now)

  14. #14
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    Quote Originally Posted by crouse
    I purchased my MM in June of 2003 with 7500 miles on it from the Ford dealer in Zumbrota, MN. DOB was I think July of 2002. It had a Mighigan title when I purchased it. Could it have also been one of these test vehicles or maybe a Ford executive car since it was from Michigan? Can someone out there run an Oasis report for me?
    By July 2002 all cars were in regular production. The pre-production VINS are 600027 - 600069, built from 1/24/02 to 3/14/02.
    MOK


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  15. #15
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    Quote Originally Posted by crouse
    I purchased my MM in June of 2003 with 7500 miles on it from the Ford dealer in Zumbrota, MN. DOB was I think July of 2002. It had a Mighigan title when I purchased it. Could it have also been one of these test vehicles or maybe a Ford executive car since it was from Michigan? Can someone out there run an Oasis report for me?
    Send a PM to Roy L. Pita with your vin and he'll run an oasis for you
    MM.NET Member #3943

    11/24/04 -'04 Silver Birch , Moon Roof, charcoal Interior,
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