rumble
06-09-2004, 07:51 PM
As production of the Marauder comes to an end and Marauderville II looms on the horizon, some things
from Marauderville I seem to be worth remembering.
While their were many memorable moments in Ennis, the stand out had to be, for me anyway, the presence of Steve Babcock the project manager for the Marauder.
He spent a good hour+ talking about the project and answering all our questions. For my part it was like Moses receiving the tablets with the ten commandments. He really gave us an inside look at the planning and development of the Marauder from sometime in 1996 when he was put in charge of the Panther platform division and he told FMC management that he wanted to build an "Impala fighter."
He relayed to us that the original plans were for a 4.6 SOHC supercharged powerplant, however the engineers came to him and said that the engine wouldn't hold those cylinder pressures. "Of course" he said "we found out later that was wrong, they would easily do so." He told us that the car was slated to sell for $29,995 but when presented to the dealers they immediately said the price should be $35,000. Now you know why it's overpriced by 5 grand. He explained how expensive the wheels were to make and also why they were
forged rather than go with cheaper ones. The look, he said, had to be just right. When asked by yours truly
why we ended up with a 3.55 gear ratio he explained that they wanted a 3.90 or maybe even a 4.10 but along
came gas guzzler concerns. He related how they drove the car with both 3.27's and the 3.55's and how
much better the 3.55's performed. He further explained the "drive shaft question." The metal matrix shaft
was so expensive and hard to make that the outside company that produced them for FMC got tired of replacing the machine tools and just quit making em. He told us why 03 was to be the first year of the Marauder and why 04 had to be the last. 03 was when FMC was going to rack and pinion steering so they didn't want to start in 02 and then redesign the car after only one year. 04 would be the last year because in Jan of 05 new emissions laws go into effect and the panther platform, as part of the redesign for compliance, would go to a "drive by wire" set up that would not fit the 32 DOHC without extensive and expensive development. They were black because, well, because black is just a bad azz color.
Oh yes, also he was gracious enough to sign several fuse box covers and my owners manual.
I don't know if Steve Babcock will be at Marauderville II, I won't be, but if he is, you will find him a totally
down to earth car guy just like us.
Every body have a great time.
Gary
from Marauderville I seem to be worth remembering.
While their were many memorable moments in Ennis, the stand out had to be, for me anyway, the presence of Steve Babcock the project manager for the Marauder.
He spent a good hour+ talking about the project and answering all our questions. For my part it was like Moses receiving the tablets with the ten commandments. He really gave us an inside look at the planning and development of the Marauder from sometime in 1996 when he was put in charge of the Panther platform division and he told FMC management that he wanted to build an "Impala fighter."
He relayed to us that the original plans were for a 4.6 SOHC supercharged powerplant, however the engineers came to him and said that the engine wouldn't hold those cylinder pressures. "Of course" he said "we found out later that was wrong, they would easily do so." He told us that the car was slated to sell for $29,995 but when presented to the dealers they immediately said the price should be $35,000. Now you know why it's overpriced by 5 grand. He explained how expensive the wheels were to make and also why they were
forged rather than go with cheaper ones. The look, he said, had to be just right. When asked by yours truly
why we ended up with a 3.55 gear ratio he explained that they wanted a 3.90 or maybe even a 4.10 but along
came gas guzzler concerns. He related how they drove the car with both 3.27's and the 3.55's and how
much better the 3.55's performed. He further explained the "drive shaft question." The metal matrix shaft
was so expensive and hard to make that the outside company that produced them for FMC got tired of replacing the machine tools and just quit making em. He told us why 03 was to be the first year of the Marauder and why 04 had to be the last. 03 was when FMC was going to rack and pinion steering so they didn't want to start in 02 and then redesign the car after only one year. 04 would be the last year because in Jan of 05 new emissions laws go into effect and the panther platform, as part of the redesign for compliance, would go to a "drive by wire" set up that would not fit the 32 DOHC without extensive and expensive development. They were black because, well, because black is just a bad azz color.
Oh yes, also he was gracious enough to sign several fuse box covers and my owners manual.
I don't know if Steve Babcock will be at Marauderville II, I won't be, but if he is, you will find him a totally
down to earth car guy just like us.
Every body have a great time.
Gary