Factory Test Vehicle -- DST card.

[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:

http://pics.livejournal.com/detroitfather/pic/000hd1db

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 (http://www.dstindustries.com/vehicle%20recovery.htm).

Anyone else have or seen one of these?

[ShelbyMotorspts]

Were you the first owner?

If so was it titled as a new vehicle?

[Meteorite]

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.

[n-cherok]

Do you know if your vehicles was wrecked or not by that company?

[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.
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:

http://pics.livejournal.com/detroitfather/pic/000hd1db

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 (http://www.dstindustries.com/vehicle%20recovery.htm).

Anyone else have or seen one of these?

[Meteorite]

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)

[Meteorite]

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!

[SergntMac]

Wanna know what DST did to your MM? Ask them...

http://www.dstindustries.com/

[STLR FN]

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.

[Meteorite]

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.

[Cheeseheadbob]

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.:D
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.

[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?

[Breadfan]

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!

[MM03MOK]

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.

[SID210SA]

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

[ShelbyMotorspts]

I tend to agree with others that your MM was a "Pilot Vehicle" used to set up the assembly line and train the workers.

Interesting that it was serviced here in SoCal in June 2002 but is now in Michigan. Possibly purchased at a dealer auction by someone in MI.

My CarFax subscription just expired but I would still suggest you run a Carfax on it to see what history is shown there.

Steve

[ShelbyMotorspts]

I just ran your vin thru California's Smog Test database and there is no record of it ever being smogged here.

What that means is after the original owner your car left California.

Steve

[Meteorite]

I just ran your vin thru California's Smog Test database and there is no record of it ever being smogged here.

What that means is after the original owner your car left California.

Steve
Thanks for the info, Steve!