Flashback Friday: Remember the Atlas!

Flashback Friday: Remember the Atlas!

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Detailed look at 2013 Ford Atlas Concept shows the progressive ideas that Ford puts into its trucks — and which concepts it avoids.

We came across this great deep dive video on the 2013 Ford Atlas Concept truck and think it deserves to be shared again. For those unfamiliar with the Ford Atlas Concept, it was the concept that paved the way for the styling of the 2015 Ford F-150 pickup, and this video offers a great look at the concept from every angle, allowing us to see what did and did not make it from concept to the production F-150.

The video begins with a walkaround of the Ford Atlas Concept, showcasing the gorgeous truck inside and out. After that, Ford marketing manager Eric Peterson offers a detailed look at the unique features of the truck.

Atlas

As you watch, notice that some of the more unconventional features–such as the power extension that lifts out of the top of the tailgate to allow the roof to serve as a large cargo rack–didn’t make it to production, but this is the kind of exciting innovation that Ford continues to develop.

The video is 12 minutes long, so if you are looking to blow off work and get into something more interesting this afternoon, grab a drink, make sure that the boss isn’t going to wander in, and enjoy this look at this awesome truck.

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"Before I was old enough to walk, my dad was taking me to various types of racing events, from local drag racing to the Daytona 500," says Patrick Rall, a lifetime automotive expert, diehard Dodge fan, and respected auto journalist for over 10 years. "He owned a repair shop and had a variety of performance cars when I was young, but by the time I was 16, he was ready to build me my first drag car – a 1983 Dodge Mirada that ran low 12s. I spent 10 years traveling around the country, racing with my dad by my side. While we live in different areas of the country, my dad still drag races at 80 years old in the car that he built when I was 16 while I race other vehicles, including my 2017 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat and my 1972 Dodge Demon 340.

"Although I went to college for accounting, my time in my dad’s shop growing up allowed me the knowledge to spend time working as a mechanic before getting my accounting degree, at which point I worked in the office of a dealership group. While I was working in the accounting world, I continued racing and taking pictures of cars at the track. Over time, I began showing off those pictures online and that led to my writing.

"Ten years ago, I left the accounting world to become a full-time automotive writer and I am living proof that if you love what you do, you will never “work” a day in your life," adds Rall, who has clocked in time as an auto mechanic, longtime drag racer and now automotive journalist who contributes to nearly a dozen popular auto websites dedicated to fellow enthusiasts.

"I love covering the automotive industry and everything involved with the job. I was fortunate to turn my love of the automotive world into a hobby that led to an exciting career, with my past of working as a mechanic and as an accountant in the automotive world provides me with a unique perspective of the industry.

"My experience drag racing for more than 20 years coupled with a newfound interest in road racing over the past decade allows me to push performance cars to their limit, while my role as a horse stable manager gives me vast experience towing and hauling with all of the newest trucks on the market today.

"Being based on Detroit," says Rall, "I never miss the North American International Auto Show, the Woodward Dream Cruise and Roadkill Nights, along with spending plenty of time raising hell on Detroit's Woodward Avenue with the best muscle car crowd in the world.


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