I had an opportunity to talk to one of the main guys at a local dealership about the Lightning. He said it isn't uncommon for Ford to introduce a car or truck, drop it from its line and re-introduce it again. He said the Lightning is a halo for Ford and the engineers have a good time designing the truck. Take that for what it's worth.

 

I did laundry today.

 

Not as much as you might think.

Rich

 

the lightning disappeared in '95 remember, and was re-introduced in '99 so Im not really worried about the L not making a comeback.

 

a FORD BIG-WIG at a dealership?

 

you mean you didnt know ford is based out of southern cali and not detroit...lol

 

NO offence, but I think that even of the man owns the delership, I am sure that he will not have any real inside information, just another opinion from another man. IMHO

 

I could tell ya what Hau Tai Tang told me at Sebring this year,
but then I would have to kill you. < grin >

AAMOF, didn't they just crush the Lightning Concept? Rich? Can you find out?

Cliff

 

The reason why ford did not build a lightning past 95 untill 99 was the $.the bean counters only allowed so much money to be used to build one and it could not be brought down to the 'bottom' line [lacked like 20 bucks]So that was the reason, then by useing more parts from the expy and the 250s' they made the cut off amount and ........hello 1999 lightning[gen 2].If you look at the design of the new f150 there just is not enough new designed performance parts IN the ford line to make a lightning under those conditions and then you factor in the warranty issues like motors that blow up with chips and pulleys removed before going into the dealerships and you wonder why and complain no lightning model? You can thank the bean counters for counting everything involved in the production of one,but also look at yourselves too for the fate of it.Stan

 

None of us chickens know what will happen. But I do know that they are focusing on the stang and adrenalin. One guy at Roush told me that it made the power, but it's also heavier and the performance was'nt any better than the Gen2.

Given Fords financial position lately I suspect they are just tightning the belt on the small projects that are'nt gonna make them big money.

The thing that gets me is they loose site of what made this SVO/SVT product line what it is. Basic performance and a good value. Yeah the new stang is simply awsome. But us average joes are'nt going to be able to buy a new one. First year is already sold out!

It's become a typical marketing weenie nightmare. Take something that works and and squash it with your pie in the sky dreams of untold riches.

Rich

 

For the simple reason of the next Lightning being cancelled, I am getting sick of the GT. It's a beautiful car, but come on, just how much "marketing" are they going to get out of it. It's practically in every Ford commercial and yet it is priced out of almost everybody's range. For that, I dislike the GT.

Bring back a semi affordable performance truck.

 

Thanks! I wasn't gonna say it. LMAO!

 

Cliff, I must have been standing next to you, because I was asking questions to him at sebring as well.

Next time Cliff if you need a place to stay I have a house there in Sebring. And I can get a lift to use just in case.

 

Dang ... Thanks for the offer ...

I can only paraphrase but,

"we couldn't get the same or better performance from the new platform,
and to build a lesser Lightning just would not do"

"There are plans for a future Lightning ... can't say when, but there are plans"

I asked how long we had to kiss Dodge's a s s, and he said "Be patient! We need to get
the Shelby and the Avalance completed first"

I just hope that the enthusiam that exists for the 05 GT doesn't wane before
the SVT guys get their next products out. Customer's have such little brand loyalty anymore.

BTW, Were you On-Track with your Truck? I recall seeing several Lightning's there but I was deathly ill and didn't do much other than instruct and puke ...

 

Could have been someone from Michigan corporate just visiting a dealership.