The wraps have been off of the Ford Flex for some time now, but spy photographers spotted an interesting Flex prototype on Monday. In an apparent throwback to the woodies of yesteryear, photographers spotted a white Flex prototype sporting faux wood siding.
While it’s a bit too premature to speculate whether or not Ford will offer the wood siding on the production Flex, the picture does beg the question ‘Will Ford offer wood siding on the road-going Flex?’.
However, we think — and sincerely hope — that the wood siding is just a joke Ford engineers are playing on spy photographers.
However, Anthony Prozzi, Interior Design Manager on the Flex, did admit that the iconic woody wagon was a design inspiration for the Flex. “We took apart the iconic American woody station wagon and modernized it, because this car is for a modern person,” he said.
Stay tuned….
March 24, 2008
03/24, 6:34 PM
posted by:
jjayc08
It looks ridiculous, for sure. I think they’re just messing with us all, atm., but I could be wrong.
03/24, 6:35 PM
posted by:
Shismo
The Griswold family?!
03/24, 6:40 PM
posted by:
jackjimturkey
Clark!?
03/24, 7:04 PM
posted by:
zoomzoomr
LOL that’s funny! At least it covers up the side ribbing.. wonder if they will offer a panel across the back too! What is that white sedan next to the Flex? MKS?
03/24, 7:26 PM
posted by:
audi-lover
what the **** is that thing? it looks like one of those wrecked old station wagons with the wood on the side. If ford puts that piece of **** up for sale, it will make them even closer to bankruptcy.
03/24, 7:28 PM
posted by:
LexusSoarer
It was probably just a test mule that got wrecked, so someone thought themselves clever and gave Ford credit for developing the “Griswold family edition”.
03/24, 8:09 PM
posted by:
A4
whats the difference between “production” and “road-going”?
03/24, 8:10 PM
posted by:
A4
and what the hell is parked next to it? MKS?
03/24, 8:30 PM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
As a proud owner of an ‘89 Caprice ‘woody’ wagon I wholeheartedly support this renaissance from the Ford styling studios. Now throw in a young Beverly D’angelo and I’ll gladly change my name to Griswold.
03/24, 8:43 PM
posted by:
autonut
Is this a joke? It’s gotta be
03/24, 8:57 PM
posted by:
howsmydriving
I wouldn’t underestimate the chances of a faux wood Flex becoming a reality. After all, if a PT Cruiser could have faux wood….
03/24, 9:13 PM
posted by:
cookie4me
autonut, unfortunately, I don’t think it is a joke.
03/24, 9:46 PM
posted by:
400horseSS
No way in hell, i’d be embarrassed if i worked at the plant that where it was made.
03/24, 9:54 PM
posted by:
Whiplash-C6Z06
“You think you hate it now. Wait until you drive it.”
03/24, 10:00 PM
posted by:
global_lightning
Beverly D’angelo = the original MILF
So does this thing have vinyl seats or crushed velour?
03/24, 10:26 PM
posted by:
1c3d0g
LMAO…back to the ’80’s. If Ford puts these fake wooden panels into production I’m totally convinced that they’ve lost it. They might as well fire their entire board of directors, president, chairmain, CEO/CFO/CIO etc., in short, all of their management!
03/24, 11:24 PM
posted by:
jdasch1
Pt cruisers had wood sides as a option…whats the big deal with a few wood sides to sell. Stickers and trim pieces do sell..don’t ya know? Low volume at best…not a big deal.
03/25, 12:56 AM
posted by:
EijiO1
I got no wood for this woody.
The Wood looks like cheap decals and there isn’t nearly enough or it. They could have at least did a concept with real crafted wood for the autoshow. Used to be that a “woody” had real wood and looked, if country quaint or surfer cool, very nice. This just looks cheap and tacky.
Thank you FORD for yet another reason to keep shopping.
03/25, 7:26 AM
posted by:
DeansterTJ
“Look kids, it’s Big Ben and the Parliament.
Look kids, it’s Big Ben and the Parliament.
Look kids, it’s Big Ben and the Parliament.”
03/25, 7:51 AM
posted by:
MercMark
The bumpers are in the shop being chromed!
03/25, 8:58 AM
posted by:
maximus
I’m not your average fool. Now I want my super sports wagon now, or I’m gonna take my business elsewhere!
03/25, 9:37 AM
posted by:
Ricardo Head
I wonder if I can upgrade to mahogavinyl.
03/25, 9:37 AM
posted by:
affliction
WOW ford is dumber than I thought! WTF is this pos? OMG this looks like it belongs in the 1930’s. Does ford have any designers or are they just copying **** from the 1930’s?
03/25, 9:48 AM
posted by:
HoosierHero
I wouldn’t mind seeing a production version. I think Chrysler pulled it off with the PT Cruiser when it first came out (until all of the old people took the car over).
03/25, 9:58 AM
posted by:
buenos
Ricardo… make sure that it is genuine vinyl. Don’t settle for mere imitation.
It does sort of answer the question; “When is a barn not a barn…?”
03/25, 10:12 AM
posted by:
richt62167
Who cares about ths POS! LLN…. what is the car next to it on the drivers side??? New Ford?
03/25, 10:13 AM
posted by:
Htay9500
Funkmaster Flex is gonna pimp it out as he does with all of ford’s sleeping pills.
03/25, 10:19 AM
posted by:
planet_drive
This looks like one of those sad jokes that ends up being the real thing. Ugly outdated styling with Ford’s famous poor quality and reliability should make this thing a hot seller! Now thats a joke!
03/25, 12:19 PM
posted by:
jackjimturkey
global: good call.
03/25, 12:30 PM
posted by:
jjayc08
You **** be serious!!!!????
03/25, 12:35 PM
posted by:
SR
****TER’S FULL, CLARK!
03/25, 12:40 PM
posted by:
golf4me
It’s just a joke. We used to do this all the time at my company, too. Test vehicles end up in the shredder anyway, so we’d really have some fun with them near the end of their tests, then send pics back to the engineers for a good laugh.
03/25, 12:43 PM
posted by:
A4
yeah but ford doesnt have a sense of humor.
03/25, 12:51 PM
posted by:
AmericanMade
I hate this vehicle…
03/25, 1:00 PM
posted by:
Picarso
Square minivan.
03/25, 1:16 PM
posted by:
DeansterTJ
Well done Ford, this is the way to turn the company around. Continue to pull stupid bull**** maneuvers and evade the main problem, ie. a lack of decent vehicles.
03/26, 7:33 AM
posted by:
E60M5
WTF is it supposed to be?? the grim reaper’s ride????
03/26, 8:03 AM
posted by:
CleanGTO
This is probably camouflage…DUH PEOPLE. It’s that laminate vinyl you can get at Home Depot.
03/26, 8:06 AM
posted by:
CleanGTO
PS. This damn thing looks like a flattened, slightly lowered Expedition with a square back. Big deal Ford–how about taking some chances that are a little more daring than faux wood paneling.
03/27, 7:16 PM
posted by:
bigp
do it as long as it sells