Sorry guys. I just checked back on this thread and saw the discussion about RealProwlerFan. This is why I would like to talk to the guy.
Above is the original post showing avatar info but below is a copy of the content. Either Umpire 13 or PaceGuy has since determined that #309 is alive and well somewhere, CA I believe. It doesn't seem like this guy was BS'ing but as he is no longer an active member, I have no way of accessing all of his old posts, other than stumbling across them like this one I found. I'd love to know who his source @ LCC was if this is in fact a true story.
In July when I tured the assembly plant, I was in vin#309. Truck had 2300 miles and these were still the "mules". Previous vins were to be crushed as weren't saleable cars. Bodies have been brought to crusher with security personal to supervise to make sure that they don't end up in a garage with a different drivetrain. The test driver hated to discuss the crushing, but says yes, this one will be crushed and that was #309 in July. Going to drive by plant today and hope to see trucks on Leaseway Car Haulers!
#309 was one of the original 68 WD-1 Pilots that definitely could have been referred to as a "mule".
Maybe you could do a search on the Prowler site for him!
I too am searching. I sent an email to one of the new owners and an old time member of 2 of the prowler sites!
got messages back yesterday and noone seems to be able to find him!
Debbie is correct... due to testing and the validation process those SSRs could not be sold to the public and had to be crushed. Too bad we couldn't have saved some of those parts for our future use though.
Debbie is correct... due to testing and the validation process those SSRs could not be sold to the public and had too be crushed. To bad we couldn't have saved some of those parts for our future use though.
The mules as referred to by Debbie were used to get the assembly lines built and prove out all the fixtures and jigs made to produce the production cars. I used to build panels for mules that were actually carbon fiber layups from CNC milled Ren plank models. These were than assembled using the test jigs and an entire vehicle would be assembled. They were also used to see if any assembly operations would be effected so earlier changes could be made if necessary.
the carbon fiber panels were most often made available before any serious cutting was done on the Stamping dies.
Mules would then be made from kirksite dies stamped panels were assembled again and fine tuned the line using these mules (generation II) and then final mules using cast iron stamping dies were built and sent down the line to test. These vehicles were more costly to build and could not be sold since they cost more to build. GM could write off the entire value by crushing them rather than selling them for less and not being able to put the cost toward the development. It makes entire economic sense when you understand that!
Here is an old post with a pic of a couple crusher destined bodies.
I spent a fair amount of time on the phone with Ron who wanted to be helpful but I was unable to garner factual information.
Obtaining the VIN's is my goal for the Deceased file but I keep hitting dead ends.
There must be a record of these VIN's. I expect a lot will be in the VIN#3B100300 and up sequence.
Short of someone having the ability to search a whack of titles I haven't determined a way to get to them.
If anyone does find "realprowlerfan" please let me know.
Great info. We need more of this kind of information to help us understand the build process. I had no idea there were that many steps to be taken before an assembly line was ready for production.
Makes the Signature Series undertaking even more amazing. Didn't understand the statement in An American Original that in any other build process those would have all been crushed. That now fits in with the process you describe.
I wonder if we should try and get "Page 3" posts moved from this thread to a separate one?
Anyone with info about crushing mules or other related discussion here isn't likely to be spotting this thread to post in.
I was an invited guest to Woodward first SSR gathering by Chevy and I was sent #471 of 500 pewter SSR display. Scott in Grand Rapids Mi.
I am here. What can I answer? Do you happen to own a SSR that I owned?
Might be interesting to list the first 25 to see how many might surface along the way.
Bob Walczyk has documented that those were sent to the original purchasers of the Signature Series after they were auctioned. They should have remained with the trucks, but the majority would appear to be sitting on the desks of the dealership principals.
Very likely, Bob McDorman has all of his for #2 - 5, Mike did get his with #7. Several of the Signatures are still owned by the original purchasing dealerships.
If they're listed it might prompt those Signature owners who have possession of the pewter plaques to come out of hiding.
It'll take some time, but I'll try to document where they are with some phone calls. Heck, I might even find the one for #12 along the way, or help Jay find his. We think #23 is still in a box in some storage room in Texas.
I have been with the Prowleronline club for 10 years now, and I have never heard of this person.
Does anyone know the value of these Pewter SSR awards, as I am considering selling my collection of SSR collectables.
Please check out the TOYS & MEMORABILIA SECTION FOR OTHER ITEMS.
If you have one, please post number on this thread. THANK YOU.
Please post the number of your PEWTER MODEL.
Jim thanks for listing my pewter model in here. It was picked up in Florida from the previous owner in November, but in January it made the trip to Canada. Dont tell customs!!
I'll let you know when it makes the trip back to Florida for a winter break in March.
It wasn't me, I don't "bid" on parts or accessories.
It is one of 500 that were made, and given out by Chevrolet from what I have read for various reasons. To say they are tuff to come by would be correct from what I have seen and also read. I was watching that one on E-PAY that was taken off auction prematurely a few months ago. I was so P'd OFF, I wrote the seller a quick email telling him that was BS for taking it off auction.
I'm pleased that you're pleased with your new "Dust Collector".
You may not value this item. Many of us do. Disparaging remarks are unnecessary. I guess I am one of the greater fools you refer to, because I paid a lot more than $100 for one, but not as much as the person who paid around $1200 for one of these. It was obviously worth that to him.
I'll get this out of the way right now to the members and readers of this forum. MY POST WAS IN NO WAY TO BE INTERPRETED THAT I HAD WON THE DISPLAY AND WAS GLOATING ABOUT IT If was taken this way ......I APOLOGIZE TO ALL THAT I OFFENDED!..... Onward.
I guess that I'm a lot bigger fool than you ...... I started "MY FOOLISHNESS" some 20 years ago in collecting 1947 to 1957 tonka trucks I have amassed a collection of over a 100 of these "RIGS" that were made in Mound, Minnesota that are "ALL" in pristine condition along with their original boxes "MY DUST COLLECTORS" as how I like to refer to them. Were bought/collected long before E-BAY, they were bought at the time from a price range of $100 to $300.
You can call me a "FOOL" anytime!
Flassh, I did not read a disparaging remark from Lakecat - who's the bigger fool? The guy that paid too much now, or the guy that pays too much later? There's no question in my mind that # 430 and the rest of the statues will continue to increase in value over the years, just like SSR's will after they have bottomed out.
My angst over the whole issue of the # 430 statue was not how much it cost, but how it was sold. It turned out to be an online auction that was updated publicly until after the end date, and then the sale price was not stated. That gives the seller a lot of wiggle room, too much in my opinion. This is happening a lot lately on the Forum, and I don't care for the way the sales are being handled. That is why I stated that I would not bid on it, even though I would have liked to have it.
You are absolutely correct Flash but it wasn't disparaging. For all what Doug does for this forum and for the members here, I think he deserved it. When he stated that he wanted it, others should have backed off. Rubbing it in a little was a message that no one got I suppose.