1988 Ford Splash - AllCarIndex

Official pess release:

Adding dash -- and splash -- to Ford Division's auto show truck exhibit is the Splash multi-purpose concept vehicle.

Designed with flexibility in mind, Splash was created by four transportation students from the industrial design department of the Center for Creative Studies in Detroit.

In assigning the project, Ford Vice President - Design Jack Telnack asked the students to design and build a vehicle they would like to use year around as well as on a summer weekend. In its various forms, Splash can be a scuba, ski or surfing vehicle, a sports car or even a weekend skiing vehicle.

Two keys to this flexibility are all-wheel drive and a special variable ride height and attitude system that enables the driver to adjust the ride height to suit the specific driving conditions. For around town or highway travel, ride height can be lowered to that of a conventional car. In moving off road, the ride height quickly can be increased to provide additional ground clearance for negotiating rough, uneven terrain without bottoming out.

The top-down feel of a convertible can be achieved by removing Splash's windows, roof panel and hatch. Interior fabrics and colors -- fluorescent blue with magenta accents -- have been chosen with the open-air use in mind. The upholstery is the same durable, rubberized material used in scuba wet suits.

Safety was a major design consideration and Splash has an integral roll cage and special four-point harness-type safety belt system for all four occupants.

Other features include retractable high-mount, high-intensity driving lamps for extra illumination needed during nighttime offroad driving. Deployable mud flaps move up and out of the way during off-road use, but can be lowered into position for highway driving to protect Splash's body from mud and stones.

Splash is the result of a joint effort between Ford and Autodynamics Corporation of American, a Detroit prototype engineering firm that has worked with Ford on previous concept vehicles. Other members of the development team were Ford's Design Center and Truck Operations, and Ford suppliers including Goodyear, Kelsey-Hayes and Rubatex.

This project began in the spring of 1988 when the four Center for Creative Studies students were hired to work during their summer break. They were given a great deal of freedom in deciding vehicle type, size and design philosophy. Autodynamics began the actual construction of the driveable vehicle in September, when the students returned to school for the beginning of the fall semester.

Length:    143 inches
Width: 70 inches
Wheelbase: 93 inches
Tread: 53 inches

Engine & performance:

Drive: 4WD

Dimensions:

Length: 3630 mm

Width: 1780 mm

Wheelbase: 2360 mm