Have you ever seen a prototype on the roads?

Have you ever seen a prototype on the roads?

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j500ant

Original Poster:

3,101 posts

239 months

Sunday 25th February 2007
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Just wondered if anyone here had seen a prototype car on the roads?

Way back in the early 90s I saw a Rover 800 in Bristol, with what looked like a Lancia grille. This was a prototype for the facelifted 800 which introduced the saloon with the higher bootlid. On my way back from Brum airport I saw a Rover 800 coupe about 18months before they were out. I also saw a Rover 200 coupe (Tomcat?) around Bath, a number of Rover 200 (25 shape) in Bristol (the 3dr didnt half look like a mk2 Astra when disguised), something that I assume was a Honda or a Rover 600 in Chippenham that was heavily disguised. I also used to see on a very frequent basis the Range Rover that was introduced in about 1994 in Bristol, inc a sand coloured one with an orange light and Highway Maintenance signs on it. I never did carry a camera around tho......... Oh and a Maestro van with BIG wheels (apparently that was a Freelander underneath)

In the more recent past i've seen a Hyundai Santa Fe on the M42, followed by the big Hyundai saloon both all taped up. I saw a Jag S Type with big arches on the road, presumably a mule for the new XF and on my way from the 'Ring last year saw a Nissan Qashqai coming the other way. The new 4dr Bentley done up as a Merc and also a few weeks ago one of the new LR Defenders with the big bonnet & transit engine. And an XK last year, just before they were launched too.

And then last week coming the other way along the M4 was something white with panther stripe camoflage, i'm assuming it was a new Mondeo as it was that size.

Have I just been very lucky and spotted these?

J500ANT

Original Poster:

3,101 posts

239 months

Sunday 25th February 2007
quotequote all
Google Brenda Priddy, she makes good money out of spy shots due to her location. I'd love to do the same, but Bristol is hardly a hotbed now that Rover has gone

J500ANT

Original Poster:

3,101 posts

239 months

Monday 26th February 2007
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twincam16 said:
I've seen two, both of which were weird.

One was a year or so ago - the new Honda CRV. It was all bagged up and the interior was full of electronic monitoring equipment but it was recognisable. Thinking I could grab a tenner from Autocar, I borrowed a mate's digital camera.

Now - there must have been some kind of jamming device on that car because the camera just wouldn't work when pointed in its direction. It worked fine taking test shots of anything else, but this - no.
I know the wiggly lines are used to confuse the autofocus but i've never heard of an electronics jammer.

J500ANT

Original Poster:

3,101 posts

239 months

Monday 26th February 2007
quotequote all
drof said:
5) Take a few rolls of black tape and try and make your window appertures really small, to the point where you can almost see f**k all through the back and side windows. You can also do this to the lights if you wish.
www.smartpics.fotopic.net/p34490384.html

My mate works at Land Rover in Gaydon and did this to her car in readiness for the smartclub London to Brighton run. She was desperate to get it into one of the mags, as lots of people took pics as she was driving down from the Midlands, but alas nothing got published.

It didnt win any of the prizes either, i'd have had it in a Best Dressed category certainly

J500ANT

Original Poster:

3,101 posts

239 months

Thursday 1st March 2007
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skid solo said:
Saw the New Mini Traveller today. Looks strange, especially as it's only 2 dr.
Where did you see that?

J500ANT

Original Poster:

3,101 posts

239 months

Thursday 1st March 2007
quotequote all
superdavros said:
Saw 2 disguised off roaders this morning in Cov.

Can only guess they are Peugeots, as they didn't look Landy-ish at all.
Does Peugeot still have a presence in Cov?

J500ANT

Original Poster:

3,101 posts

239 months

Wednesday 22nd August 2007
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Today while driving into Saarbrucken, Germany - a BMW X6 in black or dark grey. Sadly didn't have my camera to hand. I was surprised as Saarbrucken is a bit of a distance from Munich AND he'd come from the town centre sort of area!