Kid 'E-Car' to Patrol the Automotive Hall of Fame
22 July 1998
Kid 'E-Car' to Patrol the Automotive Hall of Fame DEARBORN, Mich., July 22 -- Kids can have fun in a car made
just for them, and learn something at the same time with "E-Car, The E-Patrol
Talking Car."
Made possible by Ford Motor Company , this interactive,
environmental exhibit is making a pit stop at the Automotive Hall of Fame in
Dearborn, Michigan, now until October 12.
Styled and sized for school-age children, the E-Car, while not driveable,
is fully equipped with working head and tail lights, as well as an authentic
suspension and steering system that moves at the young "driver's" command.
"The Automotive Hall of Fame is excited about hosting this vehicle," says
Dan Kroupa, Manager of Education and Outreach for the Hall of Fame. "It is a
great experience for the entire family to learn about preserving the
environment."
"We are delighted to bring the E-Patrol display to the Automotive Hall of
Fame," says Andy Acho, Director of Environmental Outreach and Strategy at Ford
Motor Company. "We will continue to develop innovative methods to incorporate
environmentally-friendly components in our vehicles. Equally important is our
dedication to environmental education. While explaining about recycling and
the environment, the E-Patrol also includes action tips that can be taken by
children and adults to help -- such as purchasing products made from recycled
materials."
The E-car's interior features a dashboard video monitor, allowing young
"drivers" to view selections from the E-Patrol Members Only! television
vignette series. These children-friendly TV messages address environmental
information, including native flowers and trees and recycling household trash.
On the exterior, E-car shares more recycling information through digital
audio recordings triggered by the touch of a button at each of the 10
locations across the surface of the car. Identified by textured orange and
green spiral-shaped arrows, each button lights up as it activates an
independent CD player. Several children can play (and hear) several messages
at the same time.
"This is a fun exhibit that really turns heads," says Kroupa. "The
exterior features a five-color neon paint job, American Racing wheels, and
extra-wide, high-performance Goodyear Eagle racing tires. Young people are
having a good time with this, and consequently, they listen to what the car
says about the importance of recycling."
The E-Car was custom built on a frame crafted from 240 feet of recycled
steel tubing. It took 14 people working full-time more than two-months to
complete E-car. Many more were involved in its features and design. Sanding
E-Car's fiberglass body required 210 man-hours and painting took three full
days.
E-Car is equipped with 30 lighting fixtures, 10 amplifiers, and 10 CD
players. Its lights and speakers use over 2,000 feet of wire. Three
batteries weighing three hundred pounds power E-Car.
The Automotive Hall of Fame is designed to be a visitor attraction and
educational resource. It celebrates accomplished people of the worldwide
motor vehicle industry for the purpose of inspiring others, especially young
people, to higher levels of achievement in their own work and lives. It is a
unique "people place" of innovation and inspiration where interactive
experiences and one-on-one demonstrations are entertaining and enlightening.
Automotive Hall of Fame hours of operation are Memorial Day to October 31,
open 7 days a week, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; November through Memorial Day, open
Tuesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Admission is $6 adult, $5.50 senior (62+) and $3 youth (ages 5-12). The
Hall of Fame is at 21400 Oakwood Boulevard, Dearborn, Michigan, adjacent to
the Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village.
