I am a little late to this thread but the subject has been on my mind for months!
This is a great photo, I saved it to an album of I keep of ST photos. It's interesting to think that my 2010 was built almost 1 year earlier to the day of the last truck shown! It's also fun to think that many in that photo actually had a hand in building my truck, how often can you see who built your vehicle?
As a fun bit of trivia, it seems the last ST travelled 207 miles (by truck I assume) from it's birthplace in Louisville, KY to the Crosville, TN dealer. Where does it go from there? ? ?
I actually anticipated production to end in December, that's why I just checked the forum now.
Isn't the Louisville plant going to make the new Explorer?
As sad as it is to have no more new STs, I just hope the people in the photo will still have a job?
I'll never forget the first time I saw photos of the SportTrac at MotorTrend online circa. late 2000. At the time I was driving a 1999 F-150 and needed the bigger bed of the truck. I found myself not in the position to buy a new vehicle for a few years later.
Seriously considered a bare bones new ST with 5-Speed back in 2003 but passed on it for a new 2003 yellow SuperCab Ranger Edge which was traded for a 2004 Tundra (hated it!) and then a 2006 Dodge Ram 1500 (which was great)
Fast forward to 2009 and traded the '06 Ram for my first ST, a used 5,000 mile 2008 XLT 4X4 and absolutely fell in in love! It's a car, it's a truck, it does EVERYTHING I need!
A little further ahead to summer 2010 and I traded the '08 for a 2010 Limited 4X4 V8 loaded with everything - the finest, highest-trimmed vehicle I've ever owned. Plan to keep it many years or at least to my 100,000 warranty. Obviously, my history shows I trade often, I really don't feel the need to that until something as versatile as my 2010 V8 4X4 Limited comes along
I'm sure Ford will eventually bring out something in this segment. I think their F150 is a brilliant truck in many aspects but size.
The ST had a good and proud run. I seen many in beautiful shape which is testament to peoples' affinity for the concept.
Take Care Fellow ST Fans,
B3