What is this "work at the port" everyone talks about?

[grue]

AS topic. What are they doing at the ports?

 

[JasonH]

Ok, here's the short story (and I won't tell you to do a search, but you should have...)

The black and orange Mazdaspeeds-to-be leave Japan with the wheels, special interiors, intercoolers, and other mechanical bits (diff, driveshafts, clutch, etc.) in place. The rear skirt and spoiler are left off, but the rest of the body is complete. When they get to the "port" in the US (port could be a misnomer, some are no where near water) the rest of the work is done. The turbo manifold, turbo, water, air and oil piping, full exhaust, full stereo system and rear spoiler and skirt are installed.

Wanna see some pictures?

http://www.mazdamp3.com/members/JasonH/pic01.jpg
http://www.mazdamp3.com/members/JasonH/pic02.jpg
http://www.mazdamp3.com/members/JasonH/pic03.jpg
http://www.mazdamp3.com/members/JasonH/pic04.jpg
http://www.mazdamp3.com/members/JasonH/pic05.jpg
http://www.mazdamp3.com/members/JasonH/pic06.jpg
http://www.mazdamp3.com/members/JasonH/pic07.jpg
http://www.mazdamp3.com/members/JasonH/pic08.jpg
http://www.mazdamp3.com/members/JasonH/pic09.jpg
http://www.mazdamp3.com/members/JasonH/pic10.jpg
http://www.mazdamp3.com/members/JasonH/pic11.jpg
http://www.mazdamp3.com/members/JasonH/pic12.jpg
http://www.mazdamp3.com/members/JasonH/pic13.jpg
http://www.mazdamp3.com/members/JasonH/pic14.jpg
http://www.mazdamp3.com/members/JasonH/pic15.jpg
http://www.mazdamp3.com/members/JasonH/pic16.jpg
http://www.mazdamp3.com/members/JasonH/pic17.jpg
http://www.mazdamp3.com/members/JasonH/pic18.jpg
http://www.mazdamp3.com/members/JasonH/pic19.jpg

 

[OrangeAppeal]

Nice port pictures...

where did you get those pictures?

 

[grue]

Thanks for the info, and nice shots!

 

[dafababa]

hey columbo where the hell did you find those beautifull pics at

 

[andr3w]

I believe those shots were taken at Flat Rock, MI where Ford and Mazda co-own "Auto Alliance International." This is where the Mazda 6 is built and it is where Ford stores alot of vehicles. It is an Inland Port, further it is foreign owned so there are some tax benefits from storing there (I think even though Ford is the largest shareholer it only owns a 1/3 of Mazda).

 

[JasonH]

Yeah, the shots are pretty old (August?) and were posted on another board before here. The original poster got them from a friend who worked there, I think.