Yep. You read the title right.
http://www.insideline.com/toyota/tun...etirement.html
Quote:
A 2012 Toyota Tundra CrewMax will tow the space shuttle Endeavour to its final resting place at the California Science Center.
The full-size pickup will tow the 292,500-pound shuttle for the last quarter mile of its journey.
Toyota currently has a Tundra on display at the California Science Center and will replace it with the tow Tundra after the Endeavour exhibit opens on October 30.
TORRANCE, California — Toyota announced that a 2012 Toyota Tundra CrewMax will tow the space shuttle Endeavour during the final leg of its journey to the California Science Center on October 13.
The Endeavour shuttle is slated to make a 12-mile city street trek from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to the California Science Center. The 2012 Toyota Tundra will be towing it for the last quarter mile. Toyota says that it worked with heavy lifting and transport company The Sarens Group to engineer a special dolly that would allow the truck to haul the 292,500-pound shuttle.
The tow vehicle will be a completely stock 2012 Tundra CrewMax half-ton pickup, and Toyota makes sure to emphasize the point that the truck has no additional modifications to increase towing capacity or engine output. That specific vehicle has a 5.7-liter V8 under the hood that churns out 381 horsepower and 401 pound-feet of torque.
"There is no larger or more recognizable icon of the U.S. space program's success than the shuttle, and to have it towed by the Toyota Tundra is not only an incredible example of the capabilities of the truck, but an honor to be part of history," said Ed Laukes, Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A vice president of marketing communications.
Toyota currently has a Tundra on display at the California Science Center and will replace it with the tow Tundra after the Endeavour exhibit opens on October 30.
Edmunds says: A real honor for Toyota, but will anyone question why a domestic truck didn't snag this prestigious job?
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What the article failed to mention, is that the transporter carrying Endeavour moves most of the load by itself.
