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ascMcLaren Coupe Modifications

 
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negusm
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Joined: 25 Aug 2004
Posts: 5188
Location: Charlotte, NC

PostPosted: Sun Aug 29, 2004 2:05 am    Post subject: ascMcLaren Coupe Modifications Reply with quote

From Sandy Block's Postings:

I have been in contact with a former assembly-line worker at what was
ascMcLaren on Autry Avenue in Livonia, Michigan during the 1985-1986
build. This man was on the line with the ascMcLarens, not the Buick
Gran National GNX cars. He sent me a copy of all the alterations and
modifacations done to these COUPES by both FoMoCo AND ascMclaren. I
will herewith post one section every day or two (or three) ~

Memos dated 11/84 & 11/85 - Pre-Tense in both cases.

* Genuine Leather Wrapped Steering Wheel - SVO Style (AM)
* Genuine Leather Wrapped Trasnsmission Shift Lever (AM)
* Re-Trimmed Interior Seat Material that features Piping that is
Color Matched to the Interior, replacing the normal Vermillion-Red
Piping with matched Grey Piping, so as NOT to clash with the
Popsicle Orange Exterior Decals/Logos & Striping. (F)
* ascMcLaren Logo Front Floor Mats and rear mats without logo. (AM)
* 140 MPH Speedometer Replacing the normal 85 MPH unit (AM)
* Built-In Whistler Spectrum-II Superhetrodyne Remote Integral Radar
Detector. (AM)
* Alpine 7272 Am/Fm ETR Stereo Radio with Graphic Equalizer and
Cassette Tape Player with Special Kenwood Speakers located in the
Rear Cargo Area. (1986) (AM)
* Kenwood Am/Fm Stereo Radio and Cassette Tape Player. (1985) (AM)
* Fila {Brand} Custom Air Horn (AM)
* Air Conditioning made Standard Equipment (F)
* Instrument Panel LIMITED EDITION Plaque with sequence-of-build at
ascMcLaren number. (AM) (1986 only - EXCLUDING EuroCoupe)

>> (AM) means this alteration was performed by ascMcLaren.
>> (F) means this alteration was performed by FoMoCo on or at the
Dearborn Assembly Plant.

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Part II, the Exterior (1985-1986 Coupes Excluding EuroCoupe).

* ascMcLaren Specific Lower Front Air Dam with HELLA {brand} Fog
Lamps, wired to stock RS under dash mounted switch-gear.
* ascMcLaren logo decal applied to hood buldge, off center to left.
* Above deleted for 1986, replaced by a chrome ascMcLaren emblem
affixed over the "mercury" emblem in between grille bars.
* ascMcLaren specific side lower ground effect skirting.
* ascMcLaren rear under bumper valance panel with exhaust pipe cutouts.
* Color-Keyed finishing moulding at rear, between rear valance & stock
bumper.
* Black finishing moulding at front, between air dam and stock bumper
* Side rear quarter air management window appliques in dark lexan
plastic to cut down wind turbulance and streamline air flow.
Triangle appliques set into unique ascMcLaren frame rails.
* Mock Air Vent blackened appliques affixed to 3 mock air-vents.
* Side Rear Quarter Appliques omitted when ordered with T-Tops. 3
triangle mock air vent appliques remain with T-Top.
* Light Smoke Lexan Plastic Headlamp & Taillamp Covers with rubber
weather-stripping mouldings.
* Rear Deck-Lid "Whale-Tail" spoiler of moulded injection hard
rubber. Color Keyed on certain colors. TBD (means: To Be Decided).
* 360-degree accent tape stripe on all lowest edges of vehicle,
encircling front air dam, side skirting, & rear under bumper valance
panel. (Omit on Oxford White Cars !) Colors:
Popsicle Orange; Raven Black; Platinum Silver.
* Matching color rear Hatch decal logo on right-side, over taillmap.
* Mid-Bodyside above side moulding McLaren-Style decal stripe from
side door to rear, around rear under taillamp to oppisite side
forward to door. Both sides end with ascMcLaren logo decal. Same
colors as above. (Note: This was installed on Oxford White cars).

------------------------------------------------------------------------

1985/1986 ascMcLaren COUPE Chassis Mods
As on the prior EXTERIOR, all Mods are ascMcLaren done, except where
noted, if any....

CHASSIS:-

* Employ MCLAREN Specific Damper Units & Springs to achieve better
cornering & a softer ride than the TRX System from Ford.
* Modify Caster/Camber for front of vehicle to maximize
performance of upgraded tire & wheel combination. Re-Calibtrate
Wheel Alignment Settings.
Settings Min. >>>>>>>> Pref. >>>>>>> Max
Caster >>>> 1/2 >>>>>>>> 1-1/4 >>>>>> 2
Camber >>>> - 3/4 >>>>>> - 3/4 >>>>>> -3/4
Tow In >>>> 1/16 >>>>>> 3/16 >>>>>> 5/16

For Racing Use: Camber -3/4
Total Tow In 3/16

* Increase Suspension Bushing Durometer.
* Revise Power Steering to give more feedback & sensitivity by
employing Thunderbird Turbo Coupe Tie Rod Tips.
* Install Carrera 50/50 Hi-Po shocks & lower suspension 1.5 inches
together with Higher Rate Springs for a lower center of gravity.
* Tires: B.F. Goodrich Comp T/A High Performance Low Profile to
maximize the handling & ride quality and add visual impact.
P225/50x15 VR-Series.

* Revise Brake System by installing a Ford Motorsport Brake
Proportioning Valve.

Now....Here comes the "grey" area....
Scheduled to be done, but killed off in the 11th hour (a few such
cars will built....) was the next Mod. This was killed off as it
violated the SAE guidelines and wouild have required crash testing
which they were not prepaired to do:-

* Revise Brake System by changing linings to Sintered Metallic
materials

* On 5-Speed cars change shift linkage to HURST to shorten throw &
give a tighter feel. (I have no proof of this ever being done. You guys
might know better than I, on THIS one!!). I do not believe it was done.

* Wheels:-
Imported from Campagnolo from Italy 15" x 7" Cast Aluminum with
rolled rim in BBS-Style (STYLE!!) waffle-Grid design, enamel-baked
on color with clearcoat glaze on Popsicle Orange and Oxford White
examples. Imported into the USA by the MSW Wheel Corp. Also
offered in Anthracite and Oxfore White.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

ENGINE.

* Replace Rocker Arms to Increase Usabe Rev Limit to 7000 RPM.
(Power Gain of 5%).
* Upgrade Exhaust Header (Stainless Steel) Internal Mandrel Bent to
include Exhaust Port Liners to be tuned with lower restriction
exhaust.
* Tuned Muffler to Reduce Back-Pressure & Enhance Exhaust Note.
* Prototype Valve Springs & Prototype Valve Guides
* B-303 Ford Motorsport Hi Po Cam

All modifications done by FORD under D32 code.

Keep in mind that I am just copying from ascMcLaren Internal "FINAL MEMO"
Pre-Job1 Program. Again, this was to apply ONLY to 1985/1986 Full Packaged
Coupes, which covers 150 1985s & 115 1986s, for a grand total of 265 cars.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Side note describing one more interesting fact on how these cars were
"modified" by Ford before getting to asc:

Coupes were RS (5.0) with a SPECIAL DELETE OPTION,
called "Sports Delete Package" ~~ It resulted in a window sticker
credit of $317.00 MSRLP & 269.45 invoice. It was ON ALL ascMcLaren
COUPES ! Mandatory, part of the build !!

What was deleted? The Front Air Dam, the Front Fog Lamps and the
bodyside lower Flat Charcoal Paint Treatment. Installed was the RS
under dash switchgear for the Fog Lamps and all wiring therefore.
Only the actual lamps were deleted. Another Rare mandatory option
was the "Radio Prep. Group" this was the Dash Speakers, wiring to
the rear for the installation of rear speakers at ascMcLaren, the
Antenna, and all related antenna wiring & hardware and anti static
devices. Only deleted was the actual radio (code 58Y, stereo delete).
NO dash plate to cover hole was installed by Ford.

The 5.0 badge was also omitted, along with the lower charcoal 2-tone paint.

All of these were included in the D32 build code in addition to the
dark blue (of the year) for cars ordered in dk blue. This was more
of an override than an option, allowing the dk. blue in combo with a
RS code, to sneak it by the computers.

--------------------------------------------------------------------
Production Notes on 86 FP Coupes:

Pertaining to 1986 Hatchback Coupes, here is what I found:

17.50% or Exactly 28 cars had the manual Pop-Up Sun Roof.
07.35% or Exactly 12 cars had the T-Roof Option.
25.30% or Exactly 41 cars had the Power Door Locks & Remote Hatch
Release.

These above figures & percentages pertain to the 115
Full-Packaged 1986 asc/McLaren {Mercury Capri} Hatchback
Coupes. These cars are the ones with the Dash Plaque that
says:
"LIMITED EDITION..............#____"

Of the 115 Full-Packaged Coupes, as previously stated, nine
(9) were ordered & built with Automatic Transmission,
released for order in 1986, and 106 were 5-Speeds. Of the
9 built with automatic, I have located 4,
(including the one that resides in my garage)
_________________
1985 ascMcLaren Coupe - Midnight Blue
Under Restoration
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