asc Build number for my 85 vert

KHummel66 · Post by **KHummel66** » Sat Apr 17, 2010 1:06 am

I'm trying to figure out what the build sequence # is for my 85 vert. The "Designed by" plate is missing.

There are two possible clues I came across; one in the paperwork I received from the previous owner, the other on the car itself.

In the paperwork, I found the original Warranty Card (oddly enough, the car was sold new out of KY, only about 4 hours from me). Written in the top corner of the card is "7-069" - could my car be #69? The CUN is 614080, which seems rather high for that low of a sequence #, but I thought I'd ask.

On the car itself, on the driver's side door, the number "7670" is written in yellow paint on the door jamb just above the VC label. Could that give any indication of the sequence #?

As an FYI, also included with the paperwork are: the original ascMcLaren "5.0 SC Convertible Folding Top Operation Manual," a "Mounting and Operating Instructions for Recaro Seats" booklet, and "Warranty Registration Card" for the Recaro seats - one for the right and one for the left, as well as some original Mercury Capri docs.

Kentennis · Post by **Kentennis** » Sat Apr 17, 2010 1:21 am

I have the Recaro seat instructions except for the center 4 pages. It would be both sides of one sheet. Any way you could copy them and mail them to me?

CHAZ · Post by **CHAZ** » Sat Apr 17, 2010 1:54 pm

I can sorta point you in a general direction.... although, ASC didn't apply the plaques in any exact order. For example, this 85 I saved just so happens to be #614082 and is plq. #281. But #614084 is plq. # 243

There's also higher vin's than ours with lower plq. #'s & plaque #'s in the 300's as well.
Wish I could be of more help..

KHummel66 · Post by **KHummel66** » Sat Apr 17, 2010 2:13 pm

Kentennis wrote:I have the Recaro seat instructions except for the center 4 pages. It would be both sides of one sheet. Any way you could copy them and mail them to me?

I'll try making copies this w/e to see how they work out. I'll let you know.

CHAZ wrote:I can sorta point you in a general direction.... although, ASC didn't apply the plaques in any exact order. For example, this 85 I saved just so happens to be #614082 and is plq. #281. But #614084 is plq. # 243 There's also higher vin's than ours with lower plq. #'s & plaque #'s in the 300's as well. Wish I could be of more help..

OK, so generally speaking, it looks like mine most likely had a # in the mid 200's. Maybe.

What really confuses me is the higher #'s. There were only 257 verts made in 85, so how can there be plaque #'s in the 280's and 300's? Did the 85 #'s include the 84's. Is the very first 85 #'d 51?

Post by **negusm** » Sat Apr 17, 2010 2:16 pm

Vins don't have any bearing on the numbers really. I think some years they put the plaques on in the order they modified the cars but they didn't order the cars by vin.

Sandy · Post by **Sandy** » Sat Apr 17, 2010 2:43 pm

Oh my God, I have explained this 511 times. 512 herewith:-

First answer:

ascMclaren ordered their stock of Mustangs, using their assigned (by FoMCo) build code of "D32". That is ALL they had to add, and any requested # of identical "mules" were made, identically. Only thing ascMcLaren had to add was the QUANTITY requested. Now then, the cars WERE definately built in sequentional VINs, AT FORD! Now, they began arriving at Autry Ave in Livona, Michigan.
Picture in your mind a large gravel parking area. The cars are taken off and lined up & parked. (Are the employees going to line them up in equential order? NO Now then, as they bring in 2, 3, 3 or 4 units for CONVERSION, they are gonna bring in a car (or cars) based upon ascMcLaren's NEEDS based upon DEALER order.
The ONLY 2 things needed to be matched to the dealer order that cannot be altered are

1. THE TYPE OF TRANSMISSION
2. THE INTERIOR COLOR

All else is gonna be altered/changed in the convertible process.
Every car in the storage lot is BLACK !!!!! (Exect for units with BLUE interior. Those cars are WHITE !!! (The FoMoCo 'puter kicked out a combo of black exterior WITH blue interior).

All the cars in the lot were Black or White. All White Cars had Blue interior.
Black cars had Red, Beige, Grey, or Black ) interiors !!! (Black in 1990 only)

Cars with their wipers in the "UP" position (on the windshield) WERE 5-SPEED STICKS while cars with their windshierld wipers in the "parked" (or down) postion were Automatics.

When the porter went out to bring in a few mules - that was all he cared about, the interior color AND how the wipers were left.

Remember, there can be 150 cars out in the lot.

So, that is how / why the dash plaques DO NOT follow the VIN !!!

Sandy · Post by **Sandy** » Sat Apr 17, 2010 3:39 pm

" Is the very first 85 #'d 51? "

I am not sure. Possibly... Can't verify so wil not say for sure.

We do lnow for positive that 1988s & 1990s did NOT start over, as
internally, ascMcLaren considered 1987 & 1988 as "SERIES I" and 1989 & 1990 as "Series II".

1986 COUPES did NOT continue the numbering of the 1985s.
1986 Coupes were 001-114.

Sandy · Post by **Sandy** » Sat Apr 17, 2010 3:58 pm

1987 Dash Plaques are: 001 - 479

1988 Dash Plaques are: 480 - 1,494

1989 Dash Plaques are: 001 - 247

1990 Dash Plaques are: 248 - 300

1990 25th Anniversary Edition Dash Plaques were: 1200 - 1211

(However, the plaques were installed BEFORE the cars were
altered. In the end, ONLY 2 such cars were actually made.
bearing Dash Plaques # 1204 & 1207. The other 10 units
bear those numbers beginning with "12" but were ultimately completed
as regular 1990 asc McLarens.)

I own # 1204 & 1207 lives in Florida.

tfs2121 · Post by **tfs2121** » Sun Apr 18, 2010 11:21 am

Sandy wrote:"1986 COUPES did NOT continue the numbering of the 1985s.
1986 Coupes were 001-114.

1985 coupes have NO sequence numbering. only 84 and 86 coupes got tags.

Sandy · Post by **Sandy** » Sun Apr 18, 2010 2:18 pm

I assume the 1985 & 1986 Capri-Based Converts were handled in the same manner. I was told all 1985 Capri 'Verts were FoMoCo painted black, but in 1986, Blue interior was added, so, those blue-interiored cars were made in white at the Ford Factory.

Peter, how come no dash plaques on 1985 COUPES? R U Sure? Did the 25 1984 Coupes have plaques? I have actually never seen in person a 84 or 85 Coupe. Verts, yes... Coupes, No. Have seen MANY 1986 Coupes & Converts.

Post by **negusm** » Sun Apr 18, 2010 8:23 pm

Never heard of a dash plaque on any 85 Coupes. Not even an ascMcLaren decal on the dash like the 86s.

86s, yes.

-Mike

tfs2121 · Post by **tfs2121** » Tue Apr 20, 2010 12:09 am

Sandy wrote:I assume the 1985 & 1986 Capri-Based Converts were handled in the same manner. I was told all 1985 Capri 'Verts were FoMoCo painted black, but in 1986, Blue interior was added, so, those blue-interiored cars were made in white at the Ford Factory.

Peter, how come no dash plaques on 1985 COUPES? R U Sure? Did the 25 1984 Coupes have plaques? I have actually never seen in person a 84 or 85 Coupe. Verts, yes... Coupes, No. Have seen MANY 1986 Coupes & Converts.

im not sure why the 85 coupes never got sequence numbers. but i always wanted to know why 85 verts got them and coupes didnt. im not sure about 84 coupes. never seen one.

Sandy · Post by **Sandy** » Tue Apr 20, 2010 1:20 am

I have never seen a 1984 up close & personal. However, I had one (1) on my listing, and the owner offered up the Dash Plaque # of 017.
That's why I just sssumed that 1985s were numbered.
They were all the dark blue/orange scheme, like your car.

KHummel66 · Post by **KHummel66** » Wed May 05, 2010 12:29 am

Kentennis wrote:I have the Recaro seat instructions except for the center 4 pages. It would be both sides of one sheet. Any way you could copy them and mail them to me?

Sorry about the delay, a lot of stuff going on lately; but I have copies made of the center pages. PM me your address and I'll get them out to you.

KHummel66 · Post by **KHummel66** » Sun May 09, 2010 5:15 pm

I've made a PDF copy of the top manual from my 85 vert. It's been suggested that it may be worthwhile to have it posted on the site for access by everyone. However, I can't seem to copy it from my computer into this post. Any suggestions would be appreciated.