Checking in - 89 ASC McLaren

hopkins1104 · Post by **hopkins1104** » Fri Nov 12, 2004 7:09 am

Hi, I have an 89 ASC McLaren convert Blue/Blue/Blue -- imported into Australia and converted to Right Hand Drive... one of 5 (I understand into Australia and 2-3 into New Zealand)

1FABP40E4KF243663 is what I have for the VIN/Chasis/Engine Number

Any history .. I have owned it since first registered -- but wanted to add to your registry after all these years

Resides on the norhtern beaches of Sydney, Australia

hopkins1104 · Post by **hopkins1104** » Fri Nov 12, 2004 7:28 am

Sandy, just looked ath pic of your 1990 .... almost identical to my 1989

One question : my car has the mustang 25th anniversary emblems on it ... do you suspect that's because it was exported and then converted to RHD -- the other imports may have not gone on sale until 1990 ... or do I really have a 1990 model manufactured in 1989 ???

Post by **negusm** » Fri Nov 12, 2004 2:01 pm

WELCOME!

Sounds like a nice car!

Sandy should be able to answer all your questions!

-Mike

Sandy · Post by **Sandy** » Fri Nov 12, 2004 5:10 pm

I think that I may have pictures of your car! Does it have red decals/stripes going thru the side moulding indentation? Red ASCMCLAREN decal on the deck lid?

If so, I have photos of it from the prior owner. After I write this, I will go fetch the photos and put the link here, so check back!!

The "K" in the VIN indicates it's a 1989. 1990s were "L" in that spot.
It's one of 17 made in Azura Blue Pearl. Your interior is Medium & Dark Regatta Blue & your roof is Atlantic Blue Cambria Cloth. They altered the 1990s interior to Crystal Blue & Dark Regatta Blue, which yoiu saw on the other post you made.

Is THIS your Car ??

http://images2.fotki.com/v10/photos/4/4 ... ont-vi.jpg

hopkins1104 · Post by **hopkins1104** » Fri Nov 12, 2004 10:08 pm

Thanx Sandy ... I posted on the "tonneau" post ... this is not my car - very close but mine has no red stripes or red decals (I don't like the look of them either) -- I THINK this was the car I saw at auction 8 years ago and stupidly missed buying ...

My car is FA87 OT Azura Blue as you say .... glad to know it IS an 1989 - was painted in July 1989 .. according to the Sikkens sticker

Still puzzled onthe Silver anniversary (25th anniv) emblems and decals on my car -- as purchased from ASC

mustang marty · Post by **mustang marty** » Fri Nov 12, 2004 10:46 pm

FWIW... Ford put the 25th Anniversary emblems on the dashes starting midway through the 1989 model year and reverted back to the plain on during the 1990 model year. I had heard that it was on all Mustangs that were built in in the year of 1989 (with includes early 1990 cars) but I haven't heard that confirmed by any reliable source.

Sandy · Post by **Sandy** » Fri Nov 12, 2004 11:16 pm

BOTH of my 1990s have that small silver plastic emblem on the dash, in front of the passenger side. There are (were) no EXTERIOR special emblems. As I understood it, the Australia car's owner seems to be saying that his does have EXTERIOR emblems AND decals on it? Maybe I missunderstood????

hopkins1104 · Post by **hopkins1104** » Fri Nov 12, 2004 11:45 pm

Sandy,
Mine has no painted decals on outside -- just the 25th Anniv silver stuff

I do recall the other blue 89 convert I saw at the auction had painted stuff onit .. I particularly remember it has "302" painted/featured on the hood .. looked bad to me.. not sure if original or aftermarket. I think it also had the red strips you have pictures of

I will get some photos of mine and post them when I get a chance -- it now needs a bit of work and I will have to source the parts, accessories, etc form the USA and bring them back to Australia.... ouch !!!

My list of goodies to acquire :

1. new top (blue)
2. pull-down motor or tonneau release solenoid (maybe both)
3. all new rubber window/door frame seals
4. latch/hook for left hand side visor/mirror
5. AC/Heater system is a possible - I haven't had (or needed) heating in the car for ove 10 years -- not sure what all I need here...

One small tale ... several years ago I needed brake light bulbs ... Ford in Australia didn't have them... went to the current Mustang importer in Sydney and he wanted A$107 each for them (about US$80) .. and only had three left ... so on a trip to Hawaii I rock up to a Ford dealer, they determine (from my service manual/owners guide) that they bulbs are same as (I think) a Mercury model .. .. and "do you want the bulb only or the entire fitting???" How much ?? US$4 for the bulbs and $25 for the large casing... How many you have left ?? Eight ... OK, I'll take 6 and leave you some and two casings.... all for less than what I would pay in Australia for one stupid bulb...

So when you are thinking parts are hard to find, give us a thought for what we have to put up with.... but I LOVE the car

Sandy · Post by **Sandy** » Sat Nov 13, 2004 1:24 am

This must be an across the pond night. Just got off the phone with an owner in London, England! He needs parts! {what else is new?}

The 2 biggest problems are "my roof will not release from my tonneau" (Bad problem) and "My Air Conditioning quit" (easy to fix ~ MAJOR money, like $2,000.00)

Otherwise the 'Verts don't have too many problems.

hopkins1104 · Post by **hopkins1104** » Sat Nov 13, 2004 1:38 am

Sounds like the one over the pond has siame basic issues mine has ... interested to compare notes on what it takes to fix it

Post by **negusm** » Sat Nov 13, 2004 2:05 am

Sandy wrote:The 2 biggest problems are "my roof will not release from my tonneau" (Bad problem) and "My Air Conditioning quit" (easy to fix ~ MAJOR money, like $2,000.00)

My AC is busted too.

I picked up a brand new compressor off from Ebay for like $175 with the pulley! I just need to find out where its leaking from. I may need to take it into a shop to have them put a dye in it, but I don't think its going to cost nearly $2k. The system is just not that complicated. I just need to find the leak.

If the leak is in the heater or the compressor is shot, I can see where a dealer is going to charge you MAJOR $$$$. They would have to drop the dash to get in the heater (5+ hour job) and the compressor would run at least $450.

-Mike

Sandy · Post by **Sandy** » Sat Nov 13, 2004 2:21 am

My Silver car needed a new compressor, all fittings and associated hardware, hoses and more. It was totally rebuilt with all 100% brand new factory OEM parts. The total job was $1,800.00 at my dealer plus tax of $108.00. It blows so cold, I use it on Medium ! They did a great job, and left no fingerprints...exceptionall neat. As you know, I do no work on my own. I have learned which end of the pliers opens ! Mechanics baffle me no end.

Post by **negusm** » Sat Nov 13, 2004 2:40 am

Yep, I can see if you need EVERYTHING redone by the dealer $2k is possible.

Knowing my luck, I'll probably have $500 into it just in parts....I have a new evaporator canister on the car already. Its probably in a connection or the condensor up front.

-Mike

hopkins1104 · Post by **hopkins1104** » Sat Nov 13, 2004 2:51 am

Sandy, of the $1800 how much was parts and how much labor ?? may need to source all the parts and bring them out to Aust .... and have my mechanic do the job ...

I hear different stories on quality of the convertible tops that Hank has in Florida ... versus the AA Best Co ones now on ebay -- what would be your recommendation ?? Not certain that the AA Best ones are the smae material -- it is not heir "special" Mercedes premium top material by the looks of it... but they are half the price of what may be a very used top from Hank...

Post by **negusm** » Sat Nov 13, 2004 2:56 am

I think Hank has the original tops. I don't know if he is remanufacturing any as of yet. I would probably go with an original asc one as the top seems to be the focal point of the entire car since they are so distinctive when the top is up.

The repros are probably decent but it seems alot have slight changes from the originals.

-Mike