'86 Coupe info

[ChuckG]

When my '85 was stolen in May of '86, I called ASC, expecting I'd never get my car back & would end up buying an '86 in replacement.

They told me then and in June when I got my insurance check that Coupe production was already complete (and there were none at Autry).

After a short meeting and a bunch of calls made by ASC while I toured the Autry facility, they found me my '86 Coupe (#23) at Northtowne in KC. The dealer flew me out & I drove the car first to Atlanta (to visit my mom), then Detroit.

Now why would they tell me coupe production had stopped and hide all the coupes every time I visited in May-June of '86 if they built them until September?

[Sandy]

I have absolutely no idea, other than 2 people told us different things.
Perhaps the September date was the date the last unit was sold, at a dealership? That's the only explanation I can think of.
When I bought mine, I know for a fact it was the last week of August of 1986. I could never forget that, becaue I was AT Wayne L-M in Wayne, New Jersey. I wanted a coupe, but not in the dark blue, nor white, as I wanted a "new for '86" color - so that it LOOKED like a 1986, so I was looking for either the Smoke Grey or the Silver, or Black. They had one of each, and the Smoke did "it" for me. While I was signing the paper work in the showroom 3 salesmen bolted outdoors as the first transport with 1987s was pulling into their driveway. There were Lincolns & Mercs on the truck AND a dark blue Coupe (McLaren) and a White McLaren convert, with tan top & tan interior with Recaros. Both were 5-Speeds.
It was definately the last week of August. I looked them over and I recall that they were clean and did not have that sitting around somewhere for a long time look.
Perhaps the guy at ASC who told me the Sept. date was full of it.....I have no clue. Wayne was the biggest McLaren dealer in the tri-state area for McLarens. They had at least 12 on the ground when I arrived, and 2 being unloaded off a truck carrying 1987 product. Huge dealer, 200 in stock, a dozen salesmen and a 30 car stall shop. AfterI got my coupe, I never returned. Too far to go.

[KHummel66]

What's the highest known VIN CUN for an '86 McLaren and what's the last '86 Capri S/N. L-M Capri production continued into August I think. So depending on how close those two ending VINS are, it will give an indication of the time difference between when ASC would have received their last Capri.

Unless we know the L-M build date for the higherst VIN '86 Mclaren.

[ChuckG]

From what I know having worked for Ford and having family that did for much longer than me, the first two weeks of July are company-wide shut down/change over/vacation. Sometimes longer, but I've never heard of last year's models being built after July. I can't see the Capri being extended. It wasn't that popular.

Anyone else have any thoughts? I can ask people I know who have connections to the Rouge plant.

I had such a bad experience at Hines Park L-M in 1985, that when I heard their Ford store is the Saleen outlet in my area, I decided to travel to Troy, MI (well over an hour away) to discuss buying one of them this Spring. Kinda the reverse of Sandy's experience.

My thought is the 114 Coupes produced were knocked out pretty quickly and the focus was on the more complex convertibles.

[negusm]

I am nearly 100% certain that the foxes were built all the way to September in 86, Capris included.

The last year for the 4I body style was the most popular as far as Mustangs (82-93) go and I think there are a couple of instances where FEP has seen date codes of 86s overlapped with 87s in September.

Now I have to go search and see if I can find what I remember...

-Mike