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Number: 1272
From: asc709
Date: Fri Sep 20, 2002  10:13 am
Subject: Re: 1988 } Year of Running Changes

Body:
Sandy,

Mine was the 230th off the floor and it has the early console and the
power mirrors.

Robert

--- In ascmclaren@y..., "Sandy Block" <cigarsandy@c...> wrote:
> 1988 was the only year that things kept changing. Here's a Look:-
>
> The early center console featured a cigar lighter that pushed
> directly into the padded center console, and the ash-tray opened
AWAY
> from the Passenger, (or hinged on the driver's side). The later
> model in the 1988s had the cigar lighter INSIDE the ash tray, which
> now opened AWAY from the driver, (or hinged on the Passenger;s
side).
> The first half of 1988 had the electric exterior mirrors listed as
an
> option of $60.00, YET I've never come across a car under the first
> 25% made to have the electric mirrors, so I doubt it ever really
was
> an option. Beginning around 40% of the way through 1988
production,
> the Electric exterior mirrors became standard equipment! Colors:
> Gunmetal Metallic (Code GM85:087) was a late bloomer for 1988,
coming
> on board starting with sequence of build unit # 540 (Dash Plaque #
> 1,019) as well as Black~Cherry Metallic (GM86:099). Black~Cherry
> Metallic began with sequence of build # 705 (Dash Plaque # 1,184).
> The Recaro Seating option ($1,765.00 Extra) went out of production
> with unit # 869 (Dash Plaque # 1,348). The Seat(s) were the
> Recaro "N" model, however built to a cost. To that end cost, the
> automatic shut-off feature to the Heated Elements was omitted, and
> therein was the problem. People did not shut them off, and the
> element wiring overheated and burnt out, taking with it the
headrest
> stereo speaker feature. Recaro Inc offered a warrentee, but it was
a
> paper (useless) one! It required that the seat or seats be taken
out
> of the car, and package up by the Ford dealer (and he had to eat
the
> cost of packaging & shipping) and besent to Recareo in Texas. It
> then was to take 6-10 weeks to repair and ship back! So, for 11 or
> so weeks, the customer had to leave their car at the dealer!
> Customers (rightfully) kicked, and the dealers balked to
asc/McLaren
> and then asc/McLaren balked to Recaro and then they exchanged NOT-
> NICE words, and then asc/McLaren told Recaro exactly where to put
> their seats!! End of option! By the way, the option was very
> unpopular!! Of the 479 1987 asc/McLarens made, only 39 left with
> them, and of the 1,015 made for 1988, only 83 units had them. Both
> years, about 8-percent. asc/McLaren discontinued them at 145 cars
> BEFORE the final 1988. This all is what makes 1988s very
interesting.