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4641
Number: 4640
From: "Sandy Block"
Date: Wed Mar 3, 2004 5:58 pm
Subject: [ASC McLaren ] Re: Interesting figures
Body:
[ASC McLaren ] Re: Interesting figures
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I don't think that I am telling you anything not known, but
possible 'things-forgotten' ~
The original 1984-1986 COUPES, were more of a styling exercise of the
newly formed Automotive Specialty Company (ASC) a Division of
Automotive Sunroof Corporation (ASC) together with McLaren
Engineering. The sole purpose of this endeavor was to showcase the
abilities the ASC had in making "nitch" cars. Thereby taking an
otherwise somewhat Ho-Hum Mercury Capri RS, vastly overshadowed by
cousin Ford Mustang GT and for X-amount of dollars, turning it into
an exciting looking and slightly better performing showroom "hook" or
attraction. While with the basic set up as supplied, and the
anticipated "tuning" and finger-poking the expected buyer would or
could do turning into a really ~HOT~ car and bringing in a customer
that they had not seen in any serious numbers prior. In comparasion,
Saleen always had an eye toward racing, and taking his namesake car
to SAAC and other events. While the original coupes of 1984-1986
were similiar in concept, I do believe their missions in life were
very different. Saleen was dead serious about his cars, while
ascMcLaren were dead serious about getting more nitch business for
any/all FoMoCo products, and used the Capri as a trophy-car.
Regarding the roadster, that was NEVER meant to be a "Performance
Car" ~ it was meant to be a boulvard cruiser, in the same light as a
1987-1989 Mercedes SL 2-seat roadster.
What angered me was I went to the Coral, a Mustang site on the web.
They have sections. They have a section for every Mustang going, BUT
no ascMcLaren. Steeda, DECH, Saleen, Kenny Brown, and many others,
but no ascMcLaren. Does the "Mustang Club of America" even recornize
our 87-90 'verts? I believe they DO NOT !
S A N D Y
--- In ascmclaren@yahoogroups.com, "Brent Abrams" <babrams@l...>
wrote:
> Sandy,
>
> Those are some interesting numbers, but I think you should rephrase
your
> wording to say that asc/McLaren did very little in the way of
advertising
> because even though it was not much, you can't say they didn't do
any at
> all. :-)
>
> I was writing a response when David's came through and he mirrored
my
> thoughts exactly so I scrapped mine.
>
> I would also add that Saleen is STILL building street & race
versions of the
> Mustang as well as street & race versions of his S7 super car. The
S7 gets
> pretty good press attention which also makes people aware of where
he
> started in 1984 and in turn generates excitement for his older
street cars
> in the collector car market.
> If he had stopped making cars in 1990 too, I don't think Saleen
Mustangs
> would be nearly as popular as they are today.
>
> Brent
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "silvergp4" <CARANDD@A...>
> To: <ascmclaren@yahoogroups.com>
> Sent: Wednesday, March 03, 2004 1:09 PM
> Subject: [ASC McLaren ] Re: Interesting figures
>
>
> > That is very interesting! I think what hurt's Mclaren, is they did
> > not form a race team, like Saleen did. While the cars are unique,
> > they have no race history. Roush did race the Capri's, but no
Mclaren
> > team was formed, that I know of. The Saleen and the Mclaren where
> > similar cars up to 1986. In 1987 when Saleen updated the brakes
to 4
> > wheel disc brakes, won a SCCA championship. The Saleen and Mclaren
> > began to seperate, Saleen had established himself as a first
> > rate "tuner" and the car begain to get press! Mclaren on the other
> > hand was a first rate conversion, taking a Mustang and making it a
> > neat car! Had Mclaren had a race team and modified the braking,
added
> > more performance. They may have gotten, and still be getting more
> > press! David
> >
> >
> >
> >
> Groups Links
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
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