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Posted: 4/3/2019 11:41:21 AM EDT
[#1]
There was a time in 1997 to 1998 when Ford was giving away the flareside bed and A/C on the stick shift 4cyl Ranger XLT for free. At the time I was the lease manager of a large Ford store on the NH seacoast.
Sitting around in the showroom one day, I did the math and figured out that I could lease out those little Rangers for $128.95 per month with no money down. If I residualized a CD player and a bed liner I could actually drop the payment to $124.95 per month, with the dealer still making money. We sold those little trucks like popcorn at the movie theater - usually 200-250 of them per month. Holy crap those were fun times 
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Posted: 4/3/2019 11:42:37 AM EDT
[#2]
A friend had an Escort GT, god that was an ugly car.
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Posted: 4/3/2019 11:55:28 AM EDT
[#3]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
The Merkur was the best car that was a flop. As a guy who thinks rally is cool, its sad, and the first gen Probe had the best instrument stack ever put in a car. 
Analog gauges (even digitally driven) are great. |
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Posted: 4/3/2019 12:02:29 PM EDT
[#4]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
The Capri was sold here under the Mercury name. Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
The Merkur was a Mercury, no?... |
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Posted: 4/3/2019 12:13:47 PM EDT
[#5]
My roommate in college 2003ish had a splash with the cab spoiler like youd see on a semi.
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Posted: 4/3/2019 12:17:08 PM EDT
[#6]
I loved my Probe GT it was my commuter car to Atlanta. It spent most of its life running about 85mph and getting about 30 mpg.
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Posted: 4/3/2019 12:20:18 PM EDT
[#7]
Quote HistoryQuoted: The actual European Capri, or that little Australian convertible thing? |
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Posted: 4/3/2019 12:22:27 PM EDT
[#8]
Quote HistoryQuoted: My 4 cyl 85 Ranger would not pass CA emissions. It was a known issue and I had to keep some damn form in my glove box. It was a piece of shit due to bad ignition module design and placement. Must have been a 2.3 with TFI. 2.0's still had the module on the inner fender. |
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Posted: 4/3/2019 12:35:14 PM EDT
[#9]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Remember them, I see about 5 of each of them every day in my area. Cuba dont have anything on Eastern Kentucky  |
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Posted: 4/3/2019 12:50:47 PM EDT
[#10]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Lol @corrosionguy you close to Belfry? Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
Remember them, I see about 5 of each of them every day in my area. Cuba dont have anything on Eastern Kentucky |
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Posted: 4/3/2019 12:54:24 PM EDT
[#11]
I know it's not a Ford, but growing up as a teenager in the 80's, I lusted after the Mitsubishi Starion Turbo.
 Attached File |
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Posted: 4/3/2019 12:58:45 PM EDT
[#12]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
I know it's not a Ford, but growing up as a teenager in the 80's, I lusted after the Mitsubishi Starion Turbo. https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/365603/Mitsubishi-Starion-Turbo-7_jpg-899705.JPG |
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Posted: 4/3/2019 1:13:00 PM EDT
[#13]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
I know it's not a Ford, but growing up as a teenager in the 80's, I lusted after the Mitsubishi Starion Turbo. https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/365603/Mitsubishi-Starion-Turbo-7_jpg-899705.JPG |
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Posted: 4/3/2019 1:15:38 PM EDT
[#14]
Quote HistoryQuoted: I have a decaying 94 MR2 Turbo in my driveway and used to lurk in various turbo forums. Those Starions are still pretty popular, since you can boost the heck out of them. Looking back, I would have never sold my Corolla, the prices have become obscene. A bone stock 4ag example going for 10-15k, nuts... |
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Posted: 4/3/2019 1:20:02 PM EDT
[#15]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Technically, it was a Ford Sierra, which was a very widespread car in Europe. The XR4i was the performance model, and the only one brought to the US. I had a regular Ford Sierra as my first car. After that, I had a Ford Capri, another European Ford that was never sold in the US I rally drove that poor little car in terrible ways that still make me giggle even today... |
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Posted: 4/3/2019 1:25:47 PM EDT
[#16]
Quote HistoryQuoted: I had a Ford Capri... 1972 2.0 ford OHC with four on the floor. I rally drove that poor little car in terrible ways that still make me giggle even today... |
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Posted: 4/3/2019 2:52:24 PM EDT
[#17]
In the early 80s, the Mercury Capri RS, was the counterpart to the Mustang GT. My brother had an 83 Capri RS with a 5.0, 5 spd, and t-tops.
I haven't seen a Ford Tempo on the street in driving condition since the early 90s. They were such garbage. |
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Posted: 4/3/2019 2:53:13 PM EDT
[#18]
My mom had the Ranger Splash. Good looking truck with zero leg room.
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Posted: 4/3/2019 3:08:19 PM EDT
[#19]
Quote HistoryQuoted: SHO package is still available today. |
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Posted: 4/3/2019 3:15:59 PM EDT
[#20]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
splash is just a stepside ranger? doesn't seem odd |
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Posted: 4/3/2019 3:19:13 PM EDT
[#21]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Man, I haven't seen one of those on the road in forever. |
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Posted: 4/3/2019 3:22:07 PM EDT
[#22]
A friend REALLY wanted a Thunderbird Super Coupe, but all he could afford was an Escort GT.
He was never particularly happy about that. |
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Posted: 4/3/2019 3:22:26 PM EDT
[#23]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
They also had the Edge, which was a 2WD with the 4WD's front suspension for some idiotic reason. On a side note, the Edge came with a Torsen diff, and a lot of Mustang guys would yank the diff and axle shafts from wrecked ones to install in their axles. |
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Posted: 4/3/2019 3:22:51 PM EDT
[#24]
I had a ‘95 Thunderbird LX V8. It was a giant POS, I hated everything about that car. I ditched it with prejudice and bought a Camaro SS when they came out in ‘96.
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Posted: 4/3/2019 3:28:36 PM EDT
[#25]
I'll take an escort with the cosworth package please.
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Posted: 4/3/2019 3:38:44 PM EDT
[#26]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Appearance/ride height. They did offer the Edge with 4x4 as well, just not a ton of them. On a side note, the Edge came with a Torsen diff, and a lot of Mustang guys would yank the diff and axle shafts from wrecked ones to install in their axles. Only the '02 FX4 and '03+ FX4 Level II's had the Torson with a 31 spline 8.8 (and a cool interior) They are pretty scarce in a JY, I have come across two and have the chrome shifter out of one of those in my '85. Forged Alcoa wheels and rear axle were already gone (I have an Explorer 8.8 in mine so the rear axle wouldn't have been much of an upgrade anyway) Edge had the same ol' clutch type limited slip as an option like any other Ranger. One side of the earlier Ranger's is popular for converting both sides of foxebody axles to 5 lug, otherwise I think later Mustangs (SN95+) have wider axles than Rangers did. They had a "Trailhead" edition that was like an Edge also, same front suspension as a 4wd but was 2wd. |
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Posted: 4/3/2019 3:48:17 PM EDT
[#27]
Quote HistoryQuoted: A lot of Mustang guys should be disappointed then. Only the '02 FX4 and '03+ FX4 Level II's had the Torson with a 31 spline 8.8 (and a cool interior) They are pretty scarce in a JY, I have come across two and have the chrome shifter out of one of those in my '85. Forged Alcoa wheels and rear axle were already gone (I have an Explorer 8.8 in mine so the rear axle wouldn't have been much of an upgrade anyway) Edge had the same ol' clutch type limited slip as an option like any other Ranger. One side of the earlier Ranger's is popular for converting both sides of foxebody axles to 5 lug, otherwise I think later Mustangs (SN95+) have wider axles than Rangers did. They had a "Trailhead" edition that was like an Edge also, same front suspension as a 4wd but was 2wd. He was planning on putting it in his '90 GT. Obviously along with going to 5-lug wheels with SN95 front spindles. One thing that bothered me was that the MN12 Tbirds like mine had 5x4.25 lug pattern, while Mustangs were 5x4.5. They could be converted with SN95 front hubs and 99+ Cobra rear hubs... I did swap the rear drums on my 5.0LX to Supercoupe discs, and it was tempting to go to mustang pattern at the time, but it was my DD
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Posted: 4/3/2019 4:01:06 PM EDT
[#28]
Had a Probe Gt like the one below. Took the door stripping off, Added TSW chrome rims and low profile tires. Looked pretty sporty
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Posted: 4/3/2019 4:03:00 PM EDT
[#29]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
The Eurotrash Capri from the 70s was sold here. Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted: The actual European Capri, or that little Australian convertible thing? Although, since it was basically just a small cheap "mustang" wannabe, I'm curious WHY ford would have thought there was a market for it here.
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Posted: 4/3/2019 4:03:17 PM EDT
[#30]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
In the early 80s, the Mercury Capri RS, was the counterpart to the Mustang GT. My brother had an 83 Capri RS with a 5.0, 5 spd, and t-tops. I haven't seen a Ford Tempo on the street in driving condition since the early 90s. They were such garbage. |
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Posted: 4/3/2019 4:10:54 PM EDT
[#31]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Technically, it was a Ford Sierra, which was a very widespread car in Europe. The XR4i was the performance model, and the only one brought to the US. I had a regular Ford Sierra as my first car. After that, I had a Ford Capri, another European Ford that was never sold in the US
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Posted: 4/3/2019 4:12:19 PM EDT
[#32]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Made by Ford of Germany, but marketed by Mercury Dealers to give them something "Sporty" to "Attract the Youth market"... Sort of like the Capri in the 70's. A Solid Sporty Car Made by Ford of Germany, but sold at Mercury Dealerships. Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
The Merkur was a Mercury, no?... Sort of like the Capri in the 70's. A Solid Sporty Car Made by Ford of Germany, but sold at Mercury Dealerships. |
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Posted: 4/3/2019 4:21:07 PM EDT
[#33]
Cash for clunkers killed off most of the used ones.
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Posted: 4/3/2019 4:38:39 PM EDT
[#34]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
In the early 80s, the Mercury Capri RS, was the counterpart to the Mustang GT. My brother had an 83 Capri RS with a 5.0, 5 spd, and t-tops. ... I actually liked the body work on the Capri with the wasp waist fender flairs better than that of the Mustang of the same era... |
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Posted: 4/3/2019 4:38:45 PM EDT
[#35]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Cash for clunkers killed off most of the used ones. |
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Posted: 4/3/2019 4:40:56 PM EDT
[#36]
I have a beater SUV that is a 1997 Ford Explorer 5.0 with the Mustang GT engine in it.
It is a great trailer puller for being a midsize (that V-8 beats a v-6 every day!) and surprises a lot of folks with its speed when I put the foot down. |
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Posted: 4/3/2019 4:44:19 PM EDT
[#37]
Quote HistoryLOL my dad had one of those. Mazda engine! Zippy little cars. You used to see them on the road still before Cash for Clunkers killed all 80% of the older vehicles on the road. |
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Posted: 4/3/2019 4:55:32 PM EDT
[#38]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/215362/DSC_3870_JPG-899540.JPGThis thread needs more Supercoupe. Supercharged, RWD, stick, IRS... The car ahead of its time.  Attached File |
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Posted: 4/3/2019 4:58:41 PM EDT
[#39]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Weird Ford list is lacking https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/5f/Ford_RS200.jpg Cossies of any flavor are delicious  Attached FileThis was $26k, seller and provenance was dubious so I was right to pass up, but somewhat regretful |
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Posted: 4/3/2019 5:16:07 PM EDT
[#40]
I graduated in 91, the words 5.0 just made her wet
so yeah I loved me some fords in the 90s thanks in part to ice ice baby |
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Posted: 4/3/2019 5:20:23 PM EDT
[#41]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
I had an Escort GT. It was actually a decent car. Or maybe the rebuilt was just junk.
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Posted: 4/3/2019 5:40:18 PM EDT
[#42]
92 for sale with a removable top |
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Posted: 4/3/2019 5:40:45 PM EDT
[#43]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
I wanted an XR4Ti to drop a 5.0 in... IIRC they sold those kits in the Ford Racing Power Parts catalog after a couple of years of demand for them. John Vermeesch at SVO/FRPP was good about meeting demand for such things. In Europe the demand for the V-8 powered cars was so high that Europe, the UK and Australia got Sierra XR-8s sold through Ford dealerships. 
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Posted: 4/3/2019 5:47:52 PM EDT
[#44]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
The actual European Capri, or that little Australian convertible thing? 1972-1975 
1976-1978 
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Posted: 4/3/2019 6:06:28 PM EDT
[#45]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
If I remember correctly the Splash was the first of all the mini trucks to have a stepside. And they had a few bright colors and ground effects and decals. I would not call the truck pictured a Splash And DROVE a Ford Courier once. (Ok, 35 + years ago...) |
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Posted: 4/3/2019 6:13:17 PM EDT
[#46]
Quote HistoryI loved those cars, buddy had a GT that was a lot of fun to drive.
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Posted: 4/3/2019 6:15:13 PM EDT
[#47]
You still see a Ranger Splash driving around now and then. The Merkur was a cool car.
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Posted: 4/3/2019 6:18:55 PM EDT
[#48]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
The Splash was a pretty hot truck to have for the youngsters at the time. 
Kharn |
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Posted: 4/3/2019 6:20:23 PM EDT
[#49]
Quote HistoryAwesome. I had a '93 in red, 5 speed. Lots of fun in that car.
Then they made that oval blob abomination in the late 90's. The new one actually looks pretty good, I'd have to try one out if if ever did a sedan again. |
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Posted: 4/3/2019 6:22:59 PM EDT
[#50]
Ford Tempo
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