XR4Ti Change Delineation Thread

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DPDISXR4Ti
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Post by DPDISXR4Ti »

anglin wrote:Image
The fact that the pictures are so old is the only reason why I think that this might be a legitimate combination/unmolested example.
Interesting. Indeed it would be nice to know for sure if it left the factory this way, as it's an oddball combo. I'd guess it's a very early build '88 - note it's got the correct rear side window for an '88 as well.
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Post by merkurdriver »

Wow, interesting cladding strip on that 88 there!
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Post by Rooster »

merkurdriver wrote:
jasonty wrote: What about the "XR4Ti" stickers on the doors ala Kate Ertls cars?
1985 year only. (I've seen those door decals NOS, so they are a genuine Ford part)
picture of this decal??
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1985 Merkur XR4Ti "New plan"
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Post by anglin »

DPDISXR4Ti wrote:Interesting. Indeed it would be nice to know for sure if it left the factory this way, as it's an oddball combo. I'd guess it's a very early build '88 - note it's got the correct rear side window for an '88 as well.
Exactly. The side window trim isn't easy to replace. The hatch is a bear but probably easier than the side window trim. The easiest way to fake this combo would be to replace the bumper. But all the cladding would have to be done, too.

I've got an 87 with the early side window trim (without the fairing visible on the car above). It has the bi-plane spoiler and the "MERKUR" script on the right side of the hatch. Here's a picture:

Image

These two cars would suggest that the order of change went like:

#1 - Merkur badge to "MERKUR" script
#2 - bi-plane spoiler to mono-plane spoiler and side window fairings (at the same time?)
#3 - maple to silver cladding insert
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Post by anglin »

Rooster wrote:
merkurdriver wrote:1985 year only. (I've seen those door decals NOS, so they are a genuine Ford part)
picture of this decal??
Pretty sure this is one of the Ertl's cars from a scan of a picture I took (probably) at Carlisle 1998.

Image
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Post by Rooster »

that looks cool on the door like that....
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1985 Merkur XR4Ti "New plan"
1986 Merkur XR4Ti Stock, Low miles unmodded will be that way 4ever
1989 Merkur Scorpio white and Tan "Casper" Daily Driven
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Post by DPDISXR4Ti »

anglin wrote:I've got an 87 with the early side window trim (without the fairing visible on the car above). It has the bi-plane spoiler and the "MERKUR" script on the right side of the hatch. Here's a picture:

Image
The Brat car also had this combo. Let me guess, 7/87 build? I've come across a bunch of these over the years. My guess is that they (obviously) knew the changes were coming in the hatch and rear windows for M.Y. 1988 production starting in late August, and so they blew out a bunch of cars in July to get rid of all the bi-wing hatches. But they were already out of small Merkur badges, so they just switched over to the Merkur script.

anglin wrote: These two cars would suggest that the order of change went like:

#1 - Merkur badge to "MERKUR" script
#2 - bi-plane spoiler to mono-plane spoiler and side window fairings (at the same time?)
#3 - maple to silver cladding insert
Agreed.
#1 starting in 6/87 or possibly 7/87
#2 Yes, and consistent with the '88 M.Y. change-over
#3 Aside from your fluke example above, I'm thinking this too was generally a '88 M.Y. change. Need moar data.
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Post by grondie »

These two cars would suggest that the order of change went like:

#1 - Merkur badge to "MERKUR" script


Agreed.
#1 starting in 6/87 or possibly 7/87
I can confirm a 6/87 car with the MERKUR script, Mono-black. I actually thought the change was earlier. Anyone with a < 6/87 build with a "MERKUR" script badge on the hatch? :)
Bob in NJ

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Post by Rooster »

So what was the 1st month.. for the build date that they were brought?
what was the Last??
-Rooster..
1985 Merkur XR4Ti "New plan"
1986 Merkur XR4Ti Stock, Low miles unmodded will be that way 4ever
1989 Merkur Scorpio white and Tan "Casper" Daily Driven
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Post by merkurdriver »

Rooster wrote:So what was the 1st month.. for the build date that they were brought?
what was the Last??
Last XRs are 12/88 builds.
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Post by whitelx »

Lets add spout connector change to the 1986 list.


This is the early style, which 85s and early 86 build cars have

Image

My car is a 3/86 and has the style above. Another poster has a 6/86 with the later style which incorporates a square jumper 'pill'. Anyone have a build date between 3/86 and 6/86? If so, why style pout connector do you have?
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Post by Rooster »

I will check mine it is 6-86 :)
-Rooster..
1985 Merkur XR4Ti "New plan"
1986 Merkur XR4Ti Stock, Low miles unmodded will be that way 4ever
1989 Merkur Scorpio white and Tan "Casper" Daily Driven
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Post by Teedyo »

5/86 and has the SPOUT pull tab.
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Post by DPDISXR4Ti »

anglin wrote:Cladding Inserts:
1988, Silver:
Image
Saw an early '88 (10/87 build) that looked just like this one the other day, except it had the "spatula" wheels as found on the cars through about 6/88. All the usual '88 stuff - mono wing and "winglets" on the 3rd window.
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Post by anglin »

DPDISXR4Ti wrote:Saw an early '88 (10/87 build) that looked just like this one the other day, except it had the "spatula" wheels as found on the cars through about 6/88.
Doh! Sorry. This car had spatulas originally. I just had the basketweave wheels on there because they were junk compared to the wheels that had been on the car.
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