Three Fords, Three Stories

[mlav]

Some babbling from a currently unemployed automotive engineer and car guy - I finally shot three of my somewhat rare Fords tonight, together. After shooting DTW and Henry Ford Museum pics, I prepped two of my cars for the summer.

http://mlav.com/car/3fords.jpg

The lighting and BG could be a little better. Coordinating a better location would be somewhat difficult.

First, the "Ultra Violet" Escort GT - in 1995, Ford made 816 Escort GTs with this extra cost paint and trim package. I was big into building custom model cars with "Boyd" paint - Grape Pearl was one of my favorites and at age 17, I ordered this car. The paint was almost an exact match for a '49 Merc model I just customized. I ordered this car with radio delete, sunroof, ABS and a manual trans. When I later became an engineer with access to build data, I confirmed what I suspected all along - this car is one of one with the options ordered. As of today, it has 38,080 miles. Not bad for a 1995 model! #601 / 816 Ultra Violet cars.

The silver 1998.5 "E1" SVT Contour - my dad was the program manager on the SVT Contour at Ford and he owns a Toreador Red 1999 model. I had a lease about to end and decided to save some money and get a used SVT-C before they became too rare for a decent condition car. I found this car with 126,8xx miles and turned it into a daily driver to drive three miles to work. Then I got laid off. Still fun! #5948 / 6535 1998MY cars.

The red Mustang - a 40th Anniversary model, with special paint and trim only available on the extra cost 40th Anniversary package...Crimson Red (same as Ford Merlot, FX paint code), painted Cobra mirrors, special floor mats, center console badge, cloth (rather than canvas) Cobra tan convertible roof, Arizona Beige stripes and Arizona Beige painted Bullitt wheels. It turned five on 2/4/09 and has 10,080 miles. #4095 / 4558 Crimson Red cars.

Sorry to bore any non-car people. I just turned 32 and keep searching for new car jobs. Fun stuff. I'm about to go slap the WWII vet driving the Camry two doors down.

The paint colors are almost red, white and blue...

[StreamlineGT]

Good stories. I am a sucker for Ford trivia.

[jrampton]

That's pretty cool, i think without the story's the picture just looks standard and your left feeling what's so special, it's not until you read the bits about each car you realise they are not the norm.

[PhotosGuy]

Interesting stable & story. Coordinating a better location would be somewhat difficult. Shoot them separately & put them together in one image?

[FlyingPhotog]

Interesting Blue Oval tale...

Oh, before you go slap the WWII Vet driving the Camry, ask him how many times he was slapped by GM, Ford or Chrysler before deciding to drive a Toyota. I grew up in a GM family and guess what? I have a 4Runner in my garage.

When does beating your head against a brick wall feel best? When you stop... ;)

[PhotosGuy]

how many times he was slapped by GM, Ford or Chrysler Yes. Chrysler: Loved the cars. Hated the company warranty reps.

[Sheridan]

Good story teller/historian
Average photographer/snapshooter

I'd love to video you slapping a few WWII vetts I know :lol: The ass whipping that followed would make for a youtube of the week video for sure :)

[runninmann]

Good story teller/historian
Average photographer/snapshooter

I'd love to video you slapping a few WWII vetts I know :lol: The ass whipping that followed would make for a youtube of the week video for sure :)If he can't take out a couple of 80-90 year-olds, something's wrong :lol::lol:.

[neumanns]

Hmm...Your obviously very patriotic, Right up till you got to the part about the vet that defended the red white and blue you seem to love.

He risked his life for this country....But apperantly you feel he owes you more???

Sorry...Buying red white and blue is not anywhere near as patriotic as putting your life on the line to defend your country

[Smitty2001]

Good plan - Keep the miles low on those two. No repairs on those Fords. Thats one way around it! :p

[Cougardizz]

Man, I love my black 99 CSVT. You have an awesome collection.

[Lumpy8]

I bet that WWII vet can't pronounce the name of the president of Toyota motor company! I'm sure he could Ford Motor Company.

[mlav]

Sorry...Buying red white and blue is not anywhere near as patriotic as putting your life on the line to defend your country

Yeah, I was probably pushing it a bit there...but those current postal workers leaving the employee lot in Kias...the feds pay people to by Kias? Yeah, it's America, freedom of choice...

Average photographer/snapshooter

My options for shooting locations were pretty limited. Getting three manual transmission cars to a better location in the US? Yeah right! I'll need to crack open the entire Detroit area phone book. ;)

Man, I love my black 99 CSVT.

Here are some pics of pre and early production SVT-Cs...shot from a P&S film cam - http://mlav.us/picofpic/
That 1995 Cobra R was a beast!

[Justinryan215]

That Toyota that the WWII Vet drivesmore than likely has more components made in the good ole USA that most modern day domestics.

[Moppie]

First, the "Ultra Violet" Escort GT - in 1995, Ford made 816 Escort GTs with this extra cost paint and trim package. I was big into building custom model cars with "Boyd" paint - Grape Pearl was one of my favorites and at age 17, I ordered this car. The paint was almost an exact match for a '49 Merc model I just customized. I ordered this car with radio delete, sunroof, ABS and a manual trans. When I later became an engineer with access to build data, I confirmed what I suspected all along - this car is one of one with the options ordered. As of today, it has 38,080 miles. Not bad for a 1995 model! #601 / 816 Ultra Violet cars.

The silver 1998.5 "E1" SVT Contour - my dad was the program manager on the SVT Contour at Ford and he owns a Toreador Red 1999 model. I had a lease about to end and decided to save some money and get a used SVT-C before they became too rare for a decent condition car. I found this car with 126,8xx miles and turned it into a daily driver to drive three miles to work. Then I got laid off. Still fun! #5948 / 6535 1998MY cars.

The red Mustang - a 40th Anniversary model, with special paint and trim only available on the extra cost 40th Anniversary package...Crimson Red (same as Ford Merlot, FX paint code), painted Cobra mirrors, special floor mats, center console badge, cloth (rather than canvas) Cobra tan convertible roof, Arizona Beige stripes and Arizona Beige painted Bullitt wheels. It turned five on 2/4/09 and has 10,080 miles. #4095 / 4558 Crimson Red cars.




Some great stories, you are cleary very pasionate about your cars, and you have a real variety of different fords there, from all over the world.

The Escort is built on Fords small front wheel drive platform that was developed by Mazda. It is essentially a Mazda 323/Familia underneath, with some cosmetic changes to the body and enterior for the European and North American Markets.
They were sold here in NZ as the Mazda 323 or rebadged as the Ford Lazer. Built in Japan they were then assembled locally from CKD.
I believe the Escorts were built in Belgium or the UK.

The Contour is a very nice car. Built on the med size front wheel drive platform, also developed by Mazda for the 626. However it is quite different from the 626, the Contour being the same as the European Ford Mondeo. Designed in Germany and the UK and built in Belgium, the Mondeo uses the Mazda platform, but with a different body, engine and suspension.
The SVT however (badged differently in different parts of the world) mixes a Mazda V6 with the Mondeo body to get a high performance version, that was sold globaly with different model names (here in NZ it was the "Paul Radisich Special").
I know all the Mondeos sold here were made in Belgium, not sure if they built them in North America as well, or just assembled from CKD.


Speaking of American cars though, I am currently looking to buy one.
A late 90's Honda Accord Station Wagon. These were designed and built in the US, then exported to Japan where they were very popular. They are now selling here as used imports. They have a huge metal plate on the firewall with "Made in America" etched into it :)

[speedypalomino]

Hmm...Your obviously very patriotic, Right up till you got to the part about the vet that defended the red white and blue you seem to love.

He risked his life for this country....But apperantly you feel he owes you more???

Sorry...Buying red white and blue is not anywhere near as patriotic as putting your life on the line to defend your country



+1 !!!

[mlav]

The SVT however (badged differently in different parts of the world) mixes a Mazda V6 with the Mondeo body to get a high performance version, that was sold globaly with different model names (here in NZ it was the "Paul Radisich Special").

The Ford Duratec V-6 engines were designed by Ford. Mazda is using Ford designed engines built by Mazda in Japan.

The Contour 2.5L DOHC Duratec V-6 is not a Mazda engine. Mazda had their own 2.5L V-6; Ford Probe, Mazda 626, MX-6, MPV.

The Contour and Mystique replaced the Tempo and Topaz for 1995MY at the Ford Kansas City Assy Plant (KCAP). They were later replaced at KCAP for 2001MY by the Ford Escape and Mazda Tribute. Export vehicles go to some countries under the Ford Maverick name.

As far as designed/engineered in the USA...I worked for a major Toyota controlled supplier with American plants. I might write a book about what people read in the media vs. reality...had an interview at the Honda Engineering offices in Raymond, OH after graduation too. I could never live in OH. You're required to deface your vehicles with front license plates. ;)

[mlav]

Man, I love my black 99 CSVT. You have an awesome collection.

If you ever want build data for your car, PM the last eight of the VIN to me.

[ancientsanskrit]

Bump for another CEG'er ;)

I was about to correct the 626 reference. but I see Mike got it.

These Contours are addicting vehicles, and for the price you just can't complain. Great handling, decent power, and a joy behind the wheel. I'm looking to pick up (my 3rd CDW27) a 3L SVT later this summer.