New Member

[CocoLoco]

Hi all - I'm a new member very close to purchasing a 1988 McLaren. I already have a 2001 Mustang and am currently restoringing a 1977 Pontiac Bonneville coupe. Why I need another car (already have 5) is a subject for another day. Anyway, I had acouple of questions now and probably more to follow. Thanks in advance for any help!!!

1) I noticed two different console layouts - one had the mirror controls next to the shift lever, the other toward the rear on the verticle part near the storage bin on the console. What is the significance of this if any?
2) One of the cars is red. Is this likely the guards red? I see some others listed in some paint lists but only see this one in the production figures. Any way to tell exactly what paint code was used?
3) Where there any engine mods done? What I've found says no. Just some suspension changes.
4) Am I crazy for wanting this car?????

That's all for now. I am looking forward to adding this car to my stable. Thanks again.

[Sandy]

Hello, and WELCOME to you !

Yes, there was a slight change in the center console's location of the power mirror buttons.

Yes, it is Porsche's Guards Red
ascMcLaren Red is Porsche’s Guards Red, Code POR 027
Ditzler Mix # 72060


Some sayno mods were done under the hood. Some say Yes, but come up short on WHAT they were.

I'll tell you how to make up your own mind. Drive the McLaren.
Drive it "frisky"

Then do the same with ANY stock V8 Mustang from 1987 to 1993.
Then......... You Tell Me

WARNING !! You buy the car, you WILL be infected as we all are.

Sandy

[86capri62]

I don't know about the Mustangs but my Capri McLaren is allways a subject of discution anywhere I go. Allways lots of questions. I never regreted my purchased. And a fun car to drive. Like Sandy said you get addicted.

[#67 Black Mac']

Hi all - I'm a new member very close to purchasing a 1988 McLaren.
4) Am I crazy for wanting this car?????

Welcome CocoLoco, glad to have you aboard.

4) Yes, that makes you absolutely insane,------------------- just like all of us on this site who have been bitten by the ASC bug!

In a more serious vane, it looks like these haven't proved to be a very good investment so far, if that is what you are looking for.
BUT;
If you want a car that turns heads everywhere you go, is nearly always the center of attention wherever you park it, and is just plain fun to drive, then the most sane thing you could do is grab an ASC McLaren, drop the top & go cruisin'.
Ron

[shelbyscarab]

Hi all - I'm a new member very close to purchasing a 1988 McLaren. I already have a 2001 Mustang and am currently restoringing a 1977 Pontiac Bonneville coupe. Why I need another car (already have 5) is a subject for another day. Anyway, I had acouple of questions now and probably more to follow. Thanks in advance for any help!!!

1) I noticed two different console layouts - one had the mirror controls next to the shift lever, the other toward the rear on the verticle part near the storage bin on the console. What is the significance of this if any?
2) One of the cars is red. Is this likely the guards red? I see some others listed in some paint lists but only see this one in the production figures. Any way to tell exactly what paint code was used?
3) Where there any engine mods done? What I've found says no. Just some suspension changes.
4) Am I crazy for wanting this car?????

That's all for now. I am looking forward to adding this car to my stable. Thanks again.

1. Yes, two console designs made there way to the public in '88, 3 items are different. Placement of the remote mirror switch, ashtray door design, and cassette tape/storage bin lid design. (Also, location of the side mirrors on the doors is always a topic of discussion on '88s)

2. Guards red? well is it similar to a "fire engine red"? then its probably guards red. There are a couple of other low production "cousins" to red made - check the ascmclaren.com site for production color combos.

3. no engine mods. - suspension modifications - yes. McLarens should handle better than any Fox GT in stock trim. Also, they are slightly lowered giving them a better center of gravity than GTs.....

4. nope...... they look quite a bit better than any GT vert out there!

[negusm]

Did they get a better alternator?

-Mike

[shelbyscarab]

Did they get a better alternator?

-Mike

not aware of that. Not sure why they would. I've seen vehicles in the past come with an upgraded alternator due to the vehicle having some custom add on that draws more power, which I didn't think ASCs did.

Sandy?

[Sandy]

Lestek (? on the spelling..) from Texas, I do believe supplied ASC with some 100 Amp Alt. I have it in my 1986 Capri - but not in eaither of the 1990 'Stangs. I know very very little about this.
I am missing the "who, when, which and why of this.

[Sandy]

1986 Full Packaged Coupes (only coupes) (only NON-Euro-Coupes) recieved the B-303 Cam. My coupe, virgin, never "touched" has it.

Here is how to tell......

She idles rough on cold start-up, surging UP and DOWN between 900 RPM and 1300 RPM, and will ultimately stall !!

Upon a 2nd start-up, she will smooth-out and not stall.

Now then, I am far far away from anything close to a Motor head.
I was told the above info from a upper manager at asc/McLaren IN 1986.
I am only repeating what I was told.
My 2 'Verts do not do that. They run quieter, smoother and do not stall
after running like 3 minutes and do not have the raw sound of the coupe, nor the seat-of-the-pants raw ballsy power of my 86 Coupe
# 109

[CocoLoco]

Thanks to everyone for the warm welcome and all the info. I'm going to look at the car tomorrow. Got a very good feeling we will come to a deal. The price is a bit high but reasonable over all. All depends on the condition at this point. And I try not to let a few hundred bucks keep me from getting something I really want and like. And now to answer some comments made above:

Yes, I kinda know I am crazy, hence my screen name. Coco loco is tropical slang for "crazy in the head" - loco, meaning crazy and coco, short for coconut or your head. Having soo da** many cars (aka toys) just reinforces the obvious.

I can see that this is not an "investment". But I just like it. I like nice things. And yes, I want a car that turns heads and makes everybody ask "what is that???". I am going to love taking this car to local shows & cruises. A rare car that not everybody has seen, especially the younger crowd. I guess I'm becoming novice collector.

For driving, I'll take my 01 Mustang yellowmobile. But as for show, this is a keeper in IMHO.

I'll post up more info after tomorrow and maybe a few pics as well.

[CocoLoco]

Wel...I took a LONGGGG drive on Tuesday and looked an 88. Not in quite as good condition as I expected or as was presented by the seller. Too many "oh, by the way..." comments. A lot of little things that add up to big $$$. So I think I'm gonna pass. But I'm still looking....... I see an 85 Capri in PA. I'm about 5 hours from there. Maybe, if it doesn't sell, I'll go out and take a look see. Good excuss to visit my niece near Philly.

[86capri62]

There is another one like the one on Ebay for sale. Red with tan recaro seats. It is also a low milage car. But a 84 wich is more rare. I think number 49 of 50. Also a manual transmission car wich are with the holley 4 barrel carb. I was interested in the car but I would have to sell mine and my two prospective buyers didn't bought. His name is Bobby Vincent. He was asking I think $6500. His email is Bobby@SemberaSecurity.com

[86capri62]

Here it is
http://www.ascmclaren.org/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=3981

[hanksgt]

Welcome to the group. My '89 ASC came with a Lestek alternator. It was stamped with an output of 100amps, but on the test bench just made 50amps. Not sure why they went to the trouble. Local alternator shop put an 83amp Delco back on it and converted it to one wire (eliminating the regulator). I didn't cut anything up to install it and saved all the old parts. So it still appears to have a Lestek but now with Delco guts.

Did they get a better alternator?

-Mike