5-speeds vs automatics

[85McLaren]

I know in 1990 the 5 speeds were pretty rare, but what about the other years. I have visited Jim Dingell from PPI on several occasions at his house and the last time I visited him, I drove my 88 Vert. It is a 5 speed. He said the 5 speeds were more rare than the autos. Any number count between the two ever been recorded...???? And most vert mclarens that I have seen here in Va. Beach and Norfolk (yes there are a couple here believe it or not) were autos.

Jason

[negusm]

MOST asc verts were autos.

Nearly ALL asc coupes were manual.
I think 9 total autos?

1984 and 1985 Coupes were mostly built to spec and orders from dealers were not allowed. The spec required the 5 speed tranny. In 1986 they allowed orders so alot of variations came into play....including a few automatic coupes....Sandy has one.

Sandy can probably give you better breakdowns on the verts.

-Mike

[Sandy]

Of the 65 1990s, 5 were sticks. Of the 1,015 1988s, 282 were sticks & 733 were automatics. Of the 479 1987s 346 were automatics & 133 were sticks. I don't have the breakdown for 1989, but there were "around 70" sticks out of the 247 - 1989s made.

I am on a friend's computer. My computer is out for repair. I don't know if this will properly post. Sorry

[Sandy]

The variations that Mike mentions pertaining to the 1986 COUPES were the availability to order Cruise Control, Power Door Locks, Sun Roof (or) T-Tops, and added colors joining the Dark Blue or White, or Charcoal Grey or Black, and added stripe/logo/decals of black or silver metallic to the allready released Popsicle Orange, in addition to 4-speed automatic with overdrive. 9 automatics were ordered & made of the 115 units made!

[mandra]

Seems to me from my limited fact gathering that 5spd verts in 1985 were about 35% or so. I really don't have enough data to be sure though. Especially on the 84's. If anyone has more vin's for 84 or 85's maybe we could get a reasonable listing together to have a better clue.

1985
Convertible
5spd
616161
617565
615302
618101

Convertible
Auto
612650
612204
607886
613740
606246
613094
610643
613100

Convertible
?
612827
606095
612170

1984
Convertible
5spd
620402

Convertible
Auto
620009
620015
620017

Convertible
?
620018
612170
620005

[RARE-ASC]

WELL I HAVE HAD 4 VERTS #25 WAS THE 84 AUTO #58 THE 86 AUTO #60 THE 86 WAS 5-SPEED AND THE 86 # 61 WAS AUTO

[eric5oh]

So I guess I made the right decision to go back to stock. My 86 Euro is gray, auto, t-tops, cruise, hatch and fuel door release, power windows and locks, and never came with the blacked out quarter windows. It came with the add 3 add on pieces to the sail panel, but not the window covers. Interesting

[Sandy]

You car is 100% correct! WITH the T-Top option the aluminum frame (that the black-out) plexiglass triangular "window" sat in....would not fit, due to the cut of the T-Top. All 1986 ascMcLaren coupes (full packaged *OR* EuroCoupe) that were ordered with the T-Top had only the 3 small triangular vent plugs, and NOT the large 1/4 window black out. I saw this one memo - in 1986 - when I bought mine. Sadly I did not think to ask for a photo copy of it (DARN) but I recall that there was a #1 & a #2 on it. #1 was telling the sales force & sales manager to call attention to the fact the the pictured ascMcLaren specific steering wheel & center pad would NOT be included on cars ordered with speed control and to make sure person(s) ordering speed control understood that they would get the regular Capri Speed Control steering wheel.
#2. had to do with just what you are saying. To make sure those ordering the T Top knew that their car would not have the black out 1/4 windows, but rather the "stock" Capri 1/4 window, with the tri-black out vent plugs. Further, it STRONGLY suggested that dealers ordering for inventory NOT order Speed Control nor T Tops on these cars.
(Such is the reason so few have these 2 items, today).....