It was apparent by 1984 that The Ford Motor Company, with their Mustang and Capri lines, had revived the American musclecar from certain demise. The GM offerings, Chevrolet Camaro and Pontiac Firebird, moved onward with overpriced and underpowered challengers and Chrysler’s ponycars had long since departed. Foreign automobile manufacturers had jumped into the fray with what would be called ‘pocket rockets’. These small, front wheel drive mini performance cars were giving the aged ponycars a run for their money. The big 3 car magazines noted that the VW’s Rabbit GTI posted a quicker 0-60 time than the Z28 in ’83. The Mustang and Capri, with their potent 5.0l V8 engines, solid bodies, excellent handling (for the time), and low price, were moving out of the showroom and on to the streets as fast as Ford could build them. It was natural for custom aftermarket builders and tuners to jump on the bandwagon.
1986 was a turning point for ASC. It was the first year for the SEFI engine that replaced the driveability problems of the carburetion and CFI. It was also the last year of the Capri, which also meant it would be that last year of the ASC/McLaren built on the Capri. The 1986 models were essentially unchanged from the previous year. Bowing to dealer pressure to reduce the price of the cars, ASC offered a ‘stripped down’ version called the Eurocoupe. Based on the hatchback, the car was devoid of the accent stripes, high end stereo, radar detector, and a few other niceties. Sales rose for the final year to 407 cars, 245 convertibles, 115 hatchbacks, and 47 Eurocoupes. Although the 3-door model captured more than a third of the sales, this was the last year it was offered.
The best years of ASC/McLaren were about to begin.
What Junkies are Saying