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Factory Convertable Mark VII for Sale

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Posted by: Awesund

Saw this and read the hard-to-find facts about it. Wow... Only 297 made.

Looks like this is one of them that OldSchool has on his website with a "?" buy the year. Now we know it's a '91.

Break open those piggy banks! This one will cost ya...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...e=STRK:MEWA:IT

Posted by: JoeyLincolnMK8

i have seen this one before, again it is a very nice mark! but yeah i agree it is kind of high on the price.

Posted by: ND4SPDLSC

There was no factory convertible. It's a hack job.

Posted by: Awesund

Quote:

Originally Posted by ND4SPDLSC

There was no factory convertible. It's a hack job.

Lol...well, the sale doesn't say that it was done at the factory. Ford sent them out to be converted before going to the dealers.
Hell, that's Factory enough for me. I think it's pretty cool.

Hey, The GTC's weren't done at the Factory either. They were sent to Cars & Concepts for refitting before the dealer. So it's the same thing.
As factory as you're gonna get.
But I've never heard anyone call the GTC a "Hack Job"

Perhaps it is.

...

Posted by: MarkVIIDieselGuy

Yeah, lots of custom work even today is sent out to specialty shops like ASC (American Sunroof Corporation.) For years Sunroofs and simulated convertible top caps were never factory installed, the cars were manufactured then shipped to ASC to have the sunroofs installed, a perfect example of this is the glass roof option on the Lincoln Town Car in 1978 & 1979 (maybe 77, I forget), then shipped from there. So, it's not unheard of for a manufacturer to work with a specialty sub-contractor. I sure hope their accountant isn't their money manager too :-)

Posted by: ND4SPDLSC

Ford never authorized this. This was an owner or dealer requested conversion. No manufacturer has ever contracted the company that does these conversions to convert the cars for them.

Posted by: Stang393

Quote:

Originally Posted by ND4SPDLSC

Ford never authorized this. This was an owner or dealer requested conversion. No manufacturer has ever contracted the company that does these conversions to convert the cars for them.

Why dont you come down to Brockton, Ma. and see the HUGE company that coverts Caddilac SLS into STS's!

Yes MOST car companys did no do thier own Covertible tops or Sun Roof.
Even today there are a lot of custom things that are sold as "Factory" but not done at the Factory.

King Ranch Pickups are not done at FORD, they are done at another company FOR ford.

Posted by: Awesund

Very unique and informative thread... It should serve future seekers well.
I never found any decent info on Mark VII convertables, until now.
Thanks for the info and input!

Posted by: ND4SPDLSC

I do not count moonroofs as a conversion, especially if they were a factory option. Yes, car companies farm out parts of production to other companies for one reason or another, such as moonroof, sunroofs, and even special models. As mentioned, ASC handles most of the roof systems for many car companies and is responsible for entire convertible roof systems. The SSR and CLK come to mind. Sometimes plants can't handle the capacity, other times, it's easier to send the job out to a specialist and reduce the engineering burden for the OEM. Metalcrafters of MI handles many of Chrysler's show cars. My point is that the VII was never sent out by Ford for convertible conversion. The car has been relisted a few times. Other pictures not shown in this auction depict how obviously modified the rear seat area is. The rear seat bolsters are cut into, the glass is trimmed, and the third brake light is tacked on. Pictures of other chopped tops will show the same features. If you believe the car is factory, I have a one off four door I will sell to you for a steal.

GTCs are the only factory-authorized major conversions of any sort. If you can find the paperwork to prove otherwise, I and all the other VII nuts would love to see it.

Posted by: Awesund

Aw gee, I thought we already covered that.
We know it's not factory. No big deal, lol.
This seems the closest thing there is to a factory convertable Mark VII.
It was done by a professional convertable company and ordered prior to dealer delivery (New). (this is all conveyed from the seller's text, I'm no inside Ford expert)
I would certainly expect some mods to the back seat area, the same as the factory would have had to do. It's unavoidable.

So, I'll re-title this thread .

"Special Dealer option Mark VII convertable for sale"

The guy does list his number in the ebay ad ... If it's still there, I'll ring him and ask a few questions. Or should I? Perhaps then I'll just be told he's a liar.