|
EVOLOUTION OF THE EXP / LN7.
The EXP was the first car of the modern era to get the Ford blue oval symbol on the car. With the exception
of the GT40, it was also the first two-seat vehicle produced since the introduction of the Thunderbird in 1956.
The target market was young people who did not have a lot of disposable income but still wanted to drive a sproty car with low operating costs. It was introduced at the Chicago Auto Show and was meat with great enthusiasm.
|
|
|
1981-1983
Technically an 82, the first EXPs and LN7s hit the showrooms in April 1981 after its introduction at the Chicago Auto Show. Production numbers for 1981 and 1982 were combined for a total of 99,256 cars.
One of the first differences that you will notice is the grill. The EXP has two slots while the LN7 has ten.
Aside from the abvious sheet metal differences the EXP and LN7 had a lower roofline compaired to a standard Escort but shared much of the Escort's running gear.
The first EXPs had 70 HP. Eleven months later the output was upgraded to 80 HP. |
|
|
Notch back vs. Compound window.
Hatches were the easiest way to determine the difference between the Ford and the Mercury. The EXP came with the notch back hatch in 1982 and 1983. The LN7 came with the more familiar compound rear window that became standard on all EXPs.
1983 was the last year for the Mercury LN7 however, many styling cues lived on in future models of the EXP. Production for 1983 was 19,697 cars.
|
|
|
1984 - Production 23,016 cars.
1984 was the first of only two years for the turbo cars. They had a 1.6L engine that produced 120 HP. This was the highest horsepower ever offered on a stock EXP. There were 23,016 EXPs produced in 1984.
1985 saw only a small increase for a run of 26,462. It also marked the end of the "Frognose" EXPs. |
|
|
1984.
The '84 Turbo Coupe introduced the EXP logo on the sail panel along with a rear deck spoiler. They became standard equipment in 1986 and would be a permanent part of the EXP line until the end of production.
|
|
|
1986
Introduction of the re-styled "Box nose" EXP coincided with the Escort nameplate being added to the car for the first time.
EXPs were offered in two levels of trim, the Luxury model and the Sport model. Sport models had larger side ground effects and a multi-port fuel injected, 1.9L HO engine that produced 106 HP @ 4,800 rpm. Luxury Coupes were also upgraded to the 1.9L engine but instead used throttle body injection, (CFI). This engine produced 90 HP @ 4,800 rpm.
Sales were up for the fourth year in a row. There were a total of 30,978 produced in1986. |
|
|
1987
This was the last year that the Sport Coupe was offered. It had the multi-port fuel injected, 1.9L HO engine that produced 115 HP @ 5,200 rpm and used a 5-speed gearbox. The maximum torque was 120 ft/lbs at 4,400 rpm. It was the most powerful normally aspirated EXP. 25,888 cars were produced.
|
|
|
1988 and 1988.5
This year probably is the most mysterious of series. Initial models were identical to the 1987 Luxury model. In May of 1988 there were subtle changes. Most notable was the grill that it now shared with the Escort GT. It was now designateded as a 1988 1/2. Luxury models were also fitted with the larger trim pieces from the earlier Sport Coupe.
Nobody knows how many 1988s were produced. All Escorts were counted as a group that year with no regard for model.
By October 1988, and after more than 225,000 EXP/LN7s had been produced, it was time for the last of the breed rolled off of the assembly line. |
