merry christmas
merry christmas
FTE Legend
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 32,875
Likes: 48
From: Northeast, OK
Ford Stuff
Yes, Merry Christmas! And, here's part of what Santa brought me. It's the inside of the front cover of the Feb 1981 4Wheel magazine, and came complete with a frame to display it in.
And, for all of you 80/81 experts out there, what do you notice about the advert?
And, for all of you 80/81 experts out there, what do you notice about the advert?
Junior User
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 95
Likes: 0
From: El Paso
Trending Topics
Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 1,033
Likes: 11
From: Wausau, WI
Is it the factory fog lamps or stating new auto hubs?
Oh, Merry X-mas everyone!!
Edit: I just saw the other thread where you posted these pics...
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalytic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
FTE Legend
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 32,875
Likes: 48
From: Northeast, OK
The factory fog lamps and the amber turn signal lenses. I was thinking that the amber lenses came out in late '81, so to have them shown on the cover of a Feb magazine means those trucks weren't off the assembly line. Right?
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 8,786
Likes: 28
From: Northern California
Amber turn Signal lenses began with a production date of 11/80 according to my books.
My truck was built 11/26/80 and have amber lenses.
Slide Locks ended 12/80 and was the begining for regular locks.
My truck has slide locks...
So my truck was one of the few with amber lenses and slidelocks, because that combo only happened in the month of November 1980.
So 2/81 those could be production models.
HOWEVER, notice both trucks have no radio antennas in the advert... Those are prototypes or selected test vehicles on Ford's Proving grounds. Most Ford adverts, and the trucks in the brochures are such vehicles.
Merry Christmas!
My truck was built 11/26/80 and have amber lenses.
Slide Locks ended 12/80 and was the begining for regular locks.
My truck has slide locks...
So my truck was one of the few with amber lenses and slidelocks, because that combo only happened in the month of November 1980.
So 2/81 those could be production models.
HOWEVER, notice both trucks have no radio antennas in the advert... Those are prototypes or selected test vehicles on Ford's Proving grounds. Most Ford adverts, and the trucks in the brochures are such vehicles.
Merry Christmas!
FTE Legend
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 32,875
Likes: 48
From: Northeast, OK
So, I was right but for the wrong reason. Ok, sometimes its good to be lucky. Thanks.
But, I beg to differ on the slide lock/amber turn signal issue. Both of my trucks have slide locks and amber turn signals. Dad's shows a build date of 9/80 and Rusty shows 10/80.
But, I beg to differ on the slide lock/amber turn signal issue. Both of my trucks have slide locks and amber turn signals. Dad's shows a build date of 9/80 and Rusty shows 10/80.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 8,786
Likes: 28
From: Northern California
Hmmm... Clear lenses before 11/80... Amber Begining 11/80
Slide Locks Before 12/80. Begining 12/80 regular locks with black hexagon headed lock *****. 3/81 and later chrome lock *****.
Are you sure they are original lenses? I know Ford likes to get things wrong, but that seems a lot even for them.
Slide Locks Before 12/80. Begining 12/80 regular locks with black hexagon headed lock *****. 3/81 and later chrome lock *****.
Are you sure they are original lenses? I know Ford likes to get things wrong, but that seems a lot even for them.
FTE Legend
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 32,875
Likes: 48
From: Northeast, OK
No way of knowing for sure on Rusty, but on Dad's truck we might find early pictures - although we've gone through most of the pictures they had and haven't turned any up that show the front. However, I wouldn't think it is likely that two out of two 81's I have had their turn signal lenses changed out.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 8,786
Likes: 28
From: Northern California
No way of knowing for sure on Rusty, but on Dad's truck we might find early pictures - although we've gone through most of the pictures they had and haven't turned any up that show the front. However, I wouldn't think it is likely that two out of two 81's I have had their turn signal lenses changed out.
Could have been assymbly plant specific changes as well. I could see them switching to amber early on the 10/80 build because they might have ran out of clear, and amber was waiting in the bin. Especially if the 10/80 was an end of month build. No explanation on the 9/80 build though. Two months before amber was to be used...
Very interesting...
FTE Legend
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 32,875
Likes: 48
From: Northeast, OK
I wouldn't think so either, but the book doesn't agree with the production dates. Which in itself is not proof that it isn't true... These books have been known for omissions, errors, etc...
Could have been assymbly plant specific changes as well. I could see them switching to amber early on the 10/80 build because they might have ran out of clear, and amber was waiting in the bin. Especially if the 10/80 was an end of month build. No explanation on the 9/80 build though. Two months before amber was to be used...
Very interesting...
Could have been assymbly plant specific changes as well. I could see them switching to amber early on the 10/80 build because they might have ran out of clear, and amber was waiting in the bin. Especially if the 10/80 was an end of month build. No explanation on the 9/80 build though. Two months before amber was to be used...
Very interesting...
Anyway, I really suspect Dad's truck is the way it came from the factory, and Rusty probably is. So, I'd be willing to be that the book is wrong, at least as far as that factory is concerned.