New in the mail -
 

I got this in the mail, a perfect '85 Bullnose Ford brochure:

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.for...dd17db50c4.jpg

And why did I buy this? Here's a hint:

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.for...241e56e506.jpg

Pretty! Looks like the one here: 1985 Early F-Series Pickup - ???Gary's Garagemahal. It should be the early version since it shows the glue-on trim on the cover. See if the date on the back cover is 8/84.

Yes, it does

I'm always watching to see if other dates are out there, but the two I know of are 8/84 and 1/85: 1985 Late F-Series Pickup - ???Gary's Garagemahal

So the late version is the same, only w/o the glue on trim? It's interesting because the photos are exactly the same, so they couldn't have been staged twice the same way.

I don't know anything about how they did the photo alterations in the pre-computer era - altho I guess there were big main frames then that could have done that job with a programmer. Of course, the earlier version seems like it would have been the original photo with a real trim, and the later was photo modified w/o the trim. Dunno, but brings up some "pondering" on how they did it.

I got the the brochure as I was mainly interested in the Supercabs and how they were outfitted.

I've pondered that as well. Long before PC's and PhotoShop. But, I've had the two brochures side by side and the covers are identical save for the upper trim. I have no clue how they did it, but they did it and did it well.

Yes, and the bigger question is WHY did they go through all that trouble to do that? :-huh

I mean, FoMoCo must have had a pretty good reason to go through the trouble (and it had to be a LOT of trouble in the mid 1980s) of changing every single picture in that brochure of a truck that had the "New for 1985" pressure sensitive (not "glue on") upper trim moulding only to revert back to the earlier 1980 - 1984 lower trim moulding.

Ford eliminated every single trace of the upper trim moulding from the early 1985 brochure (8/84) when they replaced it in 1/85 with an updated brochure not even half way through the model year. And that trim moulding was also completely missing from the 1986 brochure. No pictures, no option, nothing - like it never existed.

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...n-molding.html

I guess it's one of those mysteries that would take an insider to figure out. Maybe it was an overwhelming negative reaction from the customers? Altho that is a pretty quick reaction.

You guys say "no PC's or Photo Shop" that would be for us every day people.


I would say big corps. like Ford would have the equipment & software to do this and if they did not then the printer might as I don't think it would be a little print shop doing the printing.


In the late 80's I was using a computer to do energy management, start/stop HVAC equipment and check/adjust temps on steam chillers in a hospital.
Late 80's/early 90's was taking a home study course on PC repair so why wouldn't Ford have PC's & software?


That's my story and sticking to it.
Dave ----

Yes, I was wrong. PC's were available then. But not Photoshop. However, surely there was another application that would do it.

Hollywood still existed back then and they did some hi-tech stuff at the time, e.g. 6-million dollar man throwing cars around, Wonder Woman flinging her fireballs, whatever.... Marketing firms also existed.

About 83-84 I was running a Kinkos in "Starkvegas, MS" & reading print industry/trade mags that we got.

There was one ad/story that had a poster offer for "one of the first completely computer edited" images available for about $5...

It was a 4-eye, white convertible Fox Mustang full of beautiful blue water (like a pool) with a beautiful girl in matching white one-piece reclining in it, viewed from above. (Ford authorized & approved)

I got it, framed it & got many compliments over the years.

Still have it in storage.

This be your new truck?

Could be. It might actually be rolling past your neck of the woods today or tomorrow.

Thus was the interest in '85 Supercabs noted in the first post of this thread. The deal and trying to get it here has been ~6 weeks in the making. Lariat Explorer 4x4 351W HO, C6, AC, high option; supposed to be low mileage and rust free western truck.