86' GT - Marti Report

[ITdude87]

Received this last night:

Looks like it has a 3.08 rear, hood decal delete, and was sold on Halloween.

Seems awful late in the year for 1986, with the 87's knocking on the door at the time. I'll take it.

[gt4494]

More interesting to me is that it was 6 month between the time the car was ordered and assembly began. I wonder if there was a shortage in one of the options or something.

[FoxChassis]

Was a dealer stock order and took 6 weeks to sell

[OX1]

Different on hood decal delete. How many had that in 86?

[FoxChassis]

I haven't sent that number for GT hatchbacks yet. I have for GT convertibles and 14.5% of them had that option.

[OX1]

I haven't sent that number for GT hatchbacks yet. I have for GT convertibles and 14.5% of them had that option.

Thanks, more than I would have thought. Guess, I never looked that hard, but not sure I recall ever seeing one without in person.

[ITdude87]

Thanks, more than I would have thought. Guess, I never looked that hard, but not sure I recall ever seeing one without in person.

Same, but then again, I don't see any 85/86's in the wild as-is to be completely honest.

[FoxChassis]

Code "GTX" on the buck tag indicated if 'Hood Graphic Delete' (regular production option #974) was ordered. Since this was an option only in the 1986 model year, that is the only model year you will find that buck tag code.

[ITdude87]

Code "GTX" on the buck tag indicated if 'Hood Graphic Delete' (regular production option #974) was ordered. Since this was an option only in the 1986 model year, that is the only model year you will find that buck tag code.

Next time I am around the car, I will snap a photo of the door sticker and see if I can pull the buck tag. I'm going to leave the build sheet a mystery for now, as I don't feel like tearing apart carpet and panels.

Thanks for the additional information!

[FoxChassis]

If anyone finds their 1986 GT build sheet and sees code "GX" on row G in columns 17-18, that means 'Hood Graphic Delete'.

[85GTGuy]

Code "GTX" on the buck tag indicated if 'Hood Graphic Delete' (regular production option #974) was ordered. Since this was an option only in the 1986 model year, that is the only model year you will find that buck tag code.

Interesting, to me, that the "Hood Graphic Delete" was only an option in 86, and not in 85. Wonder why that was??

[FoxChassis]

Could have been a very late 1985 option. The latest 1985 model year salesperson price book I have seen is dated 04/29/85 (about three months before production ended) and it doesn't list RPO 974 as an option, but the 1986 dealer docs don't indicate it was a new option for that model year.

[OX1]

Interesting, to me, that the "Hood Graphic Delete" was only an option in 86, and not in 85. Wonder why that was??

All those Stang owners jealous of Capri's with no decal, LOL!!

[ITdude87]

I WONDERED why I had such an easy time removing the old one!!

It came right off. All the videos and threads I saw had people using eraser wheels and heat guns...and it looked like a nightmare. I thought I had just gotten lucky.

What do you guys think - Would it be bad taste to put a new one on, if it originally came without? I plan on putting the new one on still....I like the way it looks. Down the road - do you think this would hurt the value? Can always peel it off if a "super snob" came along right?



Cheers

[85GTGuy]

Yea, put it on.... it wouldn't be in bad taste. imo. I like the way they look also. It just seems "right" on an 85 or 86 GT.

No one would ever know that it didn't come with one. You wouldn't either if you hadn't gotten the Marti report, right? And like you say, it could be removed if so desired.

[Bryan Knebworth]

I WONDERED why I had such an easy time removing the old one!!

It came right off. All the videos and threads I saw had people using eraser wheels and heat guns...and it looked like a nightmare. I thought I had just gotten lucky.

What do you guys think - Would it be bad taste to put a new one on, if it originally came without? I plan on putting the new one on still....I like the way it looks. Down the road - do you think this would hurt the value? Can always peel it off if a "super snob" came along right?



Cheers

Probably a re-pop decal. Car was resprayed right? Can usually tell near driver's door sticker.

[ITdude87]

Yea, put it on.... it wouldn't be in bad taste. imo. I like the way they look also. It just seems "right" on an 85 or 86 GT.

No one would ever know that it didn't come with one. You wouldn't either if you hadn't gotten the Marti report, right? And like you say, it could be removed if so desired.

You’re not wrong. The window sticker included with the car’s documentation had a line that said “Hood graphic - not included”. Up until the Marti report, you’re right - I thought they all came with it, but I had my doubts. I’m glad this type of decoding and documentation exists.

The fact is, I’ve wanted a car like this again for so long, and now that I finally have it, I’m going through every nook and cranny and obsessing over every detail I can find about it. Hearing someone else say “do it” is affirming. I agree, it looks like it belongs and feels right.

[ITdude87]

Probably a re-pop decal. Car was resprayed right? Can usually tell near driver's door sticker.

Nope, definitely original paint, no doubt about it.

Decal - Absolutely. It was weathered in some spots had me fooled as original as well, which prompted me to peel it and order a replacement in the first place. It came off without much fuss, and that didn’t seem right. I had figured it would be a lot more stubborn if it was the real deal.

[Bryan Knebworth]

Nope, definitely original paint, no doubt about it.

Decal - Absolutely. It was weathered in some spots had me fooled as original as well, which prompted me to peel it and order a replacement in the first place. It came off without much fuss, and that didn’t seem right. I had figured it would be a lot more stubborn if it was the real deal.

Show it outside in the sun, so we can see the paint. Did the original owner tell you this, that it was original? Dunno why, but comes off as a repaint, not metallic-y enough, or deep enough to be Ford at quick glance. Canyon Red IIRC.

Personally I would for sure do the '85GT decal on both '85 and '86, and not use that 'generic' looking one without the GT cutout. Absolutely am intriqued by these CRAZY OCT '86 builds. Thats never been done in Mustang history. First week of Aug is usually when Job 1 begins on the new model year

[ITdude87]

It's definitely the photo and fluorescent lighting playing tricks on you. It's metallic-y, just a touch faded and thin. - Here's a little bit better angle, you can see some "crows feet" in the paint - If you look up close in some spots, they're there. These are present mostly on the topsides of the car, the sides are much better. If you stand 2-3ft away you can't see them...but up close they're there. Color looks exactly the same in all the jambs, under the hood, etc.

It needs a respray IMO, it's just not something I'm willing to pay for at the moment.

Personally I would for sure do the '85GT decal on both '85 and '86, and not use that 'generic' looking one without the GT cutout.

Agreed. I've got a new decal WITH the cutout ready to go!



Here's some cloudy, but natural light:

[Bryan Knebworth]

Looks incredible, outside. Are you thinking Tint? 35 percent all-around would finish it off real nice.

[ITdude87]

Looks incredible, outside. Are you thinking Tint? 35 percent all-around would finish it off real nice.

Thanks! It really does look amazing out in the open still, so long as you don't get any closer than 12'' away.

Tint is on my short list for things to do in the spring! It's going to look great and protect the interior from UV.

[gt4494]

My '84 still has the original paint and it to is a "20 footer" paint looks good...