Ford EXP
1982 Ford EXP
Overview
Manufacturer	Ford
Also called	Mercury LN7 Ford Escort EXP
Production	1981–1988
Model years	1982–1988
Assembly	Wayne, Michigan (Wayne Stamping & Assembly) Milpitas, California (San Jose Assembly)[1] St. Thomas, Ontario, Canada (St. Thomas Assembly)
Body and chassis
Class	Compact car
Body style	3-door hatchback
Layout	FF layout
Platform	Ford Escort platform
Related	Ford Escort / Mercury Lynx Ford Tempo / Mercury Topaz

The Ford EXP (also called Ford Escort EXP) is a sports compact coupe that was produced by Ford Motor Company from 1982 to 1988. The first two-seat Ford since the original Ford Thunderbird, the EXP was derived from the American Ford Escort. In contrast to its platform counterpart, the model line was not a "world car", developed entirely for North America. For 1982 and 1983, the EXP was also sold as the Mercury LN7.

Competing against the similarly configured Honda CR-X, the EXP shared its powertrain and many chassis underpinnings with the Escort. Alongside its front and rear fascia styling, the EXP differed primarily in its roofline design, with the rear seat area converted to additional cargo space. Two generations of the model line were produced, with the EXP undergoing a major revision during the 1985 model year.

After the 1988 model year, the EXP was discontinued, as Ford pared down its coupe model lines to the Ford Thunderbird, Ford Mustang, and the Ford Probe. As of current production, Ford has not produced another 2-seat sports compact (its only 2-seat offerings have been the Thunderbird and Ford GT).

Development

By 1980 Ford Motor Company had entered a period of major transition. Following the termination of Lee Iaccoca, chairman Henry Ford II retired and Ford's chief stylist, Eugene Bordinat, stepped down as well.

During the late 1970s there had been a push by automobile manufacturers around the world to make small, fuel efficient cars, triggered by the OPEC oil embargo of October 17, 1973–1974. This embargo included a 70% increase in oil prices, causing long lines at gasoline filling stations and skyrocketing prices for gasoline. A second energy crisis and a renewed recession followed from 1979 to 1982.

Ford studied a two-seater commuter car called the Super Gnat. It was to have a three-cylinder engine with a wheelbase of just 78 in (1,981 mm). Ford also built the Mustang RSX concept car, exploring a slightly smaller two-seat derivative of the Mustang.

To replace the aging Ford Pinto, the company began development on the Ford Escort in the late 1970s. While originally intended to be a "world car", the North American version shared little aside from its engine, suspension, and its name in the final design.

The impetus for developing the EXP came from the company's marketing research. The growing number of one- and two-person households, combined with the lifestyle of the younger target audience who desired a small sporty car, led Ford to conclude that Americans wanted a "lively little car that is dependable, efficient, and good-looking".^[2] The EXP would be a personal vehicle for two people with a cargo area in back.

Ford restyled the Escort from the beltline up. The car received a distinctive new rear hatchback and front hood, fenders, and headlights. The rear seats were removed and the area converted into cargo space.

Comparing the EXP to the original 1955–1957 Thunderbird, Ford Division, general manager Louis E. Latalf said, "we're introducing another two-seater with the same flair, but the EXP will be a very affordable, very fuel efficient car matched to the lifestyles of the eighties."^[3]

Development took place in Ford's St. Thomas Assembly plant in Ontario, where the majority of EXPs and LN7s and all of both models for the 1982 and 1983 model years were produced. This was also where ongoing experiments and further engineering took place as new technologies became available. The plant produced EXPs from February 16, 1981, to August 5, 1983, and LN7s from February 16, 1981, to June 30, 1983, ending in the 1983 model year for both cars and leaving the American plants to produce all EXPs from 1984 to 1988.

1980–1981 EXP sales model

A few pre-production EXPs were built just for conceptual design and advertisement. These extremely rare EXPs included many features that would be available in every EXP or LN7. They were all painted in vibrant colors with black painted across the entire car under the door bumper-lines and had a round silver badge where Ford's blue oval would find itself in 1982. These models were distinguished from production models by dual vents towards the front of the hood instead of the vents later seen on the front bumper clips, an absence of bumper strips on the doors, and rear taillights that were completely red where production EXPs had black around the reverse lights. An SS package and bubbleback hatches like that of the LN7 and second generation EXPs were optional, along with black paint around the door windows as seen on second generation EXPs, aluminum oval-spoke wheels, and "1.6 L" badges on the front fenders. At least ten were built in Canada and were all featured in a rare catalog featuring only those cars. No sightings have been recorded since.

The first production EXP and LN7 both rolled off the line on February 16, 1981. The EXP was driven off the line by then Ontario Premier Bill Davis.

Ford expected to build and sell 200,000 EXPs and 70,000 LN7s in the 1982 model year, but only half that number were produced.

First generation (1982–1985)

First generation
Mercury LN7
Overview
Model years	1982–1985 (EXP) 1982–1983 (LN7)
Powertrain
Engine	1.6 L CVH I4
Transmission	4-speed MTX-I manual 5-speed MTX-III manual 3-speed FLC automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	94.2 in (2,393 mm)
Length	170.3 in (4,326 mm)
Width	65.9 in (1,674 mm)
Height	50.5 in (1,283 mm)
Curb weight	2,047 lb (929 kg)

The EXP's unibody rode on the Escort's 94.2 in (2,393 mm) wheelbase, with front-wheel drive, and four-wheel independent suspension from 1970s European Fords. At 50 in (1,270 mm) tall and 14 ft (4.3 m) long, the EXP was longer, lower, and sportier than the North American Escort. The EXP's wheelbase is also close to the "Fox body" Mustang of the same era, differing by less than an inch in length.

Performance wasn't the car's strong suit, since the EXP weighed about 200 lb (90.7 kg) more than the contemporary Escort but carried the same small 1.6 L CVH engine rated at 70 hp (52 kW) and a standard 4-speed MTX-I manual transaxle. The engine was specifically developed for the North American market of fuel efficiency while the European models of these engines spun faster and made more power. Originally there were to be two available engine options; 1.3 L CVH and a 1.6 L CVH, however the choice was made to only use the larger version. Europe ended up with all the CVH variants while North America only saw the 1.6 and later 1.9 L CVH engines. Also the suspension is that of European Ford Escorts from the 1980s, sharing nearly every part with 1980s North American Escorts. Nevertheless, the March 1981 issue of Car and Driver reported that their EXP with a manual transmission attained 44 mpg_‑US (5.3 L/100 km) on the highway.

Both the Ford EXP and the Mercury LN7 had a sharply sloped windshield, wheel arches with prominent lips, and wide body side moldings not far below the top of the wheel well. The EXP's minimalist grille consisted of two horizontal slots on the sloped front panel, while the LN7 had ten slots. The biggest difference was the rear hatch. The EXP used a lift-up hatch with flat glass similar to the Mustang while the LN7 used a hatch with large "bubbleback" glass . A similar "bubbleback" glass hatch was also added to the Fox body second generation Mercury Capri for 1983–1986 as a styling revision. These features made the coefficient of drag low for both the EXP (0.37) and LN7 (0.36), and also helped fuel efficiency.

1982 Ford EXP interior

Priced considerably higher than the Escort, the EXP carried an extensive list of standard equipment. It included power brakes, full instrumentation, full carpeting, map lighting (non-sunroof), electric back window defroster, power hatchback release, a digital clock, a cargo area security shade, and rims that are noticeably wider than those of Escorts. Models with a manual transmission had a sport-tuned exhaust. Automatic models had a wide-open throttle cutout switch for the optional air conditioning compressor clutch. Other options include floor vents and power steering or air conditioning and manual steering, AM/FM radio, cruise control, roof luggage rack, rear window wiper, various seat styles and fabrics, removable sunroof, right hand mirror, TRX tires and suspension, child seat, and a very wide variety of colors inside and out with many various pinstripes and other painted decals.

A 1982 Ford EXP

As the full 1982 model year began, Ford offered an optional (at no extra cost) 4.05:1 final drive for better performance. Later came a close-ratio version of the four-speed transmission with 3.59:1 final drive ratio intended for the same purpose. Ford also offered an 8 in (203 mm) rear brake drum set over the 7 in (178 mm) rear brake drums of other EXPs and Escorts. As the years went on many different rim options became available but the color choices became more limited.

Finally, in March 1982, an 80 hp (60 kW) "High Output" (H.O.) version of the CVH engine became available. It had higher (9.0:1) compression, a dual-inlet air cleaner, lower-restriction exhaust, a bifurcated four-into-two-into-one exhaust manifold, larger carburetor venturis (a 32 mm primary and a 34 mm secondary compared to the 32 mm of both venturis in the non-HO engine), and a higher-lift (0.289 mm) camshaft.^[5]

Then, in the last week of September 1982, in co-operation with Bosch, Ford Canada assembled the first electronic multi-port fuel-injected (EFI) 1.6 L for the EXP GT and LN7, giving it the distinction of being the first model Ford offered with that option for the US market. The original 70 hp (52 kW) engine was no longer available.^[6] Fuel injection with the EEC IV was added on to the existing H.O. CVH engine, producing 88 hp (66 kW) at 5,400 rpm and 94 lb⋅ft (127 N⋅m) of torque in a 9.5:1 compression ratio, naturally aspirated configuration giving it an affinity for higher octane fuel.^[7] For buyers in regions of higher elevation the 1.6 L EFI option was replaced with the 1.6 L HO motor, making the 1.6 L EFI even more rare. Also new was a five-speed manual transmission option.^[6]

Also new for the 1983 model year were new base seats with knitted rather than solid vinyl, while a new optional "Recaro-style" sport seat had mesh headrests. On the Mercury LN7, the woodgrain on the dash was removed in favor of black plastic, while the instrument graphics were also revised. As was the case for the regular Escort/Lynx, the shifter was moved rearwards while the automatic shifter dropped the unusual dogleg pattern in favor of a more common straight-line arrangement.^[6] The gas tank was enlarged to 13 US gallons (49 L); there were no notable changes to the exterior aside from new wheel options.

EXP Turbo Coupe

By 1984, Ford was trying hard to conquer the youth market, especially the affluent young motorist with offerings such as the Mustang SVO, Thunderbird Turbo Coupe, and the new EXP Turbo Coupe also built by Ford's Special Vehicle Operations (SVO). It shared many parts with the McLaren ASC EXP, including a turbocharged engine, Koni shocks, stiffer springs, lower ride height, improved brakes, and Michelin TRX tires.

In the car's initial development there was a plan for adding fuel injection and a turbocharger to increase power significantly, but there wasn't enough time to get it into the first two production years. The turbocharged 1.6 L CVH engine, available for the Escort and EXP, featured a high-lift camshaft and EEC-IV electronic controls. With an 8:1 compression ratio and boost pressure up to 8 psi (0.55 bar), torque was increased to 120 lb⋅ft (162.7 N⋅m) and power raised to 120 hp (89.5 kW), a gain of some 35% over the naturally aspirated models.

All these improvements allowed for a 0–60 mph (0–100 km/h) time of 9 seconds and 1⁄4-mile (0.40 km) time of 16.9 seconds at 82 mph (132.0 km/h) which while unimpressive today was good for the era. The 1983 EFI or HO 5-speed EXPs would only conquer 0–60 mph in 14 seconds and 1⁄4-mile (0.40 km) in 20 seconds at 70 mph (112.7 km/h) (all depending on the options and model year). But not even the 1986–88 EXPs with the 1.9 L EFI HO motor could touch the Turbo model with a 1⁄4-mile (0.40 km) time of 17.5 seconds at 77 mph (123.9 km/h).

The Turbo Coupe had a unique front air dam and rear decklid spoiler, with a taped "Turbo" badge on the rear bumper. It also had two-tone paint with a black lower section, a unique C-pillar appliqué featuring the EXP lettering, black wheel flares, and black rocker panel moldings.

Its only optional features were air conditioning and removable sunroof. Its transition from 1984 into 1985 included the change from the three-spoke steering wheel to the two-spoke steering wheel, the softer two-piece shift knob and vinyl boot to the one-piece shift knob and square rubber boot. For 1986 a federally mandated third brake light was added which was built into the rear spoiler.

Second generation (1985–1988)

Second generation
Overview
Model years	1985.5–1988
Powertrain
Engine	1.9 L CVH I4
Transmission	4-speed MTX-I manual 5-speed MTX-III manual 3-speed FLC automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	94.2 in (2,393 mm)
Length	170.3 in (4,326 mm)
Width	65.9 in (1,674 mm)
Height	50.5 in (1,283 mm)
Curb weight	2,388 lb (1,083 kg)

By the mid-1980s, two-seat compact sports coupes were in vogue. By 1985, the EXP found competition in the Honda CR-X, Pontiac Fiero, and Toyota MR2. While the latter two were mid-engine, rear-wheel drive vehicles, all were similar to the EXP in deriving a number of powertrain and chassis components from other production vehicles. After four years of production, the first-generation EXP was discontinued during the 1985 model year. Originally marketed towards buyers that valued fuel efficiency over high performance, the Ford EXP had begun to struggle against newer, sportier vehicles. Build quality and refinement were also inferior to its Japanese competitors.

In 1985, a group of Ford assembly employees took an EXP off the line and upgraded it with parts from the updated 1985½ Ford Escort. This one-off "prototype" built by the factory workers was presented to Ford CEO Donald Petersen, who liked it and approved it for production, as a "1985½" model.

Officially renamed the Ford Escort EXP, the second-generation EXP abandoned the controversial front headlight nacelles and widely flared fenders in favor of a version of the bodywork from the standard Ford Escort, sharing its flush-mounted headlamps and amber turn signal lenses. The Escort EXP was given a model-specific front bumper with an integrated air dam; along with the Escort GT, the EXP was produced with its own grille, distinguished by a single slot below the Ford emblem. The rear bodywork remained largely the same; with the exception of the Mercury LN7 "bubble hatch" becoming standard; the grey rear taillamp lenses introduced in 1985 were retained. To match the lowered front bumpers, the rear bumpers were redesigned.

Along with the exterior, the interior of the EXP was redesigned to match the rest of the Ford Escort line.

Discontinuation

From its 1982 introduction, sales of the EXP were never as strong as Ford marketing executives had intended. After the introduction of competitive 2-seat vehicles (such as the Pontiac Fiero, Toyota MR2 and Honda CRX), buyers shifted towards higher-performance vehicles. During the 1980s, insurance rates on 2-seat cars were rising over those of cars with back seats, creating a separate deterrent for buyers.

Within Ford, the development of the Ford Mustang played a separate part in the demise of the EXP. In 1982, Ford commenced work on the fourth-generation Mustang; beginning work on a "design of tomorrow", the goal was to shift the Mustang from rear-wheel drive to front-wheel drive, increasing fuel efficiency; in place of the Fox platform, the Mustang was to become a counterpart of the Mazda MX-6. At the time, General Motors was considering a similar redesign of the Chevrolet Camaro and Pontiac Firebird by 1990.

By the mid-1980s, as the public learned of the planned front-wheel drive Mustang, it spawned a negative reaction from buyers and dealers, leading Ford to reconsider the decision.^[9] However, as the front-wheel drive car was significantly far along in the development cycle, Ford chose to bring it to production, renaming it Ford Probe (after a series of aerodynamically advanced Ford concept cars). As Ford could not afford the market overlap of producing three compact sports coupes (alongside the Ford Festiva, Ford Escort, and Ford Tempo two-doors), the company chose to discontinue the Escort EXP, as it was the slowest-selling nameplate.

In October 1988, after over 225,000 Ford (Escort) EXPs were produced, the final Ford Escort EXP rolled off the assembly line.^[10]

Production

Feature timeline

Variants

1982 Ford EXP Convertible Number 2

Promotional Specials

Ghia Brezza

The Ghia Brezza was a concept car commissioned by Ford and built by Carrozzeria Ghia. It was based on a Ford EXP chassis.^[18] The car was presented at the 1982 Turin Auto Show.^[19] It also appeared on the cover of the July 1982 issue of Road & Track magazine.

In 1982 Ford shipped two EXP chassis to Ghia with instructions to create a mid-engined car as a possible answer to the anticipated arrival of the P-car (later Fiero) from General Motors' Pontiac division.^[20]

Ghia's managing director, Filippo Sapino, assigned Marilena Corvasce to the project. The Brezza is said to have been the first complete car designed by a female designer.^[20][18] Because of this the Brezza was given the Heritage Vehicle Association's HVA Heritage Award.^[20]

As per Ford's instruction, the car is a mid-engined two-seater coupe with glassed-in rear buttresses.^[19] The body was an aerodynamic exercise, having flush-mounted windows, skirted rear wheels, fairings in the lower nose ahead of the wheels, and a fully-ducted radiator whose airflow came in through a slot under the nose and was extracted by the airflow under the car. This all resulted in a coefficient of drag (${\displaystyle \scriptstyle C_{\mathrm {d} }\,}$) of just 0.30.^[18]

The coachbuilder created the Brezza's chassis by cutting the two EXP donor chassis, and welding up pieces of each.^[21] The car's original powertrain was the EXP's standard 1.6 L CVH engine and automatic transmission, although the engine was later upgraded to a supercharged 1.8 L version.^{[22][20][18][19]}

GN34

At least one first-generation EXP was modified as an early development mule for the 3.0 L SHO V6 engine co-developed between Ford and Yamaha and was part of Ford's GN34 program to develop a mid-engine sports car.^[23] Some were made RWD with the Yamaha V6 on display in the rear bubble hatch while others were AWD models with the V6 under the hatch as well. Some V6s were punched from 3.0 to 3.2 to 3.4 to 3.6 liters all mated to a ZF-5 transmissions.

It is unknown how many EXP-based test mules were built; later prototypes were custom-built designs. The GN34 mid-engine sports car was shelved in the late 1980s, with the Ford-Yamaha V6 engine leading to the introduction of the Ford Taurus SHO sports sedan.

Motorsport

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Ford EXP, Ford Escort EXP and Mercury LN7.

• Ford EXP recall information at Justia.com