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Car History: Car History Year 1991
Posted on Monday, September 27 @ 14:41:52 CDT by Cars |
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This year saw the demise of the Ford
Bronco II, which was replaced by the Explorer. Apart from the hood and stone shield, all the Explorer bodywork was new and used car design techniques to improve the boxy 4x4's aerodynamics. And, although it was definitely shaped more like a truck than a car. Ford reckoned the compact utility Explorer was capable of blurring the distinctions between the two types of vehicle, in this vein, Ford Division general manager Thomas J. Wagner was quoted as saying: "Explorer offers some of the same comforts you would expect to find in cars - right down to the lighted vanity mirrors, optional compact disc player and leather seats. But when you need a truck, Explorer is there, with part-time four-wheel-drive, trailer towing, plenty of cargo space and built-in ruggedness."
There were three 2-door Explorer models (102.1 inch wheelbase) and three 4-door versions (111.9 inch wheelbase) in four series: base XL, Sport, XLT and Eddie Bauer. The Explorer Sport came as a 2-door only, while the XLT was available just as a 4-door. The sole engine available was the 155 horsepower, 4.0-liter V6 with multiple-port electronic fuel injection, but there was a choice of either five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmissions (both with overdrive), limited slip axle, manual locking hubs and other goodies, for those who intended to do some serious off-road driving. The Eddie Bauer models, on the other hand, came with a whole stack of special trim items and creature comforts, not the Heast of which were a couple of designer bags for garments and such. The factory price of an Eddie Bauer 4-door Explorer was almost $22,000, as against under $17,000 for a 2-door XL (which was still two times the cost of the cheapest Escort), but the Explorer's arrival boosted sales of Ford's compact utility vehicles by a huge margin. Indeed, the Explorer proved so successful that during the month of March 1991 it reached number seven in the list of best-selling vehicles in the USA. The popularity of the Explorer and similar utility models like the Aerostar promoted the demise of the full-size, rear-wheel-drive station wagon at Ford, as production of the LTD Crown Victoria came to an end. The Thunderbird got a V8 back under the hood, and the Taurus SHO, with its 220bhp Yamaha V6, established itself as a refined example of the '90s muscle car. For the 10th year in a row, Ford's F-Series pickup trucks remained their top-selling vehicle, but despite all this, the company still posted a record Development of the Explorer continued. The later model had off-road ability - and agility - comparable to the Jeep Grand Cherokee and was available in a number of trim levels with an extensive option list.
Driving impressions were excellent, the new base V6 and the optional, all-alloy 281 cid V8 both giving increased performance and considerable refinement. The Explorer was soon established as one of the leaders in this increasingly crowded market sector.
Specification
FORD EXPLORER
Engine
V6 - cast iron with aluminum
Displacement
281 cu. ins
Bore and stroke
3.55 x 3.54 ins.
Horsepower
239
Engine Electronics
EEC-V Elctronic engine controls with integrated EDIS
Body styles
2/4 door Utility/ATV
Price
$24,020
Specification
1991 EAGLE TALON
Engine
Cast iron block/aluminum heads - 4 cylinders in line
Displacement
121 cu. ins
Bore and stroke
3.34x3.46 ins.
Horsepower
135
Body styles
Coupe
No. of seats
4
Weight (lbs)
2,651 - 2,800 Ibs
Price
$12,990-$16,513
Produced
33,500 .
Specification
1991 MERCURY CAPRI
Engine
Cast iron block with aluminum head -4 Cylinders in line
Displacement
140 cu. ins
Bore and stroke
3.70x3,30 ins.
Horsepower
132
Body styles
Convertible roadster
No. of seats
2
Weight (lbs)
2,500 Ibs
Price
$13,500
Produced
21,200
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