1969 Mark Iii Marti report

[Jberger501]

I just received my Marti report and I was wondering about a few items on my window sticker.

The tires are listed as “WSW 855X15 4P/R TIRES” So, what does “4P/R refer to?

Second, what does “Appearance Protection Group” refer to?

Third, what does “Special Body Finish” refer to?

I find it interesting that the transportation charges were $211 on an $8,200 car or about 2.5%. I’ve been checking out a new Toyota Prius, and the shipping charges are now about 7.5%, and that’s on a much lighter vehicle!

[1Bad55Chevy]

Dosen't the 4p/r stand for 4 ply radial?

I would think the transport increase would be for fuel and wage increases since 1969. It's a new world out here in these streets.

[Jberger501]

You gave e a hint!

Radials became standard equipment in 1970 on the Mark III, so it must be 4 ply rating. I should have figured it out, so thanks for the nudge.

[Lee]

I have read the “Special Body Finish” referred to the vinyl top delete, but I think yours has one, right?
https://www.thelincolnforum.net/phpbb3/ ... hp?t=49655

[Jberger501]

Yes, it does. Could it refer to body side moldings? My car has them, but they could have been aftermarket or dealer installed.

[Lee]

Have you looked for the build sheet? That may tell something.

[Jberger501]

Haven’t found it. I took out the back seat bottom, but it wasn’t there. Where else would it be hiding?

[frasern]

I expect "special body finish" is just a marketing term applied to them all. If yours has a non stock colour, it would have a special order code attached, alongside the DSO. A special order could be any number of non standard production things, and I doubt Marti has those details.

[Lee]

Haven’t found it. I took out the back seat bottom, but it wasn’t there. Where else would it be hiding?

I’ve found them in the springs of the upper rear cushion, and also inside the rear panels of the front seats.

[Jberger501]

I’ll take a look there.

[RMAENV]

Build sheets can be under the front seat in the springs. I found one on the driver side front seat. The have been found also behind the glove box insert. Could be anywhere.

[Lee]

Here's another special body finish, sans vinyl roof.
https://www.carandclassic.com/car/C1635526

[Jberger501]

I’m guessing the “Special Body Finish” didn’t mean a special paint color but was more along the lines of color sanding and polishing. Can anyone shed more light?

[frasern]

Ford has launched a site called Ford Heritage Vault, and it may have that information, but I cannot make links anymore because windows made some "upgrade" that screwed everything up and I'm damned if I know what they did. That site has a lot of original brochures, as well as textural pages, but I find it difficult to navigate, it gives you a lot of info. you didn't ask for, and times you out just as you are getting close.

[RMAENV]

frasern, I just bought a new laptop last night because my keyboard crapped out on the old one. I tried to download a security App and Windows wouldn't let me install becase it wasn't available in the Microsoft Store.

It appears Windows has an "S" mode. You have to disable it...... https://www.google.com/search?q=how+do+ ... nt=gws-wiz