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Topic: LS vs XR-7 (Read 2382 times) previous topic - next topic

LS vs XR-7

Other than the monochrome paint, blacked out trim and the wheel/ tire combo, is there any differences in the exterior appearance of an 88 CougarLS vs an XR-7?

 My newest addition came so cheap and runs so good that I think a new paint job is in the cards.
 I was thinking a mono-chrome paint, I'll black the trim and I'll have to get new tires anyway, so I might as well replace the rims whill I'm at it.
So, for 1988, what colors could an XR-7 come in with a blue interior? The car is white now, but I'm not sure how a mono-chrome white car would look.
Did the XR-7 come in white that year?
Any pix would be great!

LS vs XR-7

Reply #1 –
They came in white, and IMO white was the best looking color for XR7's:



As you can see, another exterior difference is the body color side trim. I think with a blue interior you're limited to blue, white, or black. I can't remember ever seeing a silver or grey XR7.
2015 Mustang GT Premium - 5.0, 6-speed, Guard Green - too much awesome for one car

1988 5.0 Thunderbird :birdsmily: SOLD SEPT 11 2010: TC front clip/hood ♣ Body & paint completed Oct 2007 ♣ 3.55 TC rear end and front brakes ♣ TC interior ♣ CHE rear control arms (adjustable lowers) ♣ 2001 Bullitt springs ♣ Energy suspension poly busings ♣ Kenne Brown subframe connectors ♣ CWE engine mounts ♣ Thundercat sequential turn signals ♣ Explorer overhead console (temp/compass display) ♣ 2.25" off-road dual exhaust ♣ T-5 transmission swap completed Jan 2009 ♣

LS vs XR-7

Reply #2 –
Is the side trim a different style piece, or just painted body-color instead of black?

LS vs XR-7

Reply #3 –
I had a gray 87 XR-7....I regret selling it....but it had black side trim and looked great with the 10 holes.  I had a weird gray two tone leather interior in it though.
 
Kit Sullivan-  in 88 the side trim was painted body color.

LS vs XR-7

Reply #4 –
In '88 the only way to get a blue interior on an XR-7 is to have a white one. It's the combination I have.
On a white '88 XR-7 the Mustang style wheels were either argent such as in the photo Thunder Chicken posted or they have white inserts such as the case with my car.
Monochrome white looks awesome IMO.

The XR-7 also had a specific pin stripe that was different from the LS.

I never compared the side trim to see if it was different than and LS so I don't know if there are really any differences in design. I do believe for the XR-7, it was molded in body color unlike the LS which was molded in black.

LS vs XR-7

Reply #5 –
the 88 XR7 got more interior stuff than exterior really, TC style door panels, full console, buttstuffog gauge cluster, TC style seats, floor shifter, all kinds of neat stuff
It's Gumby's fault.

LS vs XR-7

Reply #6 –
Quote from: Tbird232ci
TC style door panels

Mine doesn't it has the base model door panels. The way it looks the XR7 got thrown together with what ever was left over from the day before. I've seen so many different variations of the XR7 that they are like snow flakes. No two alike.

My black XR7 has red interior, argent wheels, premium sound but no EQ, two tone pinstripe (red and white).

LS vs XR-7

Reply #7 –
Quote from: slamedcat
Mine doesn't it has the base model door panels. The way it looks the XR7 got thrown together with what ever was left over from the day before.


Same here. Looks like all 88 cougars got the same style door panels whether they are an XR-7 or LS. I haven't seen an '88 XR-7 with the TC door panels.

Now the material of the panels seems to different I guess depending on if the interior was leather or regular fabric. My door panel is covered in leather while others I've seen have the fabric kind.

It does seem that no two are the same. I can't find any identical to mine with the same options and colors. Seen ones that are close but none that are exact.

LS vs XR-7

Reply #8 –
Quote from: 5.0willgo
Same here. Looks like all 88 cougars got the same style door panels whether they are an XR-7 or LS. I haven't seen an '88 XR-7 with the TC door panels.

Now the material of the panels seems to different I guess depending on if the interior was leather or regular fabric. My door panel is covered in leather while others I've seen have the fabric kind.

ive seen a few that have TC door panels, interesting

the fabric/leather depends on the seats you have, my TC has leather on the door panels, and leather seats, my buddy has cloth, and cloth inserts on his door panels
It's Gumby's fault.

LS vs XR-7

Reply #9 –
Which would be better when doing a monochromatic job, to paint the moulding with it still on the car, or to remove it, paint it seperately, and re-install it?
-Jim
1987 Cougar LS 5.0

LS vs XR-7

Reply #10 –
i painted mine on the car
It's Gumby's fault.

LS vs XR-7

Reply #11 –
1988 XR7 differences over the LS:

- Painted window trim (all black)
- Black door handles
- Special smoked finish door/trunk locks (standard or illuminated entry) - NOTE: this could have been optional.
- Black antenna mast and base (non-power only)
- Molded body color side moldings, bright delete
- Unique XR7 pinstriping, usually color-keyed to the interior color
- 15" 16-spoke rims in body color; argent (silver) optional
- Molded body color side mirrors
- Molded body color grille

That's all I can think of at the moment. AFAIK, all 1987-88 XR7's had the LS door panels with inserts that matched the seat patterns. Leather seats had plain vinyl inserts; cloth seats had solid, non-perforated cloth inserts. If you see a Turbo Coupe door panel in a 1987-88 XR7, someone installed them...they weren't factory.

Definitely paint the trim between the wheel wells ON the car. The front fender and rear quarter panel pieces bolt on and can be removed to be painted, then reattached.

LS vs XR-7

Reply #12 –
Quote from: Kit Sullivan
Other than the monochrome paint, blacked out trim and the wheel/ tire combo, is there any differences in the exterior appearance of an 88 CougarLS vs an XR-7?

 My newest addition came so cheap and runs so good that I think a new paint job is in the cards.
 I was thinking a mono-chrome paint, I'll black the trim and I'll have to get new tires anyway, so I might as well replace the rims whill I'm at it.
So, for 1988, what colors could an XR-7 come in with a blue interior? The car is white now, but I'm not sure how a mono-chrome white car would look.
Did the XR-7 come in white that year?
Any pix would be great!


Does your car have cornering lamps?  I think they were standard on the '88 XR-7 but optional on the '88 LS.
"lol.. because not too many people care for that style of car"
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LS vs XR-7

Reply #13 –
Ive seen many an 88 XR7 without cornering lights

i think it was one of those very common options
It's Gumby's fault.

LS vs XR-7

Reply #14 –
Yeah those lights were optional on XR-7s.

You're gonna have to do white only, Kit. Unless you go with non-vintage colors...I'm thinking LeMans blue (BMW M5) or that dark blue that Mustangs and Lightnings had back in 2000 or so.
pro-five-oh

88 Cougar XR-7...5.0HO, T-56, and much more                             
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