I'm just curious. This has nothing to do with modding anything, really.

What's the reasoning behind the different interior door trims between the GLi models and Futura/Fairmont/Ghia trims?

For reference, the Fut/Fair/Ghia trims have the large sweeping handle that's great to hold on to when flying around bends, but actually kinda s**t at getting any purchase on to slam the door decently. GLis only have the horizontal armrest with an ashtray-like fingerhole for pulling the door closed.

I'm assuming the difference is due to the manual window winder on the GLi, presumably the larger armrest/handle would make winding the window awkward? It's the only logical answer I can think of, short of "Ford did it for no reason other than to make the high-series cars look different". Which isn't really that odd, come to think of it.

ANYHOW.

Last edited by Datazoid on Mon Mar 21, 2005 8:21 pm, edited 1 time in total.

I think you've nail it on the head. I just never took the time to actually consider why before.

Which nail? The manual window winders nail, or the Ford just wants an excuse to charge you another grand and call it luxury nail?

manual winders - won't work with the armrests. Gli's are the only models with manual winders in the front. fairmonts & above had electrics all around.

With Futuras having Power windows in teh front.

as well as XR's. futuras & XR's were internally trimmed pretty much the same inside - besides a few differences

this being the reason futuras dont have the full armrests in the rear...

I hadn't noticed the rear armrests were any different. I don't spend much time in the back, I guess.

Well... To be honest, I would be p****d if my $50,000+ EL Ghia didnt have anything different inside the car than your $28,000 GLi when I went out to buy a car. Even if it was just a different arm rest.

The main reason would be because of the manual winders (If you've ever taken off the door trim before you would instantly realise), but also because Ford do have a low, mid and high series, so some things need to be different.

But then again, if anyone has ever pull apart their door trim before, they would see that a Ghia door trim is a GLi door trim with a few extra holes drilles to accomodate the arm rest and wood grain bit.