Merc XS Faceplates

[Bruster]

Little known to most of the XS guys is the fact the XS has at least 2 different faceplates that I am aware of. Light N Bug claims there are more variations, and it's tough to argue with what he has seen. Anyone have pics of the varients? Here is a picture of the most common. I'll bet RM has at least 1 of the other varients that I am aware of. I think Crazyhorse has one with a varient faceplate.

[Sunburnt]

These have the grid in them too just can't be seen in the photo.

I'll delete if inappropriate, just trying to have a little fun.

[LightNBug]

As I said on the other thread: I'm sure the originals were chrome with red decals. Then there was the black one you have pictured. I think there was also a black with white checkered or grid pattern about 2 inch squares. There may have also been a plastic version.

I like the 1000xs with the Kiekhaefer logo. To me when that left Mercury was no longer Mercury. It became a matter of beans for the counters, rather than a matter of pride.

[Bruster]

I've always said "it's fun to have fun"

These have the grid in them too just can't be seen in the photo.

I'll delete if inappropriate, just trying to have a little fun.

[milkdud]

Well, I am not an authority but why would merc 1 year after producing all black background faceplates go back to using a chrome background faceplate and then finish black faceplates for the remainder two years of the 1500xs?. These motors were all blacked out in 75 76 77 78 because of the style trend.

Chrome was on the way out and all black was in vogue starting in 1975

Going back to chrome for a middle year on the face plate dont make sense to me but I was not around in 1976, I was born in 77.

Here I go with my investigative mind. Id like to see more pics of these different faceplates
thanks
Conrad

[Raceman]

As I said on the other thread: I'm sure the originals were chrome with red decals. Then there was the black one you have pictured. I think there was also a black with white checkered or grid pattern about 2 inch squares. There may have also been a plastic version.

I didn't see your post on the other thread until I just went and looked after seein' this one, but I think your memory has fooled you on this one. (I can relate........ happens to me all the time) I DO NOT believe that Merc ever put a chrome faceplate on an inline motor AFTER 1974. I had a NEW '76 XS (last inline I ever bought new) and it was black as were all the '75 1500's I had then and the ones I've owned since both long and shortshaft. With 15 or 16 1500XS's now scattered in all 3 year models, if you count the ones that are disassembled as engines, I've never seen a chrome faceplate with XS stickers on it and I DO have faceplates for most all of them in various shades of stickers from still REAL RED to faded almost completely out. Guess what I'm sayin' is, in my opinion, all '75 J engines and 76, 77, 78 XS's had black faceplates.

[LightNBug]

But I still think the first few 1500XS I saw had a chrome face plate. I remember thinking that it was odd looking. I will look through some pictures when I have time.

[Jeff_G]

My first XS had a chrome or rather polished aluminum face plate. It had the same red checkerboard in the center logo, two black painted areas and the rest silver. There was also a black version with a black checkerboard, top bottom being black and black background. I'll try to take some pics next week.

[milkdud]

Thanks Jeff, Im really curious to see that xs. Thanks for taken the time to round up a pic. Did you buy it new that way? or did you get it as a 2nd owner?
Thanks
Conrad

[Raceman]

My first XS had a chrome or rather polished aluminum face plate.

But I still think the first few 1500XS I saw had a chrome face plate. I remember thinking that it was odd looking. I will look through some pictures when I have time.

My appoligies if I insulted anybody's memory. Everybody knows mine sho' ain't what it oughta' be to be quotin' factoids. Anyhow, I was fanatical about goin' to the races in the mid 70's.......... Miami, Eufaula, St. Louis and every backyard race within reasonalble drivin' distance, (Ga, Ala, SC, N. Fl) and I just never saw one, and my new '76 was definately black. I guess it doesn't matter all that much, but on the old cars and old motors originality statisics are interesting to me.

[Bruster]

A close look at all of those faceplates should show the 2 most common variations. Pictures maybe?

With 15 or 16 1500XS's now scattered in all 3 year models, if you count the ones that are disassembled as engines,.... and I DO have faceplates for most all of them in various shades of stickers from still REAL RED to faded almost completely out.