Special Editions

[Htmlkid]

Does anyone know what was included when mooneys were Special Editions. I know it was upgraded seats and wood grained yokes... but anything else Im missing?

[LANCECASPER]

Around 1985 Mooney offered a Special Edition with upgraded interiors. Soon after that it just became the standard interior even though it was called a Special Edition. Later Mooney offered a Lean Machine J model with a less expensive panel and interior and cut the price to $99,999. In 1999 Mooney offered a lower priced long body called the Eagle that had a less expensive interior, panel and a IO-550 limited to 244hp.  

All of this to say this has mainly been marketing and a chance to offer different price points. The aftermarket interiors that people put in their airplanes now are vastly superior to anything offered in the 70’s, 80’s and even most of the 90’s. An Aero Comfort interior makes a 80’s Mooney look like something that would have rolled off of the assembly line, had Mooney still been making airplanes≥

[PeterRus]

I believe the Eagles also lack rudder trim.

[LANCECASPER]

5 hours ago, PeterRus said:

I believe the Eagles also lack rudder trim.

Yes 56 Eagles did not have rudder trim or a ground power plug. The last 6, called Eagle 2s, added both of those plus a 100 pound gross weight increase.

[wombat]

This matches with what I know.    I've got a 1984 model year 231 "Special Edition"    The special part is just the interior.   I'm planning on repainting and getting a new interior installed next year and despite the fact that it will no longer have anything that made it a 'special edition' I'm going to keep the special edition label on the new paint job.   

 

I'm going to label it a Mooney 305 Rocket Special Edition      (with the little rocket logo)