"... but I've got drum brakes in the rear (it's an SE), and my build date is 11/97." "...several people mentioned they figured the changeover was in 3/98. I thought too that the V6 was standard on the SE; am I wrong?"

Fall 1997 is during the time when the 1998.5 "cheaper" SE's were built. 1998 brochures printed in 9/97 show later models. The factory chageover date is not clear, but it was around summer of '97. I also have an early 98 model brochure printed 1/97 for a spring introduction.

Looks like you have a 1998.5 SE with the standard Zetec. Equivilant to an older GL. Duratechs were std in 1995-early 1998 SE's.

It confusing yes, maybe one reason for Contour sales slide.

I remember seeing alot of 98 SE's that fall and thinking they were selling well, then I learned it was due to the model changes and these were rentals, not the "sporty SE's".

2000 SE fleet, V6, ATX, ABS, no spoiler, T-Green/tan. Built 01/2000 in MO.
Added 12 spoke factory SE rims, K&N. Biggest mod: ESP Plan!