Classics left to die/rotting pics

[RoverP6B]

I'm well aware that RWD Escorts are highly sought-after for rallying, but why does this not also apply to other similar small rear-drivers of the era? I'm not aware of Vauxhall Vivas or Datsun 120s or whatever being rallied these days, and so their values have remained largely static.

[uk66fastback]

I still find the prices asked for Mk1 Escorts hard to get my head around ...

[Trophy200]

RoverP6B said:

I'm well aware that RWD Escorts are highly sought-after for rallying, but why does this not also apply to other similar small rear-drivers of the era? I'm not aware of Vauxhall Vivas or Datsun 120s or whatever being rallied these days, and so their values have remained largely static.

Prices for TR7 fixed head coupes, particularly without a sunroof, are starting to rise due to their classic rallying potential. Some otherwise restorable examples have apparently been cannibalised just for the roof panel to replace one with a sunroof hole in it.

Trophy200

[RoverP6B]

Wouldn't it be really simple just to weld up the roof? And I was thinking more of mundane everyday stuff, like Vivas, Marinas and so on... how hard would it be to really sort a Marina? As hateful as they were, they basically used MGB bits, and there are loads of upgrades available for those...

[tr7v8]

RoverP6B said:

Wouldn't it be really simple just to weld up the roof? And I was thinking more of mundane everyday stuff, like Vivas, Marinas and so on... how hard would it be to really sort a Marina? As hateful as they were, they basically used MGB bits, and there are loads of upgrades available for those...

The factory tried & were successful with Marinas in the 1300 class for rallying. Also Dolomite Sprints. Tony Pond always said that the TR7 V8 had the possibility to be an Escort beater in its time. The factory pulled the plug halfway through the development.

[droopsnoot]

RoverP6B said:

I'm well aware that RWD Escorts are highly sought-after for rallying, but why does this not also apply to other similar small rear-drivers of the era? I'm not aware of Vauxhall Vivas or Datsun 120s or whatever being rallied these days, and so their values have remained largely static.

A mate of mine rallies a 2300 Viva quite successfully, and there's quite a Chevette contingent as well. And there's the Can-Am Firenza replica that Jimmy McRae is driving at the moment.

[MadDad]

droopsnoot said:

RoverP6B said:

I'm well aware that RWD Escorts are highly sought-after for rallying, but why does this not also apply to other similar small rear-drivers of the era? I'm not aware of Vauxhall Vivas or Datsun 120s or whatever being rallied these days, and so their values have remained largely static.

A mate of mine rallies a 2300 Viva quite successfully, and there's quite a Chevette contingent as well. And there's the Can-Am Firenza replica that Jimmy McRae is driving at the moment.

My first car was the best of both, 1972 Viva (in poo-brown) with a RS2000 2.1 pinto, Triumph Dolomite LSD, Jag front suspension and Granada Ghia X interior - looked more or less standard from the kerb aside from some slightly wider wheels. Trouble was at 17 I was stopped by the bib more or less every time I pulled off my parents driveway!

[Spottedlaurel]

RoverP6B said:

I'm well aware that RWD Escorts are highly sought-after for rallying, but why does this not also apply to other similar small rear-drivers of the era? I'm not aware of Vauxhall Vivas or Datsun 120s or whatever being rallied these days, and so their values have remained largely static.

Values of many of the Japanese RWD 1970s cars are going up, especially for models like the Violet which had a bit of rallying heritage. In the right place I think that Lancer on the previous page would have a surprisingly high value, they were successful on mid-1970s Safaris and I'd have thought with all the retrospective/historic events of that nature it would be a good base.

I'm buying another Datsun soon, a small RWD 1200, and I'm having to pay a considerable amount more for it than I used to have to less than 10yrs ago. It's not a minter but is the rare 2dr saloon and I'm contemplating some sympathetic competitive use for it. A couple of people on the Datsun forum have just built-up a 1200 coupe for racing, they ended up importing a car from Holland as the basis.

[Humper]

Spottedlaurel said:

I'm buying another Datsun soon, a small RWD 1200, and I'm having to pay a considerable amount more for it than I used to have to less than 10yrs ago. It's not a minter but is the rare 2dr saloon and I'm contemplating some sympathetic competitive use for it. A couple of people on the Datsun forum have just built-up a 1200 coupe for racing, they ended up importing a car from Holland as the basis.

Australia's laden with them.

[DonkeyApple]

uk66fastback said:

I still find the prices asked for Mk1 Escorts hard to get my head around ...

I agree but I think it shows the regard for Ford's pretty impressive Motorsport heritage over other products which are probably just as good and maybe better.

Whether you like Fords or not it is a company that when it has mixed US money and 'go get em' attitude with English engineering and neediness has delivered some of the most wonderful cars and especially engines of the post war period.

[RoverP6B]

So various of the other rear-drivers of that era are starting to get recognition - but still nothing is getting anywhere near Mk1/2 2-door Escort values! I just cannot get my head round what those are worth now...

[lesstatt]

RoverP6B said:

So various of the other rear-drivers of that era are starting to get recognition - but still nothing is getting anywhere near Mk1/2 2-door Escort values! I just cannot get my head round what those are worth now...

They certainly aren't "worth" the price they command, but for some reason that's what people are prepared to pay. I don't get it either

[RoverP6B]

So why specifically is the Escort, rather than any of its peers, fetching the silly six-figure money?

[lesstatt]

RoverP6B said:

So why specifically is the Escort, rather than any of its peers, fetching the silly six-figure money?

The boys of the 70's who watched the Sweeney, minder, professionals, roger Clarke, Jimmy macrae etc are now all approaching 50 like me, maybe they can afford nostalgia ?

[andyps]

RoverP6B said:

So why specifically is the Escort, rather than any of its peers, fetching the silly six-figure money?

I guess because, to many people, it is the iconic rear drive rally car. Also probably because there is so much support available for them in terms of parts and performance upgrades - almost certainly more provision than for any other car of the genre.

[RoverP6B]

Right. I'm of that age - nearly 58 - where I should recognise its status, but it just doesn't compute for me (and yes, I remember the days of rallying on mainstream TV!).

[andyps]

RoverP6B said:

Right. I'm of that age - nearly 58 - where I should recognise its status, but it just doesn't compute for me (and yes, I remember the days of rallying on mainstream TV!).

I'm not quite as old but feel exactly the same, an Escort was never on the list of cars I wanted and still isn't. I did try to persuade my Dad he should have a Chevette HS as a company car but apparently he wasn't allowed one, I wouldn't have considered suggesting he get an RS2000.

[Gompo]

Escorts are the ones for me sadly, I'm not usually one to go for the popular choice and love all sorts of obscure classics(?), but I just love the look of a nice MK2. The prices these days are a mixture of supply+demand and then speculators. Once the ball's started rolling it doesn't stop.

I'm not from their era, I do remember them on the roads but definitely not widespread in the early 90s My Mother had a Mk2 estate when I was an infant, I'm sure this has effected me to a degree but that Escort was a total shed..

[Oldwolf]

[Roy C]

Oldwolf said:

1971 Gilbern Invader. Last MOT expired Dec2008.