I want a classic fast Ford
Discussion
Hey guys,
Two days ago I had the most unfortunate day of my life so far. I was involved in a low-speed road accident that in practice wasn't my fault, but by law technically was so I am going to pay around £175 for a split second of soul-destroying misfortune. Even driving veterans have told me that it was completely unfair on me. The only lesson I could take from this was that s
t happens.
This got me thinking that if it's that easy to lose a bit of money, even in circumstances where that shouldn't have been the case, then life is too short to not just spend your money on stuff you really want as long as it's not a stupid financial decision.
I have wanted a classic fast Ford for a while now, and having realised that I will have spent more money repairing someone else's car (when I really shouldn't be) than I've spent on myself in recent times, I've decided life is too short for me to deny myself the pleasure of finally owning a car I've always had the urge to have.
So this brings me to my question. I'd be looking at spending about 5k tops realistically, and insuring it on classic insurance (I'm 19 so that's the only viable way). It will be a second car and will be kept on a driveway under a cover, or a garage if I can get my hands on one.
My daily is a Mondeo ST, so I'd be looking for something different enough to that to justify ownership. I'm not sure how viable this is with a classic fast Ford, but I'd also be after something as quick as possible, although that requirement comes second to good handling and fun factor. I do have the means to undertake some work on the car with the help of some family friends.
I've been thinking of an RS Turbo of some sort, most likely an Escort. Initially I was thinking of something rear-wheel-drive, but I don't fancy a Capri too much and a Sierra Cosworth of any kind is miles out of my budget.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
David
Two days ago I had the most unfortunate day of my life so far. I was involved in a low-speed road accident that in practice wasn't my fault, but by law technically was so I am going to pay around £175 for a split second of soul-destroying misfortune. Even driving veterans have told me that it was completely unfair on me. The only lesson I could take from this was that s
![](/inc/images/censored.gif)
This got me thinking that if it's that easy to lose a bit of money, even in circumstances where that shouldn't have been the case, then life is too short to not just spend your money on stuff you really want as long as it's not a stupid financial decision.
I have wanted a classic fast Ford for a while now, and having realised that I will have spent more money repairing someone else's car (when I really shouldn't be) than I've spent on myself in recent times, I've decided life is too short for me to deny myself the pleasure of finally owning a car I've always had the urge to have.
So this brings me to my question. I'd be looking at spending about 5k tops realistically, and insuring it on classic insurance (I'm 19 so that's the only viable way). It will be a second car and will be kept on a driveway under a cover, or a garage if I can get my hands on one.
My daily is a Mondeo ST, so I'd be looking for something different enough to that to justify ownership. I'm not sure how viable this is with a classic fast Ford, but I'd also be after something as quick as possible, although that requirement comes second to good handling and fun factor. I do have the means to undertake some work on the car with the help of some family friends.
I've been thinking of an RS Turbo of some sort, most likely an Escort. Initially I was thinking of something rear-wheel-drive, but I don't fancy a Capri too much and a Sierra Cosworth of any kind is miles out of my budget.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
David
http://www.angliacarauctions.co.uk/en/classic-auct...
for comedy value, have a look at this fast Ford.![smile](/inc/images/smile.gif)
I'm old enough to know all these cars from first time round. At the time they were quick- but everything was slow by comparison.
I think you'd be surprised just how small and how slow a 70's or 80's fast ford actually is these days.
yr mondeo ST will always be the quicker car !
for comedy value, have a look at this fast Ford.
![smile](/inc/images/smile.gif)
I'm old enough to know all these cars from first time round. At the time they were quick- but everything was slow by comparison.
I think you'd be surprised just how small and how slow a 70's or 80's fast ford actually is these days.
yr mondeo ST will always be the quicker car !
5k will not buy you an RS turbo, last time I looked even a basket case is more than that, last decent one I saw advertised was getting on for 20k
In fact it wont buy a fast ford of any sort, the scene tax has got ridiculous (and I say that as a serial escort owner)
any sporty mk1 or 2 escort will be 10k+
I would love another mk2 but it is cheaper to buy a TVR these days!
And my TVR is faster, makes a nicer noise and I can take the roof off.
In fact it wont buy a fast ford of any sort, the scene tax has got ridiculous (and I say that as a serial escort owner)
any sporty mk1 or 2 escort will be 10k+
I would love another mk2 but it is cheaper to buy a TVR these days!
And my TVR is faster, makes a nicer noise and I can take the roof off.
Escort RS2000?
No, not that one...
https://www.gumtree.com/p/ford/ford-escort-rs2000-...
Maybe not!
You'll probably have to look at an XR3i
No, not that one...
https://www.gumtree.com/p/ford/ford-escort-rs2000-...
Maybe not!
You'll probably have to look at an XR3i
I would go for a mk2 XR2. Prices are going up fast but should find a nice one for 3-5K. Not that quick nowadays but really fun cars and you can make them quicker. They handle like a go cart and much more fun to drive than an XR3i or RS Turbo.
Alternatively a mk2 Escort 4 door could be in budget and there's nothing you can't do to an Escort. Sure Escorts have a scene tax but they are popular for a reason and proper fun cars.
Alternatively a mk2 Escort 4 door could be in budget and there's nothing you can't do to an Escort. Sure Escorts have a scene tax but they are popular for a reason and proper fun cars.
This is probably just me being dense, but it this not a suitable RS Turbo within my budget..?
http://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/122111369931
Had a look at XR2s aswell - definitely wouldn't mind one at all, and quite attracted to the prospect of modification on offer. Will also be easier to find one within my budget.
I'd rather not talk or think about the accident to be honest. I already know by law it's down to me to pay up so I don't fancy discussing it really as it makes me feel like a piece of s
t.
http://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/122111369931
Had a look at XR2s aswell - definitely wouldn't mind one at all, and quite attracted to the prospect of modification on offer. Will also be easier to find one within my budget.
I'd rather not talk or think about the accident to be honest. I already know by law it's down to me to pay up so I don't fancy discussing it really as it makes me feel like a piece of s
![](/inc/images/censored.gif)
Hub said:
Escort RS2000?
No, not that one...
https://www.gumtree.com/p/ford/ford-escort-rs2000-...
Maybe not!
You'll probably have to look at an XR3i
FWD RS2000 generally an underappreciated, very usable and capable car. They don´t seem to be appearing in the appreciating-Ford feeding frenzy yet.No, not that one...
https://www.gumtree.com/p/ford/ford-escort-rs2000-...
Maybe not!
You'll probably have to look at an XR3i
I bought my Mum´s 2-owner and used it for 8 years with very few issues. Torquey, comfortable, plenty of kit (PAS, electric windows, Recaros, nice radio, maybe air-con if you can find one?). Don´t bother with the 4WD - rare, and expensive to mend I hear.
Oh and beware the dreaded tin-worm, mine was getting very sweaty around the A-pillars and rear arches.
You went into the back of someone at a roundabout when they should have gone but hadn't? Just a guess.
We've all done it at least once (or very nearly have) ...
These cars aren't THAT fast anymore. They're old and easily handled by the home mechanic and great fun to run and own.
But they're not fast in the accepted sense. In the 1980s sense, maybe.
But you should be able to get something from the 80s for your budget. Not the 70s though ...
Bloke at a show the other week had a lovely MkII Escort RS1600 - all original. Said he could be persuaded to part with it for £17k. Jesus.
We've all done it at least once (or very nearly have) ...
These cars aren't THAT fast anymore. They're old and easily handled by the home mechanic and great fun to run and own.
But they're not fast in the accepted sense. In the 1980s sense, maybe.
But you should be able to get something from the 80s for your budget. Not the 70s though ...
Bloke at a show the other week had a lovely MkII Escort RS1600 - all original. Said he could be persuaded to part with it for £17k. Jesus.
uk66fastback said:
Not the 70s though ...
Bloke at a show the other week had a lovely MkII Escort RS1600 - all original. Said he could be persuaded to part with it for £17k. Jesus.
Confused....Bloke at a show the other week had a lovely MkII Escort RS1600 - all original. Said he could be persuaded to part with it for £17k. Jesus.
There was no Mk2 Escort RS1600.
The was a RS1600 which was a Mk1 shape.
And there was a RS1800 which was the Mk2 bodyshell.
However, neither of them would go for as little as £17k...!!!
Unless the owner was a complete idiot.
A basket case RS1600/RS1800 would be over £25k, and nice ones are well over £50k and upwards.
aeropilot said:
uk66fastback said:
Not the 70s though ...
Bloke at a show the other week had a lovely MkII Escort RS1600 - all original. Said he could be persuaded to part with it for £17k. Jesus.
Confused....Bloke at a show the other week had a lovely MkII Escort RS1600 - all original. Said he could be persuaded to part with it for £17k. Jesus.
There was no Mk2 Escort RS1600.
The was a RS1600 which was a Mk1 shape.
And there was a RS1800 which was the Mk2 bodyshell.
However, neither of them would go for as little as £17k...!!!
Unless the owner was a complete idiot.
A basket case RS1600/RS1800 would be over £25k, and nice ones are well over £50k and upwards.
![wink](/inc/images/wink.gif)
By the way (Ford anorak on) of course you are correct.
And the Escort in the picture is, frankly, a bit of a mess.
Yertis said:
TooMany2cvs said:
davgen7 said:
I was involved in a low-speed road accident that in practice wasn't my fault, but by law technically was
Go on...davgen7 said:
I drive a Mondeo ST and haven't crashed it yet - I don't see why I should be disregarded for certain jobs just because most others my age are stupid, can't drive for sh*t and end up crashing.
Famous last words, eh?uk66fastback said:
My knowledge of 70s Escort variants isn't that great I will admit. I am sure that's what he said it was.
It looked like this:
![](https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2538/4221911587_a3dbc030f5_b.jpg)
This ISN'T his car, I found this after searching for Mk II Escort RS 1600s ...
That's a Mk2 Escort, which as I said, there was no such thing as a Mk2 RS1600.It looked like this:
![](https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2538/4221911587_a3dbc030f5_b.jpg)
This ISN'T his car, I found this after searching for Mk II Escort RS 1600s ...
There was a RS1800, which looked like this.
![](http://www.carbrochures.co.uk/galleries/brochures%20A_M/photosA_M/fordRS1800.jpg)
And as said, these go for well north of £50k these days, they only made a 109 of them.
uk66fastback said:
Spoke to the guy I went with - it was a 1600 Sport!
Aah...... ![smile](/inc/images/smile.gif)
£17k for a 1600 Sport sounds ludicrous......but, probably about right in the current climate if the shell was half decent, as it's that and it's identity that make up the bulk of it's value because of it's potential use in Historic rallying.
aeropilot said:
ludicrous......but, probably about right in the current climate if the shell was half decent, as it's that and it's identity that make up the bulk of it's value because of it's potential use in Historic rallying.
Indeed. ![](http://thumbsnap.com/sc/Q3bVQyRH.jpg)
This one's mine and I looked for a while to get one at the right spec & price for me,
I wanted an RS2000 equivalent in road rally spec which is what the above is.
Prices are past getting crazy now as people are holding on to them / looking to use them for rallying.
If you really do want one, then the best place to buy appears to be on the various fast ford / Mk2 escort facebook pages. I see more cars on those pages for sale than anywhere else.
Bob
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