Someone please buy this restored Ford Orion
It's hard to believe anyone would refurbish the humble Orion. But boy are we glad they did...
What to call the Ford Orion in 2025? A feast for the eyes? Twenty years ago, the response would’ve been emphatically different. It is (deservedly, of course) the likes of the Sierra Cosworth and Escort RS Turbo that have been the darlings of the fast Ford collector scene. The humble Orion – essentially an Escort with a boot, if you were born after 1990 – has, for many if not most people, largely been consigned to the scrapheap of automotive history.
But with the right kind of eyes (and possibly the right kind of fond memory), things are a little different. In many ways, the Orion was the perfect embodiment of aspirational ‘80s Britain - a middle manager special, which, in Ghia trim, with its 105hp 1.6-litre fuel-injected CVH engine, offered a very Blue Oval take on a premium experience with performance to match, thanks to 0-60mph in around 9.5 seconds and a top speed of 115mph. Properly brisk for 1988.
What makes this particular example compelling isn't just its rarity - though naturally plays very much into the equation (when did you last see an Orion of any description, let alone a smart Ghia?) - but the forensic approach to its restoration. The current seller acquired it in March 2023 as a solid example, before embarking on what can only be described as a labour of love.
Mechanically speaking, it's essentially a new car. The motor has been treated to a new camshaft, hydraulic lifters, valve stem oil seals, alternator, filters, plugs, leads, distributor cap, rotor arm, coil, water pump, cam belt, tensioner, and more. Elsewhere, there are new rear wishbones, bushes, anti-roll bar components, gas shocks, and XR3i springs, not to mention a preceding bare metal strip to snuff out any chance of rot with enough Hammerite to see HMS Warrior to the next millennium.
The interior has been deep cleaned rather than replaced, thus preserving its period charm - but not to the point of abstemious sacrifice: there’s a discreetly installed Sony Bluetooth stereo in the glovebox (leaving the original stereo and amp refurbished and in situ). The charm of all this is roughly on par with the memory of getting bladdered for a tenner. Easily sufficient for us not to give two hoots about the exact mileage, which is currently showing 32k but has previously been reset, nor the idea of 11 previous owners being behind the wheel.
No, this Orion is one of two things. Either the final cog in the exhaustive collection of discerning Ford fans - or a £11k time capsule for someone old enough to remember the excitement of hearing Definitely Maybe in 1994, and possibly looking for the perfect way to get three mates to Cardiff next month. We can think of no better way to set the mood. Or to start a conversation when you get there.
It had the height of sophistication imo as it had the little joystick thingy in the console so you could direct where the sound went to each of the 4 speakers!
If I had the space (and lived in the UK), I'd buy this in a nostalgic heartbeat, then have it resprayed in metallic gold after removing the spoiler. I’d also ask my mate to return my wheels!
They were always a popular car choice back in the late 80’s and early 90’s, mainly for men in the early to mid 20’s.
Personally they were never on my car radar, preferring Vauxhall and BMW products of the time. I think Ford’s of this era also had a rust problem.
Then in the 90s had a black Orion Si Ghia on a J plate as a company car, managed to wangle the optional CD player alongside the standard radio/cassette. The standard Ghia was 105 bhp but the Si was 130 and had a little spoiler on the back to distinguish it visually. Good car.
Memories.
They were good at giving XR3i’s a run for their money, that was about it, the Astra GTE felt much quicker, it was, although a little skittish on the limit in the corners.
Looks wise, the GTE and the XR3i had similar appeal, although the latter had a bit of a reputation, unfortunately neither were on the company car list, had they been, I’d would have a GTE over the Orion.
Yet again the XR3i and Orion Ghia 1.6i, were an indication of how good Ford’s marketing department were, neither being anything more than average.
Would I want one now, no, but I can see why they appeal to some people. PH has some owners with lovely examples.
Love the interior which even has the trip computer and power amplifier. (I think that's what they called them)
The exterior mods are naff, though. Darker colours look better on Orions. Should be more subtle and not shouty.
A Sapphire Cosworth spoiler would fit nicely plus equivalent lattice wheels as on the very late XR3is.
Spot lights look OK on the Escort but wrong on the Orion.
It was always that one glaring design flaw that turned me off them back in the days when they were an insurance bargain compared to the XR3i.
Best mates dad had a mint one well into the late 90s that he hardly ever used but it was in that doom blue colour your underpants used to be in infant school. If I remember correctly it was still mint when the scrap page scheme had it off him for a Honda civic or something equally uninspiring.
Porsche would probably charge £10k for that colour these days!
The days when trim level mattered, specially for company cars
Base < L < GL < Ghia < Ghia X < XR
AFAIK there are no "XR3" for the Orion so this was top of the shop
One of my Dad's more well off friends had one of these - for us in a lowly Sierra 1.6L it was as well have been an Aston Martin
AFAIK there are no "XR3" for the Orion so this was top of the shop
One of my Dad's more well off friends had one of these - for us in a lowly Sierra 1.6L it was as well have been an Aston Martin
A Ferrari or Porsche was a stop you in your tracks/once in a lifetime experience in the 80s and early 90s!
I've had 3, all Ghia. Cream, black and blue. Only the cream had the pepper pots; I jacked up the following two to add the peppers. They don't look right without them.
Even now (20+ years later) I think they are handsome. I paid £75 for the black one, in 2002. With 70k on the clock.
They were good at giving XR3i s a run for their money, that was about it, the Astra GTE felt much quicker, it was, although a little skittish on the limit in the corners.
Looks wise, the GTE and the XR3i had similar appeal, although the latter had a bit of a reputation, unfortunately neither were on the company car list, had they been, I d would have a GTE over the Orion.
Yet again the XR3i and Orion Ghia 1.6i, were an indication of how good Ford s marketing department were, neither being anything more than average.
Would I want one now, no, but I can see why they appeal to some people. PH has some owners with lovely examples.
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