My latest purchase...

Max_Damage

Just passing through here...

So today I've purchased another restoration project, an original Irish 1982 Ford Escort Mk3 (1.3L, 4-speed manual, Waterford reg.). I bought it of one of the lads on the Every Ford Ireland forum (thanks Escortavo )

Anyway, as for the car itself, the body is in surprisingly good condition, there is only a few surface rust spots, nothing some touch up paint won't fix. Their is no rust holes, and the sills are in good condition. I have yet to closely examine the arches, but they seemed okay. The paint work doesn't seem to be faded, some wax should bring up the shine in her.

As for the engine, it does need a good bit of work. The rocker cover gasket is pissing oil all over the place, and it's running only on 3 cylinders. Also, the carb may require a bit of attention.

The interior needs a good valet, and the floor need a bit of sanding down and paint. Apart from that, all's well.

All the electrics are working fine too.

This along with the Micra K10, they should keep me pre-occupied over the spring and summer. Hopefully I'll get bringing it to a few shows over the summer period. These cars are as rare as hens teeth now, especially Irish ones.

Here's a few pictures the previous owner took (the car actually looks better in the flesh):







I now finally own a car that's older then myself!

kasper

the original carbs on them were very bad even when new ,a carb off the mk2 could be retro fitted .hendersons in sligo had a tea chest full of the original carbs

Max_Damage

kasper wrote: »

the original carbs on them were very bad even when new ,a carb off the mk2 could be retro fitted .hendersons in sligo had a tea chest full of the original carbs

My parent's had an '82 Mk3 back in the early 90's, same colour too, and you're right, the carbs were terrible. Their's had an automatic choke which never worked properly. At least this one has a manual choke.

corktina

i had one just the same from new (company car)...and i loved it.... had the option to buy it when it was three years old but didnt as it got hit up the back by an audi on the UK M4 on the way to the boat one dark night....i was doing about 90 at the time! How we didnt all get killed i dont know....carried on with journey and did about 2000 miles with the arse hanging out of it!

carchaeologist

The old man bought one on an IN plate new in 1981 and it had to be sent back as the back tyres kept wearing off it,something to do with the body being out of alingnment,he got a new one(112ZX,always loved that reg) as a replacement,which was baled in 1994,only lasted 12 years!.

Those early ones are quire rare nowadays,much better looking than the facelifted ones IMO. My uncle built one many moons ago with a Fiat twincam mill in it for a guy for hotrod racing,little flyer it was.

The one above looks like it needs a good clean and it will look alot better?

Max_Damage

carchaeologist wrote: »

The one above looks like it needs a good clean and it will look alot better?

In the pics, it's clearly filthy dirty. When I saw it today, it was washed, and the paintwork is really in good condition. A bit of T-Cut and Turtle wax, and she'll be shining. It's rare for an old Ford in red to not have sun faded by now. The red Ford's were notorious for turning pink after a few years!

I wonder how many original Irish Mk3's are left in the country? I reckon there is about 10 to 15 left.

G Luxel

I saw a GL version of this car at the end of a housing estate up to a few months ago but it has since disappeared.....:( but it needed a lot of work done..

corktina

theres a Ghia in daily use near to me

spooky donkey

nice find there man. Cant wait to see it when its cleaned up and had some work done. Nice resto project. The ol` MK3 sure are rare. Geting one myself but she is not orignal Irish.

Max_Damage

spooky donkey wrote: »

nice find there man. Cant wait to see it when its cleaned up and had some work done. Nice resto project. The ol` MK3 sure are rare. Geting one myself but she is not orignal Irish.

Nice. Any pics of it?

mondeo

A friend of mine just imported a black 84' xr3 2 weeks ago. Must get a picture up, it's in reasonable condition but needs some welding for the nct.

Thats a reasonable looking 1.3 model though, could look great when all cleaned up! I to am amazed it has not sun faded! Must have been garaged.

spooky donkey

Max_Damage wrote: »

Nice. Any pics of it?

Well I havent collect it yet.. collecting at the weekend will post up a load then.

mike65

The most hatefull car I ever drove/owned - sh1te budget suspension, hideous CVH engine, appalling carb (as mentioned) dreadful "auto choke" which was replaced with a manual one. I was glad we were able to sell it for any money at the time

Max_Damage

The most hatefull car I ever drove/owned - sh1te budget suspension, hideous CVH engine, appalling carb (as mentioned) dreadful "auto choke" which was replaced with a manual one. I was glad we were able to sell it for any money at the time

I agree that they weren't great cars, but yet, nostalgia can do terrible things to people! It's a car I have memories growing up with back in the early 90's.

I'm debating weather to take the towbar off or not. I'm not particularly fond of having to remove most likely seized nuts and then filling the holes with filler. I'll see anyway.

Oh yeah, the car still has the period radio in it, which works perfectly! It's one of those old radios that only has the AM and LW bands, no FM! I'll leave that in it.

unkel

There are very few low end Euro cars that I like less than low end Jap cars but hey, this is one of them

(But it's not quite as bad as that bastard Mini Metro yoke )

Anyway - Opinions are like.......
And we've all got one of those.
And as I've said before, there is no "official" guideline in this forum about what is a classic car or not.

It doesn't matter what the majority thinks, it doesn't matter what elitists think, it doesn't matter what the tax or insuring man thinks, if you feel it's classic, it is

argosy2006

take alook at this one,
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Ford-Escort-1-1L-5DR-MANUAL-PETROL_W0QQitemZ170389832513QQcmdZViewItemQQptZAutomobiles_UK?hash=item27ac068341

so low miles, that would be a nice one to own,

corktina

lovely and cheap...

ianobrien

Well wear with the Mk3

MercMad

Yeah they were a poxy car but still great to see one, and I agree the early ones were better looking.

I still remember the smell of them from new, I used to go into Heeley Motors in Malahide regularly to sit in them.

I also see an original Irish Ghia around Malahide, aztec bronze in colour.

gyppo

This escort model was the first car I ever owned.
The one I had was a weedy 1.1L, 5 door, and absolutely died at the sight of the slightest slope. I hated it with a passion.

aravan2010

Call it classic car snobbery or maybe just call it common sence, but i wouldn't regard the MK3 Escort a classic (at least unless it was an XR3 or RS1600).

Is there others with this opinion or am i on my own?

mike65

The definition of Classic has changed quite a bit since this forum was created it has to be said. Now its really old cars. the message board version of "Jalopy" magazine.

kasper

i think it is brilliant to see the mk3 saved ,i love the bread and butter models of yesteryear . some people need an old jag or merc which is good but i think the general public can identiy more with the mainstream models as they say horses for courses . looking forward to seeing the mk3 running sweet and shining . did you get to organise transport to bring it home yet?

spooky donkey

aravan2010 wrote: »

Call it classic car snobbery or maybe just call it common sence, but i wouldn't regard the MK3 Escort a classic (at least unless it was an XR3 or RS1600).

Is there others with this opinion or am i on my own?

I thought a car was a classic onece it hit 20 years old.
I think its good to see people preserving old cars even the bog standard ones.
They are preserving out heritage, the goverment should do more to encourage this kinda thing other than the cheap road tax.

Keep up the good work man. Ill look forward to seeing the car in the flesh some time soon. Im sure you`ll have it at a show ill be at over the summer.

Camarague

LIGHTNING wrote: »

+1 For example my old 205 GTI in many peoples view is the definition of a hot hatch, however some people think its just a piece of French junk. Each to their own I suppose!

I am sure the vast majority would agree that the Peugeot 205 GTI is a classic.

It is considered the best hot hatch of all time above the original Volkswagen Golf GTi.


As regards the Ford Escort Mark III, it may not be a "classic" in that the design is not special or unique enough, and the car is not culturally significant enough to make it a classic, but it is definitely interesting as a old mass market car so that it has a place on the classic forums.

Max_Damage

Thanks to those who have supported my purchase. I do hope to have it at a few shows during the summer, namely Terenure and Moynalty.

As for the critics, well, each to their own I guess...

aravan2010 wrote: »

Call it classic car snobbery or maybe just call it common sence, but i wouldn't regard the MK3 Escort a classic (at least unless it was an XR3 or RS1600).

Is there others with this opinion or am i on my own?

You signed up just to post that?

kasper wrote: »

did you get to organise transport to bring it home yet?

Some of the lads on EFI have offered to help me get it to Westmeath (thanks to those!), so I'll take it from there.

mike65

I'm not being critical, I just hate them!

manta mad

best of luck with the escort !!!

and keep us updated with yer progress on it

nice to see them been saved in origanel form ...

( oh and i agree with the 205 gti been better than the golf & a classic )

kasper

good to hear max hope you have it home soon

Redrocket

aravan2010 wrote: »

Call it classic car snobbery or maybe just call it common sence, but i wouldn't regard the MK3 Escort a classic (at least unless it was an XR3 or RS1600).

Is there others with this opinion or am i on my own?

No unfortunately there's lots of assholes like you out there

spooky donkey

Well I see a lot of 1.3 L MK2 and MK1`s at shows and I concider them classic. The MK3 1.3 L is just following in their footsetps.......

ianobrien

aravan2010 wrote: »

Call it classic car snobbery or maybe just call it common sence, but i wouldn't regard the MK3 Escort a classic (at least unless it was an XR3 or RS1600).

Is there others with this opinion or am i on my own?

I reckon you've got the RS1600 and the RS1600i mixed up there.......

I'm open to correction, but 20 years ago, the RS1600, RS2000 and the Lotus Cortina were cheap cars that nobody wanted, and were not deemed "classic" by some. Look at them now, especially RS1600 and Lotus Cortinas. Try to buy a good one now....

OP - Well wear. The Mk3 isn't my cup of tea, but try to keep it original as they are so little of them left (if it was mine - I'd be dropping in a all steel Zetec, S1 RST 'box and proper brakes). Burton Power is handy for mechanical parts.

unkel

As we all must agree, each to their own. Fair play to insult a car (and perhaps hurt someones feelings along the way)....

Redrocket wrote: »

there's lots of assholes like you out there

But not fair play to insult a poster. Redrocket is on a one week vacation to think about that.

Gary ITR

Max_Damage wrote: »

You signed up just to post that?

In fairness it seems to be a second account being used because he can't access his own since the hack. But I don't get why somebody would make a comment like that on a thread where a user is clearly very happy with the purchase of a nice car. Fair play Max, it looks a fine example and I'm sure you'll have it looking sweet in time for show season

carchaeologist

LIGHTNING wrote: »

I dont see the Mk3 being as popular as the mk1 and mk2`s. The reason why the mk2 is so popular (and expensive to buy) is because its RWD and used in rallying.

True,but alot of ****e talk comes with that scene too...

corktina

LIGHTNING wrote: »

I dont see the Mk3 being as popular as the mk1 and mk2`s. The reason why the mk2 is so popular (and expensive to buy) is because its RWD and used in rallying.

mk1 and 2 will always be highly popular especially since they are still being decimated by ythe rally scene. However, people tend to buy (as a Classic to them) the cars their Dad had (for instance) and so mk3 escorts WILL increase in value and popularity. Mk6 escorts are all the rage amongst EFI members at the moment...cheap reliable transport..(i've got two....) Not a classic yet but they are growing on me.

Max_Damage

Agreed. The Mk3 is just about coming out of the stage of being 'too young to be a classic and too old too be considered an everyday car'. It's a dangerous stage that, many a good car are lost during that stage!

The Mk4 and Mk5's are now in that stage. God help them all!

corktina

yes Max...fond as I am of my 10 yr old Mk6 escy, it will get chopped in for something younger eventaullyand probably wont make it to Classic status...has just passed its NCT so has two more years at least with me.

kasper

poster said earlier about the mk3 not being classic but the xr3 is ,you wouldnt have an xr3 if there was no mk3 to base it on

spooky donkey

LIGHTNING wrote: »

I dont see the Mk3 being as popular as the mk1 and mk2`s. The reason why the mk2 is so popular (and expensive to buy) is because its RWD and used in rallying.

a 1.3L mk2 is not used for rallying.. Ive seen MK 3`s and 4`s used in racing Mind you they were RS turbos and xr3I`s.
Im just making the point that the MK3 1.3L will be in the same place as the MK2 is now in a few years time and that is a car worth saving.

carchaeologist

LIGHTNING wrote: »

I doubt the Mk3 will be anywhere as popular as the Mk2 version.

It wont,but alot of cars wont either!:)

corktina

spooky donkey wrote: »

a 1.3L mk2 is not used for rallying.. Ive seen MK 3`s and 4`s used in racing Mind you they were RS turbos and xr3I`s.
Im just making the point that the MK3 1.3L will be in the same place as the MK2 is now in a few years time and that is a car worth saving.

ive even seen 4 doors used as rally cars, so rare are 2 doors getting...and being a 1.3L is no obstacle to its use as a rally car....

aravan2010

My post seemed to be a bit controversial.
I didn't intend to insult the car and certainly not the owner. I was just asking the question.
At is so happens the Mk3 was my first car and it was a 1.3 not an XR3 as i would have prefered.

I didn't join to make the post as my old log on won't work since the hak.

There are always people with different opinions on cars and its not good to attack them.
I have a fondness for the Delorean and thay are always getting ridiculed.
I'll keep an eye out for your MK3 at shows.

Best of luck with the work on it.

Blue850

found a photo of this one I took at a show in Killarney....waits for carchaeologist to fall over at sight of Kerry reg:p

Max_Damage

Blue850 wrote: »

found a photo of this one I took at a show in Killarney....waits for carchaeologist to fall over at sight of Kerry reg:p

I like! Puts mine to shame!

carchaeologist

Blue850 wrote: »

found a photo of this one I took at a show in Killarney....waits for carchaeologist to fall over at sight of Kerry reg:p

Haha..less of the sarcasm now lad!:p;)
I remember that car from Killarney a few years ago. Lovely car,wheels dont look right on it though.
And while on the subject of ZX reg escorts,there used to be a lovely silver 1600 Ghia in tralee town that had the nice reg 1600ZX. It was always parked down by the post office in Ballymullen. Originally an english car but was imported here when a year old,ended up in the scrapyard in around 2003 due to terminal rust down by the bulkhead,or so it looked like anyway. One of the plates currently resides on my shed wall:).

Max_Damage

Don't mean to ressurct an old-ish thread, but I finally got moving it from Cork to Westmeath today on the trailer. Upon closer inspection, there is a good lot of surface rust, and the engine bay will need a considerable amount of attention. Ideally the car needs a full respray, but the money for that isn't there for the moment. The front valance is fairly badly corroded (probably the worst part of it):



The engine as mentioned before, needs a good service, along with a few other things.

There is a few things I want to ask you lot here, maybe you can help me:

1. Is the front valance bolt on (i.e. can it be removed easily)?

2. The black strip at the bottom of it isn't original (seems to be painted on badly, as it's flaking in parts and I can see the red underneath it). Is there any safe methods of removing the black paint without removing the red underneath it?

I'll take more detailed pictures at the weekend.

carchaeologist

Max_Damage wrote: »

1. Is the front valance bolt on (i.e. can it be removed easily)?

2. The black strip at the bottom of it isn't original (seems to be painted on badly, as it's flaking in parts and I can see the red underneath it). Is there any safe methods of removing the black paint without removing the red underneath it?

1. probably not,and make sure the crossmember behind is in good order too.Fill with waxoyl if it is.

2. That could be difficult,you may have to treat/weld up the rusty bits and and paint it black again untill you have the money for a total respray. Look for bodged bits in the sills,sometimes the lower part of a car is painted like this to hide bodges.

Max_Damage

Well, as I said, nearly all of the rust is surface rust, nothing that a bit of sanding, priming, and spraying (or Waxoyl) won't fix.

The NCT in it expired in 2008 (so it was tested in 2006), meaning that the rust can't be too advanced elsewhere.

Same for the engine, if it passed emissions in 2006, it should require to much work.

The sills seem to be fairly solid, although I'll take a good examination at the weekend. My main concern is the engine bay. The engine will probably have to come out in order to rust proof it. There is a good lot of bubbling going on in there.

kasper

probably best to attack the rusty bits now and fix and prime coat them at least then you have the rust stopped and maybe paint the car when funds come available . i think lidl have electric spray guns tomorrow that might be alright for priming

carchaeologist

Max_Damage wrote: »

, although I'll take a good examination at the weekend. My main concern is the engine bay. The engine will probably have to come out in order to rust proof it. There is a good lot of bubbling going on in there.

Where abouts in there,on the bulkhead or on the suspension mounts?