History
 I
bought the car for £400 when I was 16 (in 1988) even though I couldn't drive it. I went
on to learn to drive and even passed my driving test in it, first time. It was in a sad
state back then, it was a standard white 1100cc with drum brakes all round, no
modifications, rusty bits everywhere and only half an exhaust system.
Since then nearly all my spare cash was spent on it, initially just on the repair costs to
keep it on the road, I wasn't on a very high wage then and so I started doing repairs
myself and had to learn how as I went along.
I did have a few other cars during the early years, normally during MOT times which were
going to cost more than I could afford so I kept getting other cheaper cars to keep me
going, but I did always come back to the escort when I could afford to.
Once everything settled down, things stopped breaking and I was on a better wage I started
on the improvements. It was all done on a completely amateur basis, the engine was changed
and modified, the brakes, suspension and gearbox were all upgraded and the spoiler and
lights were added. Lots of body panels have been replaced or welded. The interior has been
converted from beige to black. A full list of modifications can be seen on the next page.
 The
paintwork has gone from 'all-white' to 'all-black' and other variation as shown in the
pictures that can be seen on this web site. Currently the car looks as in the picture
shown to the left.
I am the 5th owner of the car and I plan on being it's last. I have no intention of ever
selling to anyone else. I actually had the entire history traced from the DVLA last year
and even took the car back to meet its original owner from back in 1976.
During the past years, since 1995, I have been using a company car for my day to day use
so I have been able to dry-use the escort as much as possible.
During the summer of 2002 I have installed a 1600cc engine that I acquired from a very
rusty Ghia I picked up for spares. I have had a full re-spray to all white, as it
was originally, and I have replaced the steel Ghia wheels with a decent set of RS alloys.
The Mexico style spoiler was added and I have also spent a great deal of time
making the interior look decent too.
|
