17 replies to this topic

[samt88]

Was looking at buying a mk1 ford escort...anyone got any experience with them? Pros, cons?

[cal844]

Very expensive... Engines are generally good though

[samt88]

Yeah fairly although I've found a pretty good deal

[samt88]

Cal also when you say expensive do you mean to buy or to run generally?

[Badboytunes]

No more expensive to restore than a mini depending on where you go and what is needed . I had a mk2 rs2000 custom. I'd love a bubble arched mk1 BDA snorting to a pair of 45's

[samt88]

In terms of running them, roughly equivalent to a mini would you say?

[Badboytunes]

Depends on what Scort you have.... Ie standard or modified.

[Cooperman]

The basic ones are pretty bland, but any Mk.1 Mexico, Twin-Cam or RS1600 is fabulous.

That was the car which really pushed the Mini out of rallying in the U.K. It was fast and the handling was absolutely fantastic. Road-holding was fair and as good as a Mini, but being rear-wheel-drive with a super power-to-weight ratio made them handle like no other car. Even a Porsche 911 was not as good on gravel or really twisty tarmac.

I was fortunate to navigate and co-drive many of these in National & International Rallies of the early '70's with good results.

If you can afford one, then buy one. There are only 2 cars I might consider swapping my rally Mini Cooper 'S' for. The Escort Twin-Cam/RS1600 is one and a rally Datsun 240Z is the other. 

[KernowCooper]

I had a Mk1 Escort Twin Cam with steel Bubble Arches and Cosworth Cams on 45s at 135bhp, LSD for Hillclimb/Sprint, with a full cage but it got away from me one night in a 70mph corner and no talent to get it back, I was is plaster for 2 1/2yrs and never could run again ! Car was a total loss in the 70mph roll that followed hitting a 6ft granite gate post that took the drivers wing off and put the 6x13 revolution up into the drivers foot well where my feet were.  Put me off Escorts went back to Minis

 

Were it not for the full cage and harnesses I'd not be writing this today.

[Miniminx71]

Ouch! How many times did you roll (or were you not counting ..!)?

[samt88]

Blimey kernow that doesn't sound like much fun! :I
That sounds brilliant cooperman, unfortunately the Mexico is a little out of my price range anyone know somewhere I can pick one up for 7/8 grand!?
Was also looking at an MGB....Anyone had any experience with those? I've heard that if they're used daily they're actually pretty reliable, it's the ones put away for months at a time that go!
The other thing, and what's looking most likely was an MPI sportspack cooper...putting aside our obvious bias for now () what do you guys think?

[IainStallard]

Ford X-flow engines can be made to go very well indeed, mine runs twin Weber 45s, bored out to 1700cc with a Kent 254 cam and produces about 145bhp with 149lbs of torque, very drive able. Drinks fuel, but very quick

[AVV IT]

I'd sell my grandmother for a fast Mk1 escort! Sadly a Mk1 Fiesta is the only old skool Ford that's in my price range, so I guess I'll have to stick with Minis!!

From flicking through copies of Fast Ford Magazine and the like (& dreaming about cars I'll never own) it always seems that classic Ford parts are readily available, but are considerably more expensive than those for minis. I guess it's probably due to there being far fewer of them out there and therefore a lower demand for parts, and less supplier competition. (Oh and many of them being physically that much bigger than mini parts I suppose!)

[Badboytunes]

Was also looking at an MGB....Anyone had any experience with those? I've heard that if they're used daily they're actually pretty reliable, it's the ones put away for months at a time that go!
 

 

Tamworthbay one here has had an MGB, he could probably answer your questions.

[Gerbil367]

I would love a Mk1 Mexico, just dont have the funds to buy one or the skills to turn a project into a usable one!  Takes me all my time to keep the Mini going!