'For the Love of Cars' - Channel 4
22 April 2014, 01:25 PM
#32
MK1 Escorts have some kind of massive halo round them and seem to be worshipped like exotics, I remember driving a few and, as standard they were ok at best, I had a MK 1600 GT Capri with the same engine, it had a little bit of grunt but they still took 11/12 seconds to get to sixty, the Escorts werent significantly faster and there was that copper rattling on about being able to easily keep pace with 3.0 GT Capris, er, no it wouldnt, either the Capri was broken or the driver was, there was 50 odd bhp difference. The Mexico isnt significantly faster than a Toyota Aygo.
I see young lads posting pictures of Escort Mexicos as being their dream car, I think they may come as a bit of a shock if they got to drive one. I think people get confused between a Mexico and the YB engined, four linked monsters that bear no relation to how they left the factory.
Someone should relase a body kit that transforms something cheaper, but capable into a MK1 lookalike, it can only be that lovely shape and the fact they were quick for the day, ok and a little bit fun as really there is loads of better stuff for twenty grand.
I see young lads posting pictures of Escort Mexicos as being their dream car, I think they may come as a bit of a shock if they got to drive one. I think people get confused between a Mexico and the YB engined, four linked monsters that bear no relation to how they left the factory.
Someone should relase a body kit that transforms something cheaper, but capable into a MK1 lookalike, it can only be that lovely shape and the fact they were quick for the day, ok and a little bit fun as really there is loads of better stuff for twenty grand.
A lot has to do with the rally heritage, and, although nothing to do with the mexico, the sound of that bda engine.
Even my missus commented when the rally escorts were blating around that they sounded like proper rally cars.
22 April 2014, 09:07 PM
#34
I sort of understand the appeal of a MK1/2 Escort but they are so expensive for what is a bog basic, not very powerful, Cart sprung car.
85 BHP standard, the Mexico wasnt all that special, the RS 2000 wasnt either really, I drove a MK2 RS 2000 when looking for a car back in the late eighties and it was very average.
85 BHP standard, the Mexico wasnt all that special, the RS 2000 wasnt either really, I drove a MK2 RS 2000 when looking for a car back in the late eighties and it was very average.
Last edited by Skoobie Dhu; 22 April 2014 at 09:10 PM.
23 April 2014, 10:47 AM
#37
The Escort didnt have that much extra capability in the corners that it made up for a 50 bhp deficit, I remember driving Escorts back then and they felt pretty similar to the Capri but with better visibility, nearly swapped one for my Capri, or at least I was offered and engine swap, my largely standard 1600 GT unit and some cash for a tuned to the hilt 1700 cc crossflow with a lumpy cam, big carbs, lightened flywheel and some other stuff going on, drove it in the Escort and it felt really quick compared to mine but it was an utter pain in the **** most of the time, wouldnt idle, hard to drive in traffic, only liked being hammered and couldtn cope with much else, so didnt bother.
The Capri was based on the Cortina but they all had very similar underpinnings, Escort was bit lighter but the main difference I found was the visibility, everything else felt very familiar, even a 1.1 Escort was pretty tail happy in the wet.
I can see the appeal but twenty odd grand, the world has gone mad but they seem to be more desired nowadays than a lot of Supercars, I think there is something in that simplicity and having just enough power to have fun and if you have one these days, it is a bigger deal than they ever were when new.
The Capri was based on the Cortina but they all had very similar underpinnings, Escort was bit lighter but the main difference I found was the visibility, everything else felt very familiar, even a 1.1 Escort was pretty tail happy in the wet.
I can see the appeal but twenty odd grand, the world has gone mad but they seem to be more desired nowadays than a lot of Supercars, I think there is something in that simplicity and having just enough power to have fun and if you have one these days, it is a bigger deal than they ever were when new.
23 April 2014, 07:30 PM
#38
I watched this last night and thought it was OK. A pretty typical dumbing-down for the tele kind of programme, although I did enjoy seeing him and that girl drive around on some familiar roads to me on their way to meet at a local pub. I had no idea they meet there lol.
For escort lovers though this nut and bolt restoration will have you lost for a good few hours....http://forum.wscc.co.uk/forum/index....s-new-project/
For escort lovers though this nut and bolt restoration will have you lost for a good few hours....http://forum.wscc.co.uk/forum/index....s-new-project/
24 April 2014, 12:20 AM
#40
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Too much fluff and nonsense, not enough coverage of the restoration for me.
At least with Wheeler Dealers, once Mike's bought the car you don't really see him again till the end
At least with Wheeler Dealers, once Mike's bought the car you don't really see him again till the end
24 April 2014, 06:45 AM
#41
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The problem with these sorts of programs is that often the presenters simply see them as "vehicles" that allow them to ponce about a bit and talk bollix
They get caught up in their own celebrity status - they fail to realise the true stars are the actual cars and the work that goes into them, usually by simple hardworking craftsmen
That is what the viewers want to see
To me music radio got like that (not that I listen to it anymore)
I simply got increasingly irritated by endless DJ "chat" I just wanted to listen to the music (weird I know)
Not someone telling how great they are
They get caught up in their own celebrity status - they fail to realise the true stars are the actual cars and the work that goes into them, usually by simple hardworking craftsmen
That is what the viewers want to see
To me music radio got like that (not that I listen to it anymore)
I simply got increasingly irritated by endless DJ "chat" I just wanted to listen to the music (weird I know)
Not someone telling how great they are
24 April 2014, 06:11 PM
#42
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Bit like that resto thing with the engineers a while back,
I was more looking forward to what went into the car, not the history behind it , or what people thought..
Where was the oily bits with the Harris engine being built/ modded?
oh look here's an engine we built...
Almost like the other show without the "boo hoo, sob" interest or the set up and sting
It should have been white with rally spec too,
Mart
I was more looking forward to what went into the car, not the history behind it , or what people thought..
Where was the oily bits with the Harris engine being built/ modded?
oh look here's an engine we built...
Almost like the other show without the "boo hoo, sob" interest or the set up and sting
It should have been white with rally spec too,
Mart
26 April 2014, 06:10 PM
#44
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Strange reactions on this thread which has been posted on a subaru forum where probably 95% of the members modify their cars........
I would love a mk2 escort and as soon as I have a garage I will own one, will i leave it standard and run around in a 1.3/1.6 standard car....... Obviously not, will I put a type 9 box in it and a zetec/xe and four link it etc YES cos I love messing about with cars and 160bhp in a small rwd tin box will be an absolute hoot!!
Mick
I would love a mk2 escort and as soon as I have a garage I will own one, will i leave it standard and run around in a 1.3/1.6 standard car....... Obviously not, will I put a type 9 box in it and a zetec/xe and four link it etc YES cos I love messing about with cars and 160bhp in a small rwd tin box will be an absolute hoot!!
Mick
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