I'm looking for suggestions regarding my Escort MK2 that I have owned since new. The reason for this post is that I am in a dilema as to whether to sell, store or hold on to.
I bought the car in 1977 and it has run perfectly ever since, obviously service items being renewed and the only major item being a new steering rack which was a MOT issue a few years ago ( I'm still convinced it didn't need one!).
The car was in daily use up until the early nineties when it then was used only at weekends, holidays etc.
A few years ago a leak developed on the engine bay bulkhead, which I did repair, but a few years later returned and is still an issue, hence it is now a 'fair weather' car. Couple this with the fact that a couple of years ago I needed to do many more miles so thought it best to retire the car but keeping it taxed, insured and MOT'd.
I always said that I would 'never' sell the Escort but the fact of the matter is that it is sitting in the garage (because of the leak) whilst my everyday car is on the drive, and although I do drive the Escort every few weeks to keep things ticking over I am paying over £340 a year just to keep it on the road with no useful journeys as such. The plan was to alternate the car usage but being an older car I do not feel as safe in it (drum brakes all round, heavy steering etc.) so that idea went out the window.
I have three options:
1. Sell the car and be done with (easier said than done I have had this car over 33 years!).
2. SORN it, no MOT, no insurance, but all I can do with it then is run the engine and back it onto the drive now and again.
3. Do nothing and continue to pay out each year for essentially just running it for the sake of it.
If I opted for option 1 I would hate it to go to the wrong person, you know, someone who fancied an older car either to run into the ground or sell on quickly to who knows. I would like it to go to an enthisiast who would spend some money on it and look after it. I even thought of seeing whether a museum would like it as it is in excellent condition.
If I go option 2 well I would save the money but the car would suffer in not being driven anymore.
If I keep to how it is at present, option 3, I would have the use of the car but I don't really use it now as already explained.
The car is taxed, insured and MOT'd to next June.
What would others do in my position?
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Difficult choice but after 33 years I think you will struggle to let go of her!
My first car was a bright red Mk2 Escort, MHS674V, before that my mum had a Mk1 with the foot operated windscreen washer pump!
Problem is, if you sell it, you run the risk of seeing it thrashed in one of Top Gear's challenges similar to the dedicated Marina etc owners who unknowingly sold their cherished cars!
I would keep it.
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It's a piece of metal for which you no longer have any use. Stick in on E Bay
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Been there, several times!
My thoughts FWIW:
1) The car will not keep nearly so well just sitting on SORN. All sorts of things begin to seize up or deteriorate if not used. Even minor things get stuck, and become a pain each time you try to get the car going again. Brakes stick, rubbers perish, petrol gums things up, heater control cables stick, valves of all kinds get accustomed to sitting in one position and then won't move, or damage themselves when forced. The list is trifling but endless.
2) I'm surprised it costs you so much just to keep it ticking over. No road tax, 1500 mile classic insurance less than £100, MOT £40. That's it basically?
I'd keep it but make more of an effort to use it. Substitute it for your ordinary car on nice days. Take it to work once in a while, or for a spin to the seaside or some outing.
Or just a shopping trip. Get a smile from the staff at the store as you load up. It all adds up to getting that glowing feeling as you use your pride and joy, which you completely lose if it stays in the garage.
Old cars are perfectly useable in modern conditions, its a myth that they are unsuitable. If the brakes are a bit less efficient, just leave more gap and anticipate more.
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It depends on how rusty it is - if it's in good condition, keep it and run it in the Summr, not necessarily every year. Viability also depends on the spares situation to some extent.
So, it's got "heavy steering". People did use them as ordinary cars at one time, you remember, and were able to go around corners and park the things. So, it's got drum brakes - I bet it it should still be capable of locking the wheels. People run far older cars on the road.
Making a SORN costs nothing. Running the thing for only 6 months of the year won't hurt it. You may be able to get "classic" &/or low mileage insurance, you can get 6 months road tax. When it's not in use, your household insurance will cover it, but you may have to declare the car to the insurer if it's over a value which will be mentioned in your insurance documentation.
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How much would it cost to get the leak fixed?
£300odd quid a year seems too little a saving to get rid of such a machine in a down market.
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>> How much would it cost to get the leak fixed?
What leak? I didn't mention a leak.
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>> What leak? I didn't mention a leak.
>>
OP did, FT.
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>> >> What leak? I didn't mention a leak.
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>> OP did, FT.
Then why wasn't the reply *to* the OP, then?
It should be easy enough for everyone:
1) Read the post.
2) Reply to it by pressing the "Reply to this message" link directly under the post.
3) To report the message, press the "Report message" link directly under the post.
Then everything works properly - and replying/quoting is actually more convenient.
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So you read all 10 million replies to a post and then need to scroll all the way back to the OP to click on the reply to?
I don't think so!
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There are not normally 10 million replies to a post. I can't think of any threads here, or anywhere else, that have had that number of replies in them, total - let alone to one post.
It's not difficult to post properly, and not appear a gonk.
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>> and then need to scroll all the way back to the OP to click on the reply to?
Why scroll when you can use the up arrow next to the time/date stamp. Simples!
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The difference is the pace of traffic is a lot faster now than it was in the 1970's when this car was new. If it was me I would keep it with a view to repairing it and modernising it. It is a Ford so I can't see it costing that much to swap the front drums for discs. Does it even have a servo though?
I cannot believe a late 70's car didn't have front discs at standard, the 1964 Fiat 124 had discs all round.
As for steering I cant imagine it being any worse than my old none PAS Fiestas which weighed as much as an Escort MK2.
What ever happens don't sell it it will be your biggest regret after keeping it for so long. If you have the space at the very least just SORN it.
Last edited by: RattleandSmoke on Fri 7 Jan 11 at 11:41
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>> The difference is the pace of traffic is a lot faster now than it was
>> in the 1970's when this car was new.
There are plenty of new cars around that are as slow or slower than an Escort... OP doesn't say if its a 1.1, 1.3 or 1.6 (I'm assuming its not a 2.0!), but all are quick enough around town...
>> I cannot believe a late 70's car didn't have front discs at standard, the 1964
>> Fiat 124 had discs all round.
Again plenty of cars didn't have front discs in the 70s, Rattle, especially the "bottom end" of the market and in the lower specs...
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>> As for steering I cant imagine it being any worse than my old none PAS
>> Fiestas which weighed as much as an Escort MK2.
If anything it should be lighter than a Fiesta as its RWD and they are normally lighter than FWDs, especially as its a light car in the first place...
Back to the OP's question, if you don't want to run it and spend money on it (classics of this age eat money compared with new cars) and are worried that it won't go to a new home then I'd suggest you try to sell it on one of the Ford Owners websites, there are plenty around which cover the Mk2s...
From what i can gather it will either be little used and slowly waste away or you can sell it on and the chances are it will get used more often, perhaps modified, but surely that's better than the scappies in a few years time if its not used?
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I guess it must be a lower engined car because I am pretty sure if it had the 1.6 or more it would have had discs on the front. My point was in the 1970's there were lots of very very slow cars on the road, 1950's designs were still a common sight.
Today people are all driving in 150bhp saloons with super sharp breaks. You only need to stand at a busy junction to see all the dangerous driving such antics people probably would not dare do in the 70's, there was less traffic too so there wasn't the same need.
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...My point was in the 1970's there were lots of very very slow cars on the road...
Rattle,
I don't know if you've ever driven a late 1970s Escort, but it is a perfectly capable car for modern conditions.
As Hobby says, there are modern cars which are slower, and any performance deficiency could easily be made up with a firm right foot.
It would cruise at 70mph, so while you might not be barging the Audis out of the outside lane of a motorway, it is adequate for overtaking the lorries in lane one.
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I was talking more in terms of the brakes. I can't imagine how bad drum brakes must be especialy if there is no servo which I am guessing there may not be. It is all very well being extra observant but if some nutter is going to do something stupid then the brakes are the difference between a bump and not having a bump.
I have no doubt a MK1 Escort with 60bhp is more than powerful enough I only have 54 in my Panda and it is probably the same weight, although of course gear ratios seem a lot better these days.
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...I can't imagine how bad drum brakes must be...
Drums are fine, Rats.
They might not have the reassuring disc snatch of instant retardation, but again as Hobby says, I bet this car can lock its wheels.
And you'll not find an easier car to drive, decent heater, good visibility, light, accurate steering, fun rear drive handling, and one of the slickest gear changes ever produced.
No airbags or much else in the way of safety kit, of course.
But I - and many others - managed to survive many years of motoring without all that stuff.
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>> I was talking more in terms of the brakes. I can't imagine how bad drum
>> brakes must be
How very silly.
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>> The difference is the pace of traffic is a lot faster now than it was
>> in the 1970's when this car was new.
There's absolutely no relevance in that remark to driving the thing on the road today.
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Diamond you've indicated that this Escort is of little practical use to you so the only thing that is keeping it hanging on is the fact that you've owned it for so long. Well I've owned loads of what would be regarded as modern classics and I'm more than happy to cherish the memories without having the cars lined up on the drive.
Best to let yours go now... SORN is not the answer. Make your best efforts to find a caring buyer if you must but the very minute it leaves your drive you have to accept the buyer can do whatever they wish... despite the story they give you while doing the deal.
I'd second the EBay option for the widest interest and best price.
BTW Cliff it won't be road tax free at 1977 will it.
Last edited by: Fenlander on Fri 7 Jan 11 at 11:46
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>>
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>> BTW Cliff it won't be road tax free at 1977 will it.
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Sorry, of course you are right. I'd got 1971 into my head for some reason, probably from not reading the post properly.
On reflection, I think I would sell it, buy something older, and use it.
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>>>On reflection, I think I would sell it, buy something older, and use it.
Agreed... we've had this discussion on the forum before but I would struggle to see an ordinary Mk2 Escort as a keeper.
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Mark 2 Escort? If the bodyshell's good, and it's a 2-door model, put it on e-bay, you'll be surprised how much the classic rally fraternity will pay for it.
You will, however, have to resign yourself to the fact that it will be broken up for parts,and will end its days being thrashed around a rally circuit in a totally different guise.
Nice way to go though!
Last edited by: Harleyman on Fri 7 Jan 11 at 12:57
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Am I right in thinking this is a bog standard run of the mill Escort Mk2?
why all the angiush? Its a dog.
As harleyman says the only place for this (if its the two door) is to be stripped and rallied.
Last edited by: Zero on Fri 7 Jan 11 at 13:05
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...why all the angiush? Its a dog...
One man's dog is another man's classic.
www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C194228/
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See what I mean? so bad they are selling them as a job lot of three,
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If you love it, keep it, fettle it and enjoy it.
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I can't believe drums all round in 1977, it must be a basic model, I had a 1970 Cortina Mk2 that had discs up front
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Sell, sell, sell !
Old Fords seem to be selling at a premium now, but I really don't know why as they were all pretty much rubbish. There are exceptions such as the AVO Escorts, Capris etc.
I reckon the current high prices are a fad which will soon pass. Sell now and get a good price.
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>> Old Fords seem to be selling at a premium now, but I really don't know
>> why as they were all pretty much rubbish.
Maybe a 'Life on Mars' effect?
Were it a Mk1, things might be different - but I would find it hard to get misty-eyed over the Mk2. Sentimentality can play funny tricks, mind :-)
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Yes agreed, Mk1? try and save it it, Mk2 nah dump it. It was basically a Mk1 that had been driven into a brick wall to make the front flat.
Last edited by: Zero on Fri 7 Jan 11 at 14:03
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I'd say sell it.
Google Escort owners club if you want it to go to someone who'll cherish it.
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I think it is because Ford more than any other brand has had an effect on the ordinary motorists. Ford seems to have a place in peoples hearts which Morris or Austin couldn't manage, I don't know why.
Maybe it was because Fords always had a bit more style to them? They bought a bit of USA style to our roads even if the cars underneath were crap compared to what Austin was doing at the time.
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My late father, despite being a Ford man all his life (he only strayed once, to a Talbot Horizon) used to quote the following bit of doggerel....
"A couple of nails, four wheels and a board
Knock 'em together, and you've got a Ford!"
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My Mum had a 1980 Mk2 Escort (one of the last made) that had drum brakes at the front. It was a 1.1 Popular Plus with the detuned economy engine and was remarkably slow. The 1975 1.3L I had at the time was like a Ferrari by comparison - and had discs at the front. The drum brakes were ok the first time you used them, but brake fade set in very quickly which was alarming when approaching a roundabout at speed on a dual carriageway. When on the motorway driving above 50mph or so, the engine temperature gauge went up in parallel with the speedo. Neither car was particularly reliable despite their mechanical simplicity.
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OP: if you can afford to keep it, keep it! 360-odd quid a year is not a lot if it's a hobby and a pastime is it?
My father had a 1976 1.3L when I was growing up, in that metallic brown that BMW have recently revived with the X1. It was replaced by a 1979 1.3GL. Both very reliable; the latter one was run to 100k miles over 7 years.
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..."A couple of nails, four wheels and a board Knock 'em together, and you've got a Ford!"...
I've previously posted a slightly different version.
It was also said gentlemen didn't drive Fords, they were derided as "brickies' motors".
Of course, 'Dagenham Dustbin' was another popular epithet.
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Thanks for all the replies, of course people differ over this, some say keep it and others sell it, both have their merits I suppose.
It's a Popular Plus 1.1 detuned engined as described by Bagpuss, yes, the brakes do work fine and yes they are still capable of locking under heavy braking, but I find that it's best these days to keep a good distance in case you have to brake sharply, drums do not stop as quickly as discs. Also people who haven't driven an older car still assume that it can stop as quickly as a modern car - it can't, I wish that everyone could have a chance at driving an older car to appreciate this.
It's strange, before I got the car I have now for everyday use, the Escort seemed so easy and safe to drive, but now I am used to a more modern car the opposite applies to the Escort, and yet 'nothing' has changed really!
Keep your posts coming!
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Trust One who has kept several items. No No NO. Photograph it, remember it, cherish those memories, but for the life of Riley sell it.
Best regards,
Martin.
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>>It's a Popular Plus 1.1 detuned engined as described by Bagpuss
They really aren't that lively, are they! I had one issued as a temporary company car in 1979. There were stretches of motorway where it wouldn't maintain 70 uphill. It was just too slow to like, the only car I've ever said that about.
Still, it's sentiment we're talking about here. Do you enjoy driving it? If so, keep it. If not, there really is no point is there?
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>> I think it is because Ford more than any other brand has had an effect
>> on the ordinary motorists. Ford seems to have a place in peoples hearts which Morris
>> or Austin couldn't manage, I don't know why.
Sorry, R, but that's utter snip - stop testing the swear filter please!
Go to some Classic Car meets and look at the cars present, you'll find that BMC products are just as common as Fords, if not more so... Look at the best known and most common Classics, again you'll find that BMC products are up there... As for style, I was glad that they didn't import the US style like Ford did, I much preferred the imported style from Italy, or their own home grown stuff like the Mini!
Last edited by: VxFan on Sat 8 Jan 11 at 17:01
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Diamond, if you are really worried about the speed/braking then I'd suggest that you get a basic tuning kit and a set of discs for it, you'll only be spending a few hundred quid at most and it will bring the car up to more modern standards... You can even keep the original stuff in case you want to return it to original nick! A decent independent back street garage (like the one who tuned my Prinnie!) will have no probs doing the work... In fact many of the older mechanics will jump at the chance to play with some older cars!!
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Drop a 2 litre pinto in it and a RS2000 front nose cone uprated suspension and brakes & of course bucket seats & then give it to me i know what id do with it.!!
Simples fix the problem it has and run this classic or flog it to a man that will do as he likes with it, As it's a car not your mother.
The escort mk2 was a good simple car and the RS range were the spec to have & the Ghia trim, but it's only a car it should be driven not kept in a garage.
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A friend of a friend had a 1978 1100 Popular in hearing aid beige, with a moderately tweaked Cosworth YB in it (about 300 bhp IIRC). Apart from lowered suspension and fat tyres, it looked completely standard. Still had the 1100 badges on it too.
That was one seriously fast car.
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If you're decide to sell, go to the Ford Escort owners club. They'll probably get you the best price and ensure it doesn't end up in a 'classics' banger race.
But having owned for 33 years, I would SORN it and insure 3rd party only. That will cut its runnning costs to a minimum and give you time to think about it. I would hate to sell a car I owned for 33 years, only to realise 6 months later that I had made a big mistake.
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brake shoes go off with age and heat
the easiest way to update an old car is a brake overhaul new shoes and a complete new locating kit does wonders even on a drum braked eccies,yes they were a little slow so needed gunning a lot but they would still be an acceptable everyday driver even today
with regards heavy steering this they were not so i suggest you check your tyre pressures OP and even the fact your tyres are now old and dragging (the racks did wear out i changed quite a few but also seem to remember half the problem was usually rubber mountings going off due to oil contamination)
i wouldnt sell if i owned it as its the best driving of any escorts ever built is the mk2 i love em
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If the car can lock its front wheels under braking, it doesn't need *anything* doing to the brakes.
Despite the mythology that has built up, in normal use, drum brakes are absolutely fine. Yes, if you drive like a fool, you can make them fade, but, I don't get the impression that the OP is that kind of driver.
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The issue is surely, Diamond, whether you still enjoy driving the Escort or not.
It's slow by modern standards (and even those of '77), but if you like a stately, relaxing drive in the country (this may depend where you live!) then what a nice way to spend time in the company of a car which has presumably become something of an old friend. Take it out at weekends, preferably for a run of at least 20 miles to get it warmed through.
But if you just find it slow, old-fashioned and boring, then flog it and try and see if as suggested above it can go to a good home.
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I once bought a '79 1.1 pop plus in beige from Batley car auctions back in the mid 80s and remember being pleasantly surprised with its performance compared to the 1.6 cortina it replaced. It wasnt until some time later when parking in Leeds and been approached by a bloke who introduced himself as the cars former owner that I learnt it actually had a highly tuned 1.6 with fast road cam and various other mods which he had fitted before trading it in to a local garage!
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Ouch if you had an accident it in you could have been a lot of trouble. The Corsa forum used to ban members of such cars. We used to get them all the time
"For sale 2.0 red top turbo charged Corsa, 200bhp, registered as a 1.2 8v init so cheap tax and insurance....."
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do you remember the mk1 cortina on batley car auctions roof njgleeds?
the auctioneers dead now,nice man lived at cooper bridge,his lad was still in the game last time i saw him,always remember his dad shouting down from the microphone to the driver if the car had a radio and invariably there wasnt so to get out of the situation he used to say you dont want a radio anyway as they flatten the battery
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driver would drive the car forwards and backwards in the rostrum and he wouls say look just like a rolls royce it goes forwards and backwards
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on the car leaving featherstone auctions there wasnt much room to drive out and he often said be careful driver they havent paid their deposit yet as they had just bid on an old wolsely or something
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...the auctioneers dead now...
I heard an auctioneer describe a Lada: "It's got the see-through windows and the all-black tyres."
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When I say heavy steering I mean heavy compared to power steering, and drum brakes of course not as sharp as disc brakes. I did - and do - enjoy driving the car, it is just the comparison with modern cars and the fact that I do not use the Escort as an everyday car now - that is the reason for this thread.
I do not want to be hasty about my decision and as Boxsterboy says, I might regret selling it and then it would be too late.
I may well now keep it on the road for another year, even maybe get the leak seen to once and for all.
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Dilema with classic car - BobbyG
