I'd not heard anything about this series but I just found it.
I've seen the Escort Mexico and the LR MKI episodes, got the Stag, Cooper, MG TC and DeLorean episodes to go, followed by the auction finale.
Its a bit like that Mike Brewer one of a few years ago, Wheeler Dealer?, but more entertaining and considerably more realistic.
Its motoring entertainment, rather than serious mechanics, but I'm rather enjoying it so far.
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I saw the Escort one and didn't enjoy it, it felt a bit staged then I fell upon Mario and Bernie on Channel 5 and their bodgit and scarper episodes (Classic Car Rescue).
The one with the Ferrari at Spa, last time I was there you couldn't get onto the track from the old pit lane garages so what Bernie was screaming about going on the track for had me a bit lost.
Last edited by: gmac on Wed 11 Jun 14 at 19:16
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I have a dilemma with Escort Mexicos. I'd really like an Escort Mexico or an RS2000 even but I'd not want to be thought of as the sort of person who did.
Life can be hard in these sorts of ways when you think about it.
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I enjoyed the series but as pointed out it did not delve far enough into the mechanical side for my particular liking. I would have loved to see exactly how they rebuilt the complete front of the Mex and realigned it all.
The last episode showed all the vehicles being auctioned off and they reached some good money. But I doubt there was little profit when you looked at the investment in parts and labour. That said the series was not all about making profit as such.
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Runfer, despite your eloquent protestations to the contrary, you really do care a bit too much what others think of you, it strikes me. Been in Cheshire too long, I expect.
Drive what you fancy and damn their eyes.
;-)
I'd love a Mexico or RS2000. Should have had one when they were cheap, though.
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I did have a Mk1 Escort when they were cheap. Not exactly a Mexico though. It was a 2 door in its defence but that was as near as it got. It was beige, had an 1100cc engine and was fitted with remoulds which shed tread blocks periodically.
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Too little about the actual restorations but enjoyable enough and far better than the Channel 5 staged rubbish.
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I'm proud to have owned a K reg one in Daytona Yellow between 1978 and 1982.
I like to think I was a perfectly pleasant chap at the time. Had to sell it to get enough money to put down on a house deposit - which by the way, probably hasn't made a proportionally huge increase in price when compared with the Mexico despite house prices rising stupidly.
Last edited by: Dulwich Estate on Thu 12 Jun 14 at 13:56
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Well I finished the whole series late last night.
I really enjoyed it. Motoring entertainment rather than car mechanics, but still very enjoyable.
I thought the mechanic (Ant Anstead) and the presenter (Philip Glenister) did a good job.
I particularly liked that Glenister said something along the lines of "We know we're not going to get the cost of the renovation back, but we'd like to see them make a decent price..."
And the fact that Anstead acknowledged that it had been "me and my team"
Last edited by: No FM2R on Thu 12 Jun 14 at 22:27
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The Escort Mexico was a very fine car, much quicker than people thought. One might have fancied a 2 litre one or better still the RS1800, but why the hassle, thirst and general expense?
Mexico went like a rocket and could do 100 no problem. Pretty little thing in all-white too. And handled like a dream.
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Sold it now, but my 1972 Morgan 4/4 was a reasonable competitor at the time. The cars had the same engine and gearbox and although they were quite different to look at, the real time performance was similar. The Mexico was a touch faster due to better aerodynamics and the Morgan had better acceleration due to lighter weight.
Many, many years ago, I had a sort of duel with one on an otherwise deserted motorway. The Morgan was faster up hills, and the Mexico faster down them.
The engine I sold the Morgan with was close to the real Mexico specification being an offset bored crossflow with about 1840cc (from 1600!) twin 45s, a very light steel flywheel and lots of other fun bits. Easily the best engine for a driver I've ever come across as it was very reactive to throttle input changes. Only about 140bhp, but a huge torque figure for a crossflow.
Desperate fuel economy though! 25mpg if you pussyfooted, and about 8 if you rowed the gear lever (but you wouldn't live long if you did on the public highway).
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I find Glenister's edgy villain/cop act a bit wearing but the program was saved by Ant's superb workmanship on every vehicle they featured... and the fact I'd have been happy to own many of the cars covered.
Far better in that respect than the bodgit boys covering such topics in the past.
The DeLorean isn't me at all and that MG-TC should have been red or dark green.... apart from that just about perfect choices.
If I had to be given one as a daily (or Sunday) car it would be the Stag no hesitation.
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>> The DeLorean isn't me at all
Nor me. I didn't watch the programme which I expected to be annoying, but I did wonder what that lemon was doing on the list.
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>>I find Glenister's edgy villain/cop act a bit wearing
I know what you mean, but his frequently sincere and "natural" reaction to things quite saved it for me.
I understood the choice of the DeLorean, but the colour for the TC was just wrong.
I would have the Mexico. In a heartbeat. Wonderful thing.
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>>>>>I find Glenister's edgy villain/cop act a bit wearing
>>>I know what you mean, but his frequently sincere and "natural" reaction to things quite saved it for me.
Actually I should explain it's my duty to be wary of him as Mrs F thinks the sun shines from his rufty tufty ways... which is so not me it's worrying.
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I always think he looks as if he could do with a wash.
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>>>do with a wash.
Which is what I must do after a morning garage tidying before I slither in a RWD type way to see a business I deal with every week... where the receptionist thinks my T-shirts are cool and jokes funny... you see there is someone for everyone out there :-)
Last edited by: Fenlander on Fri 13 Jun 14 at 15:11
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For the Love of Cars - ....
