NoshBosun

Thanks. You're right, it's a combination of regular maintenance and good luck!

Thanks guys. It's an interesting debate: keep your Escort safe n secure only using it from time-to-time vs enjoying it everyday but risk it being stolen... I think I am with the latter. Thanks for the security equipment ideas too, I will certainly be looking into those, and more. Around here in France I haven't seen any old skool Fords, I don't know if this makes it less desirable to would-be car burglars, or more desirable... Going back to a previous point regarding the reliability (or otherwise) of older engines. Of course, there's no way of knowing how well an engine has been maintained throughout its lifetime. But can we minimise bad surprises by getting a reconditioned engine? And/or would a newer engine be more reliable, in general?

Are you saying that using one as a daily driver is just asking for it to get nicked?

Thanks Guys, you've made some good points: I do sometimes take the train to London, but I use the car when I envisage doing some big shopping (i.e. when I've run out of baked beans, and the like!). The car would be kept in a garage in France, and in London it would be off-street parking. However, I probably need to think about a decent alarm system. Any suggestions on that front? With regards to motorway driving vs town driving vs all-year-round reliability, would a more modern engine be better suited (something from the 1990s)? Thanks again for all your help and advice thus far.

The vast majority of the time I'll be using it just to drive around town. I only do the France-London trip every 3or4 months, and not much more motorway driving the rest of the time. So, mainly town, with a few loooong motorway journeys chucked in. What concerns me more however is winter starting as it can get quite cold around here in Jan-March. Do you think this might be a problem?

Problem sorted. Cheers mate!

It's true that I have driven more comfortable/quieter cars than my mk1 Golf! ... But the Escort is just too tempting... There must be ways (interior modifications) that can be done to make the car feel less like sitting inside a bucket! Are there ways to make them more sound-insulated, for example?

Yes, there would definitely be motorways.... In fact I often drive from my place (near the Swiss border) to London, about 500miles each way, so it would need to easily cope with a full day of motorways. Do you think this would be an issue?

Thanks for all that info - it's exactly what I needed. Now I'll have a chat with those contacts mentioned above and see what they say in terms of feasibility, availability, and pricing. Thanks again.

You think it's better than the 2litre Pinto for my needs?

Yes, 100bhp sounds like the ball-park I'm after. However, what mild upgrades would you suggest? Thanks.

Hello again. The first 2 that you suggest sounds like what I'm after. I'm looking for something super reliable (even in the winter - which can be harsh around this part of France), and ideally fairly straightforward to maintain. Also, availability of the engine itself, and spares thereafter.

Hello Gerbil, There is one for sale not far from me (only 4 hrs away!) which is a 1972 1.1l , 90000km for €4000. Body looks in good condition from what I can tell from the pics. It's been on sale for a couple of months at least, so I can probably knock the price down a bit. What would you call a decent engine? For my part, I'd like something that could do 0-60 in about 10secs. Would prefer an engine with minimum electrics/computer wizardry involved. I was going to ask the garages mentioned about for their advice. Of course, it all depends on price...

Hello and Thanks! That's absolutely great, I shall contact the garages mentioned and make enquiries. For the moment I just want to get an idea of costs involved. I often go to London (visiting family) so this is perfect. From reading some of the other posts on this forum it is clear that most members are enthusiastic, adept mechanics who love nothing more than diving under the bonnet! As for me, I am not confident enough that I'd be able to do a complete engine swap, not right now anyway. I used to own a Mk1 Golf (still do, actually, but hasn't been touched for years - since I've been living in France) with which I used to tinker. So, what I am after is a daily runner that I can maintain myself. And the Mk1 Escort is just too good looking to be ignored.... I have googled the 3 places that you have mentioned, and all 3 look highly suitable. Thanks again.

Bonjour! Actually, I'm not really French, but I do live in France... Great Forum you have here, tons of useful info. Don't currently own an OldSkoolFord, but this does bring me on to my question.... I would dearly love to own a Mk1 Escort, and I have seen a couple of originals for sale over here (and in Germany) that have grabbed by interest: needs to be a LHD. I would like it to be my daily driver, but would need a bit more power under the bonnet. Not looking for loads more power however, and want to stay old skool. My question is this: can anybody point me in the direction of a reputable garage in the SE of England, or the Midlands, that do these kinds of engine swaps (including sourcing all the required parts)? Please let me know if this is not the right sub-forum to ask this question. Any help appreciated. Thanks.