Jimbonic

OK, there's something to aim for...

Thanks, Rich. Yes, if I can get it to run reliably enough to stuff it full of family and camping gear by the time the yellow fiery orb makes its way up into the sky, I shall be a happy chappy.

Cheers, dt

Hello from the world of the Good Life! I probably should have posted here before now - I have already posted elsewhere. But, hey! I'm an old giffer! I appear to be in the throes of a mid-life crisis. This seems to have manifested itself in the purchase of a 1970 Mk2 1300 Cortina Deluxe. Currently, it doesn't qualify for one of the rules of the forum (drive it regularly), as I can't get it to run for more than a few miles at a time! But, that will be resolved... I've always been a bit of an old Ford fan - just fell off the wagon for a while! My first car was a 1966 1500 Cortina Super estate, which cost me £20. But, then it did have a blown head gasket and warped discs. But, since I was only 15, I had a couple of years to get it up and running properly. By the time I was able to drive it (legally!), we had GT'd it (twin choke carb, fast road cam, GT exhaust, lowered on Lotus steel rims). When that fell apart, I bought a 1970 1600E for the princely sum of £425. That got similar treatment to the Mk1, but with 170 lb front springs. It remains one of the best cars I've owned. OK, I was an idiot 18-year old, but it flew through the lanes of NW Norfolk! Around that time, I stumbled across a 1954 Popular and Anglia (both sit-up-and-beg) in some fella's garden, slipped him £400 notes and dragged them both home. The Anglia was a bit of a basket case (would probably get restored now, but back in the day - nah!) and provided spares for the Pop. The Pop came semi-disassembled. But, new plugs, points, condenser, half an MGB battery and it started! That was one hilarious car. Very slow and bounced around like some deranged puppy. I probably would have kept it for longer, but university beckoned. So, I sold those and kept the 1600E as my daily. Sometime during university, I managed to get hold of a 1955 Mk1 Consul (me and my dad took in as part-ex for a 1952 Buick). with Raymond Mays cylinder head, whitewalls, visor, wiggly spot lamp, etc. Another great car. With three-on-the-tree and bench seats, its was perfect for hauling up to eight of your mates around! It sounded fantastic, with what was basically a straight-through exhaust. But, the rozzers didn't seem to like it - or the blue dots in the tiny tail lights! But, that was it for old fords until now. I went through a series of other makes ('79 Chevette, '74 Corolla, '80 Manta, '89 Beemer, etc, etc). But, now I have re-found my way. I'm not sure what is in store for this new old 'Tina. At them moment, I just want it to move and use it as is. That is until I get bored and the day dreams start to spill out into real life...

OK, in the spirit of sharing. My newly acquired (couple of weeks) 1300 Mk2 Cortina. With the correct amount of doors...!