Farnsbarns

I don't doubt that it was in a MK2 escort but as far as I know they were never original equipment, even in SA. I think they were first cast in 1983, 3 years after MK2 production ended. There are certainly lots of 1600cc AX blocks in SA. They can be bored to 1800 and stroked to 2L. I don't know if they were manufactured at 1800cc. They can be used as a bottom end to a BDG so quite a handy thing to have. I may be interested if you decide to sell.

I'm over in Godstone. Happy to lend a pair or hands and another head to the mix. Can't promise to be the solution, but happy to help.

Strictly speaking he's incorrect. Modifications are OK as long as it can be demonstrated that the modification was being done within 10 years of the end of production. In the case of escorts, Ford offered a roll cage option and many thousands were fitted by the end of 1985, so going by the DVLA's own guidelines, they are allowed. Furthermore, modifications made purely for safety reasons are allowed. It would be hard to argue that a roll cage has a purpose beyond safety. Despite that, some people have had problems. Some have rolled over, others have fought the DVLA legally, and won.

As a web developer I know perfectly well this website can be run for about £5/month. There are better, off the peg, open source forum softwares available for free which could easily be hosted for £5/month. That said, paying something towards the site is fine but I think you'd find more people would if there was some kind of value in it. As it stands, free membership is identical. I'm only letting you know what would make me contribute. I'm not complaining.

I have to say, hopefully for the greater good, but certainly not to to be combative... I recently didn't renew. The reason is that there seems to be no value in membership. The OSF Cult section is dead and honestly have no idea what other advantage there is to membership. Maybe I'm missing something but if not, maybe the powers that be can consider creating a value proposition to attract and keep paid members. On the other hand, maybe not. Maybe I'm a minority looking for value in it and not finding any.

I wouldn't have noticed him. Instead I'd have thought of a reason to jump in the car, start it and drive over him away very suddenly.

They work by using the Apple "FindMy" network. Basically, apple have hijacked every apple device's bluetooth to detect the signal from an air tag and then tell iCloud where that airtag is without the apple device owners knowledge. Obviously that also tells them the apple device owners location as well. Most people believe it only allows them to find their iPhone, they don't know that it's also enabling the airtag technology. Because they work by bluetooth they are extremely easy for a thief to find and remove. The signal can also be easily blocked. Any professional thief will locate and remove your airtag in seconds. You could certainly attach one to a motorcycle.

The problem with airtags is they can easily be detected and found. While I've recently left, I have been working in a semi-technical role in an IoT development company (internet of things, an umbrella term that includes such tech) for the last 6 years and could easily make a tracking system but prefer not to reinvent the wheel, especially when there are potential insurance premium advantages to dedicated, off the shelf car tracking products. I could be tempted to add a DIY solution alongside something commercial. The DIY methods always add a layer of security by obfuscation. If it's not a known system there can be no known weaknesses, hack, etc.

I've been thinking about alarms, trackers and other security such as hidden switches, wheel locks, pedal locks, etc. What experiences or knowledge can you all share?

In the nicest possible way I stilI think the problem you'll face is there are no Ka enthusiasts. I think someone who chooses a Ka probably doesn't like cars much. Despite low mileage I don't think it'll ever be collectable, cherish-able or "classic". I'd advertise this for sale in the mainstream, I don't think Ford enthusiasts are your market. With the low mileage you may get a couple of grand.

A lot of them seem to be making their way here (UK) at the moment. I've ever seen some Retards Club comments complaining about the exporters buying them up and shipping them out. Is that something you notice? Obviously good for us, perhaps not so good for locals.

I've travelled the area, it's the most beautiful place you could hope to see. Welcome, Johan!

4 door cars are inherently heavier, weaker and less rigid. I think there's good reason for 2 doors being more desirable in a quick car and I think it's to be expected that there is an impact on value. That said, if someone wants to put kids in the back on the daily then a 4 door might be more desirable for them.

I think, sadly, that's just going to be a used car to most, moreso on here, but even on the wider market. I've never considered, or heard of a Ka being considered a classic or collectable. Best of luck though.

Correct. They were all made in the UK and supplied as nearly ready. The local supply rules in SA meant they got a different, domestic axle and some other subtleties for local market but they were all exported there so importing them back works for me. No such thing as an SA "built" escort per se. They only waved spanners and did some light "assembly". They had type 48 shells, except for the 100 rs1600s which had type 49.

That doesn't make sense to me. How is someone who can afford more, less of a "real and genuine enthusiast"? However, this car is insanely priced which is different. No one's buying that.

When an age related plate is issued to an import the format does give it away to those who know what they're looking at. Furthermore, it's a matter of public record. Anyone can look up a car to see if it's been imported. That aside, I don't see the difference. Do SA cars get repaired and patina differently to UK cars? I don't get that bit. Given the choice of two identical cars (never gonna happen in reality) and one is imported, the other isn't, the non imported one will always be worth slightly more, but that's really to do with mass-irrationality. I can't think of a good reason myself. One of the reasons that's never gonna happen is that an SA car will generally be more solid, be less restored, and require less restoration work due to the dry climate. They're generally going to be more solid and original.

I see that now I've opened it, obviously 😜

I called you for a quote on a MK1 Escort recently. You were more than 3 times the price of mainstream insurers who offered better (in every way) cover. You were also pretty short and rushed to get me off the phone when I said so. Guessing staff on commission moving on from a dead deal as quick as they can, closing the door on dialogue with a potential customer. Needless to say, you didn't get my business.

I thought we still weren't posting. All the "no uploads please" threads are still there?

I've joined the AVO club to find out what records they have of it. I'm told they do have records of them so fingers crossed 🤞

Well, this has all changed, potentially. I have been offered a South African RS1600, seems to be a Basil Green car, which where sadly all swapped to a 2L pinto, but otherwise an AVO car. I've joined the AVO club to try to find out more and see what records exist. There were only 100 sent to South Africa and I believe 60 went to Basil Green Motors who replaced the engines and sold the BDAs. I don't know about the other 40 but irrelevant to me, this is a BG car with its 2L pinto. I have a BDA for it though. Is there by any chance anyone who knows any more about these cars here?

There were 100 RS1600s exported there which I think were type 49, just not completely sure.

I need some info from anyone who is sure. Does anyone know if a South African MK1 Escort RS1600 was a type 49/AVO car. I know they threw away the BDA and fitted a 2l pinto. Where there any other differences?

After 3 months or so of me saying "could you also..." and the work close to starting, the guys doing the main resto told me I had to stop having any more ideas. 🤣 There's an excellent book called Factory Original Sporting MK1 Escorts. Unbelievable detail. I highly recommend not buying it while spec'ing a restoration 🤣. The last 3 weeks or so... servo, reservoir, pedal box, spare wheel well mounted battery bracket, exhaust hangers, extra works. All just pointless details highlighted by that bloody book 😭. All need at least some body work so want doing during the body resto.