Live it old skool

[Hancockshire]

Greetings

 

My name is Callum, a young classic Ford enthusiast who owns a Mk2 Fiesta pop plus (called Fifi). I hope to become a restorer though after trying for over a year for an apprenticeship, I haven't had any joy (most places are too polite to say we don't want a twenty something working here). But enough about me, more about Fifi

 

I have owned Fifi since August 2013 as my first car when I lived in Stranraer (on the west coast of Scotland) & I passed my test in her on the 21st of December. She was registered in February 1988 & sold through Reid & Adams in Stranraer (as the OS on the reg confirms). She had 32,000 on the clock & I've been using her as my daily transport. I used to take Fifi to a number of shows in Western scotland where she made many friends along the way

 

Unfortunately, the good times had to end when I was forced to move to England. She failed her MOT in August 2014 & I only got the money to fix her in December that year. Shortly afterwards, I rear ended a Honda Jazz in January 2015

 

I changed the bumper & painted it myself at the cost of £50 (with a spare wheel thrown in the deal courtesy of a classic Ford breakers in Bootle, sorry i can't remember the firm) but she still needs a new pair of headlamps as one was damaged in the collision & the other has lost it's finish inside. The last real Jolly I had in Fifi was with members of the Young Guns classic car forum when I took part in their Easter Road trip along the Welsh coast

 

Then things took a turn for the worse when I took a delivery driver job with Domino's pizza. They don't supply cars for insurance reasons & I had to use Fifi. I was forced to give up College as I was told I'd be fired if I didn't work until half six in the morning every shift. Two weeks after I got the job, I was hit on my rear offside arch by an Indian chap in a silver BMW 3 series just outside Wellington Telford. I lost out on the insurance due to my job & my policy was cancelled, so I had to resign in August 2015. I tried everything I could to save the funds to fix her but it was only until recently that I got a job that paid actual wages & now, I have to save for a flat. So plans to restore Fifi cosmetically has gone on the back burner a bit, though i still plan to save for what I need to make the job a goodun & use her as a portfolio to get an apprenticeship. She now has 82,000 on the clock & hasn't let me down once, a good ol' girl is Fifi

 

[Vista]

Welcome to OSF.

 

Top marks for best introductory post ever

[Hancockshire]

Welcome to OSF. Top marks for best introductory post ever

 

Ta very much, I think that the history with my car is almost like a partnership & our story as man & machine is a fairly strong one with many twists & turns along the way. Perhaps the reason why I'd never sell her. Sure she's not what you'd call an old skool Ford but I don't think you can get more bang for your buck than a Mk2 fez. they're keenly priced these days & ideal for folks my age who don't have money for Cortinas, RWD escorts, transits, granadas or capris (though i wouldn't mind a Mk2 S in royal blue some day).

 

Reliable, fun to drive, sweet engine note, cheap to maintain & I get more looks than a yob in a Micra. What more can you ask for?

 

...

 

Sideways action would be nice... & a little more than 49bhp... & some chrome to polish

[2512pf]

I'm amazed you have not been told to leave with that modern car lol

[guido]

i am fixing up one of these mk2 right now. Neat little car  

[Vista]

I'm amazed you have not been told to leave with that modern car

People who are invited to leave seem to have a way of reappearing though don't they?

[Hancockshire]

I'm amazed you have not been told to leave with that modern car

 

I'm 22 & thanks to the old guard, I can't afford something like your Escort (though I'd love to save to restore a Mk1 Fiesta, a Mk4 Cortina, pre-facelift Mk2 Granada or a Mk2 Capri)

 

A Mk2 Fiesta is a Mk1 with Restyled front, interior & tailgate. The engine is the same Kent derived 1117cc Valencia lump you'd find in a Mk1, running gear is the same & my car has a four-speed box. Also. I don't have plastic bumpers, they're painted steel with plastic quarters much like a Mk3 Capri or a Mk2 RS2000 but we can't tell those folks to leave can we? So on those grounds alone though, my car does qualify. Bear in mind that there are only 50 Mk2 pop plus fiestas left (according to How Many Left) & last time I checked, there seem to be a lot more sporting Escorts about than that. I have the rarity card against you pal.

 

That & she's too damned cute! lol

[guido]

look at this first before you say qualify: http://www.oldskoolford.co.uk/ipb/index.php?app=forums&module=extras&section=boardrules

 

its the year of build, not plastic related. I knew when registered, but asked if it was ok. No negative reply , so been tolerated sofar.

[Vista]

He is referring to the fact that on paper we have a policy that our criteria is that the model of car must have been in production by 1980. It's on the home page and also on the T&C's that you click to agree to when you sign up. Though most just tick those without reading them.

 

That said, we also have a policy that everyone is welcome and that you don't need to own an OSF (according to our definition) in order to participate on the forum.

[guido]

ok Vista, thats kind of this forum but what about the topic with an escort rs turbo, wich dates same era as my mk2 Fiesta. His or her car was not appreciated 

to show on here. Am i mistaken?

[Hancockshire]

He is referring to the fact that on paper we have a policy that our criteria is that the model of car must have been in production by 1980. It's on the home page and also on the T&C's that you click to agree to when you sign up. Though most just tick those without reading them.

 

That said, we also have a policy that everyone is welcome and that you don't need to own an OSF (according to our definition) in order to participate on the forum.

 

I was going to mention that because on no part does it state that people without a pre 1980 car can't join. I may not be able to take part in contests or shows so I've basically got a basic membership until I have a proper old skool ford. That's the way I look at it, but I've been into classic fords since I was 15 & it would be a real shame if I can't participate just because of my car's age (a similar yet opposite scenario when I'm asked to participate in motoring surveys).

 

I also feel that being here would help me in getting a car to restore or getting an apprenticeship, both of which I've been struggling to do for some time due to X amount of reasons

[Vista]

As previous, you are welcome as a member.

[Hancockshire]

Awesome sauce!

 

 

i am fixing up one of these mk2 right now. Neat little car  

I've seen the thread, the attention to detail in your car is awesome though i personally prefer leaving the bumpers on. It's kinda like the rear spoiler on a Mk2/3 Capri in that it breaks up the height of the car (visually) & makes the car look a little lower

[2512pf]

People who are invited to leave seem to have a way of reappearing though don't they?

Lol only banter only banter

[2512pf]

I'm 22 & thanks to the old guard, I can't afford something like your Escort (though I'd love to save to restore a Mk1 Fiesta, a Mk4 Cortina, pre-facelift Mk2 Granada or a Mk2 Capri)

 

A Mk2 Fiesta is a Mk1 with Restyled front, interior & tailgate. The engine is the same Kent derived 1117cc Valencia lump you'd find in a Mk1, running gear is the same & my car has a four-speed box. Also. I don't have plastic bumpers, they're painted steel with plastic quarters much like a Mk3 Capri or a Mk2 RS2000 but we can't tell those folks to leave can we? So on those grounds alone though, my car does qualify. Bear in mind that there are only 50 Mk2 pop plus fiestas left (according to How Many Left) & last time I checked, there seem to be a lot more sporting Escorts about than that. I have the rarity card against you pal.

 

That & she's too damned cute! lol

You don't have to be old to own a nice car

But it helps. My Sense of humour gets taken out of context on here from time to time,oh by the way I've had a few mk2 fezzies but always chose xr2s although I'm sure you're car is great

[colr6]

Welcome , if you pay as much attention to restoring a car as to construction of your replys then you should have one hell of a car.

[2512pf]

Welcome , if you pay as much attention to restoring a car as to construction of your replys then you should have one hell of a car.

Well said col

[NobbyClark]

Fantastic Fezz matey.

 

I think I've seen it on another forum before?? Possibly Retro Rides??

 

Good luck with finding an apprenticeship!!

[Hancockshire]

You don't have to be old to own a nice car

But it helps. My Sense of humour gets taken out of context on here from time to time,oh by the way I've had a few mk2 fezzies but always chose xr2s although I'm sure you're car is great

 

It's more saying that thanks to collectors & folks who only look at these cars as investments, it's harder for someone of my age who would be on a lower income to be able to get into the scene. I understand about the humour, most of what I say gets taken out of context a lot lol. I'd love an XR2 some day but I think that the Mk1 Supersport is a more interesting car & I would spend more time tracking one of those down.

 

Welcome , if you pay as much attention to restoring a car as to construction of your replys then you should have one hell of a car.

 

Thanks, I aspire to restore regular classics into a standard where they can be driven everyday. The way I look at it, E-types & Jensen interceptors are pretty but you can't use them every day. I would focus on folks who, like me, can only afford to keep one car & why should people have to reserve having the classic they want to weekend drives when they could commute in them & have the joy a classic can give them every day

 

Fantastic Fezz matey.

 

I think I've seen it on another forum before?? Possibly Retro Rides??

 

Good luck with finding an apprenticeship!!

 

Most likely, I'm a forum junkie lol. Thanks for that, I'm going to need it. I've had no luck so far, most restorers leave me hanging for months, making great noises like "We need more young people in the trade" & "It's so great to see a young lad so motivated by old cars" before coming back & saying "It's too much paperwork" or "we need someone with five years in the trade" or "We don't have anyone who can train you". Most restorers seem to want a 40+ year old bloke who's willing to work for less than minimum wage. It's a shame because it's what I really want to do but all I see is the old guard preserving the trade for older generations than myself. I will admit, I am fairly bitter about the whole ordeal

[colr6]

Think a lot of the problem is the younger generation are tarred with the same brush, only after one thing. Friday pay- packet and are not interested in getting dirty or take pride in what they do. Another thing people are frightened of spending time and money on someone for them just to say sorry it's not for me. Must admit by my own experience I'm one of those. But there are people who don't fit that criteria, it's just trying to convince a prospective employer your not one of those and hope you do as there is not enough young people coming into the classic scene and not just Fords

[Vista]

The way I look at it, E-types & Jensen interceptors are pretty but you can't use them every day.

Yes you can, you just need deep pockets.

[guido]

Awesome sauce!

 

 

I've seen the thread, the attention to detail in your car is awesome though i personally prefer leaving the bumpers on. It's kinda like the rear spoiler on a Mk2/3 Capri in that it breaks up the height of the car (visually) & makes the car look a little lower

Well this is me, being an oval track fan from the old days. Its al about racing inspired cars. no luxury and i dont like plastic, got rid of it 

[guido]

 

Most restorers seem to want a 40+ year old bloke who's willing to work for less than minimum wage. It's a shame because it's what I really want to do but all I see is the old guard preserving the trade for older generations than myself. I will admit, I am fairly bitter about the whole ordeal

• Like This

Eat my dust Corsa!

 

 

 

ha, a members introduction thread, wich is becoming a thread of its own. cool. But it is a fact these days, its hard to find a skilled person in jobs like metal fabricator

or a good welder. colr6 said it, and i see myself a lot of youngsters are not interrested in it, not into learning a craftmanship in this kinda business. It gotten so worse 

they cant even fix a flat tire on their bicycle

 

 

[Vista]

 

 

 

ha, a members introduction thread, wich is becoming a thread of its own. cool. But it is a fact these days, its hard to find a skilled person in jobs like metal fabricator

or a good welder. colr6 said it, and i see myself a lot of youngsters are not interrested in it, not into learning a craftmanship in this kinda business. It gotten so worse

they cant even fix a flat tire on their bicycle

Most of them seem to think they can do better by going to "Uni" and gaining a Mickey Mouse degree in pottery, art, calligraphy, surfing or some other extremely useful

[colr6]

Most of them seem to think they can do better by going to "Uni" and gaining a Mickey Mouse degree in pottery, art, calligraphy, surfing or some other extremely useful

And don't forget the Gap year to get over all the stress of getting a degree in as you say something useless to anyone apart from the person who got it.