Howdy from Surbiton

[Jimbonic]

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...

 

[DT36]

Nice looking car. Welcome. 

[Jimbonic]

Cheers, dt

[Rich T]

Afternoon.

Very nice looking car you have there.

Its the right time of year to fix all its foiballs,ready for the summer .

 

Rich

[Jimbonic]

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.

[Vista]

Welcome to OSF, get it sorted for June and bring it on our tour of Dartmoor See link below for details

 

[Jimbonic]

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

[Wigan Ste]

Looking good , love the bench seat .