Hello Old Skool ford members

[Gavin Mk1]

Just wanted to introduce myself and ask your opinions on a purchase next week. 

Hello,  I am Gavin and from Leigh-on-Sea, Essex.

Many years ago, when you couldn't give a car away I had two MK 1 escorts and a 1500 gt MK 1 Cortina. 

Long and short for the last few years I have been looking at purchasing a Mk 1 escort, but OMG the prices have been so high it's been a real eye-opener as you all will already know.

I have been patiently saving my pennies and I have found a Mk 1 that suits my budget but needs a fair bit of work, which I'm looking forward to getting stuck into, although I haven't got anywhere posh to work on it like a lot of you who are fortunate enough to have a workshop, will be the wife holding an umbrella for me. 

Anyway, this is the bit I need some help - advice with if you don't mind. 

The car that I have struck a deal with is a South African Import, I have read that they can be rusty because of the humidity etc but it's a fair price for what I'm getting.

My question is if I purchase a South African MK 1 Escort, does this devalue the finished car straight away? Like, say purchasing a CAT C insurance damaged car?

Also when I have finished it and take it to various meets, will people say 'O that's an imported car' and hang, draw and quarter me  or doesn't it matter? 

I'd love to hear your honest comments and will be really handy advice before I spend a load of hard-earned cash. 

Gavin 

 

 

[Vista]

If you like the car and can deal with the work it needs yourself, then who cares what anyone else thinks?

Unless it's an  Australiam 4 door mk2 RS2000, that's just wrong  😉

 

No one will care it's an import, though typically they are often slightly cheaper 

[Johnny Boy]

I own a Escort MK2 van and a Escort MK2 1600 Sport, both South African imports.

They are much less rusty than UK cars, but generally have been very poorly repaired, mechanically , and body wise.

They are cheaper.

If you are going to do a full rebuild, and bodywork, you will find some horrors, but once you have sorted that all out, all will be OK.

I would not hesitate to buy another SA import , as I know what to expect.

Rust is the killer with these cars, so  getting a less rusty SA car can be a big saving in the long run.

 

[PeteRS8084]

Good luck with your purchase, just remember it's your car, your build, so don't worry about anything else. Ex leigh on sea myself (Belfairs).

[ShaunS]

Hello and Welcome Gavin !!

 

[Ray]

Hello Gavin, your just round the corner to me, be good to meet up, theres a breakfast meet in shoebury most weekends

[Gavin Mk1]

Hi Ray, I think that I might have met you once at East Beach, I adored your MK1 and had some photos done with it. (I couldn't help myself ) 

Yes would be lovely to meet you again, and now I have a thousand questions lol.

Kind regards, Gavin  

[Ray]

thats me @Gavin Mk1 lol, pm me and we can meet up

[fiestachaser]

Hi Gavin,

Welcome to the club.

I think the stigma with imports has well and truly gone.

Get it all done and enjoy it!

Im not fsar from you in Billericay.

Didnt know about the breakfast meet in Shoebury.

[Gavin Mk1]

On 23/10/2024 at 18:21, fiestachaser said:

Hi Gavin,

Welcome to the club.

I think the stigma with imports has well and truly gone.

Get it all done and enjoy it!

Im not fsar from you in Billericay.

Didnt know about the breakfast meet in Shoebury.

Many thanks for all the welcomes and really helpful comments.

I think that you are all right about your comments, I'm not doing this for any investment purposes and it will end up the other way knowing me and I'm just going to do this car as I see it and most of all enjoy it.  

I met up with Ray and his 'fleet ' of 1300e cars OMG what an eye-opener, and haven't stopped talking about his amazing set-up, thanks for the teas, Ray. 

I'm picking up my car this Sunday! South Africa, here we come! Watch this space. 

Thanks, Gavin. 

[BaileyMex]

Welcome to OSF mate

Your car your rules! Build it how you want, perhaps not with under body neons and a 20" wheels tho 🤣

Looking forward to seeing the photos 

[Gavin Mk1]

Thanks for that, no under-body neon lights and 20'' wheels I promise, do we still do the girlfriend's - wife's name in a sun-visor strip 😂

[Dave Knight]

On 17/10/2024 at 23:17, Vista said:

If you like the car and can deal with the work it needs yourself, then who cares what anyone else thinks?

Unless it's an  Australiam 4 door mk2 RS2000, that's just wrong  😉

 

No one will care it's an import, though typically they are often slightly cheaper 

Have you woken him yet? 🫨🤣🤣

[BaileyMex]

2 minutes ago, Gavin Mk1 said:

Thanks for that, no under-body neon lights and 20'' wheels I promise, do we still do the girlfriend's - wife's name in a sun-visor strip 😂

As long as she doesn't mind changing her name to either Sharon or Tracey 🤣

[Dave Knight]

Welcome to the Jungle Gavin,

Good to see another member joining. 👍 tons of knowledge and help on here. 
 

Dave 

[Gavin Mk1]

Thanks, Dave, I'm probably (most definitely)  going to need the knowledge 🙃

[Ray]

1 hour ago, BaileyMex said:

As long as she doesn't mind changing her name to either Sharon or Tracey 🤣

if you know where we can get those original insidew sunstrips, please let me know, been looking for ages

 

[Gavin Mk1]

🤣🤣