What car have you been obsessing about today?

[Skippy]

I had MX5 on my list when I got the Puma. Don't tell me there's something that rusts worse than a Puma?! ( I may have the back wheels off and he wire brush out today)

 

[The Arch Bishop]

Oh yes, MX5's rust pretty badly! To be fair, this was a UK car that was built in '91 and lived at the seaside. The odds were stacked against it!

 

[Skippy]

My sister kept a TR7 near Torquay.... You could hear it rusting.

 

[evilrob]

What's your budget, Lee? My mate's selling a fairly tidy one (only cos he just got made redundant but I didn't tell you that):

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/331184130224?ssPageName=STRK%3AMESELX%3AIT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

 

[tuonokid]

105E for my son. He's 17 in just less than a year and that's his car of choice now.... and no it's got nothing to do with Harry Potter and everything to do with Ford and parts bin availability.
Barry

 

[The Arch Bishop]

What's your budget, Lee? My mate's selling a fairly tidy one (only cos he just got made redundant but I didn't tell you that):

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/331184130224?ssPageName=STRK%3AMESELX%3AIT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Very nice, but my budget is well less than half that! Nah, going to give up on them to be honest. I wanted a tatty but usable one to decide if I like them or not. I have a sneaky suspicion that they're a bit outclassed by the Puma overall.

 

[mrbushrat]

105E for my son. He's 17 in just less than a year and that's his car of choice now.... and no it's got nothing to do with Harry Potter and everything to do with Ford and parts bin availability.
Barry

And you could always drop a zetec in!

Graeme

 

[Neil]

What's your budget, Lee? My mate's selling a fairly tidy one (only cos he just got made redundant but I didn't tell you that):

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/331184130224?ssPageName=STRK%3AMESELX%3AIT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Very nice, but my budget is well less than half that! Nah, going to give up on them to be honest. I wanted a tatty but usable one to decide if I like them or not. I have a sneaky suspicion that they're a bit outclassed by the Puma overall.

The Puma has got a much better engine - the 1.8 in mine is pretty harsh and doesn't make a particulary nice noise. The MX-5's driving position is far superior though, the gearchange is about equal, and of course it's RWD - good fun on wet/greasy roundabouts!

Mine is starting to go on the arches and there is a tiny bit of rust errupting on the sills - I'm hoping at this point it's mostly surface, as the car was rust free when I bought it last July. Unfortunatley running it through the winter has done it no favours at all.

 

[The Arch Bishop]

The Puma has got a much better engine - the 1.8 in mine is pretty harsh and doesn't make a particulary nice noise. The MX-5's driving position is far superior though, the gearchange is about equal, and of course it's RWD - good fun on wet/greasy roundabouts!

That was my overriding impression of the one I drove the other year (ignoring the handling which was impossible to judge as it was ruined). The engine felt course and tight compared to the lovely revy, gutsy Puma unit. Getting back in Jegger for the drive home, he felt like a masterpiece after the Mazda.

The gearbox was pretty good - about on par with a Mk1 MR2 but the drive-train as a whole wasn't as seamless as the Puma either. Seats and driving position were ace though.

As said, I think I'll just carry on sorting Jegger out rather than spreading my time over two projects.

 

[Neil]

I've read that the 1.6 is supposed to be the sweeter engine, but I think it's the lesser of two evils - it's a pretty unpleasant engine tbh, even if it is pretty bulletproof.

 

[Skippy]

I looked at MX5s, Celicas and MR2s (mk3) when I went for the Puma. MX5s were rusty as you say. Never drove one. The toyotas were better but the 1.8vvti engine is a gamble apparently - self distruct capability common.

 

[The Arch Bishop]

Yeah, I think the early ones tended to ingest their own Catalytic converters but most are sorted by now. I have a friend with a Celica 1.8 vvti - it's had little to no care whatsoever and last time I saw him, it was on 180,00 miles. Drinking a fair bit of oil but still sounding sweet!

 

[RICHARD MANSFIELD2]

Hi,
that green Mk1 Escort does it for me above all others, fantastic. I have been thinking about my 2550cc twin engined four wheel drive Mini that I built. God I wish I still had it must be £40k by now. Picturers and details posted in 'other vehicles'
Regards
Richard.

 

[RICHARD MANSFIELD2]

Hi,
I have looked at that Escort again. I have just got to get one, what a classic. About twenty years ago I was offered a swap for my 1964 Mini cooper, then valued about £6k (now valued £20K plus) for a Mk1 Ford Escort twin cam that was fully restored and pristine. I did not swop. Did I do the wrong thing?
Answers please.
Regards
Richard.

 

[748]

105E for my son. He's 17 in just less than a year and that's his car of choice now.... and no it's got nothing to do with Harry Potter and everything to do with Ford and parts bin availability.
Barry

And you could always drop a zetec in!

Graeme

I had a 123E about 15 years ago. Ended up with a 1500GT engine in it. Everything else was bog standard. I loved that car!

 

[PhilLew]

105E for my son. He's 17 in just less than a year and that's his car of choice now.... and no it's got nothing to do with Harry Potter and everything to do with Ford and parts bin availability.
Barry

And you could always drop a zetec in!

Graeme

I had a 123E about 15 years ago. Ended up with a 1500GT engine in it. Everything else was bog standard. I loved that car!

I had a 100e with a 2.0 pinto...I loved the way it looked but hated the way it drove :-(

 

[tuonokid]

Hi Guys
It looks like I started something off with the 105E post. Paul and Graeme, you're right a Zetecs a match made in heaven but with a lot of work. Best to start off with a rack conversion and build up from there. I do have in my garage just kicking around a Powerworks Supercharger for a 2 ltr blacktop and a complete with TBS Vauxhall red top. Which way to go?
Must be in a few years time, though as he's too young for the insurance at the moment.
Barry

 

[748]

Hi Barry
My engine change was through necessity...the 1200 engine just wore out.
I tried to keep things period and managed to find a fully reconditioned Corsair 1500GT engine. As I remember I didn't have the correct carb on it though.I can't remember the numbers but it was one of those Weber twin choke thingys, with progressive second choke(made it feel like a turbo kicking in when you booted it) :lol:
Not a very powerful engine by today's standards but it meant I could use it as a daily driver.Used to get a few looks as well.
The colour was ermine white with a midnight blue roof and stripe...very smart
I got some old pics somewhere, I'll seef I can dig em out and post some up.
Paul

 

[tuonokid]

Hi Paul
I can never remember what the 123E is. Is it a Super or an estate? Classic Ford magazine says that the 997 is a stronger, longer lasting engine than the 1200 and the one we've got our eyes on at the mo is a 997. Unfortunately it's in a Battleship grey colour it would be even better in your ex colours or maybe that pale pastel green.
Would be really interested to see the photos though
Barry

 

[748]

Yes mate it was the super, a 1966 model. With extras like more chrome, a side stripe, and a glove box lid :lol:
Not too sure but I think capacity was 1198, same bore as 997 but longer stroke, that's probably why the 997 is reported as being more robust? Other people in the club used to say it was a bit underpowered though.
The end of my engine was probably my fault...the ultimate sin, low oil pressure, I didn't turn it off in time so it stopped itself. Was on my way up to Wibsey in Bradford at the time. Funny thing is when it cooled down and I put some more oil in, it started up and got me back to Cas
Was never right after that though :lol:
Haven't found any pics yet, I think I may have to go rummaging in the loft.
Paul