The Dark Wob

In my humble opinion, the best British Fords were the V-8 Pilot, New Anglia, Three Graces range and the Mk.2's
And of course the old A's and B's although they were largely American designed.

It's probably heresy to say it here but I liked my Mk3 Escort 1.6GL, NGC207Y, I think.

fried onions wrote: ↑Sun Jan 10, 2021 7:00 pm In my humble opinion, the best British Fords were the V-8 Pilot, New Anglia, Three Graces range and the Mk.2's
And of course the old A's and B's although they were largely American designed.

A Highline Zephyr for me in a nice monotone hue. This one is perfect.

chadders wrote: ↑Sun Jan 10, 2021 7:12 pm It's probably heresy to say it here but I liked my Mk3 Escort 1.6GL, NGC207Y, I think.

We had an X reg mk 3 TVO ???X a friend turned up at school with the most rotten but freshly MOTd either V or W plate one, I actually think it may have been a pre production prototype as he always complained nothing would ever fit it.
It replaced a MK1 fiesta van that was mainly made of fibreglass and chicken wire.

mercrocker wrote: ↑Sun Jan 10, 2021 4:09 pm I'm always amazed how solid derelict 100Es often are. The vans and estates seemed to suffer more, though.

My brother bought an MOT failure 100e for £10 from the scrapyard. We naturally removed the roof and hammered it hard around the fields for a couple of years. It never broke, though of course the rear door was scientifically reinforced. The outer sill seems completely absent.

The Reverend Bluejeans wrote: ↑Sun Jan 10, 2021 8:34 pm

fried onions wrote: ↑Sun Jan 10, 2021 7:00 pm In my humble opinion, the best British Fords were the V-8 Pilot, New Anglia, Three Graces range and the Mk.2's
And of course the old A's and B's although they were largely American designed.

A Highline Zephyr for me in a nice monotone hue. This one is perfect.

Spookily, it was that exact car I had in mind when you posted without the pic initially......

cros wrote: ↑Sun Jan 10, 2021 8:57 pm

mercrocker wrote: ↑Sun Jan 10, 2021 4:09 pm I'm always amazed how solid derelict 100Es often are. The vans and estates seemed to suffer more, though.

My brother bought an MOT failure 100e for £10 from the scrapyard. We naturally removed the roof and hammered it hard around the fields for a couple of years. It never broke, though of course the rear door was scientifically reinforced. The outer sill seems completely absent.
100e.jpg

We used to bomb one (with roof intact) round a local gravel pit on a Sunday afternoon when all the loaders and graders had gone home. It was surprisingly hard to kill....

Simultaneously an enviable and difficult position to be in. Conflicting!

If I was going to spend £3-4K, which I always consider to be “risky” money (in as much as you’re invested in it) I’d immediately say a Toyota. But if you need something you can truly love, then that’s a bit harder. As long as you’ve got some toys and/or vehicles of interest it doesn’t really matter though.

For me, the sweet spot is about 2005/6. Tax is a bit fairer, no DPFs on Diesel (although you’re wisely avoiding it) and - after that point - I’m not sure I’ve seen many leaps in ICE powered cars.

I can’t stand those spaceship Civics, mostly because I like my cars to look like cars. Although I’ll concede that the early Civics were also a bit left field.

What about a Subaru Forester? A little bit more upright, purposeful, serviceable and a bit different (without being silly). I think they’re interesting enough to stop me getting too bored, yet robust enough to garner respect.

Tricky innit! I haven’t a clue what I’d do in your situation. Probably by 10 old crocks...

The Forester is another creature that appealed to me on its first appearance here. I think for the Mrs Rocker baby-sitting useage phase it might be a bit large - parking at both her kid's houses is laughable. I should stop thinking I have money to spend because I haven't really - it is very much contingency reserve rather than floating about in a whisky bottle or desk drawer and I think you do make a good point about the risk element. I feel uncomfortable about spending more than my usual £1500 but I suppose also time does move on.

And again, 2005 is an optimum age for lots of reasons. I've already given myself a talking to about having to love it - that went out the window with the Focus purchase.

Anyway, on finer note, I managed to get the Minor out today as the Council seem to have conceded that a dawn temperature of 5C probably didn't require three layers of salt. I can, if necessary, prove my journey was essential but it was bloody enjoyable nonetheless and reminded me I really don't have to care what Mrs Rocker drives as long as she is happy with it.

I love the engineering in Subarus.