Ford Escort Revisited

lookforjoe

True Classic
Went down a YT rabbit hole after reviewing the K20 swapped Ferrari linked on the FB xWeb - video for anyone interested in that...


.... found another car from my childhood - Ford Escort MK2 -

There is a company making brand new ones - under 2000lbs/ 200HP (base option) - about the same as a X1/9 K-swapped weight/output

 
I've seen several similar "new" cars being offered by a number of companies. All are older classic 60's and 70's models from various countries. All are being reproduced (new) with the same body as the original but more modern drivetrain and mechanicals throughout. All have really nice interiors, amenities, etc. And all are really expensive. I'd have one of each if I could.
 
I've seen several similar "new" cars being offered by a number of companies. All are older classic 60's and 70's models from various countries. All are being reproduced (new) with the same body as the original but more modern drivetrain and mechanicals throughout. All have really nice interiors, amenities, etc. And all are really expensive. I'd have one of each if I could.

The advantage I see is a new 'Old" car with modern suspension & drivetrain, without all the ****ed up passive restraints & lack of driver control over so many aspects. The current one I hate the most is the shut down at every stop feature. Thats' just built in obsolescence to the nth degree...

Going off on a tangent (related to the rationale for NOT owning a small vehicle in current times) - I also despise the obsession with SUV or larger sized vehicles, it's one thing if you actually NEED the space, I don't see it around me, anyway. Same with the bloated oversize pickups that are never used for intended purpose - many of those around here as well....
 
Don't you? My god it was a fun time to live in.
Unfortunately I did not appreciate the times until lately. Everything now is just so antiseptic, the cars, racing, movies etc. Hell I even enjoy stupid old muscle cars. Young Ralph would have never though the would hear me say that.
 
The advantage I see is a new 'Old" car with modern suspension & drivetrain, without all the ****ed up passive restraints & lack of driver control over so many aspects. The current one I hate the most is the shut down at every stop feature. Thats' just built in obsolescence to the nth degree...

Going off on a tangent (related to the rationale for NOT owning a small vehicle in current times) - I also despise the obsession with SUV or larger sized vehicles, it's one thing if you actually NEED the space, I don't see it around me, anyway. Same with the bloated oversize pickups that are never used for intended purpose - many of those around here as well....
So true.

Aside from the mechanical aspects, I like the classic styling of some (but not all) old cars. Same with new cars - some I like some I don't. The problem (style wise) with newer cars is it's difficult to be unique - there are lots of them just like yours surrounding you. And even if it isn't just like yours, so many of them look so much the same you can't tell. That's part of what I enjoy about driving classic/vintage cars in today's world, it isn't like all the others.

Take that and add the power, reliability, practicality, dependability, economy, drivability of modern mechanicals and you get the best of both worlds.
 
So true.

Aside from the mechanical aspects, I like the classic styling of some (but not all) old cars. Same with new cars - some I like some I don't. The problem (style wise) with newer cars is it's difficult to be unique - there are lots of them just like yours surrounding you. And even if it isn't just like yours, so many of them look so much the same you can't tell. That's part of what I enjoy about driving classic/vintage cars in today's world, it isn't like all the others.

Take that and add the power, reliability, practicality, dependability, economy, drivability of modern mechanicals and you get the best of both worlds.
So true. There is a guy up tue street from me who has a triumph stag, mga, and a 67 mustang. He daily drives them all and they look great. I am really thinking about dumping the new cars for good rebuilt older ones that I really like.
 
A jeep engineer acknowledged the love people have for the old 80s cherokee. When asked why they just don't bring back but with a better power train. Crickets....

At least porsche brought back the boxster manual and the sales surprised them .
 
There are several good restomods on the market. I think the Cyan P1800 is one of the better ones as it is still manual. Unfortunately it is not in my budget
 
There are several good restomods on the market. I think the Cyan P1800 is one of the better ones as it is still manual. Unfortunately it is not in my budget

Yes, that is a very nice one. close enough in spirit to the original, but vastly refined in all aspects.
 
I'll make up an example to (hopefully) help illustrate my sentiments on old/new car styling.

I like the original "old" Fiat 500. The "new" Fiat 500 has a retro look to reflect back to the original (sort of). That's cool, but there are lots of new 500's running around...unlike the old 500, anyone could go to a dealer and buy a new one. To try and make your new 500 unique you could spend $20K in custom work. Now it has more power, handles better, and has plenty of cosmetic touches to clean it up. But overall it still pretty much looks like all the other new 500's around you really. Bottom line is if you want the uniqueness and style of the old 500 then you need to buy a old 500. However that comes with old performance and all the problems of any old car. Now consider a old 500 that has been completely restored and upgraded with all new 500 components tucked under the original body and it's the best of both. That's what these companies are offering (for a price).

I guess that's what a Honda swapped X is?
 
There are several good restomods on the market. I think the Cyan P1800 is one of the better ones as it is still manual. Unfortunately it is not in my budget
My first ride in a P1800 was in 1964. My cousin had just graduated college and bought a new one. By the time I got a ride in it, he had installed dual Webers, a cam, and headers. It was pretty quick for the time and was my first experience in a fast car without a V8. He became a professor at the University of Hawaii, and last I heard there was someone still driving it around Oahu.
 
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