Quirky Ford Content.

Well, for the first time in 8 years, I find myself without a Saab 9000 in my stable. Project Spartan was taken away by its new owner this morning. It's sad to see it go, but so many factors fell into place, it was just time. (For anyone not in the know, Spartan--previously Death Star--has been an ongoing project for over three years, involving a custom air suspension setup):

Of course, after I swore I would never buy another quirky, rare-ish car for a daily, and had my name on a beat-up '96 Civic, this thing popped up locally for a damn good price:

1987 Escort GT. 1.9 CVH HO, 5spd, Ohlins suspension. Florida car, no rust, 90k original miles. I just couldn't say no. It should serve me well for the next 6 months until I buy a Jeep and transplant myself across the country. Until then, it's worth trying something new and different.

Comments, suggestions, tips, and experiences are all more than welcome.

Love it. Don't get strangled by the seatbelt!

Nice Buy!

I like those cars and I have no idea why!

Looks like a nice car. I too have always liked that car. You have a PM on the subject.

bgkast wrote: Love it. Don't get strangled by the seatbelt!

Ha ha. I had a 91 Escort that tried to decapitate me more than not.

Nice score!

Had a '87 GT too, bought cheap w/ bad motor. 20K mile JY engine and new clutch later, DD'd it for several years. Dynomax muffler added some twang. Besides the belt issue (not that much really) I installed a AutoPower bolt-in cage, fun crawling over the door bar, little more spry back in those days. Fun rowin' through the gears w/ that 5-speed, shoulda finished it out w/ suspension but I was moving on to other projects.

That was one fun car. Haven't seen one around here on the road in well over a decade. I wouldn't hesitate to own another if I could find a good one.

Even by today's standards I think you gonna like it.

Ohlins suspension? Da fuq?

Graefin10 wrote: Looks like a nice car. I too have always liked that car. You have a PM on the subject.

For some reason I can't find my way to my inbox. Care to shed some light on my predicament?

Svenska94Aero wrote:

Graefin10 wrote: Looks like a nice car. I too have always liked that car. You have a PM on the subject.

For some reason I can't find my way to my inbox. Care to shed some light on my predicament?

It will be sent to your personal e-mail address that you entered when you joined the forum.

Explain this Ohlins suspension to us.

I know it's not your doing, but those Focus wheels look really weird on the car. Really weird.

Richard Nixon wrote: I know it's not your doing, but those Focus wheels look really weird on the car. Really weird.

They're on their way to scrap, don't worry. I'm throwing on a set of BBS cross-spokes meant for a Saab 900 with some nice studded i-Pikes. Should look much more proper.

As for the Ohlins, the PO had the car on a lift and said shocks and struts say Ohlins...I don't know more than that, I haven't looked myself, but I'll get some pics and more info when I put the wheels on.

I have some 13x8 libres that would look the business on there....

Awesome little cars.

im in love with this WAY more than I should be. that thing is fantabulous

The BBSs should be sweet on that. My Escorts seatbelt tried to kill me several tines. So in 6 months it will be for sale

Chandler, I have these from my SPG race car I'm dying to bolt on as well. Actually one of the details about the car that clinched the deal was that it shares the same bolt pattern as my Saabs, so I already can mix and match wheels. I'm glad everyone seems to approve. And yes, most likely in 6 months I'll have to let her go. I've only owned the car for two days and I already have about a half page of potentially interested parties. So stay tuned in the spring ;)

I love it. Low miles and looks good, great find.

Well I found some interesting things poking over the car today. First, the previous owner apparently had never seen an odometer where the last digit (on the white roller) was tenths...so he's been misreading the mileage. It's actually got 109k. Still pretty damn low for the age, I'm not terribly worried.

I got the car legal yesterday, and in the process of copying over the VIN I burst out laughing: Needless to say, the car has named itself. Introducing the FAPPmobile xD

This morning I ditched the terrible Focus wheels it came on (15x6 et52 with double-stacked 5mm spacers epoxied on!!) in favor of a set of BBS cross-spokes (15x7 et30) I intended for my race car. And yes, I kept the Saab center caps ;) I had a set of studded Hankook i-Pikes (local craigslist find) mounted up yesterday. Should make for a beast of a car this winter.

Before:

After:

Front fitments are a bit aggressive, I'm curious to see if they'll rub the fenders at all. If so, I know a guy with a fender roller who should be able to help out.

Also took a peek at the suspension to shed some light on the previous owner's claims. So, no Ohlins, but there are Koni adjustable struts, and some pretty beefy sway bars :D

And some engine bay shots. Can anyone tell me if that header is original, or vintage aftermarket?

Oh, and someone apparently removed the power steering belt, hence the rather entertaining variable steering response ;)

I guess that's all I have for now, next up is replacing the right rear wheel cylinder so I can actually stop when I want to.

Those wheels look great.

I wonder if that is a 1.9L EFI HO?

I think 2nd gen Escorts also had FAP vins. I know ours does.

Nice Hot Air Intake!...?

Any ideas for engine swaps?

Zetec?

Duratec?

2.3T Lima?

I'm trying to figure out why I like this. I mean, I owned a 1984 Ford Tempo. I know how much of a pain in the ass working on these piles of crap are. I know how horrific the build quality is. I know all the bad things.... yet.... I seem to be drawn to it.

lovin' those wheels

Looks cool. Did those have dual exhaust from the factory?