Well, as those of you who read the topic know, I was having some troubles with the insurance on my RS2000. The renewal was simply massive, and for some reason, it seems that the insurance industry has decided that the RS2000 is the hooligan car of choice (despite most people not being able to tell it from a GTI), so it's gotta go. I'm pissed off about it, I want to keep it, but being at university, and my loans for this year being in a right state, spending fifty quid a month on insurance isn't especially high up my priority list to be honest.
So, that left me needing to find something a bit cheaper to insure. I was nosing around, looking at random things, got offered a few Focus' and things. Nice enough cars, but just don't do much for me, and I was being offered quite high mileage ones that I didn't really fancy. Was offered all sorts of other exchanges for the RS (Saxo's, Golfs, BMWs, loads of things!) but none really ticked the boxes I wanted. I even looked at RS Turbos, but it would have been a dog, so desite it being cheaper to insure than the RS2k, even when modified, I decided to leave that alone. I also looked at MK3/4 Escorts, as my heart definately lies with the 80s Fords, and a nice Zetec powered Bonus would be a giggle, and still save me some insurance money, but I didn't spot too many decent shells, and Bonus' etc are gaining value as so many people look to build track cars and non-RS modified examples.
Then, out of no where, I was hit with this! It was listed on the Orion Register forum, by the clubs chairman. He had bought the car as a daily runner for a short term while he swapped between an Impreza and an Evo. Anyway, this was supposed to fill daily duties after the Impreza was sold, until he found himself a mint Evo. But, it all kind of fell apart. He found his Evo much quicker than anticipated (a nicely modified FQ-300 which is closer to 400bhp), the buyer for the Impreza dropped out, and with a Citroen Picasso for his wife, and an extremely mint, turbocharged MK1 Orion Ghia in the garage, he just had too many cars!
Anyway, on to the car itself. It's a 1989 1600E. For those that don't know (or care), these were a limited run, based on the 1.6i Ghia, but without the two tone, with cross spoke style wheels, and a full leather interior. There's also wood cappings on the door cards, footwell lighting and a few other toys. This particular example is Raven Black, which was exclusive to the E, though Mercury Grey and Diamond White were both options. It was in the same family for around 20 years, with the first owner passing it to his son when he left this earth, and his son then passing away left the car reduntant. This is where it came into Orion Register posession. It's totally standard with the exception of an aftermarket alarm system, and even retains all the original stickers etc under the bonnet. It has plenty of history with it, and is fully stamped up to 72k (it's now on 73k). Only a couple of thousand miles ago, it had new dampers, springs and an exhaust fitted, at a cost of some £800(!). It's like no CVH you've ever heard, quiet as a mouse, and runs beautifully. Can be a bit hesitant to start when cold, but runs spot on.
I picked the car up from just south of Leicester this morning and drove it straight to Warrington for a club meet, and didn't get home until 9pm. It didn't skip a beat, was lovely to drive, and got loads of attention. Chris P from PF was there and took a few pictures, so hopefully it will get into the report in the magazine, and he was all over it, which was rather nice. These aren't the most loved of Fords, so it was nice to see it being appreciated.
As I say, it is in remarkably good condition. there is a little rust on the rear arches, and at the bottom of the fronts, but it is very very good, the sunroof is just mint, as is the engine bay, it's a very very clean car, and with a little work, I think it could be a 'working' concourse contender.
Anyway, on with the pictures I took today. Unfortunately I didn't have my camera with me, so these were taken on my phone in slightly fading light. They do the car absolutely no justice at all, and it has a bit of a dead bug infestation going on so I'll have to get some more once it's been cleaned again!
Now I know some of you might think it's only an old Orion, but others will know how much I love these things, and I'd always put myself as a Ford enthusiast, rather than just an RS enthusiast, and I do love to see all models looked after. This is undoubtedly the nicest car I've owned, so I'm really pleased with it, and the 1600E is something of a rarity these days.
This does leave a bit of a dilemma though I must say. Many people are telling me that I should leave it alone, which I fully understand. But, I had intended to buy something I could mess with a bit, so I am tempted to make a few changes. But, if I do change anything, I think I'll try and keep it very simple and keep to things that are very easily reversed should I wish to return it to standard. I'm thinking along the lines of a slight drop, add in the optional spotlights, fit the front mudflaps that aren't currently on the car, and then maybe swap the wheels. Ideally I'd like a set of 16" diamond cut RS7 spokes, but they're not very common in 16", so I may go for some shark tooth Cosworth wheels instead. Then perhaps a stainless exhaust (to preserve the one fitted to the car with it's Ford stickers still present!), and possibly a change in steering wheel as the standard item is a bit on the large side. A brake upgrade is also tempting with some larger wheels, so maybe Cosworth disks may find their way on at some point.
My main concern though, is preserving it, so I'll be getting under it ASAP to get all the areas of surface rust sorted and get it all sealed and protected. Then getting the small areas of rust dealt with too, so it's as clean as possible. I may also have the rear suspension arms powder coated as they let it down a bit. I certainly don't want to go too far, as A. I'm trying to save money and B. Out of the 1600 produced, I would wager there is very very few left, so it would be a shame to spoil it!
I bloody love it anyway, even if you don't
