Faults:

I bought the car with very low mileage, so it doesn't have any mechanical issues.

Unfortunately, it has an unsightly rust hole on the right side, but it's less noticeable because the fender is new.

When I bought the car, everything was original: brakes, shock absorbers, springs, etc., but we've replaced them.

Also included are some additional parts I acquired, such as a windshield (they were worn) and original bumpers from an Escort MK3, brought from England.

General Comments:

It's my first car, it's almost 15 years older than me, and I bought it thanks to my first job, so it's very special to me. The car belonged to a man very close to our family who had to sell it due to health problems, and he let me have it for just 21K Swedish kronor (less than 2,000 euros/dollars).

The car runs very well and serves its purpose. I use it to commute to and from work, do the shopping, and for other minor needs. Since it's over 40 years old, it's exempt from road tax (another reason to keep it).

A car that turns heads everywhere, fun to drive, and charming.

It starts in any weather (especially cold, because here in rural central Sweden we don't get much heat).

What I love most about the car is its originality. Although it wasn't heavily used when I bought it, throughout the time I've owned it I've noticed that it's a robust, old-school car, built to last almost forever, which for me should be the true purpose of a car.

Very typical of its era, it doesn't have unnecessary features like air conditioning (we don't really need it around here), central locking, or electric windows, just 100% charm and reliability.

With this car I understand when older people tell me that cars over 30 years old were better, more reliable, and had fewer unnecessary problems; I don't know if it's entirely true, but they have a point.

Faults:

Rust resulted in large portions of the car having to be welded, including: sills, front crossmember, battery tray and rear valance.

Engine would sometimes refuse to start when warm, never fixed.

Original gearbox had failed and been replaced with a 4 speed unit from a Fiesta!

Hints that the head gasket may have been about to go.

General Comments:

Reasonably light and responsive and so felt quite quick, especially as my first car.

It didn't handle very well mind, especially with the very cheap tyres I fitted to it!

It was already old and quite tired when I got it, but the interior was OK and it generally got me from A-B without too much fuss, so it was OK.

It was a car I had always wanted, ever since seeing it new at the 1984 motorshow at the NEC, but then by 1996 it wasn't quite as special anymore!

I don't regret buying it though, at least it wasn't the typical small engined low-spec supermini most people end up with. I even had central locking, a digital clock and 4 speakers! Such luxury!

Most of the chrome trim was even still attached to the car... :)

Faults:

Transmission had to be replaced twice.

Front wiring harness for ignition and lights had to be replaced once.

Had to replace neoprene timing belts 4 times over 77K miles.

Carbureted engine would not work correctly if tuned by independent repair shop. Tried several.

After last transmission replacement, faulty hose blew from transmission cooler and spewed transmission fluid onto maniold, causing fire and wiring damage.

Subsequently sold car for value of tires.

General Comments:

I sold the car the year the repair costs exceeded it's book value.

When new it ran very nicely, and was very economical to drive.

After each passing year, it became more expensive to maintain, and required more frequent service.