Faults:

Lots. Clutch, radiator, gearbox whine, alternator.

And rust. Lots of rust. In its final year with me it was so bad it failed its MOT and had to be scrapped.

Funny thing is, it was pretty reliable. It never broke down, I serviced it on time and attended to any problems immediately before they led to a breakdown. The only thing that crept up quick was that rust, but these cars were known for getting bad quickly, there wasn't much I could do.

General Comments:

My first car that I had a lot if motoring "firsts" in and learned many lessons with. Fond memories of this car.

The Orion is basically an Escort with a boot. My fairly basic LX model was black with wheel trims. Such a typical 1980s car look. Inside I thought the dash looked dated even when it was not that old.

A very popular sight in the UK during the 1980s and 1990s. It was a cheap to run and buy car, popular on used market. Most people abused them, a very unloved car despite its popularity. You rarely seen a cared for example. Also was a popular car to be stolen, but not because it was a desirable car, but rather it was very easy to break into.

1.6 petrol engine probably gave the best balance of performance and economy. Fairly comfortable and good to drive.

So overall not that great then, but as a cheap first car, it was ideal. 10 years old and nearly 120K miles on it before it went to the scrapyard in the sky, good going for an 80s Ford.

Faults:

Burst top hose.

Burst other main hose.

Broken alternator bracket.

Exhaust started to hang low in mid section.

General Comments:

Its such a fun car to drive, it accelerates quickly and goes like stink.

My previous car was a 2ltr sierra and compared to this it was a 1.0ltr fiesta.

Its handling could be better, but that is possible the only thing I would change - lack of power steering! but expected for a car of this size with no pas!

Brakes are very responsive and for a 13year old car it has very little rust! only a patch in left rear wheel arch!

So far a top speed of 140 - but the clock stops there!!!

Very reliable only broke down fully once and that was a flat battery! other times were the hoses which only cost 10.00 in total to replace.

Has been fitted with ice (in car entertainment) only prob with it on the installation side is that the under rear parcel shelve cannot be cut to fit speakers. so another parcel shelve had to be made to sit on top!

Faults:

The head gasket exploded shortly after I bought the car so I decided to make it into a little project. I replaced the little 1.4 engine with a 2.0 t Cosworth engine as well as replacing the whole front end running gear.

The body work has held well with only minute rust at the wheel arches, but that will be sorted by a respray in a few months time.

General Comments:

The car is now a rocket. Along with the engine transplant I have fitted strut brace forward and aft as well as ripping out the rear seats, welding the rear doors shut and sticking in a 16 point high tensile roll cage. (just to keep the car together).

My estimation now is that 0-60 is about 5.5 seconds and I've never dared to push it above 140mph, but it will do it. It is a Beast.