1980 Ford Escort L mk2 from UK and Ireland - Comments

Well the starter went, and there's nobody that will do an exchange on it so I was stuck, but I got it reconditioned for £25.

The thermostat stuck closed and caused massive overheating and stranded me with no water.

Before I had it, the alternator cooked 3 batteries before it was tracked down and replaced and the water pump went, but all these items were original to the car when new so after 20 years you can't blame them for letting go.

I got the car from my mates aunt, she'd owned it for 6 years and the guy before had it from new.

There's virtually no rust on it with only 1 hole in the front wing which I'm seeing to. But these cars are known to rot badly in the door bottoms, floors sills and wings so be careful!

It's only a 1.1 so it's pretty gutless but economical, although once it gets up some speed it's quite quick.

The brakes are unservoed so they're pretty crap, and need to be in perfect condition to be of any use. On the motorway there's a bit of vibration under the brake pedal when they're applied.

All in all a well balanced, well put together little car, perfect for tootleing about in.

Getting rare too, and increasing in value (well soon they will be!) although spares are getting hard to find and can be very expensive, try £50 for rear light lenses, crazy money!

The ride's a bit choppy but it adds to the charm of the vehicle. Always turns heads, and attracts comments from people who used to own one.

I have one that I'm doing up and there's more rust than car, but I have got loads of spares.

It's very gutless, it only does 75 mph. At the moment it's a bare shell, could you write down what speed yours does?

I've got my one up to 100 mph on the motorway. Its very stable but it could definately do with a 5th gear! lankytim@hotmail.com.

If you do a bit of simple tuning (exhaust from raldes.co.uk K+n air filter and octane booster etc) a 1300 will do 70 in third no problem! but they do definately need a fifth gear!

I own a mark two 1300 ghia 4-door. the colours terrible (beige) but I love her none the same. there is nothin better than an escort.

I have a 1976 Mk2 1300, with weber carb and k&n filter, I i hit bout 110km/h (68mph??) it's a four door, on 14"mag wheels, have found that without having the gaurds flared, 205/75 tyres will scrub on the front gaurds. most fun car I have ever owned, more fun than the mk5 cortina, but only just...

Bro, the Mk 5 Cortina's way more fun than a 1300 Escort.

I got my Cortina into 3rd gear on tar seal, and that's with a standard motor (air cleaner removed).

I had a 1978 Escort with a reconditioned 1300 GT motor, that was lucky to pull 2nd gear.

Also dough nuts and snakey's, you can't honestly say a Escort will out do a Cortina.

The mk5 cortina bloke is a bit of a tosser.