will
Posted a lot
Posts: 4,023
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Nothing wrong with blue ovals, or indeed cart springs ;D   There's loads of alternatives to a RWD Escort, it just depends on what floats ya boat and what you would like to do with it. |
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seems you lot have a problem with escorts if you cant afford one tough you don't have to slate them just read the rallying herritage of them  You do know that the fiat 131 won 3 times the wrc championships that the escort won? |
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RobinJI
Posted a lot
"Driven by the irony that only being shackled to the road could ever I be free"
Posts: 2,995
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Escorts are popular for rallying because the base cars and the parts to prepare them are, and always have been easily available. As said, other cars have done better in terms of winning championships, but it's the escorts that are remembered with nostalgia as they're they're the ones that were common to see on the stages back in the days when rallying was properly popular, thanks to manufacturers input, and car and parts availability. That's not to say they didn't do well, just that the stigma surrounding them is due to the history more so than it is the vehicles ability. In technical terms there really is nothing remarkable or groundbreaking about them, and a lot of their contemporaries are more advance in terms of both engines and suspension. They're nice cars, and I'd love one, but I'd never pay the money they go for when there's alternatives for so much less.
I'll chuck in another vote for Kadett/Chevettes, I love the look of both, especially in 2 door saloon variety. Or the Fiat 131's looks like a good shout too.
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ChasR
RR Helper
motivation
Posts: 10,199
Club RR Member Number: 170
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A modified Dolly Sprint will be comparable to an Escort MkI and II IMHO. Whilst the Dolly is a great car with great potential it does need unleashing (vague steering as standard is one such point). Plus a number of parts for them are not what you would call cheap. AE86s are great things. For me? I really do like a tidy and purposeful MkI Escort, but a 2.3 Chevette would result with a grin on my face  . Or a Cortina Mk2 with either a Cosworth 24V or a Ford small block V8 . Hmmm, and smoothies/Lotus rims. A cliche on styling I know but the oldies can still be the goodies . I believe one of the other reasons Escorts are pricey are their relatively easy parts availability and pricing. Compared to Triumph and MG spares better quality spares seem to be found for Fords from what I have seen and at a better price (As an example £500 for an MGB wing, near £200 for a Sprint distributor). |
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If you want some rwd fun but only 2 doors, what about a Skoda Rapid ?  |
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1993 Fiat Panda Selecta
2003 Vauxhall Combo 1.7DI van
2006 Mercedes Kompressor Evolution-S AMG SportCoupé
"You think you hate it now, wait til you drive it"
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great cars but lack of cheap spares in later life & most of the uk 131's dissolved by the late 80's, similar fate to rwd J stuff, unlike fords which could be bodged from test to test by the cheap & plentiful supply of parts.
i remember loads of forign stuff in breakers in the 80's that pattern bits couldn't be got that would have easily have kept them on the road like the equivalent homegrown stuff.
when chassis rails where a £5 from your local panel supplier for your escort,avenger,etc. but forign dealers couldn't supply or it would be a months wages for the family man owner at the time for the same thing.
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theres more to life than mpg & to much power is just enough.
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Hirst
Posted a lot
This avatar is inaccurate, I've never shaved that closely
Posts: 3,930
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Sierra Base (1300 variant).
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kram
Part of things
Posts: 333 
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When  ............never known a headgasket on a dolly last more than a week after some abuse Dolomite? Even a fake-sprint like this should see off an averagely-pinto'd escort. |
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79 Escort Van (Cossie Turbo'd)
70 MK1 Escort Wagon (Weld-a-thon)
88 Saff Cosworth (2WD)
54 Ford Pop (V8)
29 Ford A Pickup (V8 Project)
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Nathan
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 5,627
Club RR Member Number: 1
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Mk1/2 Ford Escort alternatives.Nathan
@bgtmidget7476
Club Retro Rides Member 1
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Pinto Capri job done. Gots got the engine you stated, its got 2 doors and they are cheap, also lots of fun I loved love that Avenger Tiger, but these are also expensive. How much are you prepared to spend then we would have a better idea. |
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When ............never known a headgasket on a dolly last more than a week after some abuse Dolomite? Even a fake-sprint like this should see off an averagely-pinto'd escort. Then you're doing it wrong. |
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I do like the old Mk1 and Mk2 Escorts but I think that they are a tad on the pricey side these days...! Saying that though if they weren't any good they wouldn't be so dear I suppose... Anyhow, alternatives...?! I cannot think of anything else that hasn't been mentioned on here so... = Triumph Dolomite/Toledo = Ford Capri Mk2/Mk3 = Vauxhall Chevette = Morris Marina Coupe = Honda Accord Coupe = Honda Civic I would go for a Toledo (in 2-door flavour if you can find one!) but then I am probably a tad biassed...!!! Whatever you get, have fun with it, that's what it's all about... |
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***GARAGE CURRENTLY EMPTY***
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djefk
Part of things
Posts: 844
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If you like Escorts but want an alternative, it really depends on what you liked about Escorts that's going to affect what a good alternative is, right?
So what do you like about Escorts?
Is it the styling? I'd say you're likely to also like Viva's and Avengers, both of which copy the Escort mk 1's styling.
Handling? If you like tail happiness then go for a Capri.
Parts availability? Then a capri or (whisper) MGB
You can see my point I hope?
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Last Edit: Mar 6, 2012 18:15:59 GMT by djefk
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Please don't set me on fire...
What about a non turbo Nissan Silvia s13? The only negatives I can see are that they are a bit heavier than an Escort (about 150kg for the base models, but that is with a/c and all the other mod cons - somewhat more power than a stock Esky though) and they have IRS which might take away some of that taily feel that Escorts have. I have a 1.8 non turbo myself because:
1. The engine revs to 8000rpm, and sounds like it has a pair of 45's on it if you gut the airbox
2. Parts are easy to get and relatively cheap
3. RWD! RWD! RWD!
4. They have a rather boxy shape to which I personally think Escort style modifications fit well with
The plan for mine is to run some nicely dished 15x7 wheels, low profile rubber, lower it a bit (but not slammed) and put on some mud flaps. I am even considering doing some "2 up/2 down" Cibies for it....
They don't have the old school cred of an Escort, but if the price differential between an Escort and an s13 is the same in the UK as it is here they offer tremendous value
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ok I'm a bit biased, and i know they are gettin harder to find, but probably still cheaper than a nice mk1 or mk2 escort but what about celicas. mines a mk1  but Dan (st182) on here has this, ex dontellhimpike mk2 ta40, which i would have over an escort anyday    if ya can find one, should get a nice one under 2 grand |
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I'm not curse word, i just fell off my shoes
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kram
Part of things
Posts: 333
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Not me mate never owned a Dolly just back in the day when all my mates had Dollys and the common thing with all of them and 1 of my mates worked for Osselli ,well known engine specialists , was the head warp n head gasket problems ......i just kept sticking the pinto's into my Escorts and in time i converted nearly all into Blue Oval owners When ............never known a headgasket on a dolly last more than a week after some abuse Then you're doing it wrong. |
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79 Escort Van (Cossie Turbo'd)
70 MK1 Escort Wagon (Weld-a-thon)
88 Saff Cosworth (2WD)
54 Ford Pop (V8)
29 Ford A Pickup (V8 Project)
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The early Starlet was RWD. A mate used to race then and can be made to handle / go quick. Paul h Another vote for an early starlet, loads of fun for not much money, Mazda rotory will fit for loads of HP! |
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The early Starlet was RWD. A mate used to race then and can be made to handle / go quick. Paul h Another vote for an early starlet, loads of fun for not much money, Mazda rotory will fit for loads of HP! or with a cosworth yb ;D   |
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if sparks don't fly you're ridin too high !
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. Or a Cortina Mk2 with either a Cosworth 24V or a Ford small block V8 
