ELECTRICS

No electric windows, no electric mirrors, and little more than a digital clock to brag about, the Mk2 XR2 has few worries with its electrical system, other than the usual 1980s’ Ford faults such as bad earths and broken connections.

Fortunately, most of the components are shared with other Ford models and easy to replace. There’s no ECU and no fuel injection, so your biggest concerns will revolve around the wiring loom, which is likely to be corroded, split and chafed. Thanks to the XR2’s role of being a favourite of ‘90s’ boy racers and joyriders, chances are the loom’s been made worse by a succession of owners fitting stereo gear, alarms and immobilisers. A mass of Scotchloks and bullet- connectors warns of what else you may find.

If you see an XR2 with electric windows, don’t be put off – they were readily available as an official Ford dealer-fitted accessory, complete with bungs for the winder holes in the door cards.