4k BUYING CHALLENGE
Imight be Cotswolds born and bred but my recent ancestry is pure London, so this most likely explains why I have always fantasised about swapping the gentle rolling hills of home for a rag around the mean streets of Eighties Hackney in a fast Ford.
The XR3I is a cultural icon for the generation of us who aspired to a life beyond a Popular Plus. It represented ambition and the attainable dream of performance motoring for all and now, in 2017, the MKIV has never looked better. It’s handsome, without looking thuggish with the cleverly moulded body kit, tea-tray spoiler and spot lamps giving it just about the right degree of subtle menace. Inside, it’s a little too restrained for some but in true Ford style, it’s well made and everything is where it should be.
The Ford’s mid to late Eighties contemporaries were admittedly a much sharper drive. The 309 GTI and Renault 19 16v ran rings around it, and it was outgunned by the Astra and Golf in a straight line. But there was always something about the XR3I - a magic ingredient the others lacked. Perhaps it was Ford’s rally winning pedigree or the aspirational glamour of a past generation’s addition of a Mexico or Lotus badge.
Whilst it never set the world ablaze with its performance, the XR3I was quick enough to feel special and the distinctive buzz of that exhaust became a soundtrack of Eighties Britain. That taste of the Eighties is set to become more expensive too. Prices of the rocket-powered RS Turbo are on the rise, so I would consider buying this particular model sooner than later.
What I’ve learned…
In contrast to others in this magazine, I’m a dreadful bore when it comes to buying cars and act completely without spontaneity. A purchase is carried out adhering strictly to a routine of such stringency, I have a ‘buying checklist’. Regardless of how emotionally tied to the car am, if just one of the boxes on my checklist remains empty, I walk away.
I’m similarly fixated with paperwork and always ask if the car has evidence of service history or a folder of bills. Regardless of whether you’re paying £200 or £20,000, it isn’t at all unreasonable to expect one. If a seller reacts badly to being asked about any aspect of the car’s history, then it could be they have something to hide. It’s quite simple: paperwork and a stamped service book shows the previous owner cared enough to keep the car healthy.
Finally, join a club. A friend once bought himself a project from a marque-specific specialist he assumed to be trustworthy. Had he joined a club beforehand and asked around, members would have no doubt warned him about this well-known scoundrel.
Fellow enthusiasts will equip you will all the knowledge you need to buy your dream classic, giving you time to research everything – from mechanical Achilles heels to reputable dealers and specialists. Plus, once on the road, you are surrounded with the warmth of club camaraderie and a shared passion for your cherished classic.