Is my car a classic

[mrvette]

Just bought a 1983 ford escort mk3 as an everyday hack, my question is does it qualify as a classic car? Theres not really to many about these days, also would it be poss to insure it as one?

cheers!

[Alex]

Not in my opinion. The MK3 is widely regarded as one of the worst cars Ford ever made. My Mum had one, I drove it quite a bit and it was awful.

[900T-R]

Alex said:

Not in my opinion. The MK3 is widely regarded as one of the worst cars Ford ever made.

Except for the MK5 Escort. Took Ford three major revamps before it became halfway acceptable for the market's standard - on the upside is was such an obvious dud that Ford decided to, at last, leave their build-it-the-cheapest-we-can-get-away-with-in-the-segment approach and came up with the Focus.

Edited by 900T-R on Thursday 9th November 15:43

[mrvette]

well the one I have is quite well kept its had the same owner from new hence a really low 30k on the clock, not much rust either

[falcemob]

mrvette said:

Just bought a 1983 ford escort mk3 as an everyday hack, my question is does it qualify as a classic car? Theres not really to many about these days, also would it be poss to insure it as one?

cheers!

Not a classic unless it is an RS1600i (non turbo) IMHO

[wadgebeast]

As above. None of the eighties Fords count as classics unless they're a capri, got a cosworth or a rare RS badge. Therefore the only classic escort would be a mint RS1600i. Even the 70s Fords haven't achieved classic status unless they're a capri, a rare escort (rs versions or a mexico), a rare Mk 3 cortina (e.g.2000e) or a consul / granada.

There were too many of them, they were awful to drive and they weren't very well built (except capris) and they rusted badly.

[mrvette]

falcemob said:

mrvette said:

Just bought a 1983 ford escort mk3 as an everyday hack, my question is does it qualify as a classic car? Theres not really to many about these days, also would it be poss to insure it as one?

cheers!

Not a classic unless it is an RS1600i (non turbo) IMHO

i would love a series 1 turbo or a rs1600i, but the prices seem to have gone a bit silly for these

[plasticpig]

You should be able to insure it as a classic as most inurance companies class anything 15 years or older as a classic but classic insurance probably isn't suitable for a car which is to be used everyday.

Wether its a classic or not depends on your point of view. Classic status is in the eye of the beholder. I tend toward thinking that all old cars have some historic interest.

[falcemob]

mrvette said:

falcemob said:

mrvette said:

Just bought a 1983 ford escort mk3 as an everyday hack, my question is does it qualify as a classic car? Theres not really to many about these days, also would it be poss to insure it as one?

cheers!

Not a classic unless it is an RS1600i (non turbo) IMHO

i would love a series 1 turbo or a rs1600i, but the prices seem to have gone a bit silly for these

My bro has a very nice RS1600i sitting in his garage gathering dust and probably rusting

Edited by falcemob on Thursday 9th November 15:53

[mrvette]

falcemob said:

mrvette said:

falcemob said:

mrvette said:

Just bought a 1983 ford escort mk3 as an everyday hack, my question is does it qualify as a classic car? Theres not really to many about these days, also would it be poss to insure it as one?

cheers!

Not a classic unless it is an RS1600i (non turbo) IMHO

i would love a series 1 turbo or a rs1600i, but the prices seem to have gone a bit silly for these

My bro has a very nice RS1600i sitting in his garage gathering dust and probably rusting

Edited by falcemob on Thursday 9th November 15:53

well if he wants to sell it drop me an email

[eccles]

i've seen a mint'A' reg 1.3l mk3 escort in my local tescos several times now.
an old boy drives it and it looks like he's had it from new.
makes quite a change to see one without rusty rear wheel arches!

and yes, i'd say its getting on for being a classic, the rarer models or the sporty ones are just more collectable and worth more.

Edited by eccles on Thursday 9th November 16:28

[wadgebeast]

plasticpig said:

You should be able to insure it as a classic as most inurance companies class anything 15 years or older as a classic but classic insurance probably isn't suitable for a car which is to be used everyday.

Wether its a classic or not depends on your point of view. Classic status is in the eye of the beholder. I tend toward thinking that all old cars have some historic interest.

The car is worth mebbe £500 absolutely tops. Fully comp on any insurance policy can't be more than £250 unless the driver has convictions up the ying yang for booze and speed and is only 17.

[williamp]

I agree with "plastic pig". Some people will think of it as a classi,c purely because they have fond memories of their youth in cars like that. Others wont, and never will.

My opinion? It's not important. If someone is going to take the time and effort to look after a car, then it should be looked after. I have many happy memories of travelling in my parewnts Montego estate when I was a boy. Not seen one on years, but I think I would like to see one again...

[Alpineandy]

If you feel it's a classic.... It is.

Although I think it would be referred to as a 'retro', which seems to be 70s & 80s.


Or maybe I'm wrong.

[Sam_68]

plasticpig said:

You should be able to insure it as a classic as most inurance companies class anything 15 years or older as a classic but classic insurance probably isn't suitable for a car which is to be used everyday.

...bear in mind that the vast majority of 'classic' insurance policies these days require that the car is a secondary vehicle. You have to make a declaration to this effect and to obtain worthwhile discounts over 'normal' insurance policies you have to accept mileage limitations of 6,000 miles per annum or less,

[DennisTheMenace]

I would say yes , as its only the sporty stuff that people try and save making the everyday models thin on the ground , saw a mk3 1.3ghia a few weeeks back , looked like new and it was all original

[mrvette]

well i suppose it might even come down to condition, that was one of the things that attracted me to this escort, also might be nice to drop a rs turbo engine in there at some pint in the future!

however i am hoping to get it insured as a classic i doubt i will do more then 5 or 6k anyway.

[wadgebeast]

Why not just buy the RS Turbo? It'll save you a fortune on uprating brakes, tyres, suspension and not least of all the engine on a pants car. If you're after a q car, just take the body skirts off it.

[52classic]

The point is that any old car in good condition is worth preserving.

I think that the hobby has moved on from simply the definition of what is and is not a 'Classic.'Maybe theres some justification in a new description, say Retro, for later vehicles but does it matter really?

I make the rounds of car shows every season and if you enjoy using and showing your car for the pleasure of others you'll find that it is the curiosity vehicles that get most admiration from the public.

MGBs, Stags even e-types are all very well, row after row in every show. It's the people that preserve a Talbot Tagora, Reliant Rebel, Fiat 128 or a MKIII Escort for that matter, who really entertain the public.

I was amazed to see just how many 80's cars have come into preservation this year. We looked at the 70's cars and said "I wish I'd bought one of those" Now's the time for a Golf GTi, XR3, Audi Coupe, BMW E30!

[mrvette]

wadgebeast said:

Why not just buy the RS Turbo? It'll save you a fortune on uprating brakes, tyres, suspension and not least of all the engine on a pants car. If you're after a q car, just take the body skirts off it.

well i want to do it for the experinece of taking on such a project, also my escort is a very solid car hardly any rust, i doubt i could find a good series 1 or 2 in the same condtion, and im sure if it was a minter it would be up for a small fortune