Reliving my Youth - Orion 16i Ghia

[Darren390]

Here's a few pics of my recent purchase in the hope of reliving my youth! I had a couple of Orions in my early 20s and I thought I would get in before these become crazy money like most classic Ford's seem to have.

It's a 1989 1.6i Ghia with 93,000 miles and every MOT from new. Totally standard including the cassette player and separate amp. Just a few small jobs to do, but it is incredible for a near 30 year old car. I know it's not everyones cup of tea, but I love it!!

DSC03271 by Darren Richards, on Flickr
DSC03270 by Darren Richards, on Flickr
DSC03265 by Darren Richards, on Flickr
DSC03264 by Darren Richards, on Flickr
DSC03267 by Darren Richards, on Flickr
DSC03268 by Darren Richards, on Flickr
DSC03269 by Darren Richards, on Flickr

[Butter Face]

Awesome bit of kit, my mate had one with twin 40’s on it. Went like a rocket (well in perspective of what we were used to!)

[wolfracesonic]

That looks like it's just come off the showroom floor. Have you bought any new bits of trim, etc. for it?

[Darren390]

wolfracesonic said:

That looks like it's just come off the showroom floor. Have you bought any new bits of trim, etc. for it?

The only bits of trim it needs are some new interior door handles as they are scratched and a new speedo dial as some of the numbers are starting to peel. It really is like a time warp inside!!

The trip home from collecting it was 130 miles and I wafted along at 70mph listening to Now15 on the cassette. It was 1991 all over again!

[MJK 24]

These were basically a 4dr XR3i?

It looks in great condition. Can we have a close up of the trip computer, please?

[MattCharlton91]

Love it!! My grandad had an E-reg 1.6i Ghia - in Moondust grey? I was only about 4/5 at the time. The fuel computer was always bleeping! I remember in 1997 though, my gran took it to evening service at the local church, and it got nicked from outside! Apparently these were one of the most commonly stolen cars in the 90's as they were basically an XR3i with a boot.

It was recovered after 4 days from the local travelling gentlemans camp, but it was never the same... I remember my grandad starting it with a big flat headed screwdriver, and coming home from work one night and opening the bonnet, when me and my gran went outside to see what was wrong, we were greeted with "Its knocking its tits off, this! Its got to go!" They traded it in for a bog standard Fiat Brava 1.4s, a sad sad day. I'd love to find one now to potter about with. Superb find sir!

[anonymous-user]

Love it. The definitive car for a Darren.

[likesachange]

Awesome... well not really but nostalgic!

My first car was a white 1.6i ghia
Lowered, RS2000 wheels spoiler in white with lime green accents.. I loved it back in 1996!!
I remember back end would come out very easily like a pendulum .. but I was a boy racer

[Podie]

Oh, that’s cool...

[Slammedorion]

Wow another Orion owner... getting rare now
Looks stunning
Tbh you’ll struggle to find decent interior door handles
I refurbed mine with Halfords dark grey interior spray
Some of the RS lads are using another paint too
Both give as new finish tbh

Are you on FB?
If so I’ll try find the posts and send you some links...

[Muzzer79]

That’s awesome

I’ve always had a completely irrational want for an Orion 1.6i Ghia



How/where did you acquire it?

[petrolsniffer]

wow that looks great probably rarer than it's escort brother now.

[Darren390]

Thanks for the kind words guys, it's not the most desirable car in the world but I suppose a lot of people can relate to it!

I was looking at painting the door handles myself, any tips would be much appreciated.

It was advertised on eBay as a classified ad for more than I wanted to spend, but it finished without being sold. It then appeared on a facebook page at a reduced price, so I contacted the seller and had a 260 mile round trip to view it. I collected it the following week after it was MOT'd.

I have every MOT from 1992 and it has never failed an MOT since it was computerised in 2005. It sailed through with no advisories earlier this month.

The thing that strikes you when driving it is how much cars have progressed in 30 years but I wouldnt change a thing!

[essayer]

Wow, looks tidy

Cassette holders

[steve-5snwi]

That looks very nice, I had an Orion Equipe many years ago, dropped on Motech springs, jetex exhaust, K&N filter and TSW stealths with a 1600e number plate panel and S2 front bumper. Oh and a modified RS1600i cam cover, it went like a rocket. I do like the Orions.

[Hyde]

Looks great

Please keep it as genuine and cool as it looks

[wjb]

Classic.

[dandam]

I’m a Darren, and I had two Orion 1.6i ghia’s back in the 90s and I loved them both. The first a mk1 A782PHJ I think, the second a silver mk2 F170RAN (known as Fran, one of the only cars that I owned that was ever named).
Please keep this updated, and lots of photos too - this and Slammedorion’s threads will be my favourites on here !!!

[SilverHarrier]

That's really nice, like that a lot! Nice to find one in blue as most of the ones I remember were either red, white or grey.
Seem to remember those fuel computers were quite an expensive extra too, nice period immobilizer fitted as well..
Great find, looks like someone has really loved that car!

[anonymous-user]

Had a red one in 1986(?). I remember the stubby indicator/wiper controls being a novelty at the time! Drove well and felt like a solid bit of kit (after the Dagenham Escorts!).