[kookookachew]

Hey guys, its been a while. Since my last 1st gen died, and I'm in the market for one again.

My question is, does anybody have any idea where I can buy a 1st gen GT? I've scoured craigslist, ebay, autotrader, and even the local swap sheet, but I've got nothing. Not even a 1st gen Escort to be found within a couple hundred miles of me!

I live in central New York if that helps anyone.

 

[zzyzzx]

You are looking for an old car in an area where cars rust. That is part of the problem.

 

[kookookachew]

I know that, I'm not stupid. I was just wondering if anybody had any other good car sites or if anybody in CNY saw one or had one that was for sale.

 

[UnexplodedCow]

Sorry, I haven't seen much for 1st gens in NY, or my area, either. Try keeping an eye out in the for-sale section on the forum, and it might lead to finding something.

 

[marshpoprock]

I did see 4 or 5 in Va on craigslist awhile back. It all depends on how far you're willing to travel and how much work you're willing to do.

 

[Adran]

Man, I'm living where rust is practically a non-issue and I still can't find any of these cars for sale. I can find tri-fives that have been sitting in the desert for forty years with only a couple spots of rust on their bodies to show for it, I can find comparatively valuable British sports cars, but I can't for the life of me locate a late-80's Ford economy car that has less resale value than a Civic.

Who knows what happened to them all? I'm under the impression that they sold relatively well, good enough to continue on with the nameplate for two more generations and eventually be superseded by the Focus. They were probably seen as disposable, thrown out for a newer model if anything went wrong. I see more in junkyards than I do on the road, and I can only imagine the rest probably got melted down to be made into new Corollas.

So, yeah, I'm feeling it too. Some day I'd love to be able to find a nice low-mile 86-88 GT to transplant parts from my run-down car into, but by the time I'm able afford it I predict there will be none left.

 

[UnexplodedCow]

They sold very well. The last time I looked at numbers, the 1st gen sold over 3 million units over its lifespan. They should be everywhere.

 

[Rhynoguy]

There's a 1st Gen GT about 3 miles from me. They had it for sale then wrecked their new car so until they get their insurance sorted out, something fishing going on, they only have the Escort to drive. I've been waiting to pounce on it because i want the 1st Gen rear bumper and wing for my 89. If/when they decide to sell it I'll let you know.

 

[kookookachew]

There's a 1st Gen GT about 3 miles from me. They had it for sale then wrecked their new car so until they get their insurance sorted out, something fishing going on, they only have the Escort to drive. I've been waiting to pounce on it because i want the 1st Gen rear bumper and wing for my 89. If/when they decide to sell it I'll let you know.

Where are you located?

 

[marshpoprock]

If you don't mind the travel, I did search the hampton roads craigslist. There's two listed.

Or, if you're like me and love to fix wrecks, iaai.com has three j vin 1st gens (3 out of 10 I mind you). But they're mostly out west. You could buy them to fix, or have cheap parts cars.

If I remember correctly, when searching parts on auto zone's web site, they ask what the engine is. Either the cfi or mfi. I think the ratio was something like 97% cfi to, well 3% mfi. So taking cow's numbers, there would have been 90 thousand j vin cars. When you take in consideration of all the years younger folks had their grubby hands on those cars and beat the living hell out them for 20 plus years, it's a wonder there's any left. Let alone the fact that when scrap prices were high a few yerars back, most junkyards crashed 20 plus year cars rather than hang onto them for diehards like us.

For those interested, https://www.iaai.com/Vehicles/SearchRes ... =1981-1990 . There is one particular car that has been there for a few months. My feeling is that someone lost their life in that car. So while scrolling thru the listings, I'd say a moment of silence for that individual(s) should be observed.

 

[Rhynoguy]

There's a 1st Gen GT about 3 miles from me. They had it for sale then wrecked their new car so until they get their insurance sorted out, something fishing going on, they only have the Escort to drive. I've been waiting to pounce on it because i want the 1st Gen rear bumper and wing for my 89. If/when they decide to sell it I'll let you know.

Where are you located?

NE Indiana.

 

[nezwick]

I bet this is the one Marsh is referring to. Holy fsck [insert moment of silence]

There's no way anyone survived that.

On topic, even though I'm a 2nd gen guy I keep my eye out for 1st gens all the time. I hardly EVER see them for sale or on the road around here. The ones that are around are rust buckets which for sure won't be passing safety next time. Down at Crazy Ray's in Mt. Airy, there is a red one that they are using for a yard car - looks like it's in pretty good shape too.

The junkyards around here (none of which are pick-n-pulls) all crushed their old cars when scrap prices were high. They went as new as 1995 in some cases, which completely depleted their supply of '91-'92 EGTs around here... and 1st gens of course.

 

[UnexplodedCow]

Yeah, the steering wheel on that car looks like it was either cut, or broken and bent away. But the rear tail light lenses are good! Estimated damages for it are $5k...sounds like a winner to me.

On a more serious note, the blue four door looks quite nice, and looks like it only needs front and rear bumpers. Almost a dead ringer for my car (same door count and color). I like it!