[Gingeraffe1024]

I originally intended on buying this vehicle to convert to right hand drive to use as a mail vehicle, since at the time I was a rural mail carrier. However I ended up leaving the post office, but still bought the car anyway. I know the...interesting history of this vehicle which is why I got it so cheap.

An old friend had it sitting in their driveway many years ago and I asked about it. They said it wouldn't start and someone tried to fix it by replacing the starter motor. I offered to look at it and determined it was actually the ignition switch. I replaced that and it fired right up after sitting for about a year and a half. This person isn't known to fix vehicles quickly. So they drove it around for a while, sideswiped a guardrail at one point, and the windshield had a golf ball sized hole in it patched with duct tape. The bodywork really isn't in great shape especially considering they used it as an easel to hold up a door they spray painted. So there is all kinds of spray paint on the side of the vehicle.

One day the timing belt broke. I went and looked at it and determined this since it sounded like it had no compression and happened suddenly. The car sat for 6 years before I offered to buy it.

I hauled it to my house (which was interesting because they lost the key so I couldn't steer the vehicle). I went to a locksmith and managed to get a key made, replaced the timing belt and water pump, put in new plugs and wires, new lower radiator hose since the old one welded itself to the old water pump, and a few other odds and ends. Threw in a new battery and checked the fuel pump. Nothing. So I pulled it out and saw a huge amount of brown sludge that used to be gas on the old pump. I ended up pulling the tank and cleaning it out as best I could. I installed a new fuel pump and it started up like it ran an hour ago.

After installing a junkyard windshield and finishing up little minor things, I am FINALLY able to drive it around for the first time since the timing belt broke in 2016. I really cant wait to drive this thing around since its gonna be great on gas compared to my other vehicles, and its just a happy car. Last I drove it when I fixed the ignition switch, it just loves to go down the road. I hope to get a lot of life out of this car.

Thank you to whoever decided to read this wall of text. I'm just excited to finally put this car back on the road where it belongs.

 

[Joey_Twowagons]

Interesting story, but I think you overpaid.
Keep us posted on the progress of the car!

 

[Matt C]

Very interesting story! Sad how these cars have gone unappreciated by so many

Love driving my Ford Escort! When it's kept maintained properly, it's a great car. It's the only car I've owned that's never left me stranded in 14½ years of ownership. I hope you get just as much enjoyment and reliability out of yours!

 

[zzyzzx]

Pics please!

 

[EscortGoddess]

I bought a 93 wagon back in 2003 that had been mostly towed behind an RV for the 68,000 miles on the odometer, plus it had been sitting in a field for six years and the back windshield and a back drivers side window had been shot out with a BB gun while it was sitting. Paid $800 for it, did a major tune up, replaced one lifter and drove it to 268,000 miles over the next ten years. Never broke down on me. Always maintained it according to schedule including replacing timing belt and water pump every 60,000 miles. I use premium gas in my escorts, the gas mileage may not be as good but it’ll climb a 7 degree grade for 8 miles at 80 mph!