Scorpio!

[scaryoldcortina]

I've had this 1995 Scorpio Ultima 24v Estate for a while now, I put a lot of work into making it work when I first got it, then laid it up because it had a puncture and I'd just been given a Rover 400 with imminent HGF. Plan was to run the rover until it died, then return the scorpio to the road.

 

24 months later....

 

 

This is it, getting a wash after passing a MoT today. Tyre fitting is tomorrow, it's getting a service then too.

 

More deets later.

[Sealtainn]

Nice - I thought these were utterly repulsive when they were new and whoever designed it and whoever signed it off into production needing their testicles putting through a mincing machine but now they are starting to grow on me. I do think the ones with the darker headlights and grille look better. More updates if you please

[scaryoldcortina]

 

Here's a teaser - this was april 2013, and I was in the process of making a new front loom.

 

Thankfully, this time all it needed was a battery, some wiper blades and a damn good wash. 2 years down the side of the garage don't seem to have harmed it at all.

 

It did fail a cat test though, for high CO, but because it was registered in March 1995 it's allowed to retest as pre-cat and passed that easily.

[Lacquer Peel]

What's the crack with the looms on these, do they decompose over time?

 

I had a diesel Ultima saloon for a while, it was a great car, really comfortable cruiser and nice to drive. I think they've aged well, the styling is well-resolved and subtle compared to some of the gopping horrors of the 21st century.

[scaryoldcortina]

Decompose is a good word for it.

 

[scaryoldcortina]

Also, fun fact! When new in March 1995, an all boxes ticked 24v ultima estate would run you £26,893 excluding road tax and the carphone. That's 10k more than I paid for my house in february of the same year.

[phil_lihp]

Excellent stuff, I've always liked these and they're getting no prettier as they get older, which is part of the appeal really.  The overall shape is nice though and they look like a fantastic cheap carry-all.  I had a stack of brochures sent direct from Ford for their whole range in response to a request for a school project I was doing in about 1995 and I remember thinking that there couldn't be anything much more in the world to aspire to than an Ultima 24v estate.  Possibly there still isn't.

[Matt]

Also, fun fact! When new in March 1995, an all boxes ticked 24v ultima estate would run you £26,893 excluding road tax and the carphone. That's 10k more than I paid for my house in february of the same year.

 

That's £45k adjusted for inflation. What would a nicely specced BMW, Merc or Ranger Rover cost back then?

[mercrocker]

I still don't understand why they didn't do the Mk 3 Granada like this from the start.....Must have lost loads of buyers when the Mk2 estate never got replaced.   That Scorpio front certainly prepared us for the final onslaught of automotive ugliness.    Top work in saving this one, btw.

[brownnova]

*Fun fact* *Going on a brief tangent*

 

There was a gladiator called Scorpio!

 

​

 

*Tangent over*

 

I've always had a soft spot for Scorpios (Ford ones...) Something about the slightly crazy styling!  Well saved

[scaryoldcortina]

That's £45k adjusted for inflation. What would a nicely specced BMW, Merc or Ranger Rover cost back then?

P38 rangerover 4.6 Vouge SE2 - £52,670

E36 530i 5Dr Touring 3.0 V6 Auto - £36,303

[wuvvum]

I had a Scorpio 24v estate about 8 years back.  Went like the clappers but had gearbox issues - would randomly get stuck in gear.  Very comfortable place to be though.

 

I also had a diesel saloon, with the VM lump (although I think it only had one cylinder head).  That was a great bit of kit - would have another if one came up at the right money.  They're probably all but extinct now though.

[scaryoldcortina]

Gearbox issue is mainly why I ended up rebuilding the whole front loom. In a genius move, ford sent the control wires for the box through the valley in the middle of the engine and then made the insulation out of coloured cheddar cheese.

 

http://www.fordscorpio.co.uk/faults_wiring.htm

[dugong]

The front end on these was 'inspired' by the Volvo P1800. Or something.

[xtriple]

The estates look a LOT better than the saloons. They are cracking cars and go bloody well. Good save that man.

[Richard]

Also, fun fact! When new in March 1995, an all boxes ticked 24v ultima estate would run you £26,893 excluding road tax and the carphone. That's 10k more than I paid for my house in february of the same year.

 

My mid-range 850 wasn't far off that, as far as I can tell. I think it was £25k new and it looks as if the cruise and traction control were options on top of that. It was new on the day we paid £28k for our first flat. 1996 850 TDi GLT Saloon, if you have a price list to hand.

[Shep Shepherd]

If there's one car which looks far better now than it did twenty years ago, it's the Ford Scorpio

[beko1987]

Ive always carried a love for them, mainly just for the seats! If I ever get rich enough to fill one up with petrol more than 4 times id love one!

[Pillock]

If I had the room, I'd buy an Ultima with leather and a decent sound system and catastrophic gearbox or engine failure.

 

Park it in the garden and use it as an armchair.

[Royale80]

Cracking car!

 

There's an "R" reg 24 valve estate at the bottom of my street that looks very similar! I had all the variations of Granadas apart from one of these.

 

Let us know how things go.

 

Steve

[Lacquer Peel]

 

 

I also had a diesel saloon, with the VM lump (although I think it only had one cylinder head). That was a great bit of kit - would have another if one came up at the right money. They're probably all but extinct now though.

It is a 4 headed monster but the rocker cover is one piece if I remember correctly.

Love the old school diesel characteristics of that engine, off/on turbo boost, tidal wave of torque. It goes even better in a Rover 825D.

[DVee8]

I love these Scorpio's,now and when new.I didn't think they were gopping just different.

 

Do you have any more pic's? That looks like Stanley service station,use to owned by Mrs V8 uncle.

[scaryoldcortina]

Well, it's certainly in stanley! Everyone local calls it Sutherland's but the official title seems to be "Chester Road Filling Station"

[sierraman]

I've never had one but they look lovely inside, big squishy seats, armrests. That's right up my street.

[outlaw118]

Estate deffo better looking than the saloon, and 24v=lots of pez station photo opportunities....(only if you're a lead-footed oaf like i am)

[HH-R]

Love the Amstrad Notepad grafting on that Scorpio!

[Bren]

I cannot understand how something uglier than a fight at a pikey wedding got past the bosses at Ford.

Ugly in 1995.

Still ugly in 2015.

[Pillock]

Thankfully Bren you don't run Ford, otherwise we'd have never seen the gorgeous (IMHO) Scorpio. Eye of the beholder and all that

[tooSavvy]

Well, it's certainly in stanley! Everyone local calls it Sutherland's but the official title seems to be "Chester Road Filling Station"

... Ooffff! Musta brokkedd down near it in my yoof*

 

*Grange Villa resident/IMP pilot.

 

TS

[Jim Bell]

I like that a lot. I think I can remember when you could pick up the Cozwaf versions for sub £500.