Popular Post atomic punk Posted June 1, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted June 1, 2020 Long time lurker, never actually posted anything about any of my old bangers until now. Might be interesting, might not... I've now had this old XR3 for 11 years and, when I first bought it, was an utter shed and, frankly, was only really fit for scrap. On the day I bought it, I drove it back to Portsmouth from Bristol, in which time it burnt and leaked its way through an entire sump worth of oil, subsequently the lifters lost pressure and buggered up the camshaft just outside Southampton... since then its spent more time off the road than on, had a complete engine rebuild, front and rear suspension, gearbox, brakes all overhauled and countless other minor jobs to make it reliable and usable. Having done all that, I found rust bubbles were coming through in a few places.... turned out this XR3 had two passenger side wheelarches, a patched up rear valance with filler carefully sculptured to replicate the original seams, and four layers of patches on the driver side rear floorpan. So, a complete inner and outer rear arch on the passenger side, boot floor, rear chassis rails, rear valance, half the drivers side inner and outer arch, inner and outer sill, rear floor pan have all been cut out and replaced, cutting out the grot and fresh metal put in. Plus a new tailgate and bonnet, means that while it is now as reliable as clockwork its now a spectacularly half arsed mix of POR15, sunburst red and faded blue. Honestly, most people point and laugh when I drive past..... Still to do on the XR3 is the passenger side rear floor, which I know will be 3 patches thick like the other side was, and replace the front doors; one is rotten at the bottom, the other is rot free but badly dented typically. A spare set of doors has been sourced already. Unusually, the front half of the car is virtually rust free, with only a small patch on the front crossmember and on the upper A post which I am leaving alone for now as fixing it properly means taking the wing off and its not worth destroying the minty original wings for the sake of a 50p sized patch. I might be able to do it from the engine bay side.. Then its respray time and refurb the original telephone dial wheels, which are in a dire state hence the Orion 1600e wheels, On the flip side, its not had many registered keepers and I have an email from the original owner, who hasd it until about 2000 (and who bought a mk2 Granada DYB 86X at the same time as the XR3), plus a whole sheaf of service history and the original sales invoice, dealer keyring, and still has the original rear plate. It seems it fell on hard times and had a hard life until about 2005, when it sat about until it was put back on the road somehow in 2008 - the MOT history fgor that year makes for interesting reading and if it was online back then I probably wouldn't have bought it! Some highly flattering pictures..... 20190317_105310 by Kevin Harlow, on Flickr 20190317_105332 by Kevin Harlow, on Flickr 20181213_131833 by Kevin Harlow, on Flickr 20190317_105405 by Kevin Harlow, on Flickr Since lockdown I have had itchy fingers though...its been sat unused in my lockup since September and the MOT lapsed just before Boris introduced the extension. I should really finish off the welding over winter and get it sprayed. Been quoted between £3k and £4k for a reasonably presentable paintjob if I can get the car stripped ready, so a paintjob is probably off the cards until sufficient pennies have been saved. But I have that itch for something different. Unfortunately (or fortunately?) my bucket list cars (50's Westminster, PA Cresta, Mk2 Zodiac, Triumph Stag) are both out of price range and too big for the garage...suggestions on a postcard. The other resident is our Victor 101 estate, maybe do a thread on that another time but its one of those rare cars that doesn't really need anything doing so it would be a very short thread!. Coprolalia, BorniteIdentity, KWhite and 67 others 70 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skizzer Posted June 1, 2020 Share Posted June 1, 2020 Oh my stars, I am deeply in love with that. I can see why you might want to paint it, but equally it’s utterly glorious as it is. You appear to live round the corner from my boss, too. I shall instruct him to wave if he sees you. Yes please to a 101 thread too. Amishtat, UltraWomble and Ohdearme 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amishtat Posted June 1, 2020 Share Posted June 1, 2020 I haven't seen an XR3 for almost twenty years.. I used to walk past a bright red one on Hearsall Lane in Coventry on my way to college in 1999,it had a style of wheel I've never seen before or since but they had Ford centre caps and looked as though they'd always been on it. One day it was for sale, £395 or offers I think. I didn’t have any money and it wouldn't have been my sort of thing back then but it was a tidy example and rare even then. And yes please to some Victor 101 action /pics Burnside, Lord Sterling and Skizzer 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Sterling Posted June 1, 2020 Share Posted June 1, 2020 Welcome. Looks great! At least you are giving it a second life. Plus XR3s are firmly bigger money territory now. It would be good to see some Cloverleaf wheels on it like these for £150: https://www.ebay.co.uk/i/323789628864 I pass through Hampshire every few months and I think there is a Solent meet so hopefully the next post COVID meet can be timed right when I'm passing next in August. Stanky 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PiperCub Posted June 1, 2020 Share Posted June 1, 2020 It's funny how familiarity breeds contempt - or at least disinterest but years later, all of a sudden when we realise we've not seen one on the road (car shows etc excluded) for a dogs age, we suddenly appreciate what's gone. Personally, never a fan of XR Fords but I nonetheless like to see them around and know they still exist. The Mk.3's kind of died out completely from everyday sight about 15-20 years ago. This one looks remarkably tidy both inside and out for a 40 year old car. I like the BBS (RA's?) wheels as well, like most, I loathed (still do) the 'Melba'(?) cloverleaf affairs most seemed to sport before everyone got some sense and put RS alloys on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spartacus Posted June 1, 2020 Share Posted June 1, 2020 That looks great, I see one local to me but it's mint. The look you've got going there is so typical of the era, I reckon you should leave it as it is! Skizzer, Tenmil Socket and Amishtat 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cort1977 Posted June 1, 2020 Share Posted June 1, 2020 My neighbour had a black one when I was about 9, she loved it and remains the only woman I have ever seen polishing a car. Well done for keeping it going, haven't seen one in a dogs age. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnthonyG Posted June 1, 2020 Share Posted June 1, 2020 1992’s on the phone, it wants it’s XR3 back!! That is an early one, well done on the resuscitation! N19 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bren Posted June 1, 2020 Share Posted June 1, 2020 Its a rare car. While the ford lickers would bemoan the lack of injection for me it makes it more interesting. Many moons ago (1990/91) there was one knocking around Warrington - XNC686X rings a bell. BorniteIdentity 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bunglebus Posted June 2, 2020 Share Posted June 2, 2020 Good to see a proper XR3 (no I), I wasn't into MK3s but my mate is a serial FWD Escort licker, had MK3 and 4 cabrios, a 1600E Orion, MK1 Ghia Orion, a 1.3 base done up as an XR3, a 1300 Ghia MK3, RS1600I and probably others I've forgotten. He had his 1.6I cabrio resprayed to a great standard by a guy in Essex if you want me to find out who he is? XR3s are about the only car the cloverleaf wheels look good on, they used to appear on Fiestas and Sierras and look wank. How's your battery tray? Shite Ron 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigstraight6 Posted June 2, 2020 Share Posted June 2, 2020 I haven’t seen one of these in years, my late father had one in the late 80’s (YDU 92X) which seemed to have survived until 1995, I regularly used to borrow it at the time and enjoyed it though it did have an appetite for engine oil. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EyesWeldedShut Posted June 2, 2020 Share Posted June 2, 2020 Had a mate who was semi-rich and bought an early XR3 almost from new - daft git then went out and bought an 'i' to stick on once the proper injection jobs came out - everybody knew he'd done it just made him look a bit of a tw*t. Nice car there and yes to a 101 thread - bit of proper old time LR stuff rather than all the poncey 'snorkel, roof tent and chequer plate' that seems to be around on the LR forums these days (unless of course you have snorkel and chequer plate in which case I'll get my coat...) Ohdearme 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wuvvum Posted June 2, 2020 Share Posted June 2, 2020 1 hour ago, EyesWeldedShut said: Nice car there and yes to a 101 thread - bit of proper old time LR stuff rather than all the poncey 'snorkel, roof tent and chequer plate' that seems to be around on the LR forums these days (unless of course you have snorkel and chequer plate in which case I'll get my coat...) I think the 101 is a Vauxhall Victor rather than a forward control Land Rover... Eyersey1234, Amishtat, stonedagain and 2 others 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdeMk1 Posted June 2, 2020 Share Posted June 2, 2020 That is glorious! I'd have that in a heartbeat. I love old Ford's, had 3 XR3's myself, CUA 199Y, FPU 566Y and SET 730Y. I spent 4 years rebuilding CUA and I was smitten with that car, unfortunately circumstances meant I had to sell it & I heard it was written off not 6 months later! Gutted. Glad to see one getting some love, more pics as you go please. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turbowomble Posted June 2, 2020 Share Posted June 2, 2020 Personally, I wouldn't do a single thing cosmetically (apart from keeping on top of the tin-worm). It's not a show car and it's not a (dreadful) rat rod; it's Goldilocks' third bowl of porridge, just the right amount of shabby chic. Also, it oddly suits the BBS's - I would be in no hurry to swap the originals back! As long as it's mechanically and structurally sound, I say just go and enjoy it (whilst keeping to the current regulations on movement, of course...) Jerzy Woking, MKT and Skizzer 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sierraman Posted June 2, 2020 Share Posted June 2, 2020 So long as it’s solid it’s useable. Keep using it through the summer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shite Ron Posted June 2, 2020 Share Posted June 2, 2020 That is a very nice car with an interesting history. It is nice to see a proper early XR3 with the laser seats. My friend’s father had a brand new W reg when they were launched in Black with electric windows, electric aerial, radio cassette and glass tilt and slide sunroof. It seemed very flash at the time, I remember going out in it the day after he got it. A bit later the local police had a white XR3 and a white ‘81 Cortina 1.6GL as unmarked cars, the XR3 always stood out as it had pepper pot wheels. I always wondered if someone had nicked the originals. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angrydicky Posted June 2, 2020 Share Posted June 2, 2020 Xr3 looks great. +1 on FC porn. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UltraWomble Posted June 2, 2020 Share Posted June 2, 2020 I can see why you would want to paint and freshen it up. But as it is its wearing its life on its sleeve just like cars of the 80's used to do. Choice be yours - its your car to enjoy as you see fit. BlankFrank and Skizzer 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atomic punk Posted June 2, 2020 Author Share Posted June 2, 2020 Hi all, thanks for all the positive comments - it seems there is more love for these as time goes by. It wont get painted for a little while yet, but eventually it would be nice to 'finish' it, I went down to the lockup tonight and did all the usual pre-MOT checks, freed off the brakes and it seems that it only needs a blowing exhaust sorted for a pass. Then made a 'to do' list of the work needed over the coming months, Firstly, it seems you get no prizes for illuminating all of the warning lights simultaneously. Failed module probably, solved by taking take the bulbs out 20200602_193820 by Kevin Harlow, on Flickr A post. It has been badly welded from the other side, so MOT passable but will need to try and get in with a Dremel to cut out and repair it properly 20200602_193947 by Kevin Harlow, on Flickr Battery tray is solid but needs cleaning and protecting 20200602_194148 by Kevin Harlow, on Flickr Outer sill on passenger side starting to get crispy. Floorpan behind it has previous repair needing taking out and redoing 20200602_194527 by Kevin Harlow, on Flickr Area under the front seat mounting previously repaired at some point in the past, starting to go again. 20200602_194915 by Kevin Harlow, on Flickr Hopefully get a few months of use before I make a start, maybe Sept/Oct time. And the Victor.... here she is in all her 1960s glory, 20191231_131932 by Kevin Harlow, on Flickr Shite Ron, timolloyd, Coprolalia and 28 others 31 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eyersey1234 Posted June 2, 2020 Share Posted June 2, 2020 What a lovely looking XR3, good to see you are giving ut a second lease of life. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jerzy Woking Posted June 2, 2020 Share Posted June 2, 2020 Seeing the 101 estate photo gave me a flashback to around 1976/7 when my girlfriend's mate started going out with a bloke who worked at the Vauxhall dealer (which my girlfriends dad managed). He had a two tone 101 estate (brown over beige I think) and I swear I had never been along the Headingham to Halstead road so fast before. Nor since. Love to see more photos and hear the story behind the 101. Skizzer and Sudsprint 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vince70 Posted June 3, 2020 Share Posted June 3, 2020 I love those early style seats, I never had those in mine as a previous owner has fitted an RS interior to it and love the sound of a carb XR3 over the later injection model especially if it’s been converted to a nice Weber Has it been converted to a 5 speed as one thing I remember with my old one was someone had done the conversion and used the old linkage and it was sometimes a pig to get in 5th. My old one was a 1981 model in White and was Immaculate but a bit of a triggers broom as I fitted a later engine after the original gave out in spectacular style with a hole in the side of the block plus it had a different carb plus a 5 speed conversion plus it also had different wheels so in reality only the shell was from 1981 on my car. The shell though was original and rust free and was a lot better than the later cars as when I had mine a mate had a C plate XR3i and his was relatively new at 8 years old at the time but was completely rotten. Have you still got the electronic dipstick as I remember that being dropped on the later cars and most people got annoyed with the things and cut the wires when the dash started flashing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bunglebus Posted June 3, 2020 Share Posted June 3, 2020 Ah the "clean hands" system. Even in the 90s when there were loads of these about, a dipstick with the wires attached was gold dust. Out Run and Vince70 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angrydicky Posted June 3, 2020 Share Posted June 3, 2020 That’s a very late 101, must be one of the last. The first FDs were F reg. Looks grand and must be really practical, being an estate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Out Run Posted June 3, 2020 Share Posted June 3, 2020 4 hours ago, bunglebus said: Ah the "clean hands" system. Even in the 90s when there were loads of these about, a dipstick with the wires attached was gold dust. I know a bloke who bought an entire Ghia, just for the dipstick. Love the XR3, OP. It has a real charm, looking at it does. I had a taste of mk3 life for a bit; I look forward to seeing the adventures of yours. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meggersdog Posted June 4, 2020 Share Posted June 4, 2020 What a glorious XR3. It's still got a flat terminals battery. Shite Ron 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RickRirai Posted June 4, 2020 Share Posted June 4, 2020 Great looking car, sounds like you've put a lot of work in to it already. I've been toying with the idea of respraying mine, do you have any idea what colour yet? You've got the same wheels on it as my Golf2 I think. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rod/b Posted June 4, 2020 Share Posted June 4, 2020 6 hours ago, RickRirai said: Great looking car, sounds like you've put a lot of work in to it already. I've been toying with the idea of respraying mine, do you have any idea what colour yet? You've got the same wheels on it as my Golf2 I think. They’re the Orion Equipe wheels by the looks of it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RickRirai Posted June 4, 2020 Share Posted June 4, 2020 3 hours ago, Rod/b said: They’re the Orion Equipe wheels by the looks of it wow, they look exactly like the BBS wheels on my Golf 2 GT Special (these arent the actual wheels, I just nabbed a photo) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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