Somebody please purchase this restored Ford Orion

What to name the Ford Orion in 2025? A feast for the eyes? Twenty years in the past, the response would’ve been emphatically totally different. It’s (deservedly, after all) the likes of the Sierra Cosworth and Escort RS Turbo which were the darlings of the quick Ford collector scene. The standard Orion – primarily an Escort with a boot, when you have been born after 1990 – has, for a lot of if not most individuals, largely been consigned to the scrapheap of automotive historical past.

However with the correct of eyes (and presumably the correct of fond reminiscence), issues are just a little totally different. In some ways, the Orion was the proper embodiment of aspirational ‘80s Britain – a center supervisor particular, which, in Ghia trim, with its 105hp 1.6-litre fuel-injected CVH engine, supplied a really Blue Oval tackle a premium expertise with efficiency to match, due to 0-60mph in round 9.5 seconds and a prime velocity of 115mph. Correctly brisk for 1988.

What makes this explicit instance compelling is not simply its rarity – although naturally performs very a lot into the equation (when did you final see an Orion of any description, not to mention a sensible Ghia?) – however the forensic method to its restoration. The present vendor acquired it in March 2023 as a strong instance, earlier than embarking on what can solely be described as a labour of affection.

Mechanically talking, it is primarily a brand new automobile. The motor has been handled to a brand new camshaft, hydraulic lifters, valve stem oil seals, alternator, filters, plugs, leads, distributor cap, rotor arm, coil, water pump, cam belt, tensioner, and extra. Elsewhere, there are new rear wishbones, bushes, anti-roll bar elements, fuel shocks, and XR3i springs, to not point out a previous naked steel strip to snuff out any probability of rot with sufficient Hammerite to see HMS Warrior to the subsequent millennium. 

The inside has been deep cleaned quite than changed, thus preserving its interval appeal – however to not the purpose of abstemious sacrifice: there’s a discreetly put in Sony Bluetooth stereo within the glovebox (leaving the unique stereo and amp refurbished and in situ). The appeal of all that is roughly on par with the reminiscence of getting bladdered for a tenner. Simply adequate for us to not give two hoots concerning the precise mileage, which is at present displaying 32k however has beforehand been reset, nor the thought of 11 earlier house owners being behind the wheel. 

No, this Orion is certainly one of two issues. Both the ultimate cog within the exhaustive assortment of discerning Ford followers – or a £11k time capsule for somebody sufficiently old to recollect the thrill of listening to Positively Perhaps in 1994, and presumably in search of the proper option to get three mates to Cardiff subsequent month. We will consider no higher option to set the temper. Or to begin a dialog whenever you get there.