Cars – No 3

Eventually it was time for the Mini to go. Exactly why is beyond my memory, but my best guess is that it was because my uncle Kevin had swapped his car dealership from Leyland to Ford and dad thought that we had better all start driving them! (My Dad didn’t need much of an excuse to go car hunting!)

So car number 3 was a 1972 Ford Escort 1300 XL (for eXtra Luxury I believe). Mine was in what is still one of my most favourite colours, Wild Violet, with white trim. Mum by the way had one that was identical but in Wild Plum (think sickly deep pink) and with an auto trans, while mine was a manual. This was my first brand new vehicle – total on-road cost – $2700. It was also my first Ford, with plenty more to come let me tell you.

I loved this car and spent plenty of time (and money) on fitting it with all the mod-cons of the day. By the time it left my hands it had a Clarion 8-track (kids, ask you parents what an 8-track was), fitted lambswool seat covers, K-MAC anti-sway bars front and rear, Cibie driving lights and ROH Contessa mag wheels. Under the bonnet was a dual throat 45mm sidedraft Weber carbie that gave the most wonderful induction roar when you put your foot down. Oops, I almost forgot the 12″ Momo leather bound steering wheel.

For a 1300 it went very well, the 4 speed gearbox was like a hot knife through butter to use and as long as you kept the revs up to it the motor was plenty responsive.

By the way, the slight ding in the grill came one night out on the Jervois Road when a bloody hare jumped straight upwards in front of me at about 70 m.p.h. (around 115 klicks in the new fangled language). It took out the driver’s side light as well, that had to be replaced.

The very observant might notice the Walkerville All-Cars Club member sticker in the top left corner of the windshield … this was in my “motor enthusiast” phase. The car travelled to Rowley Park Speedway many Friday nights to watch “Suddenly” race and would then need a wash on Saturday, always with just a little kero in the water to help the metallic paint to sparkle!

I think I did around 45000 miles in the Escort before bidding it farewell, but it could be seen driving around the Bridge for years afterward by the old retired guy that bought it.

All in all a great little car … that was replaced eventually by another Ford. But that is another entry …
Click here to see the new photos