Car design really has got to a ridiculous stage where you can get at nothing behind the dashboard without that amount of work, and often the engine compartment is no better.
I remember the old Mk1 Cortina which was a dream to work on, you could get your hands up behind the dash and loads of room under the bonnet.
Manufacturers nowdays seem to expect NOTHING to go wrong.
I would gladly buy a well designed car that was not going to cost megabucks in labour to replace a component costing a couple of quid.
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You're giving your age away now Brian, the 2nd and one of the best cars i ever had was a Mk1 Cortina, a DIY dream over the seven years in my ownership i fitted a crossflow 1600e 90bhp with a 2000E close ratio box along with new suspension all round, with the 1200 rear axle it was really quick. From that i bought a Mk4 cortina which in comparison was a backward step, never had a Ford since. Happy days.
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jud,
Those were the days when you could notice a leaking water pump at work, buy one on the way home and fit it that evening.
Happy days indeed!
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Jud
Not just me then!
My second car was a Cortina Mk1 (Goodwood Green) which started as a 1200, and then got a tweaked 1500 GT, 5.5 inch rims and modified suspension. On the 1200 axle (4.125 ratio?) it was quick but just ran out of revs. Apart from the wheels and the stance it looked pretty standard, so was fun at the lights.
I later fitted a 3.77 diff from a Lotus Cortina which improved things a bit.
Also had a Mk4, 2.0S. Faster and quieter, but not particularly grippy I recall.
Regards
John S
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BrianW, you, the consumer demand cheaper cars, with bigger passenger compartments, bigger engines, more electronics, more aerodynamic, more frugal, more comfortable etc. So you have to pay for it at some point.
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