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Evening Nidge, the book is this one; https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sporting-MK1-Escorts-Originality-Factory-Original/dp/B01FIYWAUA/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1516997597&sr=1-3&keywords=factory+original+sporting+ford+escort However I bought it when it was still in print, for a lot less than the current Amazon prices! I've also got the Mk2 volume; https://www.speedyhen.com/Product/Dan-Williamson/Factory-original-Sporting-Mk2-Escorts--The-Originality-Gu/7478473 They are published by Herridge & Sons Ltd, don't know if that's who you meant? It doesn't actually say it's part of a series, but there are 3 on Escorts, the two I have and one on the RS Cosworth. Keith

I want that!! Some strange things about it & the ad. though - unusual colour, looks too orange for sebring red and Twin Cams had finished before Vista orange was introduced. And it's the first time I've seen a TC described as an 'Escort 1600. GT'. Actually, just been looking through the 'Factory Original Sporting Mk 1 Escorts' and the door mirror is the style fitted to Australian market cars... Still want it! Keith

I bet it certainly became one of those after it blew up....!! It's OK, I've already got my coat... Keith

Thought there were two RS2's..? Don't recall a Sprint, good excuse to watch the endless re-runs on ITV4....!!

Probably because a good restoration will take months or more likely years - compare that to how long a car will take coming off a manufacturer's production line...(often using already rusting metal back in those days!)

No photo's, and not a Mini, but after a rather enjoyable mess 'do', the hooligan student pilots of the University of Wales Air Squadron managed to get thirteen of their number in the adjutant's original Fiat 500! This just happened to have a full length fabric sunroof, so 11 were actually standing up! I was one of the two sitting down - on my mate's lap (no, we weren't that close friends..!!), with me steering & changing gear, him working the pedals, we got the thing up to an indicated 40 mph down St. Athan's main runway!! Oh, the impetuousness - and stupidity - of youth!! Keith

Funnily enough there's a couple who live near my son who own a Picanto & a classic Mini. I always laugh when I pass there how the Kia towers over the Mini ! Keith

....and the bulk of all the safety stuff makes the interior hardly more spacious than the cars of the Capri's era.

Really good example of how fat and bloated modern cars have become!!

Gutted we'll be up in Hampshire again next weekend Rob, hope it all goes well at the show! Keith

Yes. Have used it quite a bit on the Mini. It seems quite effective, but the instructions are quite technical in regard to how many microns thickness should be applied for best results, and as I just slapped it on with an old brush I probably haven't attained full effectiveness! It's also very thin and watery and so a little difficult to apply cleanly to specific vertical or 'upside down' horizontal areas - such as underneath the floor. It also settles into two component parts after standing for a short time and takes an awful lot of stirring before you can use it again. But overall it does what it's supposed to, but for how long remains to be seen for me personally! Keith

From what I've been told, any camera can be set to be triggered at any speed, it's up to the local authorities what the threshold speed is..... If they set them to 70, I bet 75% of motorway users would be banned in a year....!!

Yep, mine was a road rally car, kept the 1600 motor with a Skip Brown head & one of his fast road cams & a good exhaust. Some suspension tweaks & weight saving by ripping everything out of the inside except for a cage, buckets & harnesses & it was heaps of fun to drive! Like all my Escorts I so wish I still had it (or could buy one for rather less than the £20K + they're going for now!)

My Avenger Tiger wasn't bad either.

70 on a country road in one of those things? No thanks...!! You can keep115 in a straight line too - though I struggle to believe it could actually get to a ton...(A Mk III tested by The Motor magazine in 1955 had a top speed of 93.6 mph (150.6 km/h) and could accelerate from 0-60 mph (97 km/h) in 17.4 seconds - Wiki) I had to google what you were actually talking about, I thought you meant a Talbot Sunbeam. Drove a friend's rally prepped Lotus version once, the handling and roadholding was every bit as good as a well sorted Escort, if not better! And that thing was pretty rapid to well over a ton!)

Oh, I don't know, I find it quite driveable for what it is - I really enjoy leaving BMW & Audi 'drivers' for dead on roundabouts, after they insist on snuggling up to the towbar on the straight bit leading up to them...!

I wouldn't say no to one!

Have you watched any of the videos on youtube pitting these new fangled electronic 4 wheel drives against a 'proper' 4x4 - no contest! As to the new Defender, like the new Rangie & Disco - horrible. No character, no presence....and for some reason it reminds me of a Lada Niva.... I think, like you with your Dai, I'll keep my Grand Vitara (son borrowed it in the recent snow to get to work in Sennybridge. 3-4 inches of snow on local lanes, decent tyres but not specific winter or off road. Didn't even need to put it into low range) Keith

Couldn't agree more! Merry Christmas & a Happy and Peaceful New Year to you & yours Chaz, and thanks for all the cracking piccies of your excellent layout! Keith

Nadolig Llawen to you & yours Rob. And I've run out of Welsh with that I'm ashamed to say! Keith

Damn good impression it is too! Keith

Absolutely stunning winter's day here today!

I'm sure there was a 340 in the Swedish vid....

Ohhhhhh, yes you are.....!!!

Some lovely cars in that - some faintly ridiculous ones too! Funnily enough, SWMBO was watching Sports Personality tonight,of which I have absolutely no interest, so I wiled away the hours watching Mk1 & 2 Escort videos on Youtube. Which led to the usual futile speculation of if I sell all my modelling stuff could I raise enough to buy one again. Unfortunately I keep coming up about 20 grand short...!! Keith