Just joined having bought a 1985 XR3i with 26,000km on the clock.  The car is LHD, German built and has spent all its life in Greece.  It’s a two owner car with the first owner an older gentleman who worked overseas so only drove it occasionally when home in Greece.  He then died and the car sat in a garage for years.  It was recommissioned with 25,000 on the clock and had a three page list of stuff done eg brakes, suspension, battery, new tyres, radiator etc. etc.

The main thing about the car is no rust and original paint with an interior that shows very little wear, no cracked dashboard, no fabric tears, door cards are spotless, head lining perfect etc.

However it has steel wheels with pepper pot hubcaps and whilst okay it’s a white car (not my favourite colour) and would definitely look better with the Cloverleaf alloys.

It drives well but idles at 1500rpm which seems high.  However, it’s obviously running on lead free petrol and may just need an additive and an adjustment.  I’ve not filled it up yet.  The clutch also seems to have a lot of play but that may just be this model and me not used to driving a 40 year old XR3i.

I wondered if anyone on this forum had a set of refurbed Cloverleaf alloys for sale.  I’ve checked eBay Germany, Italy and the UK and there are some in the UK but most need to be refurbished.  I live on Crete and the nearest place for wheel refurbishment is Athens ie a nine hour ferry ride away.

As I’d probably be shipping them from the UK I’d no doubt need them refurbed there first or find a set already refurbished.

True, first world problem but this is a time warp car and would definitely benefit from the 14”  Cloverleaf alloys.

Thanks,

 

TD

1 hour ago, Topdriller said:

26,000km on the clock.  The car is LHD, German built and has spent all its life in Greece.

The thing is that in Greece they don't measure use by how many km a car travels, it's how much life is still left in the horn 🤣

Make sure that the engine is not only protected from using unleaded fuel but also from using E10 fuel. In other words, don't use it!

Use at least E5 or E0 if you can get it where you are.

I agree about the wheels but please bear in mind originality.

Don't dispose of the original trims and wheels

The car is lovely by the way

XROC Bulletin Board

https://www.xrstyle.co.uk/forums/index.php

Are you aware of this group ?  They might be able to help.

Thanks to both Dave and Paul, that’s handy info to know.  I’m going to a trusted garage tomorrow and will definitely ask about E10 fuel.  One of the advantages of Crete is it has an active classic Ford car club.

 

TD