Hi everyone, my first post on this forum.

I'm a member of several motoring forums and my reason for joining today is I enjoy the forums immensely and I have just purchased a 1997 Escort Si estate. This is my first Ford for quite a while, the last being a 1984 Cortina P100 pick-up which was utterly superb. Ten years old, 32k on the clock. The dusky pink paintwork was soon restored to gleaming red and I used the vehicle everyday for my office job!

My first Ford was a three year old 1986 Fiesta in bright red which I loved to bits. A great little car to drive. I traded this in for a brand new 1989 Fiesta pop which was, without question, the biggest pile of crap I have ever owned! Other than the P100 I swore I would NEVER buy another Blue Badge again!

I am a BIG Volvo and Mercedes fan, but nothing newer than the early 1990's. I presently own a 1991 Mercedes 260e, one owner with 48k on the clock, and a 1987 Volvo 240GL, one owner with 221k on the clock! I just fancied something a little different and, on a whim, I went to have a look at the Escort which, from the photo's, looked really straight.

Advertised on 'fleebay' the car had one previous owner, 108k on the clock and appears to have been well maintained. There's a dish-dent in the tailgate, and a repair to one of the sills, but other than some surface rust on the front and rear chassis legs, the car has no other rust and the body is straight as a pin.

Being the 1.8Si it drives well and looks quite sporty. I'm looking forward to giving it the once over with the cleaning ensemble in the next week or two, prior to taxing it and taking it for a spin. No pics yet, but I will attach some of the Volvo and Merc.

Nice to meet you all and look forward to some good chatter!

Hi welcome :)