South African Sport Imports

[emily]

With the recent influx of 1600 Sports what's all your thoughts on them with respect to ,


* long term value
* originality
* acceptance in classic car circles

Your thoughts would be much appreciated.

[crusader]

Maybe i am slightly biased as on my second mk2 sport but the value to me is the same and not had unless whispered any undue remarks re my import sports.. its a good cost effective way into a mk2 . Jim

[Blower]

Prices seem to reflect condition

Im not sure how the insurance companys value them

Illegal immigrant ... not paying taxes

[HarrierTony]

I think long term values will be as good as any other mk2, as for originality I know of a few who have tried to make theirs look more like a UK sport by changing things like the diff, stripes, painting the front bib spoiler etc and others who just leave them as they are. Not really heard anything bad said about them at car shows and it wouldnt put me off having one.

[LOUIE]

Are the South African cars the same body shells as we have here in oz- few extra plates etc

[Gremlin]

Are the South African cars the same body shells as we have here in oz- few extra plates etc

They have the extra strut top plates and a different fuel tank, that is behind the rear seat. Also a different axle set up

[RUDDY]

It's interesting that your first concern is long term value, does everyone just look at their Escort as an investment portfolio these days ? Are there no enthusiasts left ?

Personally I think the Oz/SA imports are a double edged sword, in theory because of the better climate (sometimes !) the car should be a much better starting point, all that glitters is not gold though and I have seen some horrendously rotten Oz imports.

However.

The word IMPORT will put a few buyers off in the future, the spec can be strange and things you wouldn't expect to be different can come back to haunt you when looking for spare parts, to me they would always be worth less than a UK car, if they are cheaper to buy now than an original UK car it stands to reason they are not valued as much and will be cheaper in the future than a comparable UK car.




On the other hand if you are looking for a good shell for an unused RS logbook they can be great, just add a set of anti tramp brackets and most will be fooled

[crusader]

Prices seem to reflect condition

Im not sure how the insurance companys value them

Illegal immigrant ... not paying taxes

Mine payed its import duty at the docks 😁😁 insurance does not seem to be an issue they gladly insure mine for two grand valuation

[LOUIE]

They have the extra strut top plates and a different fuel tank, that is behind the rear seat. Also a different axle set up

Different from uk

[crusader]

There appears to be a koln type axle and a borg warner type axle no tramp bars but anti roll bars . My last one had the koln type , the new one has a borg warner . The fuel tank is as said a long range tank mounted behind rear seat and the filler in the usual place . There should be a poly plastic infill where the tank usually is housing the scissor jack and handle and wheel brace .. the main give away is one switch on dash panel for hazard lights no heated rear window but who would miss that in this country . Mine has front overridders on bumper but none on the back has anyone else got them fitted on the rear ? Jim

[alancdavis]

It's interesting that your first concern is long term value, does everyone just look at their Escort as an investment portfolio these days ? Are there no enthusiasts left ?

Personally I think the Oz/SA imports are a double edged sword, in theory because of the better climate (sometimes !) the car should be a much better starting point, all that glitters is not gold though and I have seen some horrendously rotten Oz imports.

However.

The word IMPORT will put a few buyers off in the future, the spec can be strange and things you wouldn't expect to be different can come back to haunt you when looking for spare parts, to me they would always be worth less than a UK car, if they are cheaper to buy now than an original UK car it stands to reason they are not valued as much and will be cheaper in the future than a comparable UK car.




On the other hand if you are looking for a good shell for an unused RS logbook they can be great, just add a set of anti tramp brackets and most will be fooled

Love the idea of that