Doyle 4-5

Do you happen to know when the XR3i ceased and Si production started?

Cheers Ollie. Much appreciated! More info for the archives! Is that a 1994 catalogue? Coral Red isn't listed, so I assume it was only available for a short period. Mine was built in May 93, which I think makes it a fairly early Si. It pre-dates those brochure pics, as it doesn't have an airbag or the PATS system. Keep the info coming guys! I have a "The New Si Cabriolet" brochure dated April 93' and a Escort/Orion Accessories brochure dated May 93' if anyone wants some info from those.

The full tonneau cover is on most of the time. I only remove it when I have rear seat passengers. The car has just hit 90K miles and was a daily driver before I bought it nearly three years ago. It's been garaged for most of it's life, which luckily has kept the rust fairies at bay. I've been in touch with the previous owners and know all it's history from first registration to date. I'm desperate to know what Ford used it for in the 13 months between build date and first registration. It's been hinted at being the 1993 Earls Court Motor Show car, but I've been unable to prove this. If anyone has any knowledge, pictures etc of the production/launch of the MK5b Si in general, I'd be interested to see or have a read. Thanks, Rob.

Cheers Ollie, I don't think Coral Red was particularly popular when new, see even less now.

Just thought I'd add a few more pics.

Hi all, Im looking for some assistance if possible. I own a 93 Si Cabriolet (130) which Ford UK tell me was used for promotional purposes , but cant tell me anything else. It was 13 months old when first registered and is fitted with some rare options and some bits which this model shouldnt have. I wondered if any of you could help shed some light on the missing 13 months of its pre-registration history? Many thanks in advance. Rob.

Hi all, I've booked my 5b Si into the following shows. Anyone on here planning on attending? 04/06/17 Great Bucket and Spade Run - Ramsgate. http://rommcc.org.uk/onewebmedia/Bucket%20and%20Spade%20Entry%202017.pdf 30/07/17 Beaumanor Hall Loughborough. https://www.classicmotorshows.co.uk/beaumanor-hall 27/08/17 Stamford Classic Car Show. http://stamfordcarshow.co.uk Rob.

Cheers Paul. I'll try that.

My 5B is due to return from the body shop next weekend and the task of putting her back together will begin. I want to be sure I have everything needed, as she's booked in for the first show of the year on 2nd April. When I removed the roof to screen seal, there was some black sealant that held it in place. I'm guessing it isn't Tiger Seal, as it was quite easy to remove. Does anyone know what type of sealant this is?

Template made up and now with the graphics firm. Should hopefully get them next week.

That's a mk 5b bumper. 5b's are sometimes referred to as mk6's. I'm looking for one of those mouldings at the mo and haven't been able to new or good used. Good luck. Iirc the exhaust exit differed between petrol and diesel models and also on engine CC.

I spoke with DMB, they could produce them, but need a template.

Some of you maybe aware that my mk5b is being restored at present. It is nearing completion and I need to locate some decals that go on the back edge of the front wings in the door shuts. These are black vinyl and are no longer available from Ford. Part No: R/H 6605315, L/H 6605317. Does anyone know where I could get some (OE or repro)? Has anyone got one that a template could made from? Cheers, Rob. Pic shows the outline of the decal.

I'm glad I didn't book it now. The factory tour was the only reason I considered it.

Things seem to moving on quite quickly now. Pics taken yesterday.

Doors are off, glass is out and screen is due to come out this week.

A few progress pics. Thankfully no nasties have been found so far. The bodyshop are quite impressed with it and said, it shows that it has been garaged for the majority of its life. So it seems the only rot is on the O/S rear arch. According to the previous owner, this is due to a poor repair following some vandal damage.

I popped into the body shop this morning to strip the remaining parts off the doors. The bootlid, mirrors, rubbing strips and bumpers are now in primer. The rear bumper had a notch cut out where a previous owner had fitted a towbar. This has now been repaired with a new piece of plastic bonded in. The repair is brilliant! Even looking from the back side of the bumper its invisible. This concerned me slightly as I tried to find a replacement bumper but struggled. There's plenty of mk5 & 6 out there but no mk5b's. It wasn't until I got home I realised I hadn't taken any pics.

I worked for Ford in the mid nineties and I have only ever seen three cars with this option and that's including my own car.

My 5b has the full tonneau. It was a factory option only. Very rarely chosen. There should be the pins on the dash plus some rings on the A & B posts. There should also be a mount behind the B pillar for the carbon fibre tonneau support bars.

Booked the day off work today and took the Escort over to the bodyshop. Stripped the car down myself and brought all the parts back home for some intensive cleaning. With the bumpers and doors off, I was expecting to find some hidden rot. There was nothing! It just goes to show that garaging a car pays dividends.

That was the first area I checked when I went to view the car. I've been caught out before, with a GTI that had 13" of chassis leg missing.

Thanks. It is pretty clean. The only rust I've found is on the o/s rear arch. It has a bit of lacquer peel on the front bumper and some git has keyed the drivers door, I've therefore decided to spray the whole thing.

I've been on a couple of these and they're well worth doing. Not been for a few years, my mate and I quite fancy this one.

Thanks for the welcome. I would be about 20 miles from Bedford, so pretty local. The current wheels are the only non standard item on it. I sourced a decent original set today that will go on shortly after they have been refurbed. As the car was first used by Ford, I have decided it will become a long term keeper and invest in a full on restoration. In two weeks time it will go into the body shop to be returned to its former glory. I'll probably be looking for some trim parts during the rebuild, so I may be asking for a few bits and pieces. Once I start stripping her down, I'll start a resto thread.