Guest Xr3iInUS Posted December 27, 2013 Share Posted December 27, 2013 Hi all, I just picked up a 1984 XR3i Cabrio. This car was brought into the US from Germany in the 80s. I had heard about it in the late 80s and didn't pursue it, as it was difficult to get an import registered then. About 12 years ago I was buying parts for my race car and there it was! He had bought it in 1997 and was going to fix it up for his daughter. His daughter really doesn't want it now, and his son thinks a cabrio is a chick car, so he put it on Craigslist. Co-worker saw the ad and sent it to us a a joke, of course not knowing I'd known of the car for all these years. Bought it last night and he's going to trailer it home for me this weekend. There are only a handful of these in the US. I'd love to know some of the differences between the MK3s and 4s. Over here we had 1981-1985, 1985.5-1988, 1988.5-1990. These are all considered first generation Escorts. All of mine have been in the 1985.5-88 range. 1.6L was dropped for 85.5 and they were all 5 speeds. The bodies changed a bit in each age group, but some parts are the same. Basic suspension is the same, but there are some weird differences, ie the rear drums for 1986 show either 7" or 8". I had bought some MK4 parts for my 87 & 88 cars years ago. But there are things like headlights.... This car is missing them and it looks like MK3 is different? Is there a good parts source over there that I can browse? We used to have a place in Florida that imported parts but they've moved on to the Focus for the most part, seems there aren't many native Escorts around here either! I joke that I have the last 3 GTs in my state. I am getting a number of parts with it, including a new top, but I also need to find a windscreen as this one was shattered before the PO bought it. I don't think they are the same as the US ones, he said it was more the way it fits in, but then said he never tried despite him having a ton of Escorts over the years himself! I do work for a Ford dealer but I'm not sure I can get my hands on any European catalogs. Thanks for any tips or links you can pass on! Diane Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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