"I M Going Home"

[Matt]

Hello everyone,

My name is Muzafar Ali Tarar. I am writing to you from Lahore, Pakistan.

I know what you are thinking. Pakistan? What does Pakistan have to do with an Escort Cabriolet Club?

Everything. Let me explain.

The Discovery

A few weeks ago I found something on PakWheels — Pakistan's version of AutoTrader. A black Ford Escort Cabriolet listed for sale in Peshawar. I thought nothing of it at first. Then I looked closer at the photos and something felt different about this car. Something felt important.

I drove to inspect it. I pulled out my phone and spent hours researching everything I could find. I found this club. I found your forums. I started reading.

What I found under the bonnet confirmed everything. A data plate reading Ford-Werke Aktiengesellschaft. VIN stamped WFOLXXGKALLA57884. Body number ALLA 57884. Chassis code ALL. Colour AA9. Right hand drive.

A genuine Ford Escort Mk5 Convertible. Original 1.6i CVH EFi 8 valve engine. Original UK specification. Original UK sale receipt still with the car.

The only one in Pakistan. Possibly the only one on this entire side of the planet.

I bought it immediately.

The Car — Full Details

VIN: WF0LXXGKALLA57884

Chassis: ALL — Mk5 Convertible — confirmed

Body number: ALLA 57884 — matching VIN perfectly

Engine: 1.6i CVH EFi — 8 valve — original and untouched

Colour: AA9 Black — original Ford code

Transmission: 5 speed manual

Drive: Right Hand Drive — UK specification confirmed

Built: Early 1992 — first production run of ALL chassis

Builder: Karmann — confirmed via VIN plant code

Original sale: UK — receipt in possession

Everything on this car is original. The electric hood works. All windows work. All switches work. Every door card, every knob, every dial. It sat in Pakistan for decades but it survived.

The Problem — And The Title Of This Thread

You have all seen The Terminal. Tom Hanks. Viktor Navorski. A man stranded in an airport. Desperate to go home. Unable to leave. Unable to arrive. Just waiting.

This car is Viktor Navorski.

It left the UK years ago — how and why, I do not know yet. It ended up registered in Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan — about as far from Dagenham as you can get on this planet. It sat there. Forgotten. Running on three cylinders when I found it.

But it remembered who it was. The data plate still says Ford-Werke Aktiengesellschaft. The body number still matches the VIN. The colour is still AA9 Black. Every bit of it is still British.

My plan is simple.

I am going to restore this car completely — correct specification, correct colour, correct everything — and then I am going to drive it home.

Lahore, Pakistan to the United Kingdom. Approximately 8,000km. Through Iran, Turkey, Bulgaria, across Europe and finally to Britain. The car's home country. Where it belongs.

I M Going Home.

Current Condition — Honest Assessment

The car runs but currently fires on three cylinders. Diagnosis points to a failing HT lead on cylinder one — classic black dry plug. Full ignition service being done this week.

The body needs a full respray — paint is heavily oxidised but panels are straight with no major dents visible.

Interior needs full upholstery and detail work — structure is intact.

Soft top canvas needs deep professional cleaning — hood motor works perfectly.

Mechanically the engine bay is complete and original.

What I Need From This Community

You are the world's greatest authority on these cars. I am a Pakistani enthusiast with a genuine early ALL production Mk5 Convertible CVH and I need your help.

Specifically I am looking for:

UK parts suppliers specialising in ALL chassis Mk5 Convertible components

CVH 1.6i EFi specific parts — timing belt kit, camshaft, head gasket, HT leads, distributor cap, cam cover gasket

Soft top canvas supplier for ALL chassis hood

Any members with spare parts or knowledge of dismantled ALL chassis cars

UK shipping agents experienced in sending parts to Pakistan

Any contacts at Ford UK Heritage or Classic Ford Magazine

Any advice on correct restoration specifications for early ALL production

I will cover all costs. I just need the right doors opened by people who know where they are.

I Will Update This Thread Every Few Days

I am documenting every step of this restoration — every part fitted, every problem solved, every photo taken. When the car is ready I will document the entire Pakistan to UK journey in real time.

This is not just a restoration thread. This is the story of a British car coming home.

Thank you for reading this far. I hope this story means something to your community — because your community clearly means something to this car.

Muzafar Ali Tarar

Lahore, Pakistan

Email: tararavian@gmail.com

WhatsApp: +92 345 4222226