In the late 80's a friend of mine was in the tank regiment and in an army base in Berlin. His pal had just spent his savings on an Orion 1.6i Ghia. They woke up one morning, switched the news on saw that the wall had come down. Excited to see who they'd been facing up to all these years, they jumped in the Orion and went for a drive around East Berlin. Only a little while into their escapade, they came across a bunch of East German soldiers, parked up having a smoke, leaning against their tank, my pals cold war counterparts. Eager to chat, they pulled over to speak to these guys about their tank but the Germans had other ideas; the orion was of far greater interest to them. Chats were had, stories exchanged, but these guys wanted more than just words, they wanted the fast ford! A deal was there to be had, and so, that evening, my mate and his pal drove back to their base in Russian built tank, the Germans thrilled to have the latest in decadent Dagenham saloon car. Of course, their boss went mental, the idea of turning up with an East German tank, should the cold war splutter back into life in the days after the fall of the war, this could have some very serious political consequences! Under duress, the day after, knowing precisely where their adversaries were based through years of spying, they drove the tank to it's old home and got their Orion back.
I had one of these, just in L trim my first car in 1999. Not metallic paint. All my mates called it the German tank as it had same colour scheme. It was stolen in Port Talbot, and eventually turned up almost entirely stripped of parts (I remember even the interior lamp was removed). I’d inherited it from a family member and only had 8000 miles on it when it was stolen.
This was a great day Jonny if a very hot day, fish and chips on the lawn from the off licence/chip shop didn't help with the cooling down. Plans are afoot to get this back on the road👍
Follow up episode please! And take it to the shows so people can 'meet their hero (the car, not the driver)'. I am sure that this could win Festival of the Unexceptional and delight more people.
I flipping love these barn finds, Jonny. You treat an old Orion with the same love and reverence as a laid up Aston Martin, which is so good to see. I’m so glad the channel is going from strength to strength, you deserve it mate.
Thanks Jonny for stepping me back to 1990, I could not as a 19 year old get insurance on an XR3, so I bought a metallic gold Orion 1.6i Ghia…what an awesome motor, I had to sell it to fund my travels, but this episode bought back some lovely memories, especially that dash!!
It was basically the same car just with a boot added. I had the later 1.8 injection Orion, which was also much cheaper to insure despite being identical in performance to the XR3i. And despite what Johnny said about the 90 to 93 model I thought it was a great car it certainly went well.
Hi Jonny, Lovely to see a Ford Orion once again after all these years. I had three in my youth, a D reg 1.3L in blue, then an F reg 1.6i Ghia and lastly a gold 1.6i Ghia which had been a previous hire car in Jersey when I bought it from my local Ford dealership. Brought back some fond memories, thank you
Not sure why i got so emotional after hearing her start for the 1st time in such a long time, I guess i just miss seeing and hearing these cars on the road, from a era that has long disappeared just like my teen years
I always read those signs and imagine that it's suggesting someone will be there ceaselessly opening or closing said gate/garage door/etc. over and over... which so far has never turned out to be the case.
The manual choke conversion was a Ford recall to remove/bypass the auto choke which was as much use as a chocolate saucepan. The water pipes were joined together with a piece of metal tube and secured with jubilee clips 👍
Well done Jonny another big classic from late 80s saved I am so glad Neil is going to recommission it and get it back on road love it.cant believe how tidy it is after being sat for good 30 years.well done guys 👍🏽
Was a mechanic in the 1980s and had 1 of these in the early 90s, can remember the reg! C667bhw, came to me out of the blue! I live nearby and if I can help with the restoration I would love to come and help. They used to break cambelts for fun.
I can remember the Cambelt snapping on my father's 1988 Escort 1.4 LX back in the day. He'd just come off the motorway, and was entering a busy roundabout in Birmingham when it happened. Scary, to say the least, but we all survived. The car had been serviced by Ford the week before, so someone obviously forgot to check the belt.
Absolutely brilliant. I've just got back from Bangers & Cash Live show in my mk1 Orion Injection Ghia and came across this. Done nearly 300 miles this weekend, and the Orion got loads of attention at the show. They were on every street corner 30 years ago, now they are almost extinct. Well done Jonny, hopefully Neil gets the car and gets it back on the road.
The CVH engine was made in the Ford engine plant in Bridgend, in the 80’s nearly everyone knew someone working in the engine plant and would use their 30% discount to buy new Fords, my sister had three new Orion’s in that era.
Oh my how that has brought back memories of working on cvh engines. I had a xr3 and 2 and 2i and 3i several of them. My mum had an escort 1.6 ghia. Thanks Jonny once again.
Good video love a orion ghia mk1 1.6i GHIA was my favourite I had a black d reg one back in 2000 was rotten as a pear I cut 2 coils of the springs and slammed it!!! Loved that car hopefully this guy buys this and sorts it first thing he needs to do is remove that vv carb [VARIABLE VENTURI] and throw over the nearest hedge !! And replace with a twin choke webber it will totally transform the car thanks jony really hope this guy keeps and sorts it 😊😊
I had 2 x 1.6i Ghia models Caspian blue A481 YTY Silver C56 XSK I absolutely loved them,the blue 1 made all my mates jealous,bought it from my Uncle Derek who had it as a company car,it NEVER failed me,key in 1st kick & away I went,god I loved that car
Brings back lots of memories. Had the 1.6 Ghia myself, wanted an injection but couldn't quite afford it back then. I even put some red insulation tape over the chrome trim to make it look like an injection! Brilliant video Jonny👍👍
Almost more exciting to see a now rare, ordinary car be saved than an exotic. The UK and Europe got some really interesting Ford models that the States never had. Never even knew this Ford existed.
My old boss had an Orion 1.6 Ghia injection in black. Had it from new. I had a mk3 Escort Ghia, non injection. We used to race each other home on a couple of stretches of road between Bingley and Bradford. One evening, I must have got the gear changes etc spot on, because he just couldn't shake me at all. Fun times! They put loads of speed cameras up on the stretches so put paid to that!
When I decided I’d had enough of buying second hand cars the first new car I bought was a ford Orion, it was a brilliant car , it was so good that when I decided to sell it years later my daughter bought it, never once did it let us down.
Ran an mk3 escort ghia from 2012 till 2020 as a daily which was sat on a driveway for 10 years hardly any rust as it was ziebarted Best and most reliable car I've ever owned Loving this video, johnny😊
I love these kinds of videos Johnny, absolutely onto a winner with this series! It was lovely to speak to you at Bicester yesterday, I appreciate you taking the time to talk to me (Mech engineering student without giving away too much personal info) Big fan of your presenting style and genuineness :)
6:23 That's a picture of the North American Escort, which looks similar but is a different car that shares hardly any components with the European Escort.
I found and bought a 1989 Orion 1.4 CL in a small county town in the south of Portugal and bough it right away. Original 94K km’s drives beautifully. Interior is perfect. I’ve only changed spark plugs and rusted exhaust. Done about 9K km in the last year with zero problems
Used to see them everywhere as a kid... hopefully he keeps it and gets it going.... you need a section of LBS barnfinds at the festival of the unexceptional
My grandad had one of these on an F reg. He died in 1996 car was then sold on. Sure it had white wheel cover and blue metallic. The spec of the electric front windows and door mirrors and I’m sure the heated screen made it one hell of a thing to a much younger me to go round in
I remember when I moved to Northampton in 1993 and Ford Orions were everywhere. I was never a fan at the time, but this was a great find and in excellent condition for the age. I hope it gets restored and put back on the road soon
The Variable Venturi carb fitted to the CVH engines had automatic choke which was very temperamental and a lot of owners fitted a manual choke conversion.
Yes, my 1980 1.3GL had the VV carb and we fitted a manual choke kit. It also didn't have the hardened valve seats to run on unleaded so I was stuck with 4 star until I sold it to an ex girlfriend in the late 80s - hope this Orion has had the work done!
Tell you what I'm 44, my dad had a mark 1 fiesta in the 80's. And my first car was a mark 2 fiesta in late 90's. When i heard that ford trying to start and it eventually did, i had water in my eyes. So many memories from that that type of engine. 👍
So happy it’s an Orion was hoping and guessing. My grandparents had one and we had one on the college workshop before I joined the motor trade. 👍🏼 happy times
I bought a new Dagenham made XR3i in 1988. It was badly put together. A guy I knew bought an Orion Ghia and my understanding is that they were all German made and the quality of finish was far better. I exported the XR3 to Germany and recall going into a Ford Garage for body and trim issues and it being surrounded by a load of Germans pointing and shaking their heads.
Brings back fond memories of my 1.6 Ghia injection, also a B reg. Bought it off my Dad's friend with 160,000 motorway miles on it (he was a sales rep) and it ran perfectly till I sold it on. Lovely to see one again!
American car guy here. Love the show. On the state side the Ford escorts we got were so lame. Always loved the cosworth,RS, and all other cool cars we never got.
Memories, memories. This was a special episode for me. Had the injection model on a C plate as a company car. Up and down the M1 between Nottingham and Leeds. Replaced by an F plate Cavalier 2.0sri. I knew at the time that I was very lucky to have these cars but it’s reinforced when I see a lovely car like this getting a new lease of life.
My family are from the Ammanford area- there’s a special quality of garage rot that afflicts anything out of door around there. Amazing how good the Orion is - my cousin and I stripped my grandfather’s apparently intact MGB GT - wound up with a pair of half tidy front seats er which we put in the shed…. Lovely to see Mam come out to see her old car - ❤️🏴
Cricky, this brings back a memory or two. I had a 1990 Ford Orion GLSi 1.6 (was pretty much the same CVH engine that I had in my 1985 XR3i). Didn't have it too long and was replaced with a 1990 Vauxhall Astra GTE 2.0 16v. 👍
1983 I did my ford apprenticeship I always wanted an Orion the 1.6 Ghia being the one to have. We did loads of valve stem oil seals on the CVH engine, (Canted Valve Hemispherical) as they used to go hard and burn oil. We even had a special tool made to replace them. Total time warp motor right there. Love it. 👍
Yes I remember that special tool !!! I had a H reg 1.8 cvh sierra. Beautiful car. Never did find out if that tool would fit the 1.8 to do mine. People often moan about the cvh but mine was economical,lots of low down torque and did 185,000 before I sold it without having more than basic services.
My first brand new car was an ‘87 1.6i Orion Ghia in Mercury Grey metallic, alloy wheels with full manufacturer spoiler pack. It looked absolutely amazing. It drove wonderfully. It had ABS brakes and a fantastic sound system with graphic equaliser. I loved that car. Wish I still had it, although in those days my mileage was quite high so it probably wouldn’t have lasted.
Hi Jonny, great find and video. I have to say most weeks I'm watching with gritted teeth as you churn them over on 20 plus year old cambelts and am so surprised one hasn't let go yet tbh.. Alex.
The mark one orion is one my favourite cars especially in ghia form owned a couple back in the day 1.6 l and gl fond memories drove really nice for There time, thanks jonny for bringing this one, great excitement when the first garage door was moved 👍
back in the day and all that, my dad had a couple of these. One of them managed to set itself on fire about a week after picking it up brand new. This happened on the road just outside the supplying dealer so Dad parked it right outside the showroom window, threw the keys on the salesman's desk and walked to work without another word.
Great video, anyone born in the 80’s or earlier has fond memories of the Ford Ghia - great video. The chap had to buy/keep the car, it was in mint condition for its age. A beauty!Jonny, keep them coming 👍
Tip for using a round post battery on a Ford. Get a pair of battery terminals with the screws to clamp the cables. Fit them to the round posts then connect the original flat terminals to one of the screws. Didnt realise that the Orion Ghia had the same wheel trims as fitted to my 1985 mk 1 Sierra 1.8 Laser.
Some Barn Finds make me feel particularly nostalgic, and hence, particularly old...! These Orion Ghias were almost like BMW 3 series became years after, The car for the keen young managers and sales reps( when they still existed). That toy hamster probably scared away the mice...
Used to get a lift to school in my mates mums c reg onion, later my mum bought a 2 year old G reg mk4 both were white 1.6 Ghia's. In 1999 after passing my driving test I owned both a red mk3 and then a white mk4, happy days
WOW! Fantastic find Jonny! My dad had the Orion 1.6 injection Ghia, have to say it was a weapon! Really good on fuel too! Metallic Blue it was! Great Video as usual!👍👏👏👏♥️
A cracking find this one. In the 80's and 90's these were regular sightings on the road, possibly 1/4 of the sightings compared to the Escort hatch back. I can't remember when I last saw on on the road in any trim recently. These battled with the Vauxhall/Opel Belmont back in the day. Seeing this one live again brings a whole warm fuzzy feeling back from a time in my miss spelt older youth. Many thanks for sharing.
Another absolute belter from one of my fav channels. OTOSOT... loving the Scania trousers and belt... you have to tell the story behind them?? 😊 CMTMB....
One of the many family cars I got to use while I was learning to drive was one of these!! At first I thought this was going to be another Escort, all be it an 80's one, but as soon as I saw those back lights I new what is was! Ah the memories!
I had one like that in black with 18,000 miles when I was trading, they were a more insurance friendly alternative to the XR3i, we’re always a good seller, colour looks like Nimbus Grey painted it quite a few times
Great barn find again, thanks Jonnny. Another nice little Ford that we didn’t get to see in North America. I guess our closest equivalent would have been the Tempo & Topaz which were also from a modded Escort platform. The green Escort ZX2 brings back memories, my older sister had one from new in the same colour but a lower spec car with wheel covers rather than alloys. It was a good little car for her, she had it about 10 years before moving up to something a bit larger and fancier.
Had a G Reg 1.6i Ghia back in the day. Blydenstein A-Pack head and Jetex exhaust. Made 120bhp on the dyno - it was quick back in the day. Great memories
This was my first car after passing my driving test in about 1986. It was a virtually brand new company lease car. As a 22 years old, I was in heaven. Of course, being a new driver I did nearly bin it a couple of times during a couple in ill-judged "watch this" moments..
owned a garage business for many years those fords where good for my work as they had many michanical issues , also good for welders as they rotted like most cars of that period ,amazing some have survived
Amazing what a squirt down the carb & just trying it will bring. One can always clean out the system after she fires. Mebe its just too much time working American iron... sometimes the easiest solution is best. Love you, Johny... thx for sharing your finds🙏🏼
The people and stories in this series are the absolute best. Coupled with your passion for "ordinary" cars makes this one of my favorite car shows. Love it!
This has taken me back watching this video, because I used to work for a car rental company in Croydon and we had the Ford orion on the fleet they were all the 1.6 L version they were very popular with staff and the public evey one really enjoy diving them ...cheers Phil from Newark
God not seen a Ford Orion is years, what a find, be great to see this back on the road. Can you image how many cars like this that are hiding away in garages, barns etc just waiting to be found. I like to hear the stories of how the cars end up being put away & forgotten, then how they are found, find it really interesting.
Got to appreciate a Ghia spec ford. I love my Ford Focus mk2 2.0 duratec Ghia estate, I might just moth ball it in the garage, cover it in old carpet and old toys, bags of clothes, stack some old hoovers and garden tools up against it and seal it up for 10 years. I'll be in touch in 2034 Johnny....😊😁⚠️
A trip down memory lane for everyone! There were so many on the road they were almost ignored… now they are finally getting their moment! Another cracking episode Jonny 🎉
Oh yes Jonny 👏🏻. I had a mk2 1.6i Ghia on a G plate with 17” TSW blades, Peco big bore exhaust and a massive sub box in the boot that probably weighed about the same as having four people in the car 🤣.
I remember when those orions would get a puncture and wouldn't start after and leave the owners scratching their heads.Becus the fuel shut off switch was in the spare wheel well. Throw the punctured tyre in and boom inertia switch operated.
I had a twink '91 Sierra GLS hatch. Used it for rally marshaling. It also had an inertia switch inside the spare wheel well. Many times bouncing through rough forest stages the inertia switch would pop, and we'd have to unpack all our camping & marshaling kit to reset the switch. Right PITA.
I had one of those 1992 “terrible” Orions. 1.8Si Ghia. Maroon. Previous owner had lowered it, stainless, twin headlight conversion and gold alloys. Looked great I thought. Drove ok. Was a cool car at the time.
I remember when the Ford Orion was released and it had a picture in the local paper, my older brother was working for the paper and got the original photograph and gave me.
I had an A’ Reg 1.6i Ghia, Jade green metallic, sunroof, etc. Lovely car. Mine also had the 3 spoke steering wheel and the Mk5 Cortina style headrests. Very nostalgic watching this. 👍
June 1985 my old boss threw me a set of keys and said “here’s your company car” a B reg Orion 1.6i Ghia 😮 took it out for a spin across Waterloo bridge and hit 70!!! Proper made up until a few weeks later he said the lease is up on the Orion and you got a brand new C reg Sierra 1.8 GL coming next week, I was quite excited tbh, it turned up, was defo more spacious but dog slow compared to the 1.6i ghia and had a proper thirst for fuel, it’s only redeeming feature was going sideways around wet roundabouts! Put 40k on it that first year, then got a promotion and a New SRi Cavalier which was much quicker a nicer to drive…. Ah the memories 👊😎
In the late 80's a friend of mine was in the tank regiment and in an army base in Berlin. His pal had just spent his savings on an Orion 1.6i Ghia. They woke up one morning, switched the news on saw that the wall had come down. Excited to see who they'd been facing up to all these years, they jumped in the Orion and went for a drive around East Berlin. Only a little while into their escapade, they came across a bunch of East German soldiers, parked up having a smoke, leaning against their tank, my pals cold war counterparts. Eager to chat, they pulled over to speak to these guys about their tank but the Germans had other ideas; the orion was of far greater interest to them. Chats were had, stories exchanged, but these guys wanted more than just words, they wanted the fast ford! A deal was there to be had, and so, that evening, my mate and his pal drove back to their base in Russian built tank, the Germans thrilled to have the latest in decadent Dagenham saloon car.
Of course, their boss went mental, the idea of turning up with an East German tank, should the cold war splutter back into life in the days after the fall of the war, this could have some very serious political consequences! Under duress, the day after, knowing precisely where their adversaries were based through years of spying, they drove the tank to it's old home and got their Orion back.
That's an epic story
Love it what a story.
Brilliant!!!
I had one of these, just in L trim my first car in 1999. Not metallic paint. All my mates called it the German tank as it had same colour scheme. It was stolen in Port Talbot, and eventually turned up almost entirely stripped of parts (I remember even the interior lamp was removed). I’d inherited it from a family member and only had 8000 miles on it when it was stolen.
I had a Black mk1 Ford Orion Ghia 1.6i . I loved it , I sold it in 2004
This was a great day Jonny if a very hot day, fish and chips on the lawn from the off licence/chip shop didn't help with the cooling down. Plans are afoot to get this back on the road👍
Neil- I'm sure a lot of people would be interested to hear how you acquired your US Escort !
Chippy tea, a very suitable reward for a job well done 👍
@@neiliosr8 Offy/Chippy..... What a combo!, almost as good as the old P.O./Offy on my road 🤣
Fond memories of ruining a few Orion’s..!!!! Hire cars of course 😂😂
Follow up episode please! And take it to the shows so people can 'meet their hero (the car, not the driver)'.
I am sure that this could win Festival of the Unexceptional and delight more people.
I've got one! 87 Orion injection Ghia with 29k genuine miles. Never welded, never painted and never failed an MOT. Great episode ♥️
Can you show some pictures if you don't mind
Johnny needs to come and visit you and the car
Would love to see this mate
I flipping love these barn finds, Jonny. You treat an old Orion with the same love and reverence as a laid up Aston Martin, which is so good to see. I’m so glad the channel is going from strength to strength, you deserve it mate.
Thanks Jonny for stepping me
back to 1990, I could not as a 19 year old get insurance on an XR3, so I bought a metallic gold Orion 1.6i Ghia…what an awesome motor, I had to sell it to fund my travels, but this episode bought back some lovely memories, especially that dash!!
It was the joystick speaker control that did It for me, I thought that was the bollocks in 1989.
It was basically the same car just with a boot added. I had the later 1.8 injection Orion, which was also much cheaper to insure despite being identical in performance to the XR3i. And despite what Johnny said about the 90 to 93 model I thought it was a great car it certainly went well.
I had white dials and TSW blades, did you ?
I absolutely love a Ford onion and the back seats are the best hugging seats I've ever sat and shagged in
Hi Jonny,
Lovely to see a Ford Orion once again after all these years.
I had three in my youth, a D reg 1.3L in blue, then an F reg 1.6i Ghia and lastly a gold 1.6i Ghia which had been a previous hire car in Jersey when I bought it from my local Ford dealership.
Brought back some fond memories, thank you
Not sure why i got so emotional after hearing her start for the 1st time in such a long time, I guess i just miss seeing and hearing these cars on the road, from a era that has long disappeared just like my teen years
Same here! These type of cars were everywhere during my (early) youth as well. One becomes increasingly nostalgic as the years progress ;)
"Gate in constant use" sign in front of the garage and it's not moved for 20 years 😂😂
I always read those signs and imagine that it's suggesting someone will be there ceaselessly opening or closing said gate/garage door/etc. over and over... which so far has never turned out to be the case.
if you consider the job of a gate to keep something safely shut away, then it's accurate!
Puked in the back of my uncle's A-reg one when I was about 6. All on the soft pillowy grey velour 😂
"The wood is a little soft"
That's what she said!!😂😂
The manual choke conversion was a Ford recall to remove/bypass the auto choke which was as much use as a chocolate saucepan. The water pipes were joined together with a piece of metal tube and secured with jubilee clips 👍
Well done Jonny another big classic from late 80s saved I am so glad Neil is going to recommission it and get it back on road love it.cant believe how tidy it is after being sat for good 30 years.well done guys 👍🏽
Was a mechanic in the 1980s and had 1 of these in the early 90s, can remember the reg! C667bhw, came to me out of the blue! I live nearby and if I can help with the restoration I would love to come and help. They used to break cambelts for fun.
I can remember the Cambelt snapping on my father's 1988 Escort 1.4 LX back in the day. He'd just come off the motorway, and was entering a busy roundabout in Birmingham when it happened. Scary, to say the least, but we all survived. The car had been serviced by Ford the week before, so someone obviously forgot to check the belt.
Absolutely brilliant. I've just got back from Bangers & Cash Live show in my mk1 Orion Injection Ghia and came across this. Done nearly 300 miles this weekend, and the Orion got loads of attention at the show. They were on every street corner 30 years ago, now they are almost extinct. Well done Jonny, hopefully Neil gets the car and gets it back on the road.
The CVH engine was made in the Ford engine plant in Bridgend, in the 80’s nearly everyone knew someone working in the engine plant and would use their 30% discount to buy new Fords, my sister had three new Orion’s in that era.
Oh my how that has brought back memories of working on cvh engines. I had a xr3 and 2 and 2i and 3i several of them. My mum had an escort 1.6 ghia. Thanks Jonny once again.
Good video love a orion ghia mk1 1.6i GHIA was my favourite I had a black d reg one back in 2000 was rotten as a pear I cut 2 coils of the springs and slammed it!!! Loved that car hopefully this guy buys this and sorts it first thing he needs to do is remove that vv carb [VARIABLE VENTURI] and throw over the nearest hedge !! And replace with a twin choke webber it will totally transform the car thanks jony really hope this guy keeps and sorts it 😊😊
What an absolute belter of an Orion. You just don't see them about any more. I do hope this will get enjoyed by Neil.
I had 2 x 1.6i Ghia models
Caspian blue A481 YTY
Silver C56 XSK
I absolutely loved them,the blue 1 made all my mates jealous,bought it from my Uncle Derek who had it as a company car,it NEVER failed me,key in 1st kick & away I went,god I loved that car
I had a sunburst orange 1.6 Ghia B78 MSM, Absolutely loved that car 👍
Brings back lots of memories. Had the 1.6 Ghia myself, wanted an injection but couldn't quite afford it back then. I even put some red insulation tape over the chrome trim to make it look like an injection! Brilliant video Jonny👍👍
I blew all my money in 1989 on a 1986 injection ghia. At 19 it was an alternative to the XR3i I really wanted.
We never got these down here in NZ. We got a re-bodied Mazda, in the form of the Laser, which was also funny enough, re-badged as an Escort in America
Almost more exciting to see a now rare, ordinary car be saved than an exotic. The UK and Europe got some really interesting Ford models that the States never had. Never even knew this Ford existed.
I had the injection model C363 CUL in black with 15" TSW blades on in the mid 1990's as my 3rd car and loved it. Keep up the great work Jonny.
My old boss had an Orion 1.6 Ghia injection in black. Had it from new. I had a mk3 Escort Ghia, non injection. We used to race each other home on a couple of stretches of road between Bingley and Bradford. One evening, I must have got the gear changes etc spot on, because he just couldn't shake me at all. Fun times! They put loads of speed cameras up on the stretches so put paid to that!
When I decided I’d had enough of buying second hand cars the first new car I bought was a ford Orion, it was a brilliant car , it was so good that when I decided to sell it years later my daughter bought it, never once did it let us down.
Ran an mk3 escort ghia from 2012 till 2020 as a daily which was sat on a driveway for 10 years hardly any rust as it was ziebarted
Best and most reliable car I've ever owned
Loving this video, johnny😊
I love these kinds of videos Johnny, absolutely onto a winner with this series!
It was lovely to speak to you at Bicester yesterday, I appreciate you taking the time to talk to me (Mech engineering student without giving away too much personal info)
Big fan of your presenting style and genuineness :)
Thank you v much for commenting. Glad you enjoy these. Bicester was a blinder
The first car I remember my dad driving was a silver Granada Ghia with the black roof. Bloody loved that car.
6:23 That's a picture of the North American Escort, which looks similar but is a different car that shares hardly any components with the European Escort.
Brings back memories my dad had a 88 1.6 Ghia Orion. Got taken to school in one in the 90's. Although his had pepper pot alloys.
It still surprises me that a car that once sold in tens of thousands, which could be seen everywhere, can almost entirely vanish.
That’s rust for you!
I found and bought a 1989 Orion 1.4 CL in a small county town in the south of Portugal and bough it right away. Original 94K km’s drives beautifully. Interior is perfect. I’ve only changed spark plugs and rusted exhaust. Done about 9K km in the last year with zero problems
Used to see them everywhere as a kid... hopefully he keeps it and gets it going.... you need a section of LBS barnfinds at the festival of the unexceptional
Same.
I used to work for JEWLES OF WATFORD as the valet for all the new cars. This model is one of the beauties I cleaned among many classics.
I love stuff like that. Crazy how some survive.
My grandad had one of these on an F reg. He died in 1996 car was then sold on. Sure it had white wheel cover and blue metallic. The spec of the electric front windows and door mirrors and I’m sure the heated screen made it one hell of a thing to a much younger me to go round in
Genuinely can't remember the last time I saw that style of Orion. Used to see loads of them growing up in the 90's
My apprenticeship was with a local ford garage,Back in 1989 when I left school .. remember the Orion very well such a nice car to drive
I remember when I moved to Northampton in 1993 and Ford Orions were everywhere. I was never a fan at the time, but this was a great find and in excellent condition for the age. I hope it gets restored and put back on the road soon
I had an 88 Orion Ghia inj. Best car I ever owned............I miss it to this day. Seeing this was wonderful
The Variable Venturi carb fitted to the CVH engines had automatic choke which was very temperamental and a lot of owners fitted a manual choke conversion.
Had the same problem 😅
Mine still works fine on my 1985 Scorpio 2.0 Carb 🙂Starts Instantly. They are fun when they run well
Yes, my 1980 1.3GL had the VV carb and we fitted a manual choke kit. It also didn't have the hardened valve seats to run on unleaded so I was stuck with 4 star until I sold it to an ex girlfriend in the late 80s - hope this Orion has had the work done!
Tell you what I'm 44, my dad had a mark 1 fiesta in the 80's. And my first car was a mark 2 fiesta in late 90's. When i heard that ford trying to start and it eventually did, i had water in my eyes. So many memories from that that type of engine. 👍
So happy it’s an Orion was hoping and guessing. My grandparents had one and we had one on the college workshop before I joined the motor trade. 👍🏼 happy times
I bought a new Dagenham made XR3i in 1988. It was badly put together. A guy I knew bought an Orion Ghia and my understanding is that they were all German made and the quality of finish was far better. I exported the XR3 to Germany and recall going into a Ford Garage for body and trim issues and it being surrounded by a load of Germans pointing and shaking their heads.
Brings back fond memories of my 1.6 Ghia injection, also a B reg. Bought it off my Dad's friend with 160,000 motorway miles on it (he was a sales rep) and it ran perfectly till I sold it on. Lovely to see one again!
Amazing job . As a 80s child I remember these being absolutely everywhere.
My dad was a vauxhall lover. But I always lasted after the ford's.
American car guy here. Love the show. On the state side the Ford escorts we got were so lame. Always loved the cosworth,RS, and all other cool cars we never got.
Memories, memories. This was a special episode for me. Had the injection model on a C plate as a company car. Up and down the M1 between Nottingham and Leeds. Replaced by an F plate Cavalier 2.0sri. I knew at the time that I was very lucky to have these cars but it’s reinforced when I see a lovely car like this getting a new lease of life.
My family are from the Ammanford area- there’s a special quality of garage rot that afflicts anything out of door around there. Amazing how good the Orion is - my cousin and I stripped my grandfather’s apparently intact MGB GT - wound up with a pair of half tidy front seats er which we put in the shed…. Lovely to see Mam come out to see her old car - ❤️🏴
Cricky, this brings back a memory or two. I had a 1990 Ford Orion GLSi 1.6 (was pretty much the same CVH engine that I had in my 1985 XR3i). Didn't have it too long and was replaced with a 1990 Vauxhall Astra GTE 2.0 16v. 👍
1983 I did my ford apprenticeship I always wanted an Orion the 1.6 Ghia being the one to have. We did loads of valve stem oil seals on the CVH engine, (Canted Valve Hemispherical) as they used to go hard and burn oil. We even had a special tool made to replace them. Total time warp motor right there. Love it. 👍
Yes I remember that special tool !!!
I had a H reg 1.8 cvh sierra. Beautiful car. Never did find out if that tool would fit the 1.8 to do mine.
People often moan about the cvh but mine was economical,lots of low down torque and did 185,000 before I sold it without having more than basic services.
@@gs425 yea it did all CVH engines. Stopped the valve from dropping into the cylinder. I had a 1.8 sierra sapphire. Loved it
My first brand new car was an ‘87 1.6i Orion Ghia in Mercury Grey metallic, alloy wheels with full manufacturer spoiler pack. It looked absolutely amazing. It drove wonderfully. It had ABS brakes and a fantastic sound system with graphic equaliser. I loved that car. Wish I still had it, although in those days my mileage was quite high so it probably wouldn’t have lasted.
Hi Jonny, great find and video. I have to say most weeks I'm watching with gritted teeth as you churn them over on 20 plus year old cambelts and am so surprised one hasn't let go yet tbh.. Alex.
My Grandparents had one. The car I learnt to drive in. Will never forget that interior colour.
The mark one orion is one my favourite cars especially in ghia form owned a couple back in the day 1.6 l and gl fond memories drove really nice for There time, thanks jonny for bringing this one, great excitement when the first garage door was moved 👍
Wow a non injection Ghia! I had one C152HLG from 3 years old, ex fleet car as couldn’t afford insurance for the injection… lovely memories!
back in the day and all that, my dad had a couple of these. One of them managed to set itself on fire about a week after picking it up brand new. This happened on the road just outside the supplying dealer so Dad parked it right outside the showroom window, threw the keys on the salesman's desk and walked to work without another word.
Great video, anyone born in the 80’s or earlier has fond memories of the Ford Ghia - great video. The chap had to buy/keep the car, it was in mint condition for its age. A beauty!Jonny, keep them coming 👍
Tip for using a round post battery on a Ford. Get a pair of battery terminals with the screws to clamp the cables. Fit them to the round posts then connect the original flat terminals to one of the screws.
Didnt realise that the Orion Ghia had the same wheel trims as fitted to my 1985 mk 1 Sierra 1.8 Laser.
Born 1990 and always loved an Orion as a kid!
Some Barn Finds make me feel particularly nostalgic, and hence, particularly old...! These Orion Ghias were almost like BMW 3 series became years after, The car for the keen young managers and sales reps( when they still existed). That toy hamster probably scared away the mice...
Used to get a lift to school in my mates mums c reg onion, later my mum bought a 2 year old G reg mk4 both were white 1.6 Ghia's. In 1999 after passing my driving test I owned both a red mk3 and then a white mk4, happy days
WOW! Fantastic find Jonny! My dad had the Orion 1.6 injection Ghia, have to say it was a weapon!
Really good on fuel too! Metallic Blue it was! Great Video as usual!👍👏👏👏♥️
Jonny's getting so good with the foam gun that, for a moment I thought I was watching an episode of Ammo NYC.
A cracking find this one. In the 80's and 90's these were regular sightings on the road, possibly 1/4 of the sightings compared to the Escort hatch back. I can't remember when I last saw on on the road in any trim recently. These battled with the Vauxhall/Opel Belmont back in the day. Seeing this one live again brings a whole warm fuzzy feeling back from a time in my miss spelt older youth. Many thanks for sharing.
Another absolute belter from one of my fav channels.
OTOSOT... loving the Scania trousers and belt... you have to tell the story behind them?? 😊
CMTMB....
One of the many family cars I got to use while I was learning to drive was one of these!! At first I thought this was going to be another Escort, all be it an 80's one, but as soon as I saw those back lights I new what is was! Ah the memories!
I had a nice 2nd gen 1.6i Ghia in black. Drove lovely! Much nicer than the equivalent Escort. Happy days.
You were meant to start them with the accelerator to the floor - something to do with the automatic choke
I had one like that in black with 18,000 miles when I was trading, they were a more insurance friendly alternative to the XR3i, we’re always a good seller, colour looks like Nimbus Grey painted it quite a few times
That dash takes me back,awesome find Jonny as always
My dad had a champagne gold one always loved the rear head rests as well
Great barn find again, thanks Jonnny. Another nice little Ford that we didn’t get to see in North America. I guess our closest equivalent would have been the Tempo & Topaz which were also from a modded Escort platform. The green Escort ZX2 brings back memories, my older sister had one from new in the same colour but a lower spec car with wheel covers rather than alloys. It was a good little car for her, she had it about 10 years before moving up to something a bit larger and fancier.
Had a G Reg 1.6i Ghia back in the day. Blydenstein A-Pack head and Jetex exhaust. Made 120bhp on the dyno - it was quick back in the day. Great memories
This was my first car after passing my driving test in about 1986. It was a virtually brand new company lease car. As a 22 years old, I was in heaven. Of course, being a new driver I did nearly bin it a couple of times during a couple in ill-judged "watch this" moments..
I'm from Cardiff and my Dad used to have a 1.6i Ghia when I was younger, C-reg last of the Mk1's.
This brings back some memories.
owned a garage business for many years those fords where good for my work as they had many michanical issues , also good for welders as they rotted like most cars of that period ,amazing some have survived
Great to see. Bought back memories of the one I had back in the day. B429 CVX. Mine was a non metallic blue with the automatic gearbox.
Wow! A Mk.1 Orion, haven't even thought about one of these since the Mk.2 came out, let alone seen one! Loving the 80s synthwave soundtrack, too!
Amazing what a squirt down the carb & just trying it will bring. One can always clean out the system after she fires. Mebe its just too much time working American iron... sometimes the easiest solution is best.
Love you, Johny... thx for sharing your finds🙏🏼
I learned to drive in an 88 orion 1.6i ghia in metallic blue with the cosworth alloys. Great memories
The people and stories in this series are the absolute best. Coupled with your passion for "ordinary" cars makes this one of my favorite car shows. Love it!
This has taken me back watching this video, because I used to work for a car rental company in Croydon and we had the Ford orion on the fleet they were all the 1.6 L version they were very popular with staff and the public evey one really enjoy diving them ...cheers Phil from Newark
Cool to see Neil R on the late brake show! Neil is a genuinely nice guy!
Keep the car in the family Neil, it's a little diamond!
It was lovely to meet you yesterday at Bicester. Thank you for the photo.
God not seen a Ford Orion is years, what a find, be great to see this back on the road. Can you image how many cars like this that are hiding away in garages, barns etc just waiting to be found. I like to hear the stories of how the cars end up being put away & forgotten, then how they are found, find it really interesting.
Got to appreciate a Ghia spec ford.
I love my Ford Focus mk2 2.0 duratec Ghia estate, I might just moth ball it in the garage, cover it in old carpet and old toys, bags of clothes, stack some old hoovers and garden tools up against it and seal it up for 10 years.
I'll be in touch in 2034 Johnny....😊😁⚠️
Awesome, I love it when they need a bit of encouragement to get going, makes it more satisfying when it splutters into life.
I had a Mk2 1.6 Ghia Orion just after I'd passed my test. It was my nans car and she gave it to me to drive around in. Class car, loved it.
A trip down memory lane for everyone! There were so many on the road they were almost ignored… now they are finally getting their moment! Another cracking episode Jonny 🎉
Oh yes Jonny 👏🏻. I had a mk2 1.6i Ghia on a G plate with 17” TSW blades, Peco big bore exhaust and a massive sub box in the boot that probably weighed about the same as having four people in the car 🤣.
doesn’t get anymore 80s a ford ghia model with a moss security alarm on it - these orions were so popular back then love seeing them
My second company car was a black 1.6 Ghia Orion. With alloys. A great little car. It never let me down.
I remember when those orions would get a puncture and wouldn't start after and leave the owners scratching their heads.Becus the fuel shut off switch was in the spare wheel well. Throw the punctured tyre in and boom inertia switch operated.
I had a twink '91 Sierra GLS hatch. Used it for rally marshaling. It also had an inertia switch inside the spare wheel well.
Many times bouncing through rough forest stages the inertia switch would pop, and we'd have to unpack all our camping & marshaling kit to reset the switch. Right PITA.
87 -88 I owned an Orion 1.6 Ghia inection in black, loved it, they made a 1600E version and I nearly bought one of those a couple of years later...
I had one of those 1992 “terrible” Orions. 1.8Si Ghia. Maroon. Previous owner had lowered it, stainless, twin headlight conversion and gold alloys. Looked great I thought. Drove ok. Was a cool car at the time.
I remember when the Ford Orion was released and it had a picture in the local paper, my older brother was working for the paper and got the original photograph and gave me.
Nothing but great memories of the Orion… a dear friend no longer with us had one at 17 and we thought we were the business in it..😢😊
Very enjoyable thank you .Makes me realise how lucky I was to find my 1981 Taunus 2.3 Ghia 2 years ago which is in fabulous original condition !
I had an A’ Reg 1.6i Ghia, Jade green metallic, sunroof, etc. Lovely car. Mine also had the 3 spoke steering wheel and the Mk5 Cortina style headrests. Very nostalgic watching this. 👍
June 1985 my old boss threw me a set of keys and said “here’s your company car” a
B reg Orion 1.6i Ghia 😮 took it out for a spin across Waterloo bridge and hit 70!!! Proper made up until a few weeks later he said the lease is up on the Orion and you got a brand new C reg Sierra 1.8 GL coming next week, I was quite excited tbh, it turned up, was defo more spacious but dog slow compared to the 1.6i ghia and had a proper thirst for fuel, it’s only redeeming feature was going sideways around wet roundabouts! Put 40k on it that first year, then got a promotion and a New SRi Cavalier which was much quicker a nicer to drive….
Ah the memories 👊😎