Junkyard Gems: 1990 Ford Escort GT 1.9 HO

"-Amateur" (amateur) 01/30/2019 at 22:36 • Filed to: None

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Who needs a fancy car museum where the cars are pristine and desired...The junkyard museum is my go to where I gawk at cars living out their golden years being harvested. Today’s spotlight falls on a 1990 Ford Escort GT.

The Escort came into the world, touted as self-proclaimed “world car.” It was supposed to be a one stop shop for American and European buyers alike with a simple no frills, lightweight aerodynamic car with a level of sophistication not traditionally seen in its class; 4 wheel independent suspension and a hemi combustion chamber engine head design to name a few.

The Escort’s engine is harsh and noisy and HP was par for the course at the time. HP ranged from 65-80 is NA 1.6L suit. A turbo variant exist in 1984-85 which brought those rookie numbers up to 12ohp.

This junkyard spec had a later bored out 1.9L naturally aspirated high output engine which put out 110hp. Such a simple no frills engine bay on these things.

This one was very clean for being 29 years old. A very handsome car and a real treat to see in a sea of Dodge Neons that usually litter this yard.

Wrapped in 15" alloys with worn out Pirelli tires.

The interior has seen better days, that doesn’t take away from its charm though.

95,341 miles on the odometer.

GT with manual gearbox for the business.

80's to early 90's was a weird time with all sorts of electronic gauges on cars.

The glovebox is a bloody time machine.

Huge fan of the headrest design. The normal side bolster rips that I know all too well from GM cars of the 90s.

Such a cool car from a time long gone. Thanks for joining me on celebrating a car no longer loved with a most certain fate to the crusher. I’m sure it brought a smile to it’s many drivers in life, it sure brought a smile to me.

smobgirl > -Amateur 01/30/2019 at 22:47

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My college roommate had one in teal. Between the car and the shit Walmart tires she put on it, she got stuck at the bottom of hills every time it snowed (which was thankfully pretty rare in Nashville).

Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo > -Amateur 01/30/2019 at 22:48

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Good stuff.  I do not understand my sudden hard on for econoboxes but...

Tristan > -Amateur 01/30/2019 at 22:53

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I owned 3 of these. One even ran sporadically. It ate the clutch twice in a two week period and had lots of structural rot, so it died at the hand of an ice scraper jammed between the seat and gas pedal. The 1.9 HO ran for a good 15 minutes at just below the rev limiter before spitting hot chunks of metal everywhere. These cars used to be everywhere and I've always wanted to find a properly nice example. You just never see them now.

lone_liberal > -Amateur 01/30/2019 at 22:58

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I’m guessing that odometer has rolled over at least once which is pretty impressive for an Escort.

-Amateur > Tristan 01/30/2019 at 23:12

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When I was a kid I remember my neighbor down the street had an Escort GT and a red Toyota Celica always parked in her driveway out front that I’d see every day I went to school. 10 yr old me thought those two where the coolest things in the world. I get the feeling E scorts of this vintage were troublesome judging by your experiences!

-Amateur > smobgirl 01/30/2019 at 23:14

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It builds character!

-Amateur > lone_liberal 01/30/2019 at 23:18

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I’m stunned that it doesn’t have 6 figures for the odometer as a readout. It’s like they didn’t expect them to last that long...

Tristan > -Amateur 01/30/2019 at 23:18

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I bought two of them from a junkyard and the third for $100. They weren't bad cars, I just bought really shitty examples because I was young and had more ambition than skill and money.

-Amateur > Tristan 01/30/2019 at 23:32

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I hear ya, those are the fun ones! It’s like Pandora’s box with those buys...I’ve bought some real sketchy cars that would some how last me years without skipping a beat...while others would leave me stranded twice a week like clockwork with a new issue. fun times.

Future Heap Owner > -Amateur 01/30/2019 at 23:44

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Oh cool, I’ve never seen a gauge like that before (my truck does have something kinda similar for the 4x4 status). Thanks for sharing

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > -Amateur 01/31/2019 at 00:00

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Back then the fast model of your favorite car had 120 HP and we liked it and motor trend raved about it.

lone_liberal > -Amateur 01/31/2019 at 00:07

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Ah, the old days.  I was probably on my fourth or fifth car before I had one with a six digit odometer.

smobgirl > -Amateur 01/31/2019 at 00:07

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Whoops, wrong post!

It built a lot of me refusing to go rescue her since I had a Corolla of the same age. Enjoy your walk, I’ll make some coffee!

vondon302 > -Amateur 01/31/2019 at 07:46

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Cute but crap. I had 2 of these. B etween the rust eating the strut mounts and that crappy buzzy four I'd take any dodge Neon over one of these.

Gidges > -Amateur 01/31/2019 at 15:03

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I also  regularly visit a junkyard close to me to get parts for my own cars, but I always take some detours to find hidden gems like that Escort, which is gorgeous, yet sad at the same time. Makes me think of this Escort Mk3 I once found on the junkyard museum:

-Amateur > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever 02/01/2019 at 00:50

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Let’s never forget that time Motor Trend named a ‘97 Chevy Malibu the car of the year!