Twenty years ago last Saturday I saw her for the first time. Pristine white skin gleaming in the summer sun without a wrinkle or crease to be seen. On our first outing she purred like a kitten with only the odd squeal and bellow when I pressed the right buttons. Since that day we've been inseperable. She moved with me to Brisbane, and back again to Adelaide and numerous other excursions along the way. She sat idly by, completely unconcerned, while I swanned around Europe for a year. There have been a few others but she always welcomed me back whenever I felt the need. She's never been with another and never will be as long as I breath. I've gotten a little creaky and ragged over time but, loyally, she waits in her glass fortress, looking as good, if not better than that day so many years ago when I first caught a glimpse of her. Oh, and yeah, she's insured with Shannons. Probably the most original pic I could find from January 1988. For some reason I never took pics (film camera's only back then !) the day I got her. You can just make out Calais skirts which were optioned but later removed due to the paint falling off all the time. Also came with blue pinstriping which came off the first day. Also January 1988 after I got back from a little run out to Woomera and showing just how crap the original paint on Formula pack spoilers was. I stripped it off and it's been black ever since. April 1988 showing the ROH mags ordered and the second try they had at side skirts. The Calais badges were all the rage back then too (Oh, the shame). 1990 and still getting around the country Also 1990 on the same trip on the way back from Cooktown FNQ November 1991 and 133,000km's and time for a repaint after some goose in an old Cortina slammed up my rear November 1991 and all back together again. She's still wearing this paint today so you get what you pay for in a paint job. 2004 and pretty much as she was driven for most of her life 2005 and after a lot of dirty km's this is what your engine will look like without ever cleaning it And what happens when you do clean it As she is now...Original exhaust, turbo hubcaps and tail lights/garnish all going back to stock soon. Interior hasn't been touched except for a front seat retrim. Even the steering wheel dates to November 1989 and is still hanging in there. The console sunglass tray and high-rise armrest were an optional kit and I put that in in October 1990. Calais boot carpet which has been in there since 1991 Updated 19/1/11....23 years ago now. Turbo hubcaps, original exhaust and dealer sticker fitted Original steering wheel refitted. It's been sitting in a bag for 21 years. Some original photos have not been recovered yet.

That's awesome. How many kms have you done over those years in it?

hahhahaah i love these love storys...its touching

lollll that was great

i just cryed..

oh cmon craig, she deserves more than that one pic! Get one up of the engine bay at least

yer take it off lol she look stunning

She won't take it off unless you offer her a tip.......... All I can say to you Craig is that you are old.

Quote: Originally Posted by NZ EVLHSV That's awesome. How many kms have you done over those years in it? Just rolled over 285,000km's, but half of those were done between 1987 and 1993. The last 5000 has taken 3 years to do. I'll get some more pics up tonight. She's a bit shy (They're in the other computer). Most you would have seen them before as nothing much has changed in the last few years.

you havent signed that contract

Its mint And Craig, im 9 months older than your car. Hope you feel good about that Some original photos have not been recovered yet.

Thats is wicked. I wish I could say the same about my car......but then again, I wouldn't want to be old enough to have that! Some original photos have not been recovered yet.

lol, great little tale there Craig. u should become a writer lol. Time flies ay. Would love to see more pics Some original photos have not been recovered yet.

Cool, reminds me of the ford escort I have in the shed behind my garage 1972 vintage, might see if I can jam an RB30 into it Some original photos have not been recovered yet.

So you got the bumpers painted white as an extra?

lol good story

It also says front spoiler, sideskirts and mags?? More pics! 1 owner is crazy.

would be good to see some more pics.. looks very clean.. i like the grey bumpers and mouldings though imo

Quote: Originally Posted by giantbrandon you havent signed that contract I know. Don't know what happened there. Quote: Originally Posted by Blink Its mint And Craig, im 9 months older than your car. Hope you feel good about that ...and I was feeling so young and spritely this morning. Quote: Originally Posted by 5spdvl Thats is wicked. I wish I could say the same about my car......but then again, I wouldn't want to be old enough to have that! Ah yeah, but I lived through the original eighties....Err, then again, it's not really something to brag about I suppose. It was a pretty daggy era all round. Quote: Originally Posted by da_s_man So you got the bumpers painted white as an extra? Yeah, it was sort of a half a Formula Pack thing, which was done at the dealers. If you look closely at the invoice it also says "Paint out windows". Thanks for the comments everyone. New pics up which explain it's life a little better. Being 22 at the time I bought it I'm still surprised it survived as stock as it did. You should have seen the crook body mods that where happening in the eighties ! Some original photos have not been recovered yet.

top story an great piks mate well done