Author | Lightnews

Chloe Anastasia Phillips @vhschloe.bsky.social · 22h

Chris that is a stunning car! Can't wait to see this one in the flesh. Congrats! 🎉

Chloe Anastasia Phillips @vhschloe.bsky.social · 23h

I was astounded how good the paint looks underneath the chalky grime! You also need to try that trim restore gel on the dash, as that's also very UV-damaged grey. Of course, our usual seat restoration will also follow, and hopefully a carpet jet wash if we ever exit this water shortage!

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Reposted by Chloe Anastasia Phillips

Sammie Payne @retrosammie.bsky.social · 23h

While Chloe was looking at electrics, I thought I’d do some cleaning. Inside looked a lot better after a vacuum and a clean. Outside was huge change. Bumpers look to have some life left and paint! Can’t wait to polish properly after seeing this test patch!

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Chloe Anastasia Phillips @vhschloe.bsky.social · 1d

Unfortunately we had a casualty: 2006RDS; which now even lights up with only memory attached so that's had some kind of major failure inside. It's not the right generation for Felix, so will add it to the spares pile and fit my Panasonic instead, with a proper adaptor so no cutting original loom!

Ford 2006 RDS in an unresponsive state, with only the backlight showing.

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Chloe Anastasia Phillips @vhschloe.bsky.social · 1d

Some work on Felix yesterday. It was actually quite bitterly cold! But I have got electrical things working much better after cleaning up earth poinds behind the dash and replacing some bulbs. Hoping to sort more electrical stuff tomorrow. But the potential MOT failures are decreasing!

'Felix' 1990 Ford Fiesta viewed from the back with working tail lights a and numberplate light.

'Felix' 1990 Ford Fiesta during a dash disassembly.

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Chloe Anastasia Phillips @vhschloe.bsky.social · 1d

Felix says hello to a fellow G-plater friend! 🙂

Felix 1990 Ford Fiesta 1.1L (Popular Plus)

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Chloe Anastasia Phillips @vhschloe.bsky.social · 1d

Thank you @rsme.nl for sending me this little Hella light a while ago! I've recently added a warm white LED to it to keep it's original look, but allow me to use it as a work light for many hours connected to a car battery. 🙂

Yes I will keep the box too! I always do.

#weirdcarbs

Hella 2XM 001 975-001 magnetic light attached to the battery tray and shining light into the engine bay of Felix, the 1990 Ford Fiesta 1.1L.

The box for Hella 2XM 001 975-001 magnetic light.

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Chloe Anastasia Phillips @vhschloe.bsky.social · 2d

Aww this is lovely! Congrats! 🎉🥳

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Chloe Anastasia Phillips @vhschloe.bsky.social · 2d

Hope you feel better soon! Sending best wishes. 🫂

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Chloe Anastasia Phillips @vhschloe.bsky.social · 2d

We both might, but there are less than 100 cars left, so unfortunately many others did not. 😥

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Chloe Anastasia Phillips @vhschloe.bsky.social · 2d

I think it helps if your rare car is desirable, which is not something the Montegos have going for them, unfortunately! Even the presence of the Turbo doesn't seem to have helped. Maestros did /somewhat/ better, but they were made until 2001!

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Chloe Anastasia Phillips @vhschloe.bsky.social · 2d

Mk3 (AKA Vectra A) was a Cavalier that wowed me as a kid. Sure, I liked the earlier cars, but the Mk3 felt like a proper car with really good refinement, and pretty hardy as well. Very comfy, too. Definitely comfier than anything after in my opinion.

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Chloe Anastasia Phillips @vhschloe.bsky.social · 2d

Shame about your Astra as I really like that generation and had considered several over the years.

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Chloe Anastasia Phillips @vhschloe.bsky.social · 2d

At least one of my favourite Vauxhall cars (MK3 Cavalier) seems fairly well sorted (at least for panels) but who knows what earlier Cavs are like. My other love is Senator, that's probably even worse.

Not the first time I've heard about Vectra B parts issues. That is very much persistent.

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Chloe Anastasia Phillips @vhschloe.bsky.social · 2d

I have as much experience with Fords of that era as I do the Rovers (as eras of both were very cheap in the 2000s when I was kid) so it would allow me to experience more cars of my childhood, but actually keep them going without waiting for parts for months (or even years!!) and spending a fortune..

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Chloe Anastasia Phillips @vhschloe.bsky.social · 2d

It helps there are PLENTY of Fords from the 80s and 90s that I like, that do not break the bank to buy, like this Fiesta. I just previously hadn't realised how incredibly well supported they are for parts. But it makes sense as one of the UK's best selling brands. Really made me re-think.

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Chloe Anastasia Phillips @vhschloe.bsky.social · 2d

Noah I make an exception for because I have a stockpile of 1.6 bits thanks to Clifford's sacrifice, and because Noah was a car I really wanted for years. I'm not sure about Ralph, though. Think I may move that car on at some point. Might then replace with an era appropriate Ford like an Escort.

Myself sat in Noah the 1987 Austin Montego 1.6HL saloon.

'Ralph' 1989 Austin Montego 2L SL automatic estate.

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Chloe Anastasia Phillips @vhschloe.bsky.social · 2d

Merle is of course another example. I literally have two sill and arch panels waiting for when he needs them. And they weren't really that expensive at all! As we need to tighten finances, there is a lot to be said about having cars that can be fixed without paying "Only I have this part" prices...

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Chloe Anastasia Phillips @vhschloe.bsky.social · 2d

I'm making my new years resolution early this year. To stop buying cars where I cannot get the majority of the parts. Felix is the beginning of that as you can so much for these little nuggets! Fords of this era are so well taken care of with parts.

Might be time to start a 80s/90s Ford fleet...

Chloe Anastasia Phillips @vhschloe.bsky.social · 5d

I love how much love Felix has had everywhere he's been posted. I haven't forgotten about making a video, don't worry! But I may actually wait until I've made a bit of progress on some of the problems (including diagnosis) to help make the video worth it.

But I am very excited!

#weirdcarbs

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Chloe Anastasia Phillips @vhschloe.bsky.social · 3d

Wow they must be rich to be able to afford the K9 Ownership Tax of 1000 Euro Dollars per dog, per month.

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Chloe Anastasia Phillips @vhschloe.bsky.social · 4d

Since I now have access to 8 track equipment, I need to find this tape! I can always hear 'Soothe Me' clearly in my head whenever I see this screenshot.

'The best of Sam & Dave' playing on 8 track tape in the Bluesmobile in the original Blues Brothers film. The head unit is placed haphazardly in the dash; missing the front panel so is bare metal with just the dials and buttons.

The Sam & Dave song playing in this scene is 'Soothe Me'

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Chloe Anastasia Phillips @vhschloe.bsky.social · 4d

Stop scrolling and post two characters who bring you happiness.

GIFs you can hear, along with the entire fantastic soundtrack. Has been one of my favourite movies since first watching my mum's original VHS tape as a kid in the 2000s. We still have it! I should digitise it one day to preserve it.

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Chloe Anastasia Phillips @vhschloe.bsky.social · 4d

Thank you! We're all about that here as I'm in a community of lovely folks who all love doing the same! That MG looks lovely! 🥰 I know all about MG Rovers being an unhealthy obsession! 😅 We've had a few here. But they are great fun when they're working!

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Chloe Anastasia Phillips @vhschloe.bsky.social · 5d

I love how much love Felix has had everywhere he's been posted. I haven't forgotten about making a video, don't worry! But I may actually wait until I've made a bit of progress on some of the problems (including diagnosis) to help make the video worth it.

But I am very excited!

#weirdcarbs

Felix the 1990 Ford Fiesta 1.1L (Popular Plus) viewed from the front and the side.

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Chloe Anastasia Phillips @vhschloe.bsky.social · 5d

I miss when brands did the cool little artworks to go with their promotional material. They always look like they had so much fun designing and laying it out. It feels more special than just pictures.

1990 ABI brochure feature on the MK II Jubilee series.

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