D8 on an X ?

[plod]

With the sierras again, the mk1 went up to a D before the mk2 came in

However a number of mk 1's were kept back and then tuned by a company IIRC called Merker as a 2.0l turbo on 'F' plates (think they were XR4i shells)

[Welly]

There's still something kinda cool about a Sierra Saffire Cosworth in standard form but now it would be mega-rare to find a genuine one that Bazza hadn't 'improved'

I grew up with Sierra's in my first job and regularly drove the things all over the place (literally all over the place). The 1.6LX was a wheezy hatefull thing. When the new F/G reg Cavaliers came out with the 2.0 8-valve everyone seemed to drop the Sierra pronto.

[Blue406]

I saw an ebay auction for a brand new D9 Silver Saloon in 2007 or 2008 I think it was.
The dealer also offered an explanation as to why it was new and unregistered; It had been ordered by a customer as an Estate in 2003. When the saloon turned up at the dealer, the customer understandibly refused to take ownership. It was then locked away in air conditioned storage while legal wranglings went on.
Once legal matters had been satisfied, the car was released for re-sale.

So, some one out there is running around in a 07 to 58 plate 406! Went for £8000 or so if I remember correctly.

[sirwiggum]

With the sierras again, the mk1 went up to a D before the mk2 came in

However a number of mk 1's were kept back and then tuned by a company IIRC called Merker as a 2.0l turbo on 'F' plates (think they were XR4i shells)

If it is who you are referring to - the company is called "Merkur".

It was set up as part of the Ford Motor Company to sell XR4is and Ford Granadas as XR4Tis and Scorpios to the United States.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merkur

Could understand why there would be a lot of XR4 bodyshells left over, they weren't a huge seller as the US was not ready for what seemed such a small car for a premium price.

[STALLED]

Reminds me of the stash of Renault Laguna's here they couldn't shift...

Australia got a load imported in 2002/03 - thing was, very few people bought them and they just sat in dealerships/airfields gathering dust and grime. Still in 2006, you could buy a 2002 model car, brand new! Thing was, as much as it had done 0km in 4 years - they were still due for a new set of belts, as they are done on 4 year intervals.

Cars are registered on compliance plates here - A plate is attached to the car, stipulating that it adheres to the Australian Design Rules and is usually dated prior to registration. My car is January 97 built, but was not complied until June 97 - So that meant there was a period of it being stuck on the docks somewhere in France, on a boat en route to Australia and then in the dealers yard (where it was sold as a demonstrator)...the numberplates do not reflect the age of the car!

[lofty]

I worked for a Skoda dealer between 2001 - 2004, the felicia model finished approx on x reg (2000), however in 2003 a transporter turned up with 5 of the buggers on which had all been "found" somewhere!!!

Because they had run out of type approval, we had to get each car SVA tested at the DVLA in Kidderminster before they could be registered.

We sold them all really quickly, but god help the customers when they come to p/x as no trade price guide will recognise them being so far out of year.

[sirwiggum]

The Felicias were cracking wee cars. Basic engines put together by VW trained workers in a body that looked like an updated Volvo 340.

Learnt to drive in one. Despite no power steering it was a nice car to learn in.

Tempted by one now as a runaround instead of the temperamental HDi.

There are the stories of the Bulgarian Maestro kits that were sent back to England and built in a wee garage. And the CityRovers from India stuck in a dock because no-one could claim them.

When I had a 1994 Clio, in Scotland I used to be amazed at 'M' (1995) registered Renault 5s.

[swiss]

Spotted: D9 estate on a T plate, going east on the M27 between Southampton and Pompey

[Welly]

Spotted: D9 estate on a T plate, going east on the M27 between Southampton and Pompey

The D9's started life as T platers Swissy, I had one myself.

Go to the back of the class now and think about what you've done.

[no2lurch]

seeing cars on plates too old for them is common - private or cherished plates that have been transferred is the most common explanation.

with regards to cars with plates that are too late, its simple... the dealers would be issued a number of cars to sell. they would not register them till they were sold. therefore if they didnt sell, they wouldn't get a plate. thats why there are a few f and g reg capris in existance even though they stopped at 3 reg. there is even a k reg capri in a museum somewhere. there was a garage a few years ago selling a cortina - 56 miles, never registered. when sold it would have been issued a new 54 plate i think it was.

[turbolag]

Speaking of odd D8's, a guy with a real life D8 on a 99/V turned up on another forum recently, and it's HDi powered too. I was sceptical, but he posted up some picks and it's deffo a D8 with a 110 HDi motor. T'was late registred in the Isle of man or something.

I advised him to pop in here for some advice and to show off the rare beastie.

[steve_earwig]

Do you mean this guy?

[turbolag]

That's him Wiggy. Glad he made it here safe, and glad you boys lived up to the billing I gave and are already wading in to help the man out. Nice work all round