Andy Blake and his Black XR3i

When Helen and I first saw this car on the garage forecourt, we knew we had to have it. It was completely standard, with a full service history and it was the right colour 'Black'. Two weeks later and we had raised the funds and she was ours. Well for a while she remained standard. Then we decided to have all the badges, rubber strips and bumper inserts removed. This started the modifying bug. Since then we have had four different sets of wheels fitted. As the rear arches had started to blister these were replaced, we also decided to remove the door locks and rear wiper before she was given a full respray. Mirror surrounds, door handles and the rear spoiler were all colour coded and all finished in the original black. The front end has been up in the air with all the drive and suspension part removed, stripped and painted in blue or black Smoothrite, this also included the gear box. Then all was put back together again with new bush's, clutch kit and an O/S wheel bearing. That just leaves the rear to be stripped painted and replaced. We've also fitted a new cam kit, and recently a full stainless exhaust system has been fitted. We must be mad! Still it's worth it. Since we joined the XROC we have had a lot of fun. We love showing our car and we have made some good friends in the process. We would recommend it to anyone.

Engine Standard 1600 CVH Efi with a 57I induction kit

Transmission Black diamond clutch, standard box painted black

Wheels MK5 XR3I alloys

Brakes standard

Suspension Spax front and back with a 60mm drop

Exhaust Full stainless long life system

Body Colour coded handles, mirrors and spoilers, delocked.

Clear indicator lens's, smoked side repeaters and rear tail lights.

Mk6 Ford Badges Interior Standard except for silver dials

ICE Panasonic head unit, Kenwood Amp, Alpine comfonatt speakers, Jenson Turbine Bass

Security YES (Cat 1)