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June 10, 2011 8:53 p.m. nicksta43 Reader

I somehow got into a conversation with a coworker about fwd vs. rwd in the snow and we were arguing the pros and cons of our chosen layout when he completely came out of left field on me with an oddball comment.

He said that he would not even go out in the snow back when he had his '89 Escort because it was to dangerous because it was RWD!!!

I've heard some dumb stuff from him before like how Toyota only has a v8 in their trucks because when G.M. came out with the ls motors they sold the copyrights for the original sbc to Toyota

Now, I usually just let him run off at the mouth but today I had to challenge his statement, cue four hours of me saying in 1989 the escort was fwd and him coming back with, he had it for three years, changed the clutch in it and knows it's rwd because the drive train went back to a pumpkin and then to the rear wheels

It started getting pretty loud and then ended with him conceding that the escort was built by ford with fwd in 1989 and me conceding " yes I guess it's possible that someone converted it to rwd, or you had a mustang, or a ranger" He was adamant that it was an Escort "pony" however.

Now though I am doubting myself and am wondering what the chances are that this dude actually had an '89 Escort "pony" that was a four cylinder with a carb, drivers side mirror only and was either converted by someone or came from the factory with rwd and he only paid $800 for it.
June 10, 2011 9:05 p.m. Per Schroeder Technical Editor/Advertising Director

There was Hyundai Pony that was RWD, with a carbed four. ??. Otherwise, yea, the 80s Escorts were all FWD here.
June 10, 2011 9:11 p.m. Zomby woof SuperDork

Per Schroeder wrote:

There was Hyundai Pony that was RWD, with a carbed four. ??.

84-87 Canada only.
June 10, 2011 9:13 p.m. nicksta43 Reader

Per Schroeder wrote:

There was Hyundai Pony that was RWD, with a carbed four. ??. Otherwise, yea, the 80s Escorts were all FWD here.

Hyundai Pony you say......never mind Zomby shot that one down.
June 10, 2011 9:32 p.m. jrw1621 SuperDork

My guess is that he has Escort (the small Ford) confused with Pinto (the earlier small Ford.)
June 10, 2011 9:56 p.m. 92CelicaHalfTrac SuperDork

There was no 89 Escort Pony anyways. I believe that was a year 91 model only.
June 10, 2011 10:08 p.m. Ranger50 HalfDork

Drugs are bad, mmmmkay?
June 10, 2011 10:17 p.m. BoostedBrandon Reader

That's not the first time I've heard the SBC Toyota comment. I guess if it's a 5.7 is HAS to be a 350, even the Hemi is the same, just hemi heads

I come into this E36 M3 all the time working at a parts store, I facepalm constantly.
June 10, 2011 11:27 p.m. SVreX SuperDork

You spent 4 hours of your life on that?

When I was a little younger I used to think I could make progress in conversations like that. I've learned you can't fix stupid.

I no longer try. I'm much better off.
June 10, 2011 11:56 p.m. egnorant Dork

I would have looked at him shocked and asked if he knew where it was.....

Then made up some story about how only 5 were made as factory cars to be used as Deegan racers, however a fire on the transport destroyed 3 and the remaining 2 were auctioned. 1 was raced in the 89 season until it was sold to a collector for $40,000 in 1996 after a spectacular career.

Everyone has been looking for the remaining one for years!!

Ask him what color his was and if it was a 2 door or 4 door. Whatever he replies tell him that it was some other color or body style. Be sad and bemoan that the hunt for your personal holy grail continues.

Sometimes they even change their story because they remembered that it WAS a 4 door and it WAS kinda gold color under the trunk mat......

Tell him that ANY info can bring hundreds of dollars...A license receipt can be $300, a picture of it on the road is $100 and there is a $3000 finders fee!

Takes about 5 minutes...they shut up and sometimes they freak out and try to find the car or proof that they owned it. Fightin' fire with fire!
June 11, 2011 7:08 a.m. ZOO SuperDork

egnorant wrote:

I would have looked at him shocked and asked if he knew where it was.....

Then made up some story about how only 5 were made as factory cars to be used as Deegan racers, however a fire on the transport destroyed 3 and the remaining 2 were auctioned. 1 was raced in the 89 season until it was sold to a collector for $40,000 in 1996 after a spectacular career.

Everyone has been looking for the remaining one for years!!

Ask him what color his was and if it was a 2 door or 4 door. Whatever he replies tell him that it was some other color or body style. Be sad and bemoan that the hunt for your personal holy grail continues.

Sometimes they even change their story because they remembered that it WAS a 4 door and it WAS kinda gold color under the trunk mat......

Tell him that ANY info can bring hundreds of dollars...A license receipt can be $300, a picture of it on the road is $100 and there is a $3000 finders fee!

Takes about 5 minutes...they shut up and sometimes they freak out and try to find the car or proof that they owned it. Fightin' fire with fire!

A plan so cunning . . .
June 11, 2011 7:37 a.m. Datsun1500 Dork

92CelicaHalfTrac wrote:

There was no 89 Escort Pony anyways. I believe that was a year 91 model only.

I bought one new in 89. It was the base model. 4speed manual, no power steering, no a/c. It was fwd though.

There were 3 trim levels in 89. Pony, LX, and GT
June 11, 2011 8:51 a.m. 92CelicaHalfTrac SuperDork

Datsun1500 wrote:

92CelicaHalfTrac wrote:

There was no 89 Escort Pony anyways. I believe that was a year 91 model only.

I bought one new in 89. It was the base model. 4speed manual, no power steering, no a/c. It was fwd though.

There were 3 trim levels in 89. Pony, LX, and GT

Welp, learn something new every day!
June 11, 2011 8:51 a.m. 92CelicaHalfTrac SuperDork

Datsun1500 wrote:

92CelicaHalfTrac wrote:

There was no 89 Escort Pony anyways. I believe that was a year 91 model only.

I bought one new in 89. It was the base model. 4speed manual, no power steering, no a/c. It was fwd though.

There were 3 trim levels in 89. Pony, LX, and GT

Welp, learn something new every day!
June 11, 2011 9:55 a.m. egnorant Dork

Yup, Pony designation ran from 1986 till 1991. I know the 91s had a badge that says PONY on the fender, but I could not tell you if the earlier ones actually had anything that said PONY.

Pinto and Mustang II had PONY models that were advertised as good gas mileage cars and had some engineering for gas mileage, but the main feature was that they were stripped of all the comfy bits like AC, power steering, sound deadening, passenger mirror, cheaper interior panels...included smaller brakes, manual windows.

Odd things like no rear window defroster or power windows and mirror, but had all the wiring for these.

I own 2 91s that came with AC being shipped to Texas I guess, but were sold with no radio or speaker.

My Dad got me hooked on the Base model cars.
June 11, 2011 10:03 a.m. Datsun1500 Dork

89 had a sticker on the fender that said pony. Mine had rear defrost and a digital AM radio.

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