Trip to Oxford to view possible FREE cougars

I wish I'd seen this earlier, I was in Wantage!

Unfortunately I have a hugely unexciting family 'do' on Sunday, which I must attend on pain of a probable kneecapping.(n)
 
UPDATE:

I just had a long phone chat with Kevin. I will fill in a few more details later but the short story is, these cougars are 5 of many owned by the same person and there is a perfectly good explanation as to why these cars need to go. The two frosties are at the same location (Ardington) the other three are at Shooters Hill on the Thames.
I asked Kevin to email some more details which he has done and i have pasted below in blue.
Kevin has suggested that rather than us rushing off down there tomorrow (short notice) he is going to get to the site later tomorrow and take the keys for all cars and take loads of photos so that we have a much better idea of what we might be getting into. He does appreciate that we don't want to be taking heaps of scrap off his hands. This gives us time to make arrangements for next weekend to then go down there to see them for ourselves and consider the options.

Btw, Kevin did mention that one of the Ebony ones is a zetec and from our discussion i'm guessing it's the V reg one.
Next Saturday ok for everybody?

Here is the email from Kevin:

Hello Alan,

Further to our phone conversation the Ford cougar cars are as follows:

S226 XPU Silver Zetec IL4 engine,
V295 NKM Silver Duratec v6 engine damage to boot.

These two will be free to whoever can collect them, and are located at Ardington in Oxfordshire.

T81 HTR Black Duratec V6 engine, c/w spioler and momo alloy wheels
V791 GEV Black Duratec V6
X557 BUX Silver, Duratec V6, and is garaged

The above 3 cars are not urgently requiring a new home, and will require a fair offer to secure them, particularly the last one which is garaged.

All the best,
Kevin.
 
I've done a bit of research and the location of the two frosties:

1) A417 Reading Road, pass the pub on the right "The Hare inn"
2) Continue on and turn left at the crossroads.
3) Turn left at the fork in the road.
4) Follow the road round to the right until you pass the junction then look for the house immediately on the right. with cars around it.

This address is a neighbour but will get you within a few yards of the cougars.
5 Jubilee Cottages, Ardington, Wantage OX12 8PY


...and from google:

map.JPGCapture.JPGbehind hedge.JPG
 

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Some re-registering been going on?
Pid_16V said:
...Btw, Kevin did mention that one of the Ebony ones is a zetec and from our discussion i'm guessing it's the V reg one
...
S226 XPU Silver Zetec IL4 engine,
Click to expand...
Fordetis said:
Cougar 1998-2000, 2.5L Duratec EFI (170PS), Silver Frost
VIN Number: WF0HT61L3X5209801
Registration Number: S226XPU
First Registration Date:
Registration Country: GB
Primary Features
Build Date: 09.11.1998
Vehicle Line: Cougar 1998-2000
Body Style: 3 Door Coupe
Version: Series 30
Engine: 2.5L Duratec EFI (170PS)
Transmission: 4-Speed Automatic - CD4E
Drive: RHD FWD
Air Conditioning: Automatic Air Conditioning
Territory: (+)"GB"
Paint: Silver Frost
Interior Fabric: Interior Environment
Click to expand...
Pid_16V said:
V295 NKM Silver Duratec v6 engine damage to boot.
Click to expand...
Fordetis said:
Cougar 1998-2000, 2.0L Zetec-E EFI (HC), Silver Frost
VIN Number: WF0HT60TXY5300454
Registration Number: V295NKM
First Registration Date: 25.01.2000
Registration Country: GB
Primary Features
Build Date: 10.11.1999
Vehicle Line: Cougar 1998-2000
Body Style: 3 Door Coupe
Version: Series 20
Engine: 2.0L Zetec-E EFI (HC)
Transmission: 5-Speed Manual Trans - MTX75
Drive: RHD FWD
Air Conditioning: Automatic Air Conditioning
Territory: (+)"GB"
Paint: Silver Frost
Interior Fabric: Interior Environment

NavPanelArrowCloseDown-18x18.gif
Minor Features

  • Flatrock Assembly Plant - USA
  • With Door Entry Remote Control Unit
  • With Side Air Bag - Drivers Side
  • With Side Air Bag - Passenger Side
  • 6.5 X 16" 6 Spoke Alloy Wheel
  • 4 Wheel Anti-Lock Braking System
  • Less CD Player
  • 6000CD RDS EON
  • With Illuminated Entry
Click to expand...
Pid_16V said:
These two will be free to whoever can collect them, and are located at Ardington in Oxfordshire.

T81 HTR Black Duratec V6 engine, c/w spioler and momo alloy wheels
V791 GEV Black Duratec V6
Click to expand...
Fordetis said:
* Illustration shows model only
Cougar 1998-2000, 2.5L Duratec EFI (170PS), Ebony Black
VIN Number: WF0HT61L3X5253541
Registration Number: V791GEV
First Registration Date: 27.09.1999
Registration Country: GB
Primary Features
Build Date: 29.07.1999
Vehicle Line: Cougar 1998-2000
Body Style: 3 Door Coupe
Version: Series 30
Engine: 2.5L Duratec EFI (170PS)
Transmission: 4-Speed Automatic - CD4E
Drive: RHD FWD
Air Conditioning: Automatic Air Conditioning
Territory: (+)"GB"
Paint: Ebony Black
Interior Fabric: Leather
Click to expand...
Pid_16V said:
X557 BUX Silver, Duratec V6, and is garaged...
Click to expand...
X557 BUX and T81 HTR not on FordEtis under those registrations or removed from DVLA database (scrapped).
Edit: T81HTR is on DVLA MOT expired April:
DVLA-GOVUK said:
  • Vehicle make:FORD
  • Date of first registration:June 1999
  • Year of manufacture:1999
  • Cylinder capacity (cc):2544 cc
  • CO₂Emissions:Not available
  • Fuel type:PETROL
  • Export marker:No
  • Vehicle status:Not taxed
  • Vehicle colour:BLACK
Click to expand...
 
Last edited:
Ok chaps, get your teeth round this lot and have fun. I'll paste the email i received from Kevin, followed by the acompanying photos he provided today.
=====================

After a site visit today, I have the following information:

The exact location address is: The Bungalow, Ardington, Wantage, Oxfordshire, OX12 8PY


Now to the cars:


V295 NKM (although it says V6 on the boot it is in fact a 2.0L Zetec engine under the bonnet).


Tyres were all flat (with the exception of a space saver tyre on the NSR) but I do believe they would hold air if blown up with a compressor. The flat tyre that the space saver replaced is in the boot of the other ford cougar car.


As soon as I put a battery on it the alarm went off, hence I could turn the car over on the key, but it would not start ( I suspect this is connected with the damage to the tailgate).


All hubcaps were missing and the discs were seriously corroded (it had the front discs replaced for it's last MOT). This is a 5 speed manual and has done 151,000 miles, with the exception of the tailgate damage this car body work wise is VGC, I couldn't see under the car, but I am guessing the condition is reasonable.
The last MOT certificate for this car expired March 2013, hence the 4 years of standing would tally with the corrosion visible on the brake discs.


The tailgate has been unbolted from its hinges and is just lying in place, almost as if someone was changing the damaged tailgate, and stopped 1/2 way through. Due to this I suspect that water will have got inside the car, but it looked remarkably dry, so I suspect that it has gotten deep into the fabric of the upholstery.


S226 XPU V6 Duratec engine.


Missing one hub cap, missing NS wing mirror, damage to rear bumper (could be repaired), tyres flat but would blow up. The keys that were supposed to fit this car did not, hence I could not attempt to start it. And the steering lock is on (but steering is set straight ahead, so could be pulled straight up onto a trailer. The drivers door has a dent in it which I photographed. generally the body work on this one is not so good, but its still not rusty, also the bonnet has some serious lacquer peeling starting to take place.
Due to its position this would be the first to go.


In both cases these cars are not drivable, and will need a trailer to be able to collect them.

In both cases whoever collects them will need a screw in towing eye to pull them onto a trailer, as these are not with either of the cars.

Due to the corrosion on the discs, it may require the disc pads removing prior to moving these cars, hence whoever collects these cars will need to bring the appropriate tools, together with some hedge cutting equipment, to aid in extracting these cars.



To aid identify which photos belong to which car I have labelled them either Zetec or Duratec.


Ideally I would be looking for something to start happening with these cars next weekend.


Let me know what arrangements you can put in place at your earliest convenience.


All the best,


Kevin.



PS: The other 3 cars are V6 Duratec engines, and one of the cars outside V791 GEV last MOT expired May 2016, and I was able to start this one. With the exception of the one in the garage I also have more photos of these cars as well, and we can talk about these once the two from Ardington are re-homed.


DURATEC:
Duratec.jpgDuratec1.jpgDuratec2.jpgDuratec3.jpgDuratec4.jpgDuratec5.jpgDuratec6.jpg


ZETEC:
Zetec.jpgZetec1.jpgZetec2.jpgZetec3.jpgZetec4.jpgZetec5.jpgZetec6.jpg


Now! If there's any possibility at all, i am more than willing to get that zetec up to Pid towers either to fix it or break it, whichever is feasable and all being well i can get down there next weekend.
 
Although I could access a trailer (free) and a tow vehicle ($fuel) I'm very much afraid all next weekend is no-go for me.
 
Yep, I'll be there, but can only do Saturday. T wants to come with, so you'll have an extra set of hands. We can bring shears and a hedge trimmer too.


Sad to say, that VGC is going to be rotten; sat around for at least 3 years in long grass...? Still, we'll see.
 
backseateducation said:
Im off all next weekend mate no plans so more than willing to assist.
Click to expand...

(y)

nvingo said:
Although I could access a trailer (free) and a tow vehicle ($fuel) I'm very much afraid all next weekend is no-go for me.
Click to expand...

Thanks Norman, this may still be needed then. (y)

Mako said:
Yep, I'll be there, but can only do Saturday. T wants to come with, so you'll have an extra set of hands. We can bring shears and a hedge trimmer too.


Sad to say, that VGC is going to be rotten; sat around for at least 3 years in long grass...? Still, we'll see.
Click to expand...

(y) Totally agree regarding the rottage prospects but we will see hence i will bring another trolley jack, rechargable hedge trimmer and strimmer jik, oh and anybody got a spider gun? :(
I think we all agree that if the floor pans drop out we won't be moving anything :)

backseateducation said:
I can do saturday, can bring the two stroke hedge cutter etc :)
Click to expand...

...even better (y)

I will also be contacting Kevin again re the other three cougars. It would be silly to go all that way to not at least see them for reference.
 
Pid_16V said:
I think we all agree that if the floor pans drop out we won't be moving anything :)
Click to expand...

I have to be honest here: These cats are going home on a trailer, but unless they've been horribly abused and neglected, they're not going to fall apart. The floor pans can be Swiss cheese, but the rails will hold them together. They'll get trailered home and do whatever duty they can for us.

We should be thankful for just the opportunity to rescue parts that will save us in the long run!
 
No problem mate. Any excuse to get the power tools out. It has a 12 foot reach so any spiders should have scarpered before we get too close:LOL:

- - - Updated - - -

I could make use of that flooring too:LOL:
 
I've had the OK to store one of these, should the need arise.
It would be in one of our redundant farm buildings, under a roof and on a concrete floor.
If the intention was to strip it, it could be done in situ as long as it was a quick job.
 
Quicksilver said:
If the intention was to strip it, it could be done in situ as long as it was a quick job.
Click to expand...

You did see what we did to that one of Wil Leaper's, right...? :LOL:

The problem would then be storage of parts, though there's a handful that I would very much like to take out of your way...
 
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