Magenta Rwd Sapph Restoration
15-01-2013, 06:18 PM
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Magenta Rwd Sapph Restoration
Hey guys, i'm AJ and i'm new to the forum. Just bought myself a 1990 rwd sapphire cosworth in need of a bit of TLC to get her back to her former glory. I've never done a restoration before and i'm a bit of a novice but fortunately i've entrusted the help of a good mate who just so happens to be a time served Ford technician and he will be keeping me right ( I hope )!! It will cost me a few beers i'm sure. Ok so here's what I know...
The Car as I said is a 1990 rwd sapphire in Magenta red with 3 previous owners and just under 82k on the clock with a folder full of history and everything would seem to point to it being a genuine example. It has been dry stored for the last 4 years as the previous owner ( a colleague from work ) had the intentions of doing a restoration but hadn't managed to get round to it due to family commitments.
After getting the car home and giving it a closer inspection it was needing a couple of things straight from the word go... a new battery was purchased breathing new life into her and is now starting and stopping with no issues at all. The near side front brake caliper was sticking so we set about freeing it off. As we removed the wheel we were greeted with a broken coil spring aswell so that was another thing onto the shopping list. After getting some air in the tyres I was able to take the car for a short run round the block to ensure everything was in order and am happy to report that it seems nice and lively. On return we found that the power steering pipe was leaking right at the bend which i'm told is relatively common so another add to the list.
Here are some pics i took after I gave it a much needed wash!
The Car as I said is a 1990 rwd sapphire in Magenta red with 3 previous owners and just under 82k on the clock with a folder full of history and everything would seem to point to it being a genuine example. It has been dry stored for the last 4 years as the previous owner ( a colleague from work ) had the intentions of doing a restoration but hadn't managed to get round to it due to family commitments.
After getting the car home and giving it a closer inspection it was needing a couple of things straight from the word go... a new battery was purchased breathing new life into her and is now starting and stopping with no issues at all. The near side front brake caliper was sticking so we set about freeing it off. As we removed the wheel we were greeted with a broken coil spring aswell so that was another thing onto the shopping list. After getting some air in the tyres I was able to take the car for a short run round the block to ensure everything was in order and am happy to report that it seems nice and lively. On return we found that the power steering pipe was leaking right at the bend which i'm told is relatively common so another add to the list.
Here are some pics i took after I gave it a much needed wash!
15-01-2013, 06:29 PM
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Cheers bud, yeah i'm hoping with time it will be a minter... Meeting with the local bodyshop this week to get an action plan together as bodywork is something i want to be done right and as i've not much experience in that department i thought it best left to the professionals! But i'm hoping to do a as much of the prep work as i can! 
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15-01-2013, 08:05 PM
#8
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Best of luck with it mate.
16-01-2013, 10:08 PM
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Nice base for a resto
But if you can afford it get the body shop to do as much prep as you can afford as a good finish depends on a good prep job
looking forward to the updates as a do love a nice magenta saff
Oh and welcome to passionford
David
But if you can afford it get the body shop to do as much prep as you can afford as a good finish depends on a good prep job
looking forward to the updates as a do love a nice magenta saff
Oh and welcome to passionford
David
17-01-2013, 12:58 AM
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Nice car and good base as mentioned above.
Only thing that is a shame is someone put that alarm thing on the dash, i've had it on a few cars I have bought before and really is annoying as it ruins the dash screwing it down.
Only thing that is a shame is someone put that alarm thing on the dash, i've had it on a few cars I have bought before and really is annoying as it ruins the dash screwing it down.
22-01-2013, 04:57 PM
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Cheers for the positive feedback guys, Haven't had much of a chance to get on here recently but heres a quick update so far...
I spoke with the bodyshop and the long and short of it is the car appears to be in better nick than I expected, It will need two front doors replaced, two repairs to the front wings where the bumber mounts (wings are original and in good solid condition apart from these areas), drivers side rear wheel arch needs replacing then will be painted both sides including the boot floor and acouple of other small areas to tidy up but all in all not too bad, his words not mine!
I should also clarify that I wont be prepping the bodywork itself more the labour side of things i.e removing the bumpers and interior prior to it going into the bodyshop which is now looking like late February as that is the soonest they can accomodate it!
I now have a small shopping list of parts to find and I think I've managed to track down the majority of the stuff already but i'm curently stuck offshore at work so there wont be much progress now for a couple of weeks. I have taken some pics of the 'bad bits' and will upload them when i get a chance so you can see a visual!
Cheers for now
I spoke with the bodyshop and the long and short of it is the car appears to be in better nick than I expected, It will need two front doors replaced, two repairs to the front wings where the bumber mounts (wings are original and in good solid condition apart from these areas), drivers side rear wheel arch needs replacing then will be painted both sides including the boot floor and acouple of other small areas to tidy up but all in all not too bad, his words not mine!
I should also clarify that I wont be prepping the bodywork itself more the labour side of things i.e removing the bumpers and interior prior to it going into the bodyshop which is now looking like late February as that is the soonest they can accomodate it!
I now have a small shopping list of parts to find and I think I've managed to track down the majority of the stuff already but i'm curently stuck offshore at work so there wont be much progress now for a couple of weeks. I have taken some pics of the 'bad bits' and will upload them when i get a chance so you can see a visual!
Cheers for now
25-01-2013, 08:09 AM
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Cheers guys, am lookinig forward to the finished product but still a long way to go! Right, as promised here are some pics of the worse affected areas....
Front wing drivers side, wing is original and generally solid but the area behind and surrounding the bumper mounting has a bit of rot, the bodyshop think its not too bad and will be easy to repair instead of disturbing the original welding but i'm sure we will get a better idea when bumper is off and car is on the ramp...
Drivers side rear arch and into sill?? This will definately require cutting out and replacing, also notice damage o the sideskirt, looks like the result of a poorly positioned jack at some point!
Bootlid - Is actually solid but thers is a bit of rust running along the lip. You will notice the push button and lock have been removed, this was due to both being seized. A trip in to my local ford dealer was on order here to raid the spares bin and we managed to free off the button and replace the tumblers for good measure but I will be leaving it off untill the bodywork has been done!
The boot floor - After removing the boot liner, spare wheel etc for a proper inspection of the boot pan we were pleasantly surprised that there are no signs of any previous damage and again seems solid apart from a small hole approx the size of a 2p coin in the offside rear corner. The rust you see in the spare wheel well is more just surface marks and dust of the jack and spare wheel which I have yet to give a good clean!
Near side front coil spring - Not so easy to spot as the car has been lowered but as I mentioned before the spring is broken, need to get a set ordered up, any ideas on which brand to use? It is fitted with a Bilstein kit all round so was thinking on sticking with Bilstein??
Thats all the pics I have for now as im back offshore, the car is now tucked up in the garage as there is a lot of snow at home so I will get stuck in once I get home!
Front wing drivers side, wing is original and generally solid but the area behind and surrounding the bumper mounting has a bit of rot, the bodyshop think its not too bad and will be easy to repair instead of disturbing the original welding but i'm sure we will get a better idea when bumper is off and car is on the ramp...
Drivers side rear arch and into sill?? This will definately require cutting out and replacing, also notice damage o the sideskirt, looks like the result of a poorly positioned jack at some point!
Bootlid - Is actually solid but thers is a bit of rust running along the lip. You will notice the push button and lock have been removed, this was due to both being seized. A trip in to my local ford dealer was on order here to raid the spares bin and we managed to free off the button and replace the tumblers for good measure but I will be leaving it off untill the bodywork has been done!
The boot floor - After removing the boot liner, spare wheel etc for a proper inspection of the boot pan we were pleasantly surprised that there are no signs of any previous damage and again seems solid apart from a small hole approx the size of a 2p coin in the offside rear corner. The rust you see in the spare wheel well is more just surface marks and dust of the jack and spare wheel which I have yet to give a good clean!
Near side front coil spring - Not so easy to spot as the car has been lowered but as I mentioned before the spring is broken, need to get a set ordered up, any ideas on which brand to use? It is fitted with a Bilstein kit all round so was thinking on sticking with Bilstein??
Thats all the pics I have for now as im back offshore, the car is now tucked up in the garage as there is a lot of snow at home so I will get stuck in once I get home!
25-01-2013, 10:52 AM
#19
Good base to start with mate, won't take much to get that grot sorted. Personally i would go for coilovers but thats personal preference, depends what your going to use it for? fast rd, trak or just a daily? Keep with the Bilstens for daily or go koni. Keeping my eye on this as its a lovely colour 
26-01-2013, 09:18 AM
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Cheers Tim, Plan is to make it a long term keeper for fair weather days etc, not gonna be a daily driver or track day machine so probably fast road would fit the bill!! I've possibly got the chance of a set of used Koni's so may take them depending on condition... or will just replace the Bilstein springs with new ones!
27-01-2013, 10:03 AM
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Cheers Glen, gotta admit Magenta is one of my fav Cossie colours, followed by white and Moonstone!
Small update I guess, I've been in contact with a guy who lives close by that rally's 2 Sierra's and turns out he has an Aladdins cave full of goodies so here's what i've managed to throw in to the deal - at a very fair price I may add...
1 x Front Passenger Door in very good condition (Already have new Drivers side as it came with the car)
1 x Set of Morette Twin Headlights
1 x 4 Spoke RS Steering Wheel
1 x Set of Genuine Cossie Sideskirts
These are all pending collection but I am ensured everything is in the best of shape and I will upload some pics when I get home!
Small update I guess, I've been in contact with a guy who lives close by that rally's 2 Sierra's and turns out he has an Aladdins cave full of goodies so here's what i've managed to throw in to the deal - at a very fair price I may add...
1 x Front Passenger Door in very good condition (Already have new Drivers side as it came with the car)
1 x Set of Morette Twin Headlights
1 x 4 Spoke RS Steering Wheel
1 x Set of Genuine Cossie Sideskirts
These are all pending collection but I am ensured everything is in the best of shape and I will upload some pics when I get home!
Last edited by ajhm; 27-01-2013 at 10:05 AM.
27-01-2013, 01:17 PM
#24
looking promising.
have you thought of using the late type boot lock? apparently if you hit the early type with a hammer it will unlock, whether locked or unlocked. just a thought for security.
have you thought of using the late type boot lock? apparently if you hit the early type with a hammer it will unlock, whether locked or unlocked. just a thought for security.
28-01-2013, 11:53 AM
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It will be a while before the car goes anywhere near the road so for the meantime it's garaged 24/7 under lock and key. I wasn't aware of that issue but sounds like definately something to consider... can't say i'm entirely surprised though as when we took the lock apart it looked like you could get past it without too much effort! 
27-02-2013, 12:17 PM
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Hi guys, haven't been able to get on here much recently as the GF is 8 months pregnant so a bit quiet on the Cossie front at the mo...
However I do have a bit of an update to share so here goes...
Got the new passenger door I was needing so this will go along with the new drivers door I have as the originals have gone at the bottom
Picked up a set of twin headlights also, not sure about these tbh! I bought them thinking they were genuine Morrettes as that's what the seller said they were but on further inspection I now beleive they may be replica's or another manufacturer? Any thoughts guys?
I decided to go ahead and rub them down and carry out a few repairs at the same time, they are now repaired and primed but i'm afraid I don't have any other pics at the mo as i'm back offshore!!
Here is the 4-spoke RS wheel I got, no idea which model this would of come from originally? As you can see from the pic it could really do with a bit of a refurb due to sun exposure I suspect, any suggestions on what best to use? Some sort of leather dye perhaps? The metal could also do with a paint so I think I'll have a go with a rattle can at some point!
And last but not least an ebay bargain! A GGR carbon triple gauge mount with GGR Boost gauge, not sure yet whether to just use the gauge and not bother with the carbon or whether to try and track down some GGR gauges of the same era but I cant seem to find any on their website or ebay!
Well thats about it for now, spoke to the bodyshop whilst I was at home and they are hoping to take the car in mid to late March now, seems an age away but I'm sure it will come round soon enough! The missus due date is mid March so i may have to take some time out to brush up on my parenting skills
Chow for Now
However I do have a bit of an update to share so here goes...
Got the new passenger door I was needing so this will go along with the new drivers door I have as the originals have gone at the bottom
Picked up a set of twin headlights also, not sure about these tbh! I bought them thinking they were genuine Morrettes as that's what the seller said they were but on further inspection I now beleive they may be replica's or another manufacturer? Any thoughts guys?
I decided to go ahead and rub them down and carry out a few repairs at the same time, they are now repaired and primed but i'm afraid I don't have any other pics at the mo as i'm back offshore!!
Here is the 4-spoke RS wheel I got, no idea which model this would of come from originally? As you can see from the pic it could really do with a bit of a refurb due to sun exposure I suspect, any suggestions on what best to use? Some sort of leather dye perhaps? The metal could also do with a paint so I think I'll have a go with a rattle can at some point!
And last but not least an ebay bargain! A GGR carbon triple gauge mount with GGR Boost gauge, not sure yet whether to just use the gauge and not bother with the carbon or whether to try and track down some GGR gauges of the same era but I cant seem to find any on their website or ebay!
Well thats about it for now, spoke to the bodyshop whilst I was at home and they are hoping to take the car in mid to late March now, seems an age away but I'm sure it will come round soon enough! The missus due date is mid March so i may have to take some time out to brush up on my parenting skills
Chow for Now
09-03-2013, 04:19 PM
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Nice project there mate
Look forward to the progress
Look forward to the progress
18-06-2013, 03:16 PM
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Hi folks, sorry for the delay in updates been busy with the missus giving birth and the whole new baby thing! 
Not much to post at the moment apart from the car is now in the bodyshop still in the preparation stages, I've been in contact with the guy carrying out the work and he's going to send me some pics to show progress so hopefully have them soon and I will get them up!
Not much to post at the moment apart from the car is now in the bodyshop still in the preparation stages, I've been in contact with the guy carrying out the work and he's going to send me some pics to show progress so hopefully have them soon and I will get them up!
18-06-2013, 07:58 PM
#31
Congrats on becoming a Dad mate 
Looks like a great little project for you ! , Id dearly love a saph cossie myself but funds just simply wont allow at present
, I love reading about people restoring them on here , and this will be another one saved ...., top Job !
Looks like a great little project for you ! , Id dearly love a saph cossie myself but funds just simply wont allow at present
, I love reading about people restoring them on here , and this will be another one saved ...., top Job !
14-07-2013, 12:07 PM
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Colour will look well nice once its all sprayed and buffed up. I couldnt tell if the lights are replicas or not. May just be the lamps have been replaced or summit!?
01-08-2013, 02:39 PM
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Thanks for the comments guys, getting used to the parenting thing now and the lack of time to get any jobs done, haha!!
As promised i'm back with an update and some pics, better late than never as they say!
So, the car is still in the bodyshop and the progress is slow going due to their workload.... but, their has been progress!!
Here she is in her current state, the front bumper has been removed to carry out repairs to both wings around the bumper mounting brackets.
The sideskirts were removed to have a better look at the floor and sills, here are the findings
Nasty hole / dodgy repair on the passenger foot well...
So they proceeded to cut out the worst parts and are currently waiting on some sheet metal to continue the repairs...
So next on the agenda will be fitting new rear quarters which we managed to source along with 2 rear doors which i also managed to get hold off so when the car is prepped and ready for paint it will all be solid and rust free... or at least that's the plan! I will now have to sit back and wait patiently for the bodyshop to work their magic as now i have supplied all that they need! So untill the next update, laters!!
As promised i'm back with an update and some pics, better late than never as they say!
So, the car is still in the bodyshop and the progress is slow going due to their workload.... but, their has been progress!!
Here she is in her current state, the front bumper has been removed to carry out repairs to both wings around the bumper mounting brackets.
The sideskirts were removed to have a better look at the floor and sills, here are the findings
Nasty hole / dodgy repair on the passenger foot well...
So they proceeded to cut out the worst parts and are currently waiting on some sheet metal to continue the repairs...
So next on the agenda will be fitting new rear quarters which we managed to source along with 2 rear doors which i also managed to get hold off so when the car is prepped and ready for paint it will all be solid and rust free... or at least that's the plan!
I will now have to sit back and wait patiently for the bodyshop to work their magic as now i have supplied all that they need! So untill the next update, laters!!
