Restorations, Rebuilds & Projects. Restoring her to Concourse? Just getting her running again? Or got a mad project? This is your room.

Mk1 Escort Restoration.

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 05-10-2014, 08:35 AM
  #1  
Lee Reynolds
Professional Waffler
Thread Starter
 
Lee Reynolds's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2003
Location: south yorkshire
Posts: 25,712
Received 127 Likes on 97 Posts
Default Mk1 Escort Restoration.

As some of you ay know I've been into Ford's now for a long time. Had alsorts from RS turbos to Escort cosworths but over recent years favouring the older models. I've had a few RS1600i's, one being the black almost concours one I restored a few years ago and was detailed on here. In that time, however, there was a persistent itch that I had to scratch - owing a proper old skool car. I have never owned a car older than the mk3 escort so it would be new ground for me. Looked at quite a few Mk1 and Mk2 escorts and eventually settled on the one I have now. I have been restoring this now for just gone 2 years. My intention was to build it to a complete finished spec with a 2.1 pinto on twin carbs and all adjustable suspension etc but I have decided to lower the spec for now just to get it back on the road, then it will become a rolling project.

I have updated a couple of threads about the car on seriesoneturbo and rallyesportescorts site but for some reason never thought to put it on here!

So, here it is. Nothing special shell wise just an early shell that was in good condition with not that much to do just the usual sills, spare wheel and tank wells, front wings and front panel, door bottoms etc.

Here are some pics.

This is how she looked when I got her. RS2000 rep. Decent seats but other than that not much worth salvaging.


Name:  IMG-20121019-00096.jpg
Views: 1226
Size:  116.3 KB

Name:  IMG-20121019-00098.jpg
Views: 1064
Size:  117.8 KB

Name:  IMG-20121019-00099.jpg
Views: 1040
Size:  119.4 KB

Name:  IMG-20121019-00100.jpg
Views: 1053
Size:  125.2 KB

Name:  interior.jpg
Views: 1004
Size:  107.2 KB[/QUOTE]


Here's a few pics of the metalwork being done

Name:  IMG-20121111-00163.jpg
Views: 999
Size:  85.5 KB

Name:  IMG-20121111-00165.jpg
Views: 1047
Size:  84.4 KB

Name:  IMG-20121125-00189.jpg
Views: 982
Size:  91.9 KB

Name:  IMG-20130120-00228_zps7c6bd70f.jpg
Views: 1034
Size:  87.9 KB

Name:  IMG-20130120-00230_zps0f074e65.jpg
Views: 986
Size:  74.3 KB

Name:  P1010034_zps46f78477.jpg
Views: 984
Size:  103.3 KB

Name:  IMG-20130316-00271_zpsc67cf26c.jpg
Views: 1050
Size:  46.7 KB

Name:  IMG-20130316-00270_zpsf8260489.jpg
Views: 1061
Size:  57.4 KB

Name:  IMG-20130316-00273_zpsf0d8705b.jpg
Views: 1026
Size:  39.0 KB



Name:  IMG-20130325-00299_zpsa3bc2bdd.jpg
Views: 959
Size:  44.4 KB

Name:  IMG-20130325-00300_zps97a6d60b.jpg
Views: 986
Size:  50.7 KB

Name:  IMG-20130414-00337_zps128f2d58.jpg
Views: 1113
Size:  52.7 KB
Old 05-10-2014, 08:42 AM
  #2  
Lee Reynolds
Professional Waffler
Thread Starter
 
Lee Reynolds's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2003
Location: south yorkshire
Posts: 25,712
Received 127 Likes on 97 Posts
Default

Underside then got a few coats of gravitex and the arches and wing backs i did with 3M sprayable sealer

Name:  IMG-20130615-00386_zpsf5a9437a.jpg
Views: 981
Size:  31.1 KB

Name:  IMG-20130615-00389_zps527b3b6d.jpg
Views: 984
Size:  41.9 KB



Name:  IMG-20130615-00392_zps6683b1c5.jpg
Views: 938
Size:  53.1 KB

Name:  IMG-20130615-00394_zps35b263a4.jpg
Views: 971
Size:  42.9 KB

Name:  IMG-20130819-00437_zps774f00da.jpg
Views: 1006
Size:  32.5 KB



Then some colour

Name:  P1010168_zps534c229d.jpg
Views: 1018
Size:  52.0 KB

Name:  P1010166_zps52a6fcdc.jpg
Views: 1026
Size:  47.9 KB

Name:  P1010172_zps4e883741.jpg
Views: 987
Size:  46.5 KB

Name:  P1010167_zpsad0e4fcd.jpg
Views: 956
Size:  42.2 KB

Name:  P1010165_zps7df5c323.jpg
Views: 976
Size:  40.0 KB

Back off the spit for the front end to go on



Name:  9006_zpsf2ec1dce.jpg
Views: 977
Size:  47.3 KB

Name:  9007_zps476c2051.jpg
Views: 961
Size:  42.9 KB

Name:  9009_zpsa7b87041.jpg
Views: 944
Size:  45.1 KB
Old 05-10-2014, 08:46 AM
  #3  
andy.v
PassionFord Regular
 
andy.v's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: middlesbrough
Posts: 482
Received 36 Likes on 32 Posts
Default

looks good, be watching this
Old 05-10-2014, 08:49 AM
  #4  
Lee Reynolds
Professional Waffler
Thread Starter
 
Lee Reynolds's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2003
Location: south yorkshire
Posts: 25,712
Received 127 Likes on 97 Posts
Default

Then I started to get it ready to go to my mates for painting

Name:  Picture003_zps82fae775.jpg
Views: 980
Size:  53.7 KB

Front wings, NEW, needed a load of work!

Name:  IMG_0362_zpse7887de8.jpg
Views: 986
Size:  55.3 KB

Name:  IMG_0363_zps6ee0f97a.jpg
Views: 1007
Size:  51.7 KB

Then it went to paintshop

Name:  paint001_zpsc5577f91.jpg
Views: 974
Size:  42.4 KB



The car was fully bare metalled, spray filled, blocked, high build primed, blocked, then primed, 4 coats of colour and 4 coats of laquer. Finish is amazing.





Name:  paint022_zps370459d2.jpg
Views: 970
Size:  62.1 KB

Name:  paint002_zpsfaf56528.jpg
Views: 1028
Size:  52.6 KB

Name:  paint003_zpsadd4c6cc.jpg
Views: 954
Size:  41.7 KB

Name:  paint006_zps2792dcc1.jpg
Views: 951
Size:  62.0 KB

Name:  paint007_zpscbf7d3fb.jpg
Views: 951
Size:  53.0 KB

Name:  paint008_zpscb4393c5.jpg
Views: 989
Size:  75.2 KB

Name:  paint011_zps608fe795.jpg
Views: 967
Size:  38.1 KB

Old 05-10-2014, 08:51 AM
  #5  
Lee Reynolds
Professional Waffler
Thread Starter
 
Lee Reynolds's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2003
Location: south yorkshire
Posts: 25,712
Received 127 Likes on 97 Posts
Default

Now shes home

Name:  photo2_zpsd37b0994.jpg
Views: 1042
Size:  98.4 KB

I did the satin blacking, then I fully waxoyled the cavities etc and basically she has sat like this now for a few months while I'm refurbing suspension parts etc.

Name:  P1010222_zpsb18cc67a.jpg
Views: 994
Size:  57.8 KB

Name:  P1010225_zpsccece772.jpg
Views: 992
Size:  44.8 KB

Name:  P1010226_zpsc4e0ffff.jpg
Views: 951
Size:  50.6 KB

Should be an update soon as the rear axle and suspension is about done
Old 05-10-2014, 08:52 AM
  #6  
andy.v
PassionFord Regular
 
andy.v's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: middlesbrough
Posts: 482
Received 36 Likes on 32 Posts
Default

wow very nice.
Old 05-10-2014, 09:07 AM
  #7  
Mark V8
PassionFord Post Whore!!
iTrader: (2)
 
Mark V8's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Essex
Posts: 4,096
Received 166 Likes on 145 Posts
Default

You made that look far too easy !

How long did it take to get this far?

Looks fantastic BTW
Old 05-10-2014, 09:12 AM
  #8  
Ade500
Fixing Fords
iTrader: (1)
 
Ade500's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Watford
Posts: 1,257
Received 11 Likes on 11 Posts
Default

Fantastic job so far and great choice of colour
Old 05-10-2014, 09:13 AM
  #9  
Lee Reynolds
Professional Waffler
Thread Starter
 
Lee Reynolds's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2003
Location: south yorkshire
Posts: 25,712
Received 127 Likes on 97 Posts
Default

Thanks Lads. As said in first post it's taken exactly 2 years to get to where it is now. I bought it this time two years ago A little more work gone into the shell than the pics show I just copied some of the main ones over from my other threads. Back arches been done and small sections of the floor etc.
Old 05-10-2014, 05:20 PM
  #10  
Lee Reynolds
Professional Waffler
Thread Starter
 
Lee Reynolds's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2003
Location: south yorkshire
Posts: 25,712
Received 127 Likes on 97 Posts
Default

Not spent a great deal of time on it recently but at the same time it's been a lot of work cleaning this lot up and painting it all. Just a coat of rust undercoat and a few coats of satin black. No powdercoating or anything its no bufty mobile
It was the leaf springs that took the longest. I separated them all, de rusted them, reassembled them with a smear of high pressure grease between the leaves, prepped them and painted them!

Name:  suspension001_zps9c5b4c1f.jpg
Views: 1010
Size:  143.6 KB

and all bolted back on with new Super Pro poly bushes

Name:  suspension002_zpse77fb6b5.jpg
Views: 975
Size:  118.8 KB

Name:  suspension003_zpsde883823.jpg
Views: 1061
Size:  61.6 KB
Old 05-10-2014, 06:17 PM
  #11  
jason_nike
PassionFord Post Whore!!
 
jason_nike's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: East Sussex
Posts: 3,833
Received 98 Likes on 92 Posts
Default

Fantastic to see.
Coming along great
Old 05-10-2014, 09:42 PM
  #12  
MrCapriScort
Old Fords Never Die
 
MrCapriScort's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Up North
Posts: 946
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Default

Lovely colour, great resto so far
Old 05-10-2014, 09:46 PM
  #13  
zetecbeast
Under the car...!
 
zetecbeast's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Sheffield
Posts: 614
Received 7 Likes on 7 Posts
Default

Awesome.
Looks like a nice paintjob.... who's your mate?!! Wheres he based
Old 05-10-2014, 09:53 PM
  #14  
paul rs1700t
Regular Contributor
 
paul rs1700t's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: west yorkshire
Posts: 225
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default

Looks great Lee,been following your build progress on the other forums
Old 06-10-2014, 04:31 AM
  #15  
NobbyClark
Too many posts.. I need a life!!
 
NobbyClark's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Essex
Posts: 808
Received 82 Likes on 80 Posts
Default

Great project and I love the colour!
Old 06-10-2014, 05:35 AM
  #16  
AJC
10K+ Poster!!

iTrader: (6)
 
AJC's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Preston, Lancs
Posts: 13,366
Received 83 Likes on 73 Posts
Default

Very nice Lee
Old 06-10-2014, 06:09 AM
  #17  
Brian
10K+ Poster!!
iTrader: (2)
 
Brian's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Essex
Posts: 11,239
Received 11 Likes on 11 Posts
Default

Looks stunning


Brian
Old 06-10-2014, 08:14 AM
  #18  
Lee Reynolds
Professional Waffler
Thread Starter
 
Lee Reynolds's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2003
Location: south yorkshire
Posts: 25,712
Received 127 Likes on 97 Posts
Default

Cheers lads I'm happy how it's going even though I would like to have specced it up straight away but I really want it on the road for next summer ! Times flying!
Old 06-10-2014, 11:01 AM
  #19  
BigErn
PassionFord Post Whore!!
 
BigErn's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Sunderland
Posts: 7,445
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
Default

Time certainly does fly mate. Ive had my Mk2 for over 2 years now and its not much further on than yours tbh. Id like to see mine out next year too but we'll see. Keep it up mate
Old 06-10-2014, 12:26 PM
  #20  
Lee Reynolds
Professional Waffler
Thread Starter
 
Lee Reynolds's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2003
Location: south yorkshire
Posts: 25,712
Received 127 Likes on 97 Posts
Default

Cheers Ern. Is there a thread on yours?
Old 08-10-2014, 07:22 PM
  #21  
Rab
Fucking superstar........
 
Rab's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Argyll.... It's lonely...
Posts: 13,240
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Stunning Lee, just stunning. Going by your RS16i and S2 this will be first rate!
Old 08-10-2014, 09:40 PM
  #22  
BigErn
PassionFord Post Whore!!
 
BigErn's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Sunderland
Posts: 7,445
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
Default

I started one on Turbosport mate but not on here, been very lax with updates on there too tbh.
Old 08-10-2014, 10:01 PM
  #23  
Lee Reynolds
Professional Waffler
Thread Starter
 
Lee Reynolds's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2003
Location: south yorkshire
Posts: 25,712
Received 127 Likes on 97 Posts
Default

Cheers Rab

Yeah Ern it can be a bit laborious uploading the photos and posting em but sometimes I find enthusiasm from the replies
Old 07-02-2015, 12:40 PM
  #24  
Lee Reynolds
Professional Waffler
Thread Starter
 
Lee Reynolds's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2003
Location: south yorkshire
Posts: 25,712
Received 127 Likes on 97 Posts
Default

Overdue update. Cars almost done. Waiting on a few bits so I can finish interior. Can't finish it till my handles come back from chromers as I need to fit those before the door cards etc. Ready to attempt starting, just waiting for starter motor which I am collecting Monday. Fingers crossed.

New headlining, what a ball ache that was!

Name:  photo21_zps15a43ad5.jpg
Views: 1050
Size:  40.0 KB

Refurbished rear shelf and rear quarter cards. Cards already had speaker holes, so fitted new speakers as I will want some tunes in the car even though the twin carbs will sound nice That rear shelf was absolutely knackered! You would not believe what I refurbed it with!

Name:  photo20_zps8af65a2d.jpg
Views: 951
Size:  43.8 KB




Name:  photo19_zps08cb1d30.jpg
Views: 1011
Size:  61.1 KB

Name:  photo17_zpsa3e467a4.jpg
Views: 986
Size:  55.6 KB

Name:  photo18_zps2cc56c79.jpg
Views: 1030
Size:  61.1 KB

Will get some better picture soon, the camera on the iphone 4 is crap! Waiting for a new charger for my main camera!
Old 07-02-2015, 03:23 PM
  #25  
sridgett
The only way is dagenham
 
sridgett's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: France
Posts: 1,927
Received 57 Likes on 56 Posts
Default

Very nice car dude!
Old 07-02-2015, 03:44 PM
  #26  
andy.v
PassionFord Regular
 
andy.v's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: middlesbrough
Posts: 482
Received 36 Likes on 32 Posts
Default

very very nice.
Old 07-02-2015, 03:46 PM
  #27  
stevos
Advanced PassionFord User
 
stevos's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: BONNY SCOTLAND
Posts: 1,721
Received 46 Likes on 44 Posts
Default

Looks awsome lee as with anything you get your hands on.
Old 07-02-2015, 04:36 PM
  #28  
Vacuman
PassionFord Regular
 
Vacuman's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: St Albans
Posts: 421
Received 39 Likes on 24 Posts
Default

Just love this. A great example of less is more. Funny how so many hours of blood, sweat and tears gets condensed into five minutes of words and photos. Often it's the smallest items that mean the most, finding some NOS trim part or when something you were worried about proves to be in perfect order after all.
Old 07-02-2015, 09:32 PM
  #29  
Lee Reynolds
Professional Waffler
Thread Starter
 
Lee Reynolds's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2003
Location: south yorkshire
Posts: 25,712
Received 127 Likes on 97 Posts
Default

Cheers Lads. Vacuman you are right there. Even though I have done all the graft, I find it hard to believe so much work and hours have gone into it when I look back at the pictures!
Old 07-02-2015, 09:41 PM
  #30  
botters
competant bodger
iTrader: (2)
 
botters's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: preston
Posts: 6,234
Received 23 Likes on 21 Posts
Default

what a beauty
Old 07-02-2015, 10:49 PM
  #31  
Glenn_
Glennvestite
iTrader: (1)
 
Glenn_'s Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Darlington county durham
Posts: 62,755
Received 1,042 Likes on 996 Posts
Default

Looks nice matey.
Old 08-02-2015, 06:22 AM
  #32  
carlo
15K+ Super Poster!!
iTrader: (4)
 
carlo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Ayrshire (the bronx)
Posts: 17,278
Received 27 Likes on 11 Posts
Default

Top job mate
Old 16-05-2015, 11:07 AM
  #33  
Lee Reynolds
Professional Waffler
Thread Starter
 
Lee Reynolds's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2003
Location: south yorkshire
Posts: 25,712
Received 127 Likes on 97 Posts
Default

She's on the road lads.

Name:  P1010310_zpsf2q269qv.jpg
Views: 1275
Size:  208.6 KB

Name:  P1010311_zpsdzrlepzs.jpg
Views: 1216
Size:  188.8 KB

Name:  P1010313_zpsxnmsluck.jpg
Views: 918
Size:  174.9 KB

Name:  P1010314_zpsnr39yugu.jpg
Views: 991
Size:  187.3 KB

Name:  P1010317_zpsuq1rhnbh.jpg
Views: 932
Size:  204.0 KB

Name:  P1010318_zps4yi7ftpp.jpg
Views: 1107
Size:  194.0 KB

Name:  P1010319_zpsw6jficgc.jpg
Views: 1046
Size:  206.0 KB

Name:  P1010320_zpsop1zodhx.jpg
Views: 991
Size:  194.4 KB

Name:  P1010323_zpsmj4n0cnn.jpg
Views: 1011
Size:  211.8 KB

Name:  P1010325_zpszjge2mjd.jpg
Views: 1090
Size:  154.1 KB

Name:  P1010328_zpsk6dahywl.jpg
Views: 1086
Size:  205.5 KB

Name:  P1010329_zpshnmely76.jpg
Views: 1078
Size:  219.7 KB

Name:  P1010330_zpsaygbsb60.jpg
Views: 1048
Size:  237.5 KB
Old 16-05-2015, 11:12 AM
  #34  
andy.v
PassionFord Regular
 
andy.v's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: middlesbrough
Posts: 482
Received 36 Likes on 32 Posts
Default

that is just beautiful, credit to you fella.

Last edited by andy.v; 16-05-2015 at 12:08 PM.
Old 16-05-2015, 11:33 AM
  #35  
Fraggle...
On a tangent
iTrader: (1)
 
Fraggle...'s Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Driving Cadillac's in my dreams...
Posts: 1,512
Received 38 Likes on 32 Posts
Default

Absolutely beautiful

Only tiny thing I'd change is the sun strip,not sure on the blue against the green..but oc that's just personal pref, other than that it looks the absolute Bollox!!!!!!!
Old 16-05-2015, 11:57 AM
  #36  
Lee Reynolds
Professional Waffler
Thread Starter
 
Lee Reynolds's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2003
Location: south yorkshire
Posts: 25,712
Received 127 Likes on 97 Posts
Default

I just love the retro thing with the sunstrip mate
Old 16-05-2015, 11:58 AM
  #37  
mk1turboestate
Advanced PassionFord User
iTrader: (2)
 
mk1turboestate's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: manchester
Posts: 1,844
Received 73 Likes on 68 Posts
Default

Love it mate, looks fantastic and a real credit to your hard work
Old 16-05-2015, 04:00 PM
  #38  
xr2john
Passionford Addict
 
xr2john's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Dundee now but from aberdeen
Posts: 2,274
Received 89 Likes on 88 Posts
Default

Credit to you,that's stunning
Old 16-05-2015, 04:12 PM
  #39  
Jay,
Sponsor



iTrader: (4)
 
Jay,'s Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: south east
Posts: 25,222
Received 407 Likes on 329 Posts
Default

Lee that is just amazing a real credit to you
Old 16-05-2015, 04:46 PM
  #40  
NobbyClark
Too many posts.. I need a life!!
 
NobbyClark's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Essex
Posts: 808
Received 82 Likes on 80 Posts
Default

Mate, that is amazing!!


That is one of my dream cars!!!


Quick Reply: Mk1 Escort Restoration.



All times are GMT. The time now is 10:15 PM.