Hi Guys,
I am a member of this forum for many years now, but I never showed my project to you.
So a quick view of what I've been up to for the past 11 3/4 (!) years.
I started this project back in Februari 2004. I bought a Mk3 cabriolet and wanted to do a full concours resto on it. It had to be a Turbo conversion also!
Looking back at this decision, it would be a better, smarter and cheaper option to have restored a real S1 turbo......but don't worry, no regrets about doing a replica.
I build this car with the filosophy of "how would the ultimate S1 cabriolet look like, if Ford had build it"
So enough talking, here are the pic's:
Full resto story is on
www.escort-cabrio.nl. Site is in dutch, but google translate will help you guys ubderstanding most of it.......
in the beginning:
Removing Panels:
Inner wings crusty:
Inner Wings Sorted, unused holes welded up:
Small patches:
found a mint interior:
New panels (all Original Ford's):
Rear Panel was rotten:
New panels was not available for MK3 cabriolet, so used a MK4 cabrio and MK3 hatchback panel (all original ford) to build my own:
Welding the wings to the car (again all original Fords)
New Bonnet:
Seamsealed everything:
New rear arches:
Ready to go to paintshop!
Sanding back to bare metal:
Outside in blue Epoxy primer, inside already painted:
Painted:
[IMGhttp://www.escort-cabrio.nl/autothuis7.jpg[/IMG]
Zinc Plated stuff:
New Carello's:
Bodykit mounted:
Powdercoated bits:
Rear lights polished:
New yellow Koni adjustable's:
Fuel Tank in:
Front strut complete:
Doors are in:
New Ford Front spots:
Roof on:
Fully rebuild RS Turbo gearbox:
Fully restored (re-diamond cut) RS 7 spoke's in 16"
Rear suspension on:
Front suspension on:
Rear Interior:
Getting there:
Fully rebuild engine. New pistons, bearings, camshaft, gaskets, etc.
Engine in:
Brand new turbocharger:
Engine bay complete:
Underside with Stainless Steel Mongoose exhaust:
On its wheels:
Interior done:
First wash:
At the MOT station. MOT-guy was very impressed
And stopping for petrol for the first time after the MOT:
Finished:
Done just a few 100 km's now.
Tucked away for winter now.
There are a few small things that need some attention this winter, so that it's ready for concours next meeting season.
Hope you like it!
Cheers,
Sven