Well i finally found a mk1 transit worthy of cutting about, i'm calling it a tribute because it will have mk1 escort bubbles to give it the look of the original supervan, but may not be 100% exact to the original, it will also have a v8 engine mounted in the middle of the van, just like the original, but it will be the newer coyote 5.0 from the 2015 mustang, although to help with cost a little it may be coming from an F150, they are slightly lower power, but almost the same engine, the back axle will be full independent from the 2015 mustang, this part i already have, and will be the first part going on, will go with gartrac arches as it seems they are the best available, to save on hastle, it will have the shortest prop shaft i can use to keep the original auto box, the modern engines have flappy paddle controls, so it acts like a manual, and thats a lot easier than trying to change a manual gearbox behind as the 6 speed manual option isn't cable, although the mustang gearbox is the MT82 as found in transits and they are cable, so it would be an option, but i like the idea of flappy paddle, front crossmember hasn't been fully decided yet, although it will more than likely be based on a msutang2 setup as found on hotrods everywhere, but it may have to be modified to include some kind of drive, as it may go 2/4wd,
the plan is to do a dummy build and get it moving and driving under its own steam, then next year buy the parts to build the engine up to take twin turbos, this is the reason for the 4wd option, 1000hp through 4 wheels will get off the line better than the same power just to the rear, and also next year will be the time to buy the correct offset alloys, hoping i can run -44 offset to get a mega deep dish 12 or 14 inch on the rear, and maybe 10 inch on the front, exhausts will come out in front of the rear wheels, and the idea of side loading door on both sides is for when its on show, i can open both doors and have engine sat there, i wanted to go the transaxle route, but the cost was stupid, so thats why its getting normal set up with really short prop, the engine and gearbox complete is only 63 inches, so might just have the front of the engine between the seats, but only just at the back of the seats, i will know more once i get the engine and it can be measured, but going by info from the net, thats the length, i wanted a van, not a bus, but twin door short wheel base vans are like hens teeth, so had to take the bus, needs a little restoration as we go, and the windows will be changed for perspex or race car window plastic.