Hi, names Rich, im old and should know better!

I've just bought my 7th Escort RS Turbo after a 15 year break from them. Since my last RST (Fiesta) I've had a 400hp 2WD Saph (ex Castle Performance R&D car), mk1 Escort Mexico, 170hp Pinto Mk2 4 door Ghia plus loads of cars the wife actually approved of (all boring).

The latest RST is a '88 Model which I bought off eBay at sometime between 10pm and 3am Boxing Day, I'm a little vague about the exact time as I was full of Christmas spirits and was only highlighted to my drunken buy the next morning when I checked my phone. Not easy to explain to the wife!

A cheeky 'best offer' bid had won the car, which was apparently tidy. I know as well as anyone not to buy a car without inspecting it, especially an RS. But I obviously underestimated the power of Baileys with a Lager chaser.

I didn't even collect the car, couldn't face the 300 mile trip, so I had it collected... I guess tidy, solid, excellent condition, mean different things from here to there.

Anyway what I have ended up with is an untidy (especially the cockpit, appropriately named due to the previous owner), mostly rust free but extremely quick.... project .

 

This is how it arrived







Not very tidy at all I think the previous owner was a homeless farmer that lived in the car with his prize heffer

 

First job was a wash to reveal its coat of many colours... Now I love red but one shade would have been ample!

 

Most of the paint is good but clearly not original. It's had arches recently by the looks of it so its not bad. The worst bit is the passenger rear quarter, had a dodgy repair and rattle can paint job.

 

The inside of the car was the same story.... With the added bonus of two water features, one in the passenger footwell and the other behind the drivers seat.

Taking the carpet out revealed loads of household underlay, perfect for acting as a sponge and holding water, just what you need in a Ford

 

Same in the boot, nice chipboard boot floor

 

Amazingly the floor is solid, it's had a couple of patches but nothing major

 

The leak in the footwell was always going to be the battery tray... now this still keeps me awake at night Why repair the tray but not the surrounding metal

 

The bathroom sealer was hiding a a hole/gap... So the tray isn't connected with the bulkhead I have cleaned it all up and it will be going to my fabricators for a session with the bright light.

The other leak is the sunroof and not the door seal I was hoping it might be... Not sure how I'm going to tackle that yet.

 

It does drive and run well, it has what i think are cossie brakes up front, runs 15psi, holds boost well and goes like snot off a stick, but due to the bodges elsewhere I'm unsure of how well it's been built.





It has a manual boost adjuster thingy, are these a good idea? What would be a better alternative?

 

So the car is currently at the body shop having the paint sorted out while I am buying bits to tidy it up.

It's had a full lock and ignition set and a bonnet cable, original steering wheel, NOS indicators and these beauties

 

Looks like it just the right side of being saved

 

Awesome, keeping a close eye on this!

 

Nice one, I'd love another mk4 rst, but rust is the only thing that's puts me off..

This one looks clean enough, hope this no suprises!

What's the front panel and rear tie bar mounts like?

 

Not a fan of rust myself... I've been building mk1s and mk2s for the last few years, never want to mig again.

Luckily it's very solid everywhere else.

 

Slow progress as my mate has got busy in the paint shop ... Been told two weeks, can't wait





Quarter is repaired and is just waiting on paint

 

Looking good mate

 

good project this one.

that a 24" bmx in the garage?

 

good project mate

 

Top work.Cant believe there was household underlay under the carpets lol.

 

Certainly is pal, kuwahara nova lite pro... My track weapon

 

Lol there's more... Wiring for lights and such has been replaced with high end speaker wire (4mm thick)' pace intercooler in is held on with zip ties.... Easy fixes which is what makes it so laughable

 

oh dear some super bodges there at least its in the rite hand now