Hi Chaps,

Forgive me for asking stupid questions, I have spent all day doing research (slow day in the office) on this and not really got any definitive answers.

Basically I want to build a two door Mk2 Escort to have a bit of fun with, do the occasional off road event etc and I see prices are climbing quickly, so I'm thinking I need to scratch this itch now before it becomes out of reach. I have also thought of a 4 door shell and welding the rear doors shut. I know this has been done but I have yet to see any pictures of how awful it really looks. Needless to say whatever shell I use will have the group 4 arches!

My budget is not limitless, to be honest it's quite the opposite so this will take time but I do have full workshop facilities at my disposal and some great contacts throughout the motorsport industry so that will make things a little easier (hopefully).

So, I was thinking of using Mk3 MX-5 running gear, as it's all Ford duratec and looking into IRS options.

As I said I know next to nothing about classic Escorts so if anyone can spot a flaw in my logic please point it out to me!

Thanks,

James

 

If i was you i would buy a mk2 now before it gets out of reach. As i did the wrong thing and bought the wrong car and no longer have the funds to buy the car i wanted in the 1st place.

 

if you have limited budget id stick with tried and tested rotes with atlas axles etc... as im buying bits up now for my mk 2 escort to cossie it and do all the fancy suspension front and rear and 10 grand isnt going to cover it and i allready have the engine , box, turbo and wiring

 

It depends what you mean by out of reach, two doors are already silly money for the poverty spec models. 4 doors are also 3k plus for cars that don't require lots of welding.

Duratec conversions are worthwhile as are zetecs but I'd stay away from IRS, too much hassle with not enough in return, you would be better off 4 linking aka group 4 spec.

If its just for fun, keep it simple, keep it crossflow

 

Buy a 4 door and look for around 130-150bhp and enjoy the roundabouts

This is my old one



Loads of fun and would embarrass a lot modern hot hatches

 

I'm anticipating an overall final build cost of Ł20k. That's using the theory that I've worked out it could cost Ł10k so double that. Part of the reason for MX-5 donor is that I already have a crashed 2.0 Mk3 MX-5 available should I need bits.

Sounds stupid but I'm more than happy with an absolute dog of a shell with more holes than a slice of swiss cheese. I get just as much enjoyment in building the car as I do driving it and as I said in my original post I have a full workshop at my disposal with a very competent welder.

Keep your thoughts coming!

 

20k would buy you one already done, not sure about building one to a good standard though. Depends upon what kit your going to use, check out some of the builds on turbosport, it will give you more of an idea

 

It certainly would but there is man maths involved here. I don't have Ł20k in one lump. It would be on a month by month basis. If I did have it all in one lump I would be at Burton's with a big wad of cash right now!

 

Ive never been a big fan of the 2 doors ......give me a nice more door any day

 

going too far away from the norm could land you in trouble as and when you came to sell it - I'd personally stick to whats tried and tested with a residual value no matter how many doors you can afford.

 

are you serious

 

Ha, i think he is being serious as I'm the same, i join mk2 pages etc on facebook and they're full of 2 doors, i prefer the 4 doors and estates more, but its just personal preference, if we all liked exactly the same spec shows would be pretty boring, ha.

 

Deadly......cant be arsed with them.........if someone gave me a mint 2 door id punt it and buy a 4 door ghia or an estate..........cos im like that

 

As much as I like 2 doors, more doors are COOL.

 

im new here, iv got a mk1 and 2 4 doors, totally original unrestored 0% rust, majority of modified 2 doors can just be 4's welded up !

 

Just think how cool a more door estate would look.......if only I was good at photo shop

 

ill keep out of it leave you to it lol

 

Buy a 325i e30 instead!

 

as all ready said get a 2door quick maybe worth sourcing a left hooker from abroad (that would be my personal plan) 2.0 duratec with itb's mx5 6 speed box and baby atlas axle with tarmac spec 4 link kit