john_3.0s

Hey all been a member for a while but never posted that I can remember ( usually post on oldskoolford). Anyway I'm off to look at an 86 3 door tonight, are there any good guides out there I can have a look at to make sure it's the real deal and not a re- shell? Anything else I should know great full for suggestions! Thanks, john

james kiely

iTrader: (5)

use the search function on here john ,their will be lots about buying a 3dr

kosienutter

If your worried about a re-shell my first port of call would be all the vin plates. A smooth/blank one indicates a re-shell IIRC. And obviously a welded or buggered up one would be a ringer to me.

john_3.0s

Thanks for the replies, I've done a lot of reading about on this site and others!

So what I understand is that the 3 door dossier shell isn't any different from a standard one in terms of strengthening etc but there seems to be different opinions on the vin plate being stamped in or out (like braile). The dossier one should have raised lettering?

Ill just go with it and make sure it's not obviously had the tags swapped over but without taking the thing apart you can't ever really tell I guess! Fingers crossed I suppose, I'll suss the bloke out too I'm sure he's honest.

BRAMMER

iTrader: (23)

Two areas to look straight away is the towing eye on the rear - if it steps down like a Sapphire it's a later shell so would indicate a reshell at some point, and the towing eye on the front, if the hoop is horizontal then it's a Cosworth and vertical standard sierra (well the crossmember at least) as the cosworth one hasn't been available for some time the only option is the standard item.

Other than that all the other vin checks you'd do - best thing though is always post up the reg and pic if poss as someone on here may know the car from old and may know of history that could save you thousands as some ringers are very very good and never able to tell until someone at a show says he scrapped that shell x amount of years ago and sold the ID on ebay etc etc

Buy on condition and not mileage, history always helps

john_3.0s

Thanks that's useful about the towing eyes.

Understand the vin code should be WFOE, assume the v5 should say rs cosworth not just sierra 2.0 etc, having never owned one before I'd like to double check before parting with any cash!

3drRich

Your best option bud is what Brammer said get the plate and pics up on here as the chances of someone not knowing about it would be slim!

Rob Virgo

iTrader: (6)

Don't the 3dr cos shekels have different door locks and frame hardware..

PAUL S

iTrader: (8)

Yep single bolt on the pre 85 shells and anti burst 3 bolt on the 86 cosworth ones.

They did not make the base model after early 86 so the last would have been on a c plate, never on d or an e plate

just to confuse things though some very early 3drs started on a c plate but these had the anti burst locks anyway.

bazza77

the tunnels are bigger on cosworth ,check date stamps on wings and im sure ive seen one on mine under the base of back seat