Rich T Posted July 4, 2017 Report Share Posted July 4, 2017 Afternoon all. Got a couple of questions if i may? Just joined this site as im looking to buy a MK1 Escort. Used to have them many moons ago and (re-living my youth) fancy another. I, now im older with a little more money and way more mechanical experience want to build a fast road car. A nice xflow will probably do me. So heres the thing. Im going to look at 2 cars on saturday. One of them, a 68 rhd thats all standard. Virtually no rust but a little bit of bodywork from knocks and bangs in its life(nothing major though). Im guessing no servo and drums all round. The 2nd car is a 74 1300 GT. LHD a few localised rust areas, spare wheel area etc ect. But this car comes with servo, discs 6 dial dash etc. But the steering wheel is on the wrong side. If i went for the lefty id have to convert it over, which causes its own problems. But comes with the basic goodies. The final car in my mind will be a 1600 xflow with a few mods and refreshed suspension. Nothing to ott. Cant decide which way to go with it. Opinions welcome. Cheers Rich Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mexican Gerbil Posted July 4, 2017 Report Share Posted July 4, 2017 I'd go Rhd. If you want to go fast you'll need to be able to stop too. See either one will need brake upgrades. Most people get struts off a Capri complete with disc brakes and calipers ready to go. Saying that if the LHD is mint I'd be tempted on that. Go for which ever has less rust. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rally Pack 2000 Posted July 4, 2017 Report Share Posted July 4, 2017 RHD for me too. I havent seen a all drum Mk1 in decades I would be very surprised if it hasnt been upgraded. But it still easier to change the struts than the hassles of Dash, Pedal mounting, Steering, Looms, Speedo and clutch cabling (maybe even bell housing replacement to put the clutch arm on the opposite side?). LHD is fine if you want to keep that way. But if you want to convert I would choose the RHD every time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
khanlad Posted July 4, 2017 Report Share Posted July 4, 2017 Id go rhd, like people have said what ever its got on now will soon be changed in the pursuit of speed! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2512pf Posted July 4, 2017 Report Share Posted July 4, 2017 Well Lhd or rhd it don't matter who you're going sideways lol Seriously just buy the best you can afford is the best advice Or get a mk2 there even better Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vista Posted July 4, 2017 Report Share Posted July 4, 2017 Unless it's carrying a lot of rust (in which case look for a better one) I would also say RHD. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colr6 Posted July 4, 2017 Report Share Posted July 4, 2017 If the LHD is priced reasonably out the two that's the one I would go for, I personally don't consider converting to rhd much of a problem. Depends on the level of your skills to complete the conversion. The only thing some people may struggle with is the dash change ( unpicking and re- welding apart from the it's a straight swop for the necessary rhd stuff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich T Posted July 5, 2017 Author Report Share Posted July 5, 2017 Doing the conversion doesnt worry me. Whats the parts availability like generaly? RHD dash that will take a 6 dial cluster? I should imagine cars that would have been scrapped 20 years ago due to rust would now be saved now due to them becoming rarer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colr6 Posted July 5, 2017 Report Share Posted July 5, 2017 The dash would be your only problem, 6 hole one anyway. But I'm sure you could adapt a std one to suit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
khanlad Posted July 5, 2017 Report Share Posted July 5, 2017 Then you need the dash top too, ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RWL81P Posted July 5, 2017 Report Share Posted July 5, 2017 Then you need the dash top too, ? just sold a 6 clock dash top last week. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
khanlad Posted July 5, 2017 Report Share Posted July 5, 2017 They must be getting harder to find a good one? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
guido Posted July 5, 2017 Report Share Posted July 5, 2017 my opinion Convert or learn to drive LHD. gt has lot more value if you restore it in mint condition. rebuild 1300 with some work will have 80-90 hp easy 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich T Posted July 10, 2017 Author Report Share Posted July 10, 2017 Morning all. I went to look at a couple of cars on saturday. And went for the LHD 1300GT. Tbh it is looking a little sorry for itself. The sun has done a fair bit of damage. Dash top, seat tops and window rubbers for a start. The underside needs a little bit of welding here and there round the lower edges if the rear inner arches and the osf floor. But will know the full extent when i get it next saturday. Generally a little scruffy but a very good base to start with. With a couple of years and a few £££s i should make a nice car out of it. I hope to have it MOTd quite soon and get a nit of use out of it this year before the rainy season. Generally im proper chuffed with it . Im new to classic fords ( well its been a few years) so need to know..... where would i go for window rubbers, engine hoses and service parts etc for these? Rich 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YellowTaxi Posted July 11, 2017 Report Share Posted July 11, 2017 Well done mate, Any photos? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2512pf Posted July 12, 2017 Report Share Posted July 12, 2017 Well done Look forward to the project pics Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich T Posted July 12, 2017 Author Report Share Posted July 12, 2017 As it stands i have a photobucket account but havnt used it for years and cant remember my log in details plus i dont use that email address anymore. But i baught a new camera on saturday and at some point soon will set up an account again as i want to do a full build thread on this car Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vista Posted July 12, 2017 Report Share Posted July 12, 2017 As it stands i have a photobucket account but havnt used it for years and cant remember my log in details plus i dont use that email address anymore. You haven't heard about photobucket's change of T&C's then? You can't use it for 3rd party hosting anymore unless you pay them $400 per year! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich T Posted July 12, 2017 Author Report Share Posted July 12, 2017 Its been an expensive week already lol. Any alternatives to photobucket that people are using? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich T Posted July 12, 2017 Author Report Share Posted July 12, 2017 <<<< Got this pic of it from the interweb Yes, its brown. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vista Posted July 12, 2017 Report Share Posted July 12, 2017 Its been an expensive week already lol. Any alternatives to photobucket that people are using? Upload your pics to here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mexican Gerbil Posted July 12, 2017 Report Share Posted July 12, 2017 Just upload pics using the forum uploader. It's what I do for all pics I put on the forum. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich T Posted July 12, 2017 Author Report Share Posted July 12, 2017 Cool, will do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rally Pack 2000 Posted July 12, 2017 Report Share Posted July 12, 2017 As they say it is better to upload pics directly to the forum. Especially if you plan on starting a long term restoration thread. I often look at older threads only to find the Photobucket links broken and the threads become meaningless without the images. With their latest greedy cash grab I dont think your links with them would stay viable in the long term even if you did bow to their extortion. I expect their shut down by the end of the year when a class action starts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SLAKER Posted July 12, 2017 Report Share Posted July 12, 2017 <<<< Got this pic of it from the interweb Yes, its brown. By the picture of your profile, I would say that I know that car Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now