My rally car resto - opinions...

[mista weava]

Okay, i am perfectly happy with what i have set out to do and so far achieved with the building of my rally car and so far everyone has been positive about the progress and future end product.

 

Got a couple of questions though, as i know there are differing opinions as to what should and should not happen to old skool fords, especially those with history.

 

my car is an ex-Haynes of maidstone car, built for the 1974 Tour Of Britain as a group 1 machine. it was likely used by John Taylor and the other Haynes cohorts during its time at Haynes.

 

i am turning it onto a group 4 rally car, in which i will compete in historic rallys. some may argue that this is taking away the originality of the car, but i think its just another interesting part of its life. it was latterly a road car, used for shows etc, but not in the guise of an out and out competition car. i think it is better for it to see competition again even if that is in a different level of preperation, as opposed to gathering dust in a garage and being something of an "ornament".

 

Thus i ask for you to contribute to my poll and for you to support your decision in reply to this thread. i look forward to your views!

 

the thread with the restoration is here.

 

http://www.oldskoolford.co.uk/phpBB2/vi ... hp?t=14495

 

a pic here, for you to see what it looks like when not in bits!

 

 

 

 

thanks,

Weave

[tim]

what your doin to its is fine,gettin the right people and the right bits for it but if it was my car with the history its got i would of kept it in Gp1 spec but i do havea big want 2 build a mk2 rs2k Gp1 tour of britain rep

[jay]

i feel its fine what your doing mate.......

[Danmex]

It's your car mate, and like you said its better that you use it for the purpose it was built

[mista weava]

thanks guys - see there are a few votes already, wow that did not take long!

 

i was going to build it to group 1 spec to begin with, but the durability of the thing as a rally car concerned me. the group 1 gear is just glorified road going equipment. i have found some pretty suspect (alarming) engineering whilst the resto has been going ahead too! lots of odd metric bolts etc and shagged components. it was a this point i felt that the correct parts, would keep the car in good fettle. its goin to be driven hard, so it ought to have the group 4 gear on it imo.

 

Tim - do you ever see Steve Price?

[tim]

email him from time to time gettin up dates on his hsr

[mista weava]

how is he getting on with it? has he got someone doing the work for him? saw a chevette in gartrac!

[tim]

yea its nearly there but alot of the work was being done at his son college but they have just moved to castle combe so the work was put on hold for a while but should b about for next year track days

[Burns]

rag the nuts off it mate, it's your car and if you get enjoyment, surely that's what matters

[105Nick]

If it were me, Id have left it Gp1 spec and used it for tarmac rallies. I'm not into pampering too much and it should be used, but then it does have a interesting history. If it were me Id of used a 1100 shell to build a GP4 car, but at the end of the day its your car, but its not your average Mk1 1100 RS rep, or even regular RS, and there are hardly any original works RS, or real period rally cars, as they've all been demolished on a stage.

It does look great though and should be a blast, after all it only matters if it makes you smile, and Gartracs work looks fantastic.

[mista weava]

great comments - all very interesting.

[105Nick]

Well I got a solid 1100 rolling shell with capper suspension, no interior, that'd be ideal for GP4 treatment if u like

[mista weava]

lol - bit late for that now Nick, but cheers!

 

i fancy doing a mk2 sometime, with big power and arches...

[arch]

if it were me i would of kept it grp 1 because of the rarity. but i do like wat ur doing an aslong as u dont bubble arch it it will look like u havant done anything any way sweet motor thou

[Vista]

If it were me, Id have left it Gp1 spec and used it for tarmac rallies. I'm not into pampering too much and it should be used, but then it does have a interesting history. If it were me Id of used a 1100 shell to build a GP4 car, but at the end of the day its your car, but its not your average Mk1 1100 RS rep, or even regular RS, and there are hardly any original works RS, or real period rally cars, as they've all been demolished on a stage.

It does look great though and should be a blast, after all it only matters if it makes you smile, and Gartracs work looks fantastic.

 

I agree, but ultimately it's your car so do as you please it's good to see genuine RS's getting the attention and use they deserve regardless of whether it preserves originality or not.

[mista weava]

i kinda agree with both arguements, which is why i thought it would be of interest to see what people thought on here.

 

my general conclusion is that grp 1 spec is a bit pants , and the car will benefit hugely from this resto. it needed more work than was initially apparent.