Gartrac G3

[jimihendrix]

This is my new Escort Gartrac G3 project, had to sell my Amber Capri 3.0S to fund it but hopefully it'll be worth it

 

It was built from a new Ford shell bought in 1988, not a genuine gartrac built shell but built by the original owner from a kit (genesis i think ?), all group four spec with huge alloy arches, the amount of fabrication in one of these is unbelievable (like a group four MK1/2), it was a tarmac car in the 90's, ran a stout Rover V8 and was pretty successfull from what i've gathered, i still had the stickers on it from it's last rally in Belgium where it was seeded 7th.

 

It's rally days are over now though, i'll be putting it on the road , found out recently that these are going to be banned by the MSA anyway as it's not a production car, be a great track day toy though.

It's 100% solid but typicaly scabby for an old rally car, looks like it's bashed a few hay bales out it's way in it's time, needs a front panel which i'm getting this week along with a new steel bonnet to replace the fibreglass one.

Shell is a MK4 but i'll be turning it into a MK3 (making it a G3), which is pretty easy to do, will be fitting MK3 metal bumpers which are available new for £25 each, the plastic end caps are £4 each

 

Build plan for now is, 2.0 Zetec on 45's or Jenveys, type 9 five speed, five linked Capri 2.8i back axle with LSD, WCXM, adjustable TCA's and top mounts, compression struts, 9x13 minilights with 235/45/13's, bodywork will be plain red, interior will be simple, painted red to match the exterior, MK4 dash with Autometer guages and toggle switches, RS turbo doorcards and electric windows.

Will also need to buy a bolt in six point cage, either OMP or Sparco.

 

 

 

 

Big tunnels.

 

 

 

 

Engine bay is pretty big, bulkhead has been cut right back.

 

 

 

Hopefully how the wheels will sit in the arch with the Capri axle.

 

 

 

 

How it sits at the moment, glass in except for screen, started sorting out the arches one at a time (old cracked filler etc) also going round the welds with seam sealer.

 

 

Will hopefully look (and sound) like this one when done.

 

[Boreham]

 

I've a G3 in similar condition...

 

MAYBE A TAD WORSE..

 

 

with similar life..spent in ralling...mostly forestry...

 

 

 

 

going for near identical spec....

apart from the minilight.s

 

 

where did ye source the ""steel bumbers"".. not plastic..

 

we're risking gettin """banned""" ..discussing Mk3 escorts you know...

 

 

 

 

 

[jimihendrix]

 

where did ye source the ""steel bumbers"".. not plastic..

 

we're risking gettin """banned""" ..discussing Mk3 escorts you know...

 

 

 

 

 

 

My local body panel supply place can get the bumpers in, either the poverty spec (what i'm going for) plain ones or the ones that take the trim insert and overriders, i'll need to fabricate the brackets for them but that should'nt be a big deal.

 

Quite surprised really, asked him what he could get for a MK3 and he said "loads of stuff" , think the panels are Hadrian, new bonnet is only 80 quid

 

Yours has had a life , thought about fabricating an alloy dash for mine but decided i want it a bit civilised so went for the proper dash, will be fitting a kit car heater and a hidden CD player too.

 

Was'nt sure how welcome the MK3/4 based Gartrac would be on here, got a clue when something sounding like Aresss Burbo was edited to Bad Breath , a MK3 Gartrac is't exactly a jellymould though, apart from the shell and trim there's very few MK3/4 bits.

[X FLOW EDDY]

A mate of mine has a genuine G3 escort as a road car, has a harvy gibbs YB turbo in it and 15 in 5 spoke compos. Proper wepon !!!

[jimihendrix]

A mate of mine has a genuine G3 escort as a road car, has a harvy gibbs YB turbo in it and 15 in 5 spoke compos. Proper wepon !!!

 

Sounds nice , sure i read somewhere that the number of genuine cars are in single figures.

 

Would love a YB in mine, they go for strong money now though, not after mega power anyway, a 170 brake Zetec will do fine

 

Also considered 15" Compomotives (MO's) or Revo five spokes but the car ran all it's days on wide 13" Minilights so went with those.

 

Tyre choice is limited though, hope those wide Kumhos dont go out of production

[Mr2Caps]

I've always had a soft spot for these! There used to be a G3 local to where I used to live which was done up to look like an XR3.....

[jimihendrix]

I've always had a soft spot for these! There used to be a G3 local to where I used to live which was done up to look like an XRwee.....

 

Yeah, some were built unarched so could be made to look pretty standard

 

Collected the new bonnet and front pannel today, grill arrived in the post bought from some new fangled thing called E-bay .

 

 

Going to need quite a bit of work at the rear, too long in the middle, MK3's must have a different shape scuttle

 

 

Does anyone know what this steering column is from ?, MK2 maybe ?, will need to know for sure when buying a steering wheel boss and stalk switches etc.

 

[X FLOW EDDY]

A mate of mine has a genuine G3 escort as a road car, has a harvy gibbs YB turbo in it and 15 in 5 spoke compos. Proper wepon !!!

 

Sounds nice , sure i read somewhere that the number of genuine cars are in single figures.

 

Would love a YB in mine, they go for strong money now though, not after mega power anyway, a 170 brake Zetec will do fine

 

Also considered 15" Compomotives (MO's) or Revo five spokes but the car ran all it's days on wide 13" Minilights so went with those.

 

Tyre choice is limited though, hope those wide Kumhos dont go out of production

 

Its a G6 not a G3 , my fault !!! If you have a look on piston heads for user name escort g6 you will see some pics of it there.

[russ105e]

I had a G6 road car, sold it on and now its been fully restored but just stays in the guys garage , he's not even driven it

[Boreham]

I had a G6 road car, sold it on and now its been fully restored but just stays in the guys garage , he's not even driven it

 

good man Russ

 

...closet... Fnt wheel drive /modded to rwd Owner..

 

 

 

 

we'll all get banned for sure now...

 

 

 

 

[russ105e]

Here's a pic of my old one how its is now

 

[SmokeEm]

You lot want shooting

[jimihendrix]

Very nice Russ

 

So does anyone know what this column is from ?, be nice to find out before this thread explodes in a big fireball and plunges into hell for all eternity

 

[Credders]

looks awesome, i had 1 a few years ago ex rallycross was doin it 4 trackdays but never got it finished xe , quaiffe box n 4ha sold unfinished, regret it now!

[jimihendrix]

New WCXM, quick rack and alloy rack mounts arrived today from Petel Lloyd Rallying , they threw in a wee fluffy dog too which was nice of them

 

 

Going to collect a Capri rear axle on Friday

[Credders]

a couple of pics of my g3.[/img]

[jimihendrix]

Looks great , shame you sold it, looks like it was'nt too far away from being done.

 

Looking forward to getting my shell to the rolling stage.

[Credders]

i got further than that, just needed wiring up!