Return after a few years absence - Zetec MK1 Escort

[jimmyesh]

Hi everyone, I used to be on here for a little while back in 2007 when I had a ropey, red/white MK1 Escort RS2000 replica (I bought it along to your stand at Ford Fair 2007).

 

After a few years absence from Rwd Escort ownership, I am now the lucky owner of a MK1 Escort once again (as of Aug '12). Planning on driving it to the Classic Ford Show on June 2nd (bought tickets already).

 

I bought the car locally in Essex, the bodywork having all been done and it had a 2-litre pinto fitted, Bilstein Capri 2.8 struts/brakes, MK2 Roll Tops and rear seat but still wasn't roadworthy.

 

As per ususal, it's a replica RS, I bought it that way - it started life as a brown 1.1 base model.  Like a lot of you, I do agree that too many MK1's have become Mex/RS2000 clones but I just wanted the best/solid MK1 I could find for the money and this one came up fairly locally.  I like the colour scheme so will be keeping it as it is.

 

I spent the last 6 months or so working on it on my drive in sh*t weather between work, where I fitted the following:

 

• Brand new Crate 2.0 Zetec Black Top engine
• Retro Ford mounts, water rail, sump,  exhaust manifold, starter, alternator, flywheel & clutch. Full stainless exhaust system.
• Omex 600 ECU with Jenvey 45mm throttle bodies.
• Bosch injection pump, facet lift pump, swirl pot and goodridge braided lines/aeroquip fittings used throughout. Standard tank.
• Sierra Type 9 'box (Had to fabricated a larger tunnel).
• Retro Ford "Zetec" Prop (longer than pinto one).
• 3.54 diff.
• Big alloy rad (with fan controlled by ECU).
• Varley Red Top 140 Battery in boot.
• Bias pedal box.
• 7/13" Silver RS 4-spokes with obligatory 175/50/13's on
• Fully polybushed.
• 1" lowering blocks fitted in place of the previous 2" ones (back was too low).
• Hazard lamps fitted (with MK1 Fiesta hazard switch - wasn't paying drug-money for a MK1 Escort switch!).
• Ordered a set of MK1 Roll tops and rear seat outright (collecting them this week). New parcel shelf (repro).
• 1970's Ford Blaupunkt Frankfurt radio (has FM on it).
• MK1 RS2000 Centre console.
• Original MK1 Escort jack/wheelbrace and refurbed spare wheel in boot.
• Screen wash pump fitted, push button where choke used to be.
• Sills/ doors etc all fully waxoyled while car was stripped out.
• F.O.R.D Letters added to bonnet and replacement decal fitted (in correct place!).
• Black/Silver number plates.
• Alarm & remote central locking.

Doesn't look much written here but it seems to have taken forever!! I didn't think for one second, it'd take as long as it has - would have killed for a nice warm garage to work in.  In fact, I bought an outdoor CarCoon to keep it in, thinking I could keep it out of the winter elements - so much for that, the CarCoon is still on top of my wardrobe and the car still outside!

 

I've not built it to be an immaculate show winner or to be a massive-bhp screamer, just a "comfy spec" MK1 that I can enjoy and drive when I like.

 

Just need my seats back from the trimmers, bolted in and I can take it out for a shake-down prior t heading up to Santa Pod on the 2nd!

 

Hope you enjoy the pics, thanks for reading,

 

Jim.

 

p.s: Here's a link to a vid of when I'd just finished mapping the idle last week;  

 

http://s119.photobucket.com/user/jimmyesh/media/IMG_0108.mp4.html?sort=3&o=0

 

[Vista]

Welcome back to the forum, car looks nice. Black and silver is a great combination 

[Big_man]

Hey Jim, hows it going mate? you got your seats back yet?

[jimmyesh]

Ha ha, hi Shaun rang him last week and told him I need them urgently and have been waiting since last November! He said it will be a Fri or Sat collection this week - he will give me a sit rep on Wednesday apparently. So want to drive this now.

[Big_man]

Hopefully mate, 6 months is a long time to be waiting 

[jimmyesh]

If it comes to it, I'll borrow a seat just to get it shaken down and if needs be, I'll leave it in for the show!

[over_head_cam]

Welcome back mate

[jimmyesh]

Thanks!