To build or not to build that is the question...!

[Andy060172]

Hi,

 

Still looking for my first mk1 escort road car. Having spent what feels like days on the web I have a number of dilemmas that I wouldnt mind your thoughts or help with.....

 

1. Buy a finished model for about £20 - £25k, sounds fine but some one else has done all the work 

2. Buy a shell ready to paint albeit the only shells i can find are rally shells. How hard are they to put back to original spec

3. Buy a part done project and complete it myself

4. Or buy a solid running cheaper escort and use the shell for the rebuild.

 

With option 1 i would be looking for a mexico doesnt have to be mint as I would probably spend time and money on it anyway.

With the other options the upside is clearly you can create "your dream car" although this would take time and money.

 

Have posted some pictures and a couple of links to give you an idea of what I have been looking at.

Any help or advice would be appreciated

Andy

 

http://www.preloved.co.uk/adverts/show/614531917/ford-escort-mk1-mexico.html?link=%2Fadverts%2Flist%2F3444%2Fclassic-cars.html%3Fkeyword%3Dford

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Ford-Escort-Mk1-Mexico-RS-AVO-rs1600-gt-/222278396439?hash=item33c0d32a17:g:gagAAOSwnNBXYbUa

 

[Vista]

There are plus and minus points to each approach.

 

1. + = Best for short term enjoyment, - = expensive and you don't really know for certain what's hiding under the surface, nor whether the claimed upgraded parts are actually fitted.

 

2. If you're looking for a standard Road car I wouldn't buy a rally prepped shell. The work to do that is expensive (if done professionally) and is typically reflected in the price. You'd just end up undoing all that work at additional cost.

 

3. Unfinished projects: + = possibly a short cut to a good car at a cost effective price as they often don't fetch what it has cost to get them to the stage they're at. - = Like option 1, if it's already painted then you don't know what lies beneath the surface.

 

4. Your Own Project from the off: + = it's your own car and won't ever be referred to as "isn't that X's car?". + = You get to closely monitor the standard it's done to. - = Can be expensive overall, especially if you can't complete all the work yourself. - = Can be an extended period before tangible results are seen, during which time some owners lose interest / faith.

 

Personally I favour option 3 but imperative to study the potential projects thoroughly, buy the one in the best condition possible and, arguably most importantly, buy with your head not your heart.