Hello from a new (old) member

[RustyMex]

Joined a little while back but didn't do an intro.  Always been a MK1 Escort enthusiastic and have owned a few over the years that I don't have anymore:

 

1100L (1983 to 1984)

1300E (1984 to 1986)

Mexico (1985 to 1989)

 

And a few that I still do:

 

Mexico/RS2000 hybrid (1989 to date)

1100L (recentish acquisition)

RS1600 (recentish acquisition)

 

The Mexico/RS2000 hybrid is a genuine '72 Mexico AVO shell/running gear but in all the time I have owned it has run an RS2000 engine - bought the Mexico without engine in 1989 and married it to an RS2000 engine that I already had sat in a garage for a couple of years. Partially restored back in the early 90s but then garaged (not entirely dry) since 1993 until late last year. Now completely stripped and undergoing full restoration which I hope will be done this year - but with a restoration that already spans nearly 3 decades don't hold your breath too much.  Will be Sebring red back to its original colour.

 

The RS1600 is again genuine and also a '72 car, 99% complete and bodily pretty good. It is on the list of things to restore once I get the Mexico finished and funds recover!  This one's original colour was yellow but currently in primer, will probably go back original when I get round to it.

 

The 1100L is incomplete but bodily in amazing condition. Not certain what I am doing with it yet but I do also have a 1989 Sierra Cosworth engine and gearbox which prompts some obvious ideas!

 

Pictures are of cars in pretty much current state - multi-coloured one hung from the roof and the rather sad post-blasting one are the Mexico, others should be obvious which is which.

 

Looking for a 6-dial dash backing panel if anyone has one around they would be willing to sell. Not hugely urgent but thinking ahead would like one in stock ready for the 1100L shell. 

 

Russell

 

[chrisis]

Welcome Russel

 

you have some gold in there mate.  i always dreamed a bda on my escort

 

i'm actually rebuilding a twin cam at the moment. i didn't think in advance and i stayed with just a webber head 

[Vista]

Welcome to OSF, quite a collection.

[RustyMex]

Thanks for the welcome, used to have a twin cam engine but sadly it got stolen along with a load of tools some years back.  Have wanted an RS1600 since before I could drive one but they always seemed to be just beyond reach.  Paid a decent chunk for the one I just got but it still seemed a reasonable deal.  A lot of the bodywork has already been done - but done some 15 to 20 years ago and then stored. As a result some of it will probably need re-doing, just because the value of the cars back then did not justify doing it to the standard that now makes sense.  Will add the cars to the garage section when I get a chance so that I can keep them up to date with pictures as things happen.

[chrisis]

i found a few mate, but most of them are overpriced worn and corrode to the bone 

 

please post a few more pics of the car 

 

p/s: if i was you i will place the engine under my bed 

[RustyMex]

Few photos from when I did the original 80% of the way to having the Mexico restored in the late 80s/early 90s.  At this point it was roadworthy and MOT'd and I should have carried on another few months and finished it. Unfortunately! it was such a hoot to drive that I drove it in this state for a few years, lent it to a friend for a year or so when his car dies and then put it into a leaky council lockup for 20+ years.  Net effect back where I started hence the current full strip down. Will post some of current state later.

[OldSkoolTrev]

Dream car RS1600, but like you I never thought they would reach the giddy heights they have.  I stupidly didn't buy the BDA engined replica that went for £17k at auction in 2014, but that was then and this is now.  Nice collection, happy restoring.