Greetings from Italy!

[Giazzo]

Hello! My name is Giazzo, I'm from Italy, and I've recently acquired 2 Ford Escorts MK1 equipped with the X-Flow 940-cc engine.

One is from 1970, the other is 1 year older. The "eldest" is in quite a bad shape and requires a full floor panel reconstruction on both sides as well as a thoroughful overhaul, while the "youngest" is in working order but still needs some tweaks and modifications here and there in order to run smoothly.

Actually, I have a "special project" for these two: together with a couple of friends, we want to repair them both and use them to undertake the Mongol Rally in 2023, which is a non-competitive, "funny" race/adventure where you have to drive from Europe to Mongolia without any kind of help and with your own itinerary. The only limit into place is that all cars must have an engine < 1000 ccs (that's why the cars are both 940 ccs).

It is a crazy idea, but I really liked the MK1 Escort () and I thought that - if properly prepared - they could do the job and prove that, even after 52 years, they still rock under heavy conditions. 💪

We are going under the name "The Travelling Nerds", and we are going to video-record all the story, including the repairs, and publish it in episodes on YouTube. The first episode is now available at the link below, where you can see the cars (and understand why I ended up with 2, instead of one 😅). A second episode is in production, focused on brakes, switching from dynamo to alternator, etc.

We thought you might like our project, and we look forward to hear your feedback!

 

Cheers to all! 👋

-Giazzo

 

 

[Rally Pack 2000]

While one car definitely did have a better floor than the other, the ready availability of aftermarket replacement floor panels is such that it would never even come close to exceeding the value of the car itself. (Given all Mk1s are valuable these days even rust buckets) Writing it off was never an option. Bizarre both cars are the same colour and both 4 doors! Also the good cars engine sounded overly clattery driving into the garage, I dont think its going to get to Mongolia without a bit of work! What a great project though, thanks for sharing

[Giazzo]

1 hour ago, Rally Pack 2000 said:

While one car definitely did have a better floor than the other, the ready availability of aftermarket replacement floor panels is such that it would never even come close to exceeding the value of the car itself. (Given all Mk1s are valuable these days even rust buckets) 

Yeah, after hearing even more opinions, I got convinced that probably the first mechanic exaggerated a bit regarding the actual cost of the job (though I can't understand why), and as you said I found the panels for a very low price. So while I can say that the welding job itself was not super-cheap, it was within the overall car value, and I gave the greenlight

1 hour ago, Rally Pack 2000 said:

What a great project though, thanks for sharing

Thank you, I'm happy you liked it! 😊 And thanks for the support! 

[Rally Pack 2000]

7 hours ago, Giazzo said:

Yeah, after hearing even more opinions, I got convinced that probably the first mechanic exaggerated a bit regarding the actual cost of the job (though I can't understand why), and as you said I found the panels for a very low price. So while I can say that the welding job itself was not super-cheap, it was within the overall car value, and I gave the greenlight

Hahaha I think you will find over quoting on price is standard practice for most mechanics the world over isnt it?

The great news is another Mk1 will be saved due to your investment. Welding can get expensive but the value of the car is always increasing so it will pay for itself in the end. You mentioned in your video you wanted to keep the car afterwards which I would too after having an adventure like that in it but you probably wont be able to keep both! So fixing the floor properly will reward your investment if you decide you cannot keep both.

Are you going to fully rebuild both engines?

[BaileyMex]

Love this! Looking forward to the next videos 

Fair play to you for going for it in a Mk1 👍🏻

[Giazzo]

On 22/08/2022 at 04:22, Rally Pack 2000 said:

ou mentioned in your video you wanted to keep the car afterwards which I would too after having an adventure like that in it but you probably wont be able to keep both! So fixing the floor properly will reward your investment if you decide you cannot keep both.

Are you going to fully rebuild both engines?

If both cars make it to the finishing line (which is our goal, of course 😂), as long as I have enough space in the garage, I plan to keep both of them! 😊

We are opening and rebuilding the engine of the Garpez, that's for sure (it doesn't even start, and has been left to its fate for God knows how long...). For the Drebin, we will go through a thoroughful check, and probably change the gaskets and other small things in order to be super-safe (we would prefer avoid having to open the engine in the middle of the steppe! 😅).

14 hours ago, BaileyMex said:

Love this! Looking forward to the next videos 

Fair play to you for going for it in a Mk1 👍🏻

Thank you! 😊 We'll do out best, but finger crossed still! 🤞🏻

[Monza]

Welcome to OSF Giazzo! Great video and excellent choice of car!! Looks like it's going to be an epic adventure. Looking forward to the next video.... Best of luck mate

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