GTAm

There is a shop in Panchikawatte that deals in Ford parts. Just cannot recall the name. It's on the Tower hall side upstairs between the tower and the round about. If you just go there you can get directions I'm sure. As for performance upgrades I know of someone who imports stuff and he could also offer you some great advice. I should be able to find his number. PM me pls.

I still can't get over that jump from RWD V6 coupe to FWD Diesel

Good luck sampathd. I am guessing that you wish to make this a fast road/occassional track day car since you are thinking of a Mexico replica? Why not consider an RS replica? RS's are a lot more sort after than Mexicos. The Pinto is said to be a heavy engine. The Kent crossflow is supposedly more sort after (Uncle Henry's boys please correct me if I'm wrong). The easiest route to high performance should be slotting in a old Formula Ford 1600 engine that you might be able to buy in SL since the pre 85 Formulas don't run anymore. They are already in high state of tune and come with twin side draught Weber carbs. And the engine can be bored to 1700. The Pinto will be no match. There have been some conversions in SL already so maybe you can seek more advice from the owners. . One thing you have omitted in your list is - chassis upgrade. The Escort in its standard form was a car below average to the other European competition of the time. So you really need to focus your attention on the sus. Trust me this will take a long time and a lot of money so don't rush it and stretch it long enough to be able to afford a proper job. Just forget the wheel arches for now. That's the last thing you need to worry about at this stage. Just my 2 cents

What made you think of a 605 in particular ash_raz? What are your expectations from this car? What do you like? For a student to choose a car such as a 605 is uncommon. I'm not saying it's wrong. Far from it I think it's adventurous and brave and I like that compared to hundreds of "play safe", over cautious, boring people that usually come for advice here who are stuck forever in their Toyota and Nissan cages. And what's your budget?

I'm sorry gentlemen I cannot agree with a lot of what you all say. I owned a 605SR for only about 5 months but one of my friends had one for many many years. I used to get 7km/L which I think is justifiable for such a large barge. My friend converted his to run on LPG and was very happy with the car. Parts being more expensive than Japanese is absolute nonsense. They are very cheap and there are used parts also available. Of course you need to by them from outside C4r M4RT. The difficult parts to find will be the brittle interior parts like air vents and switches. It's nothing much to drive at all IMHO. Just a big comfy smart looking luxo barge. Take the advice on most cars being molested quite seriously. Because if you buy such one no matter which brand you will have to suffer. Buy only if it's well cared for.

Hi MD is this due to a worn wheel or something like that? The tacho needle on my Giulia is the same and has been bugging me for a while now.

Could be. But I think that "hand made" will always command a premium. Even when we see how someone managed to fabricate a difficult grille or emabelishment we are in awe with admiration compared with opening a brand new one from a packet right? That human touch adds so much value. Yes definitely crafts are plentiful in the west because there was money to be made and government policies to encourage crafts and industries.

Very true MasterDon. It's a great investment and especially in SL it's better than gold. Massive hedge against inflation while providing you fun!

True when it comes to new manufacturered products but the restoration industry is huge in the west. There are panel beating short courses (among others) in polytechnics and unis. Ferrari for example started their own division called Ferrari Classiche for this purpose. They would not have unless they saw a pot of gold among other things Here it is - http://www.ferrari.com/english/services/ferrari_classiche_dept/Pages/ferrari_classiche_dep.aspx I think with the number of billionaires growing especially in the east demand for craft is going to grow strongly.

Not sure how long this Hell project with take but after that I could ask him to do your roof. He's a rigid bugger and will not do another car while working on one. This is what he says although I distinctly recall him doing other small jobs while my cars were with him. Does the roof thing absolutely require a guy like this or can a reasonably good guy do it?

What a dissterous race for Ferrari. From an almost certain race winning situ to a fight for survival in the points. Such bad luck. Lotus' continue to impress meanwhile

You actually set aside a budget? Wow that's admirable. I tried doing it that way with predetermined estimates; but I always ended overshooting by a huge margin. I just gave up and went with the flow. It's less stressful (I think) to not keep an accurate count

That's a VW Beetle 2 seater "Coup" custom job with new Beetle headlamps. Correct?

Ok I'll give everyone a hint. It's got a narrow angle "V" engine

Yes like our Ayurvedic experts who died without passing on the recipes that could save hundreds of lives. Selfish and self centered. I think the older generation of our country is blighted by this evil trait. Hopefully there will be a new breed of panel makers with CAD and lasers to replace the old panel beaters. But that's when Art and Craft dies and manufacturing begins. Which is also a loss.

Many people have suggested various offers to this guy to try and expand his workshop. But he's a stubborn monkey. It's his way or no way. He would not hear of getting an assistant. He's got another source of income as well and his kids are grown up and have decent jobs. One guy's an electrical engineer and works overseas. So this is additional income.

I did a 4 part article on the M*T*R mag which is still running about this very subject. Demand has gone up because loads of newbies have got the craze to restore an old car. And so many young people which is surprising. As Don says even if it's not exactly a classic they seem to value it. Can't blame them too much as in a country such as ours, supply is non-existent unless by illegal means. In most developed countries old car imports are allowed so supply is always strong.

From my experience, I would like to tell you that you cannot rush it. If you do the chances are that you will have to undo a lot of stuff and redo again. And you will end up spending more. These old cars require sympathetic approach by the restorer/s and that breed is hard to find. What you need to drill into their heads is that you want a perfect job and you are not in a rush. That quality is THE priority. I know it's frustrating and we tend to get impatient. But if it's messed up that will frustrate you much more. A professional restorer once gave me these words of wisdom. "There is only one way to restore a car, and that's the right way." And there is only one right way! The right way is slow, high quality and expensive with no short cuts. Initially I did not listen to him and messed up two cars in the process and lost money. Now I know that he was 100% spot on! Don't worry about the time. Worry only about the quality of the work. I know people who have taken short cuts and rush jobs and are running classic cars that they find impossible to get the optimum satisfaction from driving it. They have relatively high performance cars that would struggle to keep pace with a well driven Morris Minor. That's pointless.

Check if the fan is upto scratch if it's electric. If it's a crank fan then you may want to add an additional small electric fan with a thermostat. I read an article recently in a mag about how critical it is to having the engine run at the prescribed temp for optimum performance.

Another visit to Hell and back yesterday. Even though I've seen the scale and ferocity of the rust many times before, I still am shocked to see them again. Just look at the lower C-pillar (where the rear door closes) in the pic of the inner sills. After I recovered from an initial dizziness I noticed what a lot of work our professori had done. The front scuttle is completed. The sills, A-pillars and various other parts that contribute to the structural rigidity is being done. I'm guessing the outer panel work with be relatively easier as this is quite a boxy car despite many subtle creases. Anyway I consider myself so lucky to have a tinker as talented as this guy and above all who accepted this project which I am certain that most would have never done.

Nice. what's the reg?

Progressing nicely.

W@rth has a few options too, which looks a bit nicer than MacF.

Devastating news Jadey. I've faced similar if not the same. Chased after a Citroen ID for many YEARS with many visits to try and coax him to part with a fast deteriorating car, and one fine day the owner decided to sell it. We could hardly believe it. My father and I took the cash and ran there. I even delayed a trip to Nuwara Eliya with my buddies that morning. When we showed up there he told is that he had changed his mind . I nearly lost it with him. Luckily my father calmed me down. All I can say is I hope you are able to find something else. But beware of the rebound. Keep a clear head so that you do not buy something you don't actually lust after...... That too happened to me. Cheers and good luck.

Aiyo you should have at least said 3mill to make it sound even slightly reasonable