Ford Escort Mk1 Restoration Project

GTAm · May 28, 2013

Good man!

On 5/28/2013 at 7:08 AM, sampathd said:
Thanks for the advise. I'm going to take the route suggested. Going to do the body first.

The Don · May 28, 2013

On 5/28/2013 at 7:08 AM, sampathd said:
Hey Guys,
Thanks for the advise. I'm going to take the route suggested. Going to do the body first.

Managed to source a 1.6 engine. I've committed to buying it and the seller has committed to selling it to me. Hope he wont change his mind

Hopefully with the engine sorted out, I am now turning to the body. Figured I'd do a full restoration now rather than later. So I am on the lookout for a good tinker. I know they are hard to come by. But planning to check out a few before committing.

I also need a good mechanic to rebuild the engine that I am buying. Can anyone recommend someone who knows Ford engines and maybe about mods (such as putting in duel webber carbs, etc). Any leads are appreciated.

Cheers,

You are probably in luck with the engine, though the dual carb might be quite a challenge. I suggest you do a standard rebuild first and do the modifications later as they can be done externally like fitting on a new manifold, carbs etc. I think companies like D*MO, Edirisinghe brothers, lal and nihal will undertake the rebuild.

The tinkering.......... now there is the problem! Try to find an old timer who will take their time in doing the job well, rather than some of the newer guys who are only interested in money.

sampathd · May 28, 2013

Any recommendations Don?

The Don · May 28, 2013

On 5/28/2013 at 11:48 AM, sampathd said:
Any recommendations Don?

Well GTAMs master tinker, but it sounds like he has a steady stream of work heading his way. None of the guys I've used bar one who I hear has moved to Giriulla comes to mind when it comes to good tinkering guys.

Sampath, my suggestion is probably to try to buy all the panels you need brand new, as for your car there are plenty of parts. Then the quality of the tinker doesn't matter as much as all they have to do is to put panels together and the panels will also last quite a while. It's a bit on the expensive side though.............

carboy2011 · May 28, 2013

On 5/28/2013 at 2:36 PM, The Don said:
Well GTAMs master tinker, but it sounds like he has a steady stream of work heading his way. None of the guys I've used bar one who I hear has moved to Giriulla comes to mind when it comes to good tinkering guys.
Sampath, my suggestion is probably to try to buy all the panels you need brand new, as for your car there are plenty of parts. Then the quality of the tinker doesn't matter as much as all they have to do is to put panels together and the panels will also last quite a while. It's a bit on the expensive side though.............

but still he has to be somewhat good as the body pillars/frame too need to be done up if they are corroded,and chassis too

when you say new body panels you refering to UK market right?

The Don · May 28, 2013

On 5/28/2013 at 3:26 PM, carboy2011 said:
but still he has to be somewhat good as the body pillars/frame too need to be done up if they are corroded,and chassis too
when you say new body panels you refering to UK market right?

Yes but the sellers will ship the panels anywhere. Getting them to Sri Lanka is not the issue.

Usually the chassis and pillars of these cars are ok, because they are roadworthy. Just need the rust to be scraped off, probably taken down to bare metal if possible and repainted. And yes some welding might be required must it wont be anything complicated like trying to get the curves of an external panel.

sampathd · July 12, 2013

A small update. Nothing much to write about.

Drove the car last weekend. Was so thrilled but it was short lived. Even a push cyclist overtook me up a hill on borelagamuwa. So the car went back to the garage. Seems that the buggers in Jaffna had messed up the carb.

So swapped the carb from the engine I sourced. Yup I got hold of a 681F engine. Said to be 1.6L still trying to ascertain that though. But it had a Fodomo carb. engine in the car was a Solex. So now the Fodomo is in the 1100 engine.

There was a fuel leak from the petrol pump. Got a repair kit and also the plug wires.

And the mechanic at the garage has done another dissapearing act. So waiting to get the pump sorted and do a test run around. And then planning to take it out, do a bit of light running for a few weeks while zooming in on the tinker. Things like signals and lights are all in working order. So should be okay to run it around. Wanna see how it feels before I can plan any other upgrades.

So far I've been quoted 350K and 150K by two tinkers. Hope to show it to Komi's place and another place another member here recommended. And hopefully by the end of the month she will be undergoing her surgeries.

Got down some FG wheel arches as well. I've been promised a set of front disk brakes as well.

The rest of the car seems pretty decent nick. Probably needs to be scraped and painted.

Jaliya48 · July 12, 2013

Looks like you're having fun! If Dehiwala is close by to where you live, I'll introduce you to my mechanic (if you like, that is!)

carboy2011 · July 12, 2013

On 7/12/2013 at 9:17 AM, sampathd said:
A small update. Nothing much to write about.
Drove the car last weekend. Was so thrilled but it was short lived. Even a push cyclist overtook me up a hill on borelagamuwa. So the car went back to the garage. Seems that the buggers in Jaffna had messed up the carb.

So swapped the carb from the engine I sourced. Yup I got hold of a 681F engine. Said to be 1.6L still trying to ascertain that though. But it had a Fodomo carb. engine in the car was a Solex. So now the Fodomo is in the 1100 engine.

Did you buy this car in Jaffna mate? i know Jaffna has quite a few classics (now most are snapped up)

if so i assume you got it trucked back to Colombo,

350k is a bit high for tinkering (unless it includes paintwork),you need to get a good painter and use high end pain and materials or else it will end up bubbling like hell ;0(

GTAm · July 15, 2013

In my experience 350k looks the more realistic figure by today's standards for old cars. 150k means your body must be in quite decent shape.

On 7/12/2013 at 9:17 AM, sampathd said:
So far I've been quoted 350K and 150K by two tinkers. Hope to show it to Komi's place and another place another member here recommended. And hopefully by the end of the month she will be undergoing her surgeries.

DMendis · July 17, 2013

I saw a nice MK1 at Autolanka for sale. Take a look at the pictures.

http://www.autolanka.com/ad.asp?ID=125403

VVTi · July 17, 2013

On 5/7/2013 at 1:41 PM, MasterDon said:
Haven't GTAm and I taught you anything???...get the body sorted out.?The mechanocals are a piece of cake compared to the bodywork.
Well there's the MazdaFord Club,(MFOCers)... but be warned their esteemed members have a habbit of getting drunk and smashing their Fords in to parked Corrollas and urinating on them afterwards...

Nonsense... Who is spreading these false 'rumors'?

Ahh... you mean this Corolla?

Edited July 17, 2013 by VVTi

Watchman · July 17, 2013

On 7/17/2013 at 3:03 AM, DMendis said:
I saw a nice MK1 at Autolanka for sale. Take a look at the pictures.
http://www.autolanka.com/ad.asp?ID=125403

It was featured on the last MoTorque epsisode. I admit the car really is mint, but the question is would you be willing to spend 2.5mil on one of these.

The joy in most of these cars is in the shedding of sweat and tears on the restoration process rather than the ownership itself. It's like raising a kid to see him/her grow up and succeed in life as opposed to paying some 19 year old university student to be your adopted kid.

Edited July 17, 2013 by Watchman

k9master · July 17, 2013

On 7/17/2013 at 6:32 AM, Watchman said:
It was featured on the last MoTorque epsisode. I admit the car really is mint, but the question is would you be willing to spend 2.5mil on one of these.
The joy in most of these cars is in the shedding of sweat and tears on the restoration process rather than the ownership itself. It's like raising a kid to see him/her grow up and succeed in life as opposed to paying some 19 year old university student to be your adopted kid.

Completely agree with you. But on this island there definitely are people who'd want to drive one of these and 'Claim' they restored it themselves and become a self-proclaimed enthusiast. You know, since Allions, Premios are too mainstream

After the ownership the car may have to go under another restoration through a true enthusiast.

Jaliya48 · July 17, 2013

On 7/17/2013 at 6:32 AM, Watchman said:
It was featured on the last MoTorque epsisode. I admit the car really is mint, but the question is would you be willing to spend 2.5mil on one of these.
The joy in most of these cars is in the shedding of sweat and tears on the restoration process rather than the ownership itself. It's like raising a kid to see him/her grow up and succeed in life as opposed to paying some 19 year old university student to be your adopted kid.

Nailed it! It does look good though.

Supra_Natural · July 17, 2013

On 7/17/2013 at 6:32 AM, Watchman said:
It was featured on the last MoTorque epsisode. I admit the car really is mint, but the question is would you be willing to spend 2.5mil on one of these.
The joy in most of these cars is in the shedding of sweat and tears on the restoration process rather than the ownership itself. It's like raising a kid to see him/her grow up and succeed in life as opposed to paying some 19 year old university student to be your adopted kid.

You'd be surprised at what people are willing to pay machan, A Mk3 Capri recently changed hands for 2.7 Million! (It was in similar shape to the escort, after a total rebuild).

Anyway, finding a Mk1 escort these days and building it to the level that this car is built, with the kind of parts that are on it would easily swallow up close to that number if not even more..

I know this car and it's owner rather well, take it from me, it IS as good as it looks!

Komisiripala · July 17, 2013

yeah that escort is the shizz. really. stunning. and the build just brings tears to my eyes. hope my datto woudl be at that level some day

Watchman · July 17, 2013

On 7/17/2013 at 12:07 PM, Supra_Natural said:
You'd be surprised at what people are willing to pay machan, A Mk3 Capri recently changed hands for 2.7 Million! (It was in similar shape to the escort, after a total rebuild).
Anyway, finding a Mk1 escort these days and building it to the level that this car is built, with the kind of parts that are on it would easily swallow up close to that number if not even more..

I know this car and it's owner rather well, take it from me, it IS as good as it looks!

I admit the car IS flawless, and it probably DID cost the owner around that number to do it up. But an enthusiast puts money into a project not because he can mark up the price when selling. He does it cos he's loving the restoration project. Another example, Komi's integra; If you sum the price of the base car and the upgrade parts/labour and put it up for sale, that car might not sell, but at the same time if you offer komi a 100+k on top of what he's spent, he probably wont take the offer either cos its more than a bag of cash to him.

But you certainly know more about these cars and their ownerships/prices; I still feel people who buy these 'ready-made' cars are depriving themselves of a very special experience. Different strokes for different folks...

Hoonigan · July 17, 2013

My question is how can one part with a car like that after all that effort?

Supra_Natural · July 18, 2013

On 7/17/2013 at 4:25 PM, Watchman said:
I admit the car IS flawless, and it probably DID cost the owner around that number to do it up. But an enthusiast puts money into a project not because he can mark up the price when selling. He does it cos he's loving the restoration project. Another example, Komi's integra; If you sum the price of the base car and the upgrade parts/labour and put it up for sale, that car might not sell, but at the same time if you offer komi a 100+k on top of what he's spent, he probably wont take the offer either cos its more than a bag of cash to him.
But you certainly know more about these cars and their ownerships/prices; I still feel people who buy these 'ready-made' cars are depriving themselves of a very special experience. Different strokes for different folks...

On 7/17/2013 at 4:53 PM, Hoonigan said:
My question is how can one part with a car like that after all that effort?

In the case of this car, the owner has had it for about 5 or 6 years and now he feels like he needs a change, that DOES happen, even I am thinking about selling my spitfire and going for something different. Sadly current financial status does not allow me to keep it AND embark on another project, same with the escort basically.

HardHat · July 18, 2013

On 7/12/2013 at 9:17 AM, sampathd said:

Drove the car last weekend. Was so thrilled but it was short lived. Even a push cyclist overtook me up a hill on borelagamuwa. So the car went back to the garage. Seems that the buggers in Jaffna had messed up the carb.

Jaffna? heard that when the war was on, folks over there used to mix kerosine oil with petrol, as petrol was a bit hard to find / or was expensive. That might explain the messed up carbs and perhaps an underpowered engine due to high build-up of carbon.

No issue as you will be changing the engine and carbs anyway

Watchman · July 18, 2013

On 7/18/2013 at 4:39 AM, Supra_Natural said:
In the case of this car, the owner has had it for about 5 or 6 years and now he feels like he needs a change, that DOES happen, even I am thinking about selling my spitfire and going for something different. Sadly current financial status does not allow me to keep it AND embark on another project, same with the escort basically.

Ahh.. Makes sense I guess...

Btw Supra, what happened to your beetle? Is it still with you?

GTAm · July 18, 2013

2.7 for a Capri, 2.5 for an 'Scort!!! I suddenly feel like a millionaire. My Giulia has to be worth 5m at least in that case!

Supra_Natural · July 18, 2013

On 7/18/2013 at 5:59 AM, GTAm said:
2.7 for a Capri, 2.5 for an 'Scort!!! I suddenly feel like a millionaire. My Giulia has to be worth 5m at least in that case!

It remains to be seen whether someone will pony up for the escort of course, but the capri went for that money if i'm not mistaken, it appears the classic market has gone insane thanks to all the buggers who have decided that anything old is a classic lol... Even people with Austin 7s are asking 2 million plus! I heard that a TR3 had changed hands recently for 7 million! Dunno how true that is though..

MasterDon · July 18, 2013

Supra_Natural said:

... I heard that a TR3 had changed hands recently for 7 million! Dunno how true that is though..

7.7 mil to be precise.That was not due to the crazy local market unlike overhyped Capris,Escorts,7s etc...TR3s go for about 30000 pounds in the UK so that price is about right especially considering the rarity in SL and that car is in the mintest of conditions.

As for Shane's Escort.That is one of the best restored cars I've ever seen,and I've seen quite a few.The attention to detail is amazing,I remember he redid the entire paintwork because he didn't get the exact shade of grey he wanted.