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2020/08/08 17:26:09
deano

wanted to buy: Mk2 escort van:change of direction

Hi Guys,
 
as above, I'm interested to see if anyone has a Mk2 escort van available, ideally something like a 1980 2ltr.
 
I am contemplating the possibility of changing over to a van, rather than begin a respray on my 2L 4 door.
I figure it would mean I dont dirty up the missus wagon as much, and might be more practical.
 
Would consider an exchange/part exchange if this suits. I might also sell the Escort first outright, but thought i'd put this out there first.
 
Bodywork isnt as important, but would hope that it was relatively complete an running, rather than a total basketcase.
I am in Geelong
 
many thanks
16 comments Leave a comment
Guest
If only it was missing 2 doors
2020/08/08 18:33:43
deano
story of my life.
This is what I want to build: even just to have a go at doing arches
 
 
 
2020/08/08 20:19:46
Guest
I agree Dean, Those arches would be a first time challenge. Nothing ventured nothing gained heh.
A van is about the only Escort I've never owned. How recent is that pic?
Mark
2020/08/09 08:51:39
deano
not sure Mark, it is just one I found for motivation.
I never considered myself owning a van, but it would be pretty practical.
The problem is  if I'm not careful, what would start as a bit of a hack, would soon turn into something I dont want to bang around either, and defeat the purpose.
I'm assuming these are some form of std mk1 arches?
Then add the front flat spoiler, bumperettes (already done both on the current car), round headlights and deep dish minilights for the back.
Either Gunmetal grey, with orange stripes, or maybe traditional mid blue with silver?
 
My youngest is turning 18, so thats another car to accommodate.
The 4 door really needs to go before the van, or as a swap.
Just need to the gods to align, or be patient
 
More inspiration:
2020/08/09 10:59:01
deano
sorry added wrong pics
2020/08/09 11:00:13
Drewdog
Hey Deano,
The car looks pretty good, that engine is a beaut, how much work would be in a lick of paint and some rallye pack stripes? Might fetch some extra coin for the van swap.
Like the idea of the arches, I always liked the RAC vans, yellow with a white roof. A mate had one back in the nineties, always thought it'd be great to fix it up to how it was when it was in service.
Good luck with it all.
2020/08/09 14:06:46
deano
i figured Drew was right, it deserves a general touch up at least, and I already have the Rally Pack strips in the shed, may as well do some finishing off.
 
I was about to order a spraycan to test color match, but the Id tag code says paint is M (which is actually meant to be Satin Spruce?).
I cant find a reference to gold on the color charts, there's a harvest yellow, and yellow blaze.
I know its hard to pick from a photo, but anyone want to take a stab and recognise this as being some flavour of Escort Gold?
If the concensus is that the M did mean Satin Spruce, well, this is the funny part.
That was the color of dads escort, and what I  was going to paint it if I proceeded with a fully respray, to the point where I had already bought a 500ml of Satin Spruce a year ago that I bought as a tester.
 
Perhaps the cars color has been changed, and it's Buddhas way of telling me to do a proper job and return it to original.
Weird?
 
 
2020/08/10 13:39:04
Drewdog
Could be Tropic Gold, codes don't match but its in the '75 parts catalogue and the '76 workshop manual. The Falcon shown is Tropic gold. I'll have a look in the '78 onwards parts guide, but I've just realized my new laptop doesn't have a disk drive so I'll have a try on the mrs one when she gets home.



 
2020/08/10 14:20:20
Guest
Try this link Dean, I have this one marked as I have found to be the most accurate.
 
http://www.rsmotorsport.c...hnical/escortmkii.html
2020/08/10 19:42:13
deano
it does look like the Falcon, I think your right Drew, it's been painted in Tropic Gold.
I found that guide this morning Mark, and it the one that suggested (for 77) M is satin spruce.
 
It certainly looked like its Gold (tropic Gold maybe) all over. Under the bootlid, door jams etc are this color.
I think i'll take the door card off, and see what color they are, as well as rubbing some sections back.
 
Its no drama really either way, just a curiosity.
My compressor isnt really up to scratch, so im going to sort out a new one, since ive got some guns, and may as well have a crack. That was the idea.
Its too cold in the garage to paint at the moment anyway, but can anyone suggest what you can wipe over the panels to stop them rusting once sanded, prior to painting say in a month or 2? Then wipe off?
 
Bugger all on telly, so I'll just strip/sand back one panel at a time and get started.
thanks fellas
 
 
2020/08/10 20:59:25
Guest
Dean, I just spray with etch primer as it is compatible with acrylic or 2 pack and seals well.
2020/08/11 17:54:04
Robbie
Love an arched van, untill our little one came along i was strongly considering getting one as a daily! how cool are they!
 
2020/08/14 16:36:13
deano
things seem to be moving ahead.
it looks like I might have found a 77 mk2 van locally, just waiting to inspect it.
Its stripped down, and missing  the engine, but otherwise hopefully its all there, albeit boxed up and still needing some welding work and a new sill.
Rather than finding another pinto, or stripping it out of the 4 door,I'm planning a duratec install.
I've sourced a 2014 2.0 from a Focus thats done 60,000 kms, and should be easy to get, and a plan for certification.
 
So the Escort will go to a new home. I bought a decent compressor today, and primer and 'Tropic Gold"just to do a quick tidy up. SMKA is waiting for a few panels, apparently the MK1 bubbles are what you need. Now to read back up on all of the Duratec installs, something I thought i'd never do, but with a bit of effort I might end up with an easy to live with van width moderate power and drivablilty.
2020/08/14 19:42:13
NQRS
Hey Deano,
keep us updated, if you get a van to be anything like the sample pictures will be very nice, looking forward to the build. Cheers, Len
2020/08/14 19:56:52
Robbie
duratec in my 2door is my dream daily. Getting them legal in SA seems to be an issue but worry about that when the bank balance is more in the black
2020/08/14 20:10:03
Guest
Well Dean you can never be accused if letting the grass grow under your feet!
Yes I don't think there is an arch specially for a MK2?
I know what you mean (re Duratec) about never say never. That's why we accumulate so many parts, cause you never know when......
2020/08/14 21:01:22

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