After a couple of months of searching I finally found the new project I've been looking for.
Introducing my 1966 Mk1 Cortina GT. Originally metallic silver its now a rough diamond in rattle pack black and rust, so much so we've named it the ugly duckling... Looking past that its not that bad at all, it needs some sills and rear arches. Floor, bulkhead, doors, A, B, & C pillars are all fine. Bonus it's still licenced with its original, low number country plates.
Currently theres a running 4age in the engine bay backed by a five speed. The original engine and box was supplied. This is a sticking point at the moment, not sure which engine to use, plenty of time to work that out though. In the meantime I'm going to put the whole thing back together, make sure it's all there and fits. Theres a mountain of spares, two and three of almost everything. All of the chrome, console, badges and GT stuff are all there, it's just missing front seats and original wheels.
Ironically twenty odd years ago I sold my first GT to buy a set of RS alloys for the Escort, I sold those alloys this week and a GT's come back.
Cheers Drew...

congratulations Drew, your patience and hard work have paid off.
It looks to be a great starting point, and it will be good to follow the build.
 
Now since your search is over and your a man of leisure, could you find me a Mk2 escort project?

Great project Drew. I vote to retain 4AGE, as bonus is you still have original motor should you ever change your mind down the track.
 
Will be watching thread for progress.

Congratulations Drew! Keep the 4AGE if at all possible, even if it means putting the fuel injection back on, as it is a terrific engine. If you need seats in the short term, then let me know, as I may be able to help you out.

Nice one Drew. The motor looks fantastic in there. What a bonus having the webers

Thanks guys,
Whooligan, funny you say that the Capri is the only one I haven't owned yet... maybe next time haha...
In the meantime I've started to set some goals for the project, the body should be pretty straight forward so I'm going to push it a bit and try and go all steel. I learnt alot doing the RS, there was a small amount of filler used in that so its time to hone my metal working skills a bit more.
Paint will be the original silver, I think the Lotus flash is a little over done so I may go with a white roof and 'le mans' style stripe on the lower door, these will be done in vinyl wrap so it can be reversed in the future.
Engine is still open to debate, There was no structural mods done to fit it so it's easily changed, I'm just happy the guy had the foresight to store the original.
Anyway its off to the shed for me, I've got acres of chrome and stainless trim to start buffing.
Cheers Drew...

Keen to check this out sometime Drew! I was going to keep my mk1 original but you saying that the 4age didn't hurt the original body gives me some ideas!

Hi Drew,
Congratulations on the new project, looks like you have a good solid example to make a start, will be watching thread with interest, mark 1 was first car I ever owned/ drove with hot race crossflow.
Cheers,
Len

Len, I've got fond memories of a Mk1 I had in my youth too, missed out on buying back a while ago but stoked with this one.
Ionix, happy to send any pics you may need, engine will be coming out for paint so I can get some detailed ones then.
 
Great to be back in the garage after a few months off. Starting to go through the bright work, slow going, cut, polish and buff. I'm keeping a tally of man hours this project, 13 hours in and I've done maybe a third of the trim. Working through the mountain of parts aswell. Sold off a couple of diffs, grilles, bumpers, manifolds so far. Got straight back on the net and started ordering parts. With no out of pocket expense I got some new tail light bezels and rubbers, indicator rubbers, windscreen rubbers, rivet clips for the side stripes and some fancy chrome bullet mirrors. Still got a pile of other parts so I'll try to keep this little trick going until they all run out Found a set of original wide steel rims and hub caps too just need to pic them up (three hours drive from here)
I'll take a break from the buffing mop during the week and start cleaning all the glass.
Cheers Drew...

 
 
 
 
 

Looking good.
 
What buffer wheel and medium are you using to polish?
 
Shaun