2015/01/14 22:56:38
Diskonekted
Hi all,
This is the possibly the second last part of the 7-8 year restoration I've been doing on my '79 4 Door 1600 GL Escort. I know right, everything that people don't want in an Escort. But it does hold a special place in my heart. You see I was feeling vulnerable after selling my Burnt Orange '76 coupe and stumbled across this on Macleay Islancd up in QLD. Not wanting to leave her there to rust, I felt a sense of obligation and brought her home like a stray pup. The wife was not pleased.
 
Aptly named 'Lucy' because she was quite the loose old girl; everything on here was rattling and had been subjected to a home mechanic who didn't know all the ins' and outs' of the Escort (or any car really, even basic things like having all the wheels of the same dimension!). Anyway, I digress; after having almost everything mechanical replaced or reconditioned years back I have always been meaning to have the bodywork corrected and a fresh coat of paint slapped on.
 
Now, with the thanks of a mate of a mate; it's finally happening. The main details are:
 
* Remove the rusty parts (lower parts of front quarters, boot lid, etc.)
* Remove the vents above the rear doors (didn't like the look of them)
* Inspect the heater bubble for rust
* Remove the existing paintwork
* Lay down new primer and paint (in XY Yellow Glo, darker than the original Pine Lime Yellow)
* New rubbers throughout
* Rally Pack decals (featuring ESCORT on the rear quarters)
* Rally pack highlighting on the car (i.e. black mirrors, black window frames, etc.)
* New front spoiler (painted black)
 
That's about it for now, but maybe after I'll look at getting the interior done and then she should be (for the most part) finished. Attached are some pictures from the panel work (which is being done by Outkast Body Shop on the QLD Sunshine Coast).
 
I'll post more as time goes on, let me know what you think in the meantime.

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2015/01/14 23:17:58
jpayne
looks a reasonable shell, get more photos up and keep us posted.
JP
2015/01/15 20:26:29
Drewdog
Nice to see another yellow one getting some love, nothing wrong with a screaming 1600. Keep us posted........
Cheers Drew......
2015/01/20 22:21:00
Diskonekted
Hi guys,
 
Thanks for the kind words so far! Yeh, I bought the car for it's good body and then worked on the mechanics until it was/is A1. Then of course the body looked a bit shabby, so here we are! But yes, the panel-beater tells me that it's in great shape with minimal rust (well, none now).
 
Thanks Drew, yeah I'm a fan of the yellow, but wanted to go a little bit darker hence the XY/XW colour. Yellow cars are a bad omen in my family, but I'm hoping to change that!
 
I've got a few more images, hopefully they get scaled as I think the resolution is super high.
 

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2015/01/21 22:22:18
Diskonekted
Hi all some more from earlier in the process.

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2015/01/21 22:31:06
Diskonekted
and....some more....

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2015/02/03 21:59:17
Diskonekted
The latest, direct from the spray booth!

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2015/02/05 19:36:37
Diskonekted
Episode 2 from the spray booth.

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2015/02/05 19:38:24
Diskonekted
more from the re-spray.

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2015/02/05 19:43:46
Diskonekted
This is part one from when the engine was reconditioned a few years back.

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