I had the shell out of the shed yesterday for the first time in months. I gave it a good blasting with the karcher so I could see what paint still needed to come off the outside and to clean up all the dust and crap that's built up over the past few months.

Today I welded in the heater plenum cover (it was only tacked previously) and the strut brace mounts today. Also spent some time removing the final traces of green paint from the exterior.

The crossmember is out of the car again so I can start painting the engine bay.

The interior is the slowest bit. I'm not going to strip all the paint out as it's a pain. Pics tomorrow hopefully but don't hold me to it.

Hehe. If you can convince the wife to let me work on your car, you're on.

Some pics of the strut brace. The brown colour is rust convertor.





Here's a test fit of the new rims and the rear axle. The axle isn't bolted in yet as I need to get some longer U bolts and new lock nuts for it.





Bit of a difference between the original Ghia rims and the new 15" ones. Anyone after a set of Ghia rims and nuts?

progress looks good steve, judging from the picture i'd say the offset of those rims is perfect.

i may be going through/near your way on Saturday, if your home i could drop the steering wheel off?

I'll be here, probably working on the car. Feel free to drop around.

Whooligan the Ford works team in Australia ran an RS2000 with forest arches for some time in the late 70's. There is one for sale in Qld at the moment and the seller claims it is one of the original 25 brought into the country.

I like your work Steve. Keep the progress pictures coming.

Are those Panasports wheels?

whooligan: I got the rear brake kit from Mk1Lotus. Not sure where he sourced them from.

mickas: Yes, they're panasport

Today's work.

Bought a DA air sander and gave the outside a rub. Also spent some time on the grinder removing the console mounts and the rear crossbrace. The void where the brace was will be filled with a steel firewall.



Also got around to cleaning up the inside of the front firewall. There's a little bit of welding to be done then the seam sealer and paint go on.



Also found some longer U bolts for the rear axle and test fitted the boot lid.

Started the tunnel mods needed to fit the Sierra gearbox. As I want to retain the ability to mount the factory 4 speed it's a little different than people suggest to do.

The oval cutout that'll allow either gearshift to be mounted. I have an alloy cover plate that'll fit over the top.


I've cut a little triangle out of the front of the original gearbox mounts. This is to give enough clearance around the 5 speed box.



Started painting the interior of the firewall. Didn't finish though. Need to buy more primer.



Here are the new rear U bolts all fitted up.



Next job is to make a rear firewall out of an old bonnet. Should be fun.