Hey Jason.

Can't wait to see how this project progresses. Its gonna be one cool ride!

Is that a little automatic badge on the rear? Are you going to be keeping it? Think you can see where this is heading...

Thanks for the offer Red Pepper...but I have my paint already.

Keen eye there hak! Yes the shell is a big tunnel Auto! But for now[;^)] the engine will be a GT Spec 1600.

I hardly slept last night I was so excited....oh hang on that was the baby keeping me up![88]

RJ

So would you be willing to part with the automatic badge?

Paint was a give away, by the way![:x)]

No use to me as you would know.[;^)]

As the girls would say, this is going to be real cute ride, you have[:o)]

Can't wait to see the finished product

Red Pepper - Sorry for that....if it's still on offer, I will use it for the little fiddly jobs like inside the doors and boot etc. Let me know and I will arrange to collect.

Jewels - sorry, I have your email...but the baby has kept me busy. I am arranging a killer deal on the rims as we are an outlet for Performance...stay tuned a return email is coming.

Hak...the badge is your....what do you have to swap?[;^)] Hey I might have two....let me know.

RJ

Okey dokey! I will get Dad to drop it in then and he can see if you have his centre cap replacement (Concept 5 or Lenso I think? [:I])

Thanks Jason, but what do I have to swap....hmmm, some cash maybe. Dont know that the few grubby Escort parts I have would be of much use to you or Speedy G. Anything in particular you're looking for?

Hang on Hak......I looked at the badge and the 'C' at the end of Automatic is broken. It's a freebie of you want still want it....and I might have a good one else where, so hang in there!

RJ

I'm still keen on the broken one, I'll pay for the postage costs, and if you have an intact one that'd be great. Let me know what you find.

The build has begun!

Here's the car in it's new home;

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I unloaded everything, and sorted out what will be sold on eBay and what will be saved. Then I sat down infront of the Mk 1 and closed my eyes and pictured it finished.......then I got up and began creating.

First up I decided as costs were to be kept to a minimum that the Diff, and front end/brakes would be retained. I tried to start the engine...but it was a no go. So I abandoned the idea of getting it running, and started to fix stuff up.

I pulled the old skinny 13in rims off and stuck on a set of Lotus steels to keep my spirits up, and had a look at the rear brakes. They looked Ok, so I gave them a quick blow off, checked the wheel cylinders....it all looked fine!

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I put the drum cover back on, and painted it satin black - and admiried my first 'work' on the car.

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Next up I stripped out the boot, including the fuel tank;

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Then I stripped the rear of everything - here's the before;

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Here's the bum stripped naked;

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Look closely and you can see my black marker pen cirlces around the area's that need welding/filling or bog work. So that's it for now - all that took 2 hours....but left a smile for a week. Next up I strip the interior and front end.

Cheers

RJ