Here's a little project I've had hidden away for a while. I picked it up close to a year ago now. It's a 1980, 2.0L GL Denim pack originating from Victoria. Still has "Ferntree Gully" dealership badge on the boot :)
 
I have been quite fortunate to know most of the history with this car thanks to a very helpful member (& previous owner) on the forums here, Phil H.
 
I'm aiming for "tasteful" modifications. The car requires much work to get it back to a good standard condition so I'm just going to get the motor pepped up with some 45's, manual trans & lowered on some 13" compomotive copies (JBW).
 
There has been a bit of body work to get it to this stage. Complete front panel welded in, the old one was a little mangled. Bottom corners of rear windscreen cut out & replaced with rust-free sections (thanks to Phil @ escort shop for panel sections). 
 
Here are the pics. Also showing the Frangipani that was just pulled out today so I have a better place to keep the car, down the side of the shed. 
 
Enjoy










 
 
 

It's just endless dramas with the smallest of jobs on this car. Got my new front studs from smcka so I can fit the alloys. Advertised as 14mm spline, actual size 14.4mm making it near impossible to pull them through.
Also the half shafts need removing so the noses can be machined down enough to clear the centre bores on same wheels.
 
With 101 other jobs to do on this car, these little but time consuming problems can get a bit frustrating

Big thanks to Ken (diff shop) for putting my axles on the lathe, and also pointing out that one of the shafts had no retainer plate under the bearing! That could have ended badly. Lucky for me he had a spare and pressed the bearing off, installed retainer plate & pressed bearing back on.
Once the shafts were in I test fitted a minilite and as suspected, studs were too short.
I had a rummage through some spares I've kept over the years and wallah! From an old hilux project, 20x near new 13mm spline, 12x1.5mm thread and about 20mm longer than the escort studs. So they've been installed and wheels fit really well.
 
 
The aim is to get RWC and there's a little left to do.
Back to my panel guy for the last rust repairs.
Fit front seat belts
Replace dodgy bulbs where necessary
Glue on rear vision mirror
Install Webcon service kit on the 32/36 weber
 
I've recently drained & flushed cooling system and filled with new coolant.
New oil & filter
Drained 20L of stale fuel from tank via the sender unit aperture. Man did that stuff stink.
I've got a good drop tank to replace which has been primed & painted. A new brass float is on the way for the fuel sender (ebay) but the windings will have to be redone by automotive instrument specialist.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Soldier on mate, I've got the odd job blues too at the moment, one job at a time....
The car looks interesting, can't say I've actually seen a denim pack before, are you keeping the decals? and is that one on the back faded or meant to look like old denim?
Good luck with it Drew..............

Hi Drew, thanks for the positive comments. Yes I'll just keep chugging along, slow & steady. The decals have faded and the beaver panel has been repaired at some point which is why there's one missing. Plan is to keep exterior as-is and run with the whole patina look :D. If I get the chance to repaint it it will be done all original. Even though it's a common GL, the trim pack is super rare and will be worth more in original condition.
 
Here's some photos of it from back in the day
 
 
 
 

ratta tat tat
Even though it's a common GL, the trim pack is super rare and will be worth more in original condition.

I wish GLs were common, but agree about the denim pack being rare; even in their day I'd say.

The drivers side headlight is a genuine Ford/ Carello and has a very clear quartz glass compared to the yellowish ford ones (compare headlights above). I had been looking around for another with no luck. Then this aftermarket DENJI item popped up on ebay for $40 so I grabbed it. Looks very close to the Carello and I've read some good things about the brand. Hopefully will match very nicely

 
Here's how it sits today. All the electrics have been sorted out. It was just dodgy bulbs really.
Not long till RWC. I've changed plans and the race motor's going in the MK1. My current pinto (130bhp) will be going into this mated to the auto! Good times

coming along nicely mate

Cheers Scott