Posted this on an English ford forum (www.oldskoolford.co.uk) and couldn't be bothered to change it for the Australian market... Hope you enjoy...
 
So I thought that while I have no money to spend on my car that I would write a little section on my car, the work I have done and the work that is yet to be done... Hope you enjoy my Australian Mk 2 Project and it's story...
So, I first purchased the car 3 and a half years ago... It was a very quick decision and I am ashamed to say that I had never really thought of buying a Ford as I was a Holden (Vauxhaul in the UK although the cars are quite different) fan (Please note the "WAS" :) )... I previously had a toyota blizzard which I was loaned by my grandfather and soon destroyed as all young kids do... 


I was desperate for a new car so over the weekend i went in search for a new ride and my father suggested an escort which i promptly went in search for, fell in love with, and bought the first one i saw...

So finally to the car itself... enough with history...
It is a 1977 Mk 2 Escort GL...
The previous owner fitted a 1600 Kent engine with a Lukey exhaust system and extractors but other then that and a high flow air filter the engine is standard.
The paint work was also done by the previous owner but i can say it was his best effort as I was told that it wasn't that old yet the clear coat is already wearing off and  it chips in the slightest breeze....

Standard and worn tends to set the tone for the rest of the car... However, I do intend to change this although i do wish to keep the car looking rather standard.

When purchased the car had 13x6 inch Dragway rims and 205/60 Yokohama Y352 tyres. Recently though I purchased some 13x7 minilights and 175/50 Yokohama A359 tyres as I wish to lower the car slightly and I love the look of the -7 mini lights.

Gaz GHA coil overs are going to be the means of lowering the car along with some lowering blocks for the rear. A the moment I am undecided on how far to go but I imagine it will end up lower then practical... The suspension continues with various other bits that i have collected and that are waiting for the day of installation. This list includes the following:
Adjustable top mounts Adjustable TCA'sPolybushes throughout the carAluminium Hubsand a few other bits and bobs
On the current shopping list after the summer holidays in Australia is going to be some 4 pot AP Racing brakes for the front.  When I get these and then find some time it shall all be pulled apart and then go back together and hopefully i don't have too many bolts left over ;)


Engine-wise, I'm going to stay with the 1600 Crossflow that was transplanted into it and do the standard carbs, cam, extractors, 1300 pistons and electronic dizzy. But all that must wait for another pay day...

Hope you all enjoyed the read if you bothered to read this far, I will keep adding to this thread as I go...
Cheers fellas and happy motoring!!

Nice Car looks clean and tidy , gotta love a esky on 13x7's just looks right, but is that tape holding the taillight on?
 

Haha yeah the plastic has perished and the screws don't hold it on but I assure you that it is on the next list of parts... Thanks for the comment and you are right about the rims... It just looks so perfect

very nice! another WA car too!

Ok so I thought it was about time I added a little update... I recently incurred an issue with my gearbox. The selector decided one day that I know longer needed to use reverse 1st and 3rd gears which makes driving the little beast a bit of a challenge and gear selection becomes your top priority haha. 



So I dragged another one out of an old 4 door I have and added it to the increasing list of parts I have to fit!



And I thought I would just add a photo of some of the seats that I went to test to see if they were comfortable... The outcome... They were awesome but $700 Australian each so a little out of my price range (To put it in perspective $700 currently buys 2 Cobra Monaco Pro's with mounting brackets and shipping from the UK).



So that is all for now I shall post picks of my new parts when they arrive!!! 

Hi Michael just sent you a email!! Good to see you are building a thread on here its a lot better than my efforts in sharing!!

Haha cheers Stu
 
Yeah got the email cheers for having a bit of a lookand you're right I'll have to come around one day check out your type9 install...
Thanks for the positive comments in regards to the thread, thought it may be valuable to people if they go and install some of the same stuff.
Hopefully soon when my parts arrive I shall have a lot of install pics!!
 
Michael

So some more parts ordered today! 
 
I finally purchased the RS steering arms that I have long been forgetting and I also purchased some 146lbs single rear leaf springs which I am eager to see how well they go. It was a decision I had long been debating in regards to the leafs as I was not really sure there was all that great a benefit in them however after getting several quotes on resetting my current springs which would have been twice the cost I decided it was worth it. 
 
If anyone is thinking of purchasing parts from Europe I highly recommend GPR4 Fabrications. They have been terrific in providing advice and have been most professional and helpful. Please not that I have no affiliation with the company I was simply just very pleased with their service.
 
Now I just can't wait 'til everything gets here and I can attempt to fit it all!!
 
Michael

Ok so over the last few months not much has been done to the escort but that is all about to change! The last few days have seen the majority of the parts I ordered arrive!!! 



Single 146lbs rear leaf springs


AP Racing front 4pot callipers and vented and grooved disks, Ferodo brake pads, 2 inch lowering blocks...



Mk2 Mexico front spoiler, rear light lenses, GPR4 Fabrications bias peddle box, anti tramp rods and all RS steering arms
Now I need to get a few little things like brake lines and fluid bottles and a few other little things and then it is time to try and find a shed or garage to work on the old girl...
 
I also invested in a GoPro HD Hero 2 so will be shooting some high res vids and pics of the build which should commence soonish  :D

Escort parts instead of furniture way to go!!!