well after building a capri i have managed to score a mk1 escort and 2ltr pinto mtr
still got few little things to finish the capri ...
so now the new project  begins mk1 escort with bubble arches  + round light front
 
got the steel bubble arches and round light front panel,
has got some rust that needs to be cut and fixed  so looking forward to build the escort i have allways wanted to do for a long time now ..
 
cheers

cheers boys
 
i want to have a go installing the bubble arches , seen a few vids and posta here and there , just wondering if anybody might have few tips
 
i knpw i have to trim the excess of the bubble arches to about 2cm from the edge of the bubble arch
 
then line up on car mark it out then cut 2cm down from the line , grab a joddler and do the edge of the panel , either put some blind fasters in it to hold in place then weld it up ..
 
what type of joddler do i need as i see different types of them will the air flange joddler work or do i need the hand one from the uk
 
thanks boys

I used an air joddler to great effect. Also seemed to have the benefit of stiffening the edge of the then very floppy rear 1/4's after the cut. Bonus was the tool also had a hole punch.
Alternatively you can mount the flare under the 1/4 skin but neatening the rear seam becomes an issue.
Get the suspension in final configuration fixed first so you can put the bubble in the right place centered on the wheel. My front bubble is nearly 40mm forwards due to caster etc.
JP

Where did you get the steel bubbles from if you don't mind my asking?
 

if you want to go the hand joddler option but don't want to purchase o/s, I bought one from Metal man tools at Ballarat swap meet earlier this year:
http://www.metalmantools.com.au/hikashop-menu-for-brands-listing/prod/joggler-punch-pliers.html
now $98 but made in aus.

It was the most scarey thing I did to the car.  Cutting those mahoosive holes......
 
Take your time.  Get the swag lines to match - you may need to spray some paint on the panels then lightly sand off to reveal the swag lines better.  I wouldn't mount them under the panels as that will create a nice lip that dirt will settle in = rust.
 
Weld VERY VERY slowly else you will warp the panels.  Do a spot say every 6 inches then go around and add a second spot.  Keep going until it is all filled in.
 
I have seen cars with them on back to front.
 
I bought mine from Gartrac and they were very nice (think they were solid gold if I remember the price).
 
Good luck.

cheers fellas
 
i brought the bubble arches with the car..
 
yeah im a bit on the sidelines of welding on top of panels or under it ..
 
yeah the welding isnt a prob for me

im tossing up if i want to keep the original rear light set up ....
 
im more leaning towards fitting and grafting it either the r33 shyline round tail lights  or led r32 round tail light twin light setup ..
 
 what do you blokes think about fitting r33 tail lights like these on the escort its not anything original gt etc so im not to fussed about keeping it original ..
r32
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/JDM-LED-Tail-Lights-for-Nissan-R32-Skyline-Coupe-GTS-T-GT-R-GT4-RB250DET-Trubo-/130491741257?epid=1275067873&hash=item1e61e9f449:g:7gIAAOSwvg9Xb0NP
 
r33http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Smoked-LED-Tail-Lights-for-Nissan-R33-Skyline-Coupe-GTS-T-GT-R-GT-T-RB250DET-/151319299873?fits=Plat_Gen%3AR33&epid=1666726040&hash=item233b554721:g:b9wAAOSwbYZXcHXt
 
i like this look and think it would look good and different on the mk1
http://www.ebay.com.au/it...449:g:7gIAAOSwvg9Xb0NP
 
 

I'm old enough to remember when customising cars was cool, and remember Escorts getting about with inverted XD Falcon front indicators and the like. Not my cup of tea visually, and I personally think a disaster for anyone who wishes their vehicle to retain its value (as a collectable and monetarily, which includes me, even though I'm never going to sell). But it's your car, so make it how you like it.

whooligan
But hey, I own a Capri with Escorr fibreglass bubble arches, XA coupe tail-lights and Datsun headlights which I think looks pretty cool.

I'd like to see that!