Nice progress there Deano, keep it up👍 . Chopping the old panel up was a good plan of attack, I've still got the front panel from my yellow van even tho it got totalled on removal , parts of it might be needed one day ..

I can vouch for that Mark , and prolly did some of the under carriage carnage in my time . Especially one time I was selling a more door mk2 2littr my friend and I decided to go flying over yumps on a local dirt track , the stock suspension was crying and I nearly lost a wheel on the way home after 3 front wheel nuts rattled off, no jack or brace we limped back without drama.

things are quiet it seems.
 
In the meantime while I am dreaming of Compomotive wheels and waiting to get the car on the ground, here's an online measurer which is one of the best I have seen so far:
https://www.wheel-size.com/calc/?wheel1=205-50-15X7ET-10&wheel2=205-50-15X7ET-25&fcl=50mm&scl=50mm&wcl=30mm&sr=0mm 

 
 
 
 
Marty seems to have stole all my motivation. :)
Summer normally means other stuff going on, so its no surprise its slowing down ATM.
The shed did get a clean up, and I stuck the bonnet on to help start in lining up the guards and give the impression some progress has been made.

 I measured up the van OEM 13's with all of 175 tyres on them, plus the Rostyles.
It definitely is going to need more than 5.5". Its now nearly time to fit the diff back in and come of the spit to do some more welding inside.
 
This weekend is Ballarat Swap meet, promoted as the largest in the southern hemisphere. Unfortunately from experience though, its not much of a source for Escort or  Capri parts, but good if you were doing up a falcon, chev or T model. Every year the delimma is to take a bike or not. The bikes are a pain, but without them you wont get around the whole lot in a day.
Im going up on Friday, for a day on the bmx, attempting to spot a bargain.
 
https://www.ballaratswapmeet.com.au/ 
 
So if you see an old, over 50 dad bod riding a bmx with straw hat and sign saying, "Escort and Capri parts wanted" feel free to say gday. :)

Maybe an E bike with fats (a 70s term for wide wheels) could be another option 🤠

ha, you know me too well.
I bought one of these a while ago, exactly that. Electric fat bike, in silver.
https://leitner.com.au/collections/electric-bikes/products/electric-fat-bike-500w?variant=39707064729682 
Its an absolute blast to ride, the rear drive motor is smooth and cuts in and feathers in and out.
Technically is has a twist grip throttle and does over 25kms/hr, so is for private roads only.
Big fat arse seat too, and comfy position, just really heavy and a workout when you ride it sans motor assistance.
 
 

😭 ! Wish I had disposable income again to buy such necessaries like that

Cars looking good Deano. The bike looks like fun too...
I'm a bit jealous of the Ballarat swap meet, its on my bucket list. Let me know if you see many parking meters, I've developed a bit of a penchant for them of late. They're a good little garage filler, cheaper and take up less room than fuel pumps and oil products.
That and I move one out to the driveway and make some change when the father in law parks his Holden out there 

Ok Drew, will keep an eye out and post up any happysnaps tomorrow.
Look like now we have to walk it, due to a change in vehicles and the fact that 3 of us are a bit snuggly across a bench seat these days, so no bmx's.
Leaving at 5am, so early start. Should be calling it stumps about 2pm, then back home for a shower and nanna nap.

 few pics:

pretty cactus van:
 

 

how many do you want Drewdog?


 

retype the post again, I hate it when your post drops out.
Ballarat was ok, arrived at 7.am, through the gates at 7.20, left at 3.20pm, so 8 hours walking with 10 minutes for lunch, and saw maybe 3/4rs of the whole thing....