Introduction, and some opinions / help needed!

All,
 
Formally - My name is dave, and im very new to the small ford scene. Im in my late 30's now, and when i first got my licence, drove a Datsun. My brother in law (a much wider mane than me) - whose birthday happens to be on the same day as mine!, went down the Ford path, and got himself a 2 door RS2000. I ALWAYS liked his car better than mine.
 
So, about a month back, i purchased (through this forum) a MK2 4 door RS2000 project. Im sure some of you know the car i mean.
 
Unfortunately i know little about the history of the car. It is mostly complete, just in a million bits, and currently in Primer. Unfortunately its not matching numbers (engine and box have been replaced at some point). So - whilst i would love it to be matching numbers, at the end of the day it will still perform the same way i suppose.
 
Now, up front, im not a concours guy. And whilst I am all for originality, i also like something with a subtle difference. So - as I build this car up, it will be with originality in mind, with the exception of a few things. The interior i will try to get back to as original as i can (money permitting). I dont see any reason to change anything in the interior (with maybe the exception of a different stereo).
 
The exterior however i might change a little, but just to a different color. The original color of the car was white, however I have always liked the Ford "Carribean Blue". In fact i used to own a series 2 turbo RX7 painted in this color. I hope to compliment this with a set of 17inch (or thereabouts) 5 spoke style rims (yet to be decided). I am still torn about this. One part of me says "keep it completely original", whilst the other says "make it a little different". Im certainly open to hearing from the masses on this one.
 
I expect the restoration to take me some time, possibly a few years, in what limited spare time i have with 3 kids. Im not in a rush, and have some of you have already found out, am currently hunting for a number of good condition spare parts to replace some of the worn a tattered stuff from my car.
 
Also, if anyone can help me with some of the history of the car (it is the car from http://www.classic-ford.org/cfp/tm.aspx?m=47849 this thread.), it would be MOST appreciative. Unfortunately John (the seller) couldnt provide me much information. I would sincerely dearly love to know more about where it came from, and how it ended up where it was.
 
So, thats about it.  Im open to any suggestions, recommendations, flaming (from the originality guys) from absolutely anyone. Any information I get wether it be embraced or not, will help me in my decision making.
 
Happy new year!.
 
Dave

Congratulations and welcome in from the dark side. I picked up my 4 door RS2000 back in 1989, and given the previous owner stuck a sunroof in her I felt compelled to go for period styling rather than concours route.
 

 
I get a kick out of talking to people at carshows taking a stroll down memory lane, the period stying seems to draw out the stories of misspent youth.
 

 
I personally do not like the big rim route on classic cars, but a the end of the day, the beauty of it all is that she is your girl - you get to choose...
 
Cheers
 
James

Buy yourself this book.. has loads of detail as to the original items which came on these models..
http://www.amazon.com/Spo...Original/dp/1906133298
 
 

Actually - has that book been released yet?. It seems to not actually be available through amazon? Down the bottom of that page they say publishing is November this year.
 
Dave

RSman4ever 

HI go to the RSOC's home page, there is a "how to guide" on tracking down former owners through FoMoCo and the RTA
hope it helps
cheers
brad

 
Whats the link to the RSOC site? I'm interested as I know nothing about the history of my RS.
 
I had a Civic driver yell at me "GO THE MIGHTY RS!" as he drove past.
 
I just realised I've had mine for nearly 10 years now, at this rate the only way I'm going to get rid of it is when I die and it goes to a friend.

evobda2
http://www.rsownersclubaust.com.au/?page_id=269

 
I did this and just got my letter yesterday.  I didn't learn a whole lot, as the car is unmolested and I already knew most of its history, but it did reveal that the car came from another state originally, which I had absolutely no clue about.  Ford were very helpful, and it's a cool record to have.

davus
Unfortunately the report didnt tell me much that I didnt already know with the exception of the original selling dealer, and the factory options it came out with. 

I will be writing to the RTA in the next few weeks to see if they can help with my plight. Im not holding my breath.....by hey.........it cant hurt to ask right?

Im still undecided about color!.

Dave

 
Engine, transmission, colour and trim can be decoded from the compliance plate, so the report really only adds options and dealer, but it is still cool that Ford does this.  I'm going to contact the original selling dealer to see whether they have records going back to the 70s as I'd love to know what it sold for.  Inflation was really high in the late 70s, so I imagine prices were moving upwards all the time.  I too will contact the local registration authorities to see whether they'll get in touch with the first owner (privacy regs being what they are, they'll never release the info to me), as I want to know how mine ended up crossing the country too.
 
For what it's worth, I think RS2000s look better in lighter colours, but it's your car so choose what will please you most.

Yeah its a good question.
 
I was wondering weather or not i should publish the email address. Not for wanting to be an information hoarder, but moreso just trying not to subject ford to masses of emails!.
 
Anyway, im sure it will be used with care.
 
I simply emailed a scan of my licence, and proof of ownership (in my case a statutory declaration) to customers@fordcrc.com.au. As previously mentioned, their service and professionalism was exceptional.
 
The email was very straight forward stating the VIN of the car, and the purpose for the information I was after. Veicle history gathering etc etc.
 
Dave