Denim pack Escort

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










 
 
 

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.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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
 
 
 
 

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

coming along nicely mate

I've had the last of the rust cut out and repaired. It was in the heater bubble & passenger side A pillar. I got a replacement pillar and heater bubble thanks to Phil @ the Escort shop and sourced a new under bubble panel from Magnum in the UK.
My panel beater spent 13hrs on it all and has done a great job. The replacement bubble was off a wreck and had some holes that needed patching which was no big deal. He used some cold gal around the heater bubble edges to prevent any further rust and I've bought some Septone anti corrosion wax spray to put inside the chamber when the top coats have been done. I've etch primed the bare metal on the heater bowl areas and will surface prime and topcoat with some colour matched acrylic. The pillars are primed and painted satin black. A new windscreen rubber & locking strip has been installed and done properly so water wont get in.
 
Next will be installing the motor and getting some rego. Not sure which direction to take the project after that.

 

 
Pillar ready for welding
 

 
 
 

Hi, I drove it when it had the old standard pinto and it actually surprised me. Chugged along very well :D
I expect it to go a lot better with the 130hp motor but it's not installed yet.
I doubt the C3 transmission would suit anything hi performance.
 

Thanks Carlos. Phil is in Boondall, I can text you his number if you like.
I have taken a deposit for the 130hp motor so the only thing I have left to put in it is this :(