she looks great Drew, congrats.
I wouldn't be too stressed about not having it polished up yet.
I read a little too late that paints need time to vent the solvent out as they harden or cure, before you cut and polish which seals the surface. I'm guessing that jobs done in a booth and oven  might fasten this process up, but I'd still try to be patient before polishing.
The color suits the car nicely.
 

Didnt think i was going to like the goldy colour but I do
Kind of suits the car. 

Started on the boot fit out. I'm using the KBS urethane again after success on the Escort. Should've learned though, don't get it on yourself, a week later and I'm still wearing bits of it on my arms
Fuel tank went back in with a new rubber gasket from the sheet left over from, again, the Escort.
Made a backing board with a bit of cardboard template then coated mdf. Finished off the mount for the battery isolator with a remote cord within reach under the dash.
The boot matt is an original style from the Cortina club in the UK, it took a little trimming but looks a treat.
I need to get some battery cables cut and I've got a steel wheel to use as a spare so that'll be going in for powder coating with the diff and that should just about finish the boot area.
Cheers Drew

The rear end is back in and just about done now, getting some brake lines made up and a handbrake cable is on its way from the UK. It was a pleasure to reassemble, everythings either new, replated or powdercoated. I don't think it came from Ford looking like this shiny.
Also had a lot of zinc plating done, this guy does amazing work, cheap too. 120 pieces, nuts, bolts door strikers, latches etc for $120. I spent a morning nylon brushing then buffing them all beforehand but at that price it was no hardship.
I've turned it around in the garage and started on the front end now. Few hiccups there though.
The springs were SSL's and it sat lower than the rear without an engine so I've ordered some standard height items.
Then the steering box was identified as a MK2 with the longer idler arm, it'd bind up to a point and then let go. How it was previously driven I don't know. I thought I could just swap the arm out but the spines are a different size so after much searching I have a MK1 unit on its way.
It wasn't all bad though, on stripping the struts for powdercoating it has some brand name inserts, adjustable top mounts and all the bushes look near new and usable.
Cheers Drew