My 1972 Mk1 Escort Van Project.

Hello all.
I am originally from the uk . Moved to Oz 12 years ago now and still loving it here. Just painfull to hear the rules for building cars/vans over here. After building a Mk1 Escort back in the 90's in the uk i thought it was time to do another one. Had the bug to build one for a long time so finally took the plunge whilst on a cruise with the wife. Scoured the internet and found a 1972 Mk1 van which was just a rolling shell. Looked ok in the pics so just told the seller i would take it. 
On return from my cruise drove to Lismore and picked the van up hoping it was good when i arrived. On arrival i looked over the van and was surprised the van was actually in good condition for a van of nearly 50 years old. 
Loaded it up quick before he changed his mind about selling. Then 8 hours back to sydney. This is not going to be a fast build but i want to keep this thread going as and when i change parts. 
 

Thanks Bruce. All panels ordered. Have to wait 6-8 weeks which is a bit of a pain. Carl from SMCKA Performance has put the rest of the parts by to send out when the rest arrives. Need to source front struts, cross member and a multitude of other parts. Did you go for capri front struts ? Thats what i used on the last one but dont know how hard they are to source over here. I wonder if your engineer wants to do mine aswell ? will be pretty close i would imagine. Also trying to source a YB from the UK. Mate owes me so may be able to do a deal for one. Fingers crossed.

Robbie
Hey mate i just brought some front struts from grp4 as they are new units and finding capri legs can be a bit tricky. perhaps with your uk contacts you might be able to save a bit on postage/import duties etc
 

Thanks Robbie. Out of interest what did it cost you to get the legs over here ? Shipping ? Makes you wonder why we couldn't all get together and arrange a heap of stuff for one shipment cost ? Im game. Have a lot of parts to order.

Hi Matt
A cossy mk1 van, nice,
Here in Adelaide the laws really suck, but you can dodge a bullet by running a old pinto block and clamp the cosworth head or just get passed with a full pinto then swap heads over. Blocks are what they chase but heads are free.. Stupid law but good in some ways...I just wish a duratec head could be bolted onto a Kent block lol

Seems a strange rule hey !

Early mk1 is ok as emissions weren't a big deal then. Say if you go twin 48 Webers, all they can pick on is the air cleaner type, from memory they allow oil foam socks now but years ago I had to make a air box from a $9 toolbox . As stated in earlier post, our rules are by far the stupidest going ...

I have plans on a later project to go diesel turbo from a Mondeo, trannit van or focus tdci ... In another escort van keeping rwd !!

Hi Matt, nice to see another van getting done.
I just recieved my Mk2 Van project on the weekend, and will start a separate thread.
You are already many steps  ahead!
 
I'm waiting on Carl to pick up his next stock shipment, but may have to look at ordering some bubble arches from UK.
Keep posting can you, so I know what I need to do!

Hey Robbie.
All sourced from the uk. Had my mate go pick it all from up north. Has it all sat in his lock up. Just got to arrange to get it all over. Looking forward to getting this van done.

Well the big rub down has started. Shed is finally how i want it so the MK1 started to get some love. Couldnt believe how good the metal was under the shoddy paint. Found a dent in the rear 1/4 which had been a little bodged up. Luckily have to cut out just behind the rear wheel so no big issue. Could do with a panel cut to repair around the passenger side rear light. Other than that its started so pretty happy. Then just to get the engine sent over from Blighty.