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Helpful ReplyHot!MK2 cortina wagon (estate) in Australia

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escortinadriver
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2023/12/12 11:09:26 (permalink)
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MK2 cortina wagon (estate) in Australia

Hey all,

Haven't posted on here in a long time, however I though it might be a good place to document the build on my latest small ford.

Since the last time i.ve posted, (motorkhana car with stroked c23xe conversion) a few things have happened. I got ripped off by an overseas seller and also got sent a wrong set of bearings in a very short space of time. It was enough to loose interest in an already dragged out build, so parked it and fitted a completely different engine..... I'll get back to the C23xe build in time, and update the current spec of the car in time.... Anyway...

In the mean time, I finally managed to secure what has been my 'dream' car for quite some time.. A mk2 cortina wagon.

Over the years I have had quite a few slip through my hands, sold from under me, and even one that was crushed by a wrecker who refused to sell me a shell.
I was beginning to think I'd never find one.... I had convinced the wife that importing one from NZ was my best option.

I had started the process when one came up for sale locally in central Victoria. It was a spare car of someone doing a restoration that I had actually contacted several years earlier in an attempt to by. He needed to sell to fund his project and I did a deal, sight unseen, and went a picked it up a few days later.

Its hard to guess at a price for such a rare car here in OZ, had it been a sedan, it'd probably been scrapped. I paid for a lot of car that isnt there, however, I was pleased to get it in my hands, The outside has definitely seen the worst of the weather. It has sat, from what I can tell, outside since 1997. Nearly every panel is rusted, however surprisingly, ther floors are almost rust free. It does have most, if not all of the wagon specific parts, and they are in pretty good condition. Namely rear seat.

The aim is to clean up the interior, with early GT dash, recovered lowback seats, door trims and carpet. Nice to be in for myself and the family. Leave the outside ratty, lower it and ad some wide wheels. I'll leave the 1600 for now.





Shaun
post edited by escortinadriver - 2024/11/06 14:29:28

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'If I'd asked what people had wanted, they'd have said faster horses....' Henry Ford
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    martymexico
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    Re: MK2 cortina wagon (estate) in OZ 2023/12/12 12:02:39 (permalink)
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    You lucky lucky bugger, the almost holy grail of Cortina !
    We know the rarity of these cars in Aus, only seen a couple myself .
    I was looking for a mk1 Cortina estate for ages, then an Anglia van, nothing around at the time.. very jealous Shaun 😡

    We need another built thread in here, it's been Deano and myself mainly having a 'project race' but recently a couple of mk2 Escort RS resto projects popped up to keep the forum rolling along ..
    #2
    escortinadriver
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    Re: MK2 cortina wagon (estate) in OZ 2023/12/12 16:01:48 (permalink)
    +1 (1)
    martymexico
    You lucky lucky bugger, the almost holy grail of Cortina !
    We know the rarity of these cars in Aus, only seen a couple myself .



    Yep, i've been after one for 20yrs now. Funny thing is, most that aren't into small Fords have no idea what it is. :)
     
    Here's a few pics of some rust, I mean, the condition when I got it.
     
    The kids have affectionately named it, 'The rusty wagon'.  
     
     
    Shaun

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    'If I'd asked what people had wanted, they'd have said faster horses....' Henry Ford
    #3

    escortinadriver
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    Re: MK2 cortina wagon (estate) in OZ 2023/12/12 16:04:36 (permalink)
    +1 (1)

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    PartTimeMK2
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    Re: MK2 cortina wagon (estate) in OZ 2023/12/12 19:42:30 (permalink)
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    Ohhhh that's going to be a fun project! Can't wait to see you bring it back.
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    Drewdog
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    Re: MK2 cortina wagon (estate) in OZ 2023/12/12 20:00:51 (permalink)
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    Now thats cool, I've seen a couple of Mk1's but never a Mk2 wagon in the flesh, good to see its found a good home.
    I notice its an 'L' aswell, what did does that consist of? woodgrain dash over riders and the like?
    Looking forward to seeing the progress.

    GT Cortina Project "The Ugly Duckling"
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    escortinadriver
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    Re: MK2 cortina wagon (estate) in OZ 2023/12/12 21:15:49 (permalink)
    +1 (1)
    It's a bit of a bitsa. Has has had 'L' series bits fitted at some stage. The L or luxury series had woodgrain dash and door trims with carpet on the lower section. It also has had highback escort or capri seats fitted at some stage. I suspect someone pinched the original black buckets and door cards for a GT replica.

    All will be replaced and updated in future posts.
    The over riders are standard.

    'If I'd asked what people had wanted, they'd have said faster horses....' Henry Ford
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    martymexico
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    Re: MK2 cortina wagon (estate) in OZ 2023/12/13 12:59:53 (permalink)
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    Was going to mention the escort chairs, even in UK they didn't get high backs till about 1980 as regulations
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    escortinadriver
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    Re: MK2 cortina wagon (estate) in OZ 2023/12/14 14:04:21 (permalink)
    +1 (1)
    So once I got the wagon home, first thing was rip out what was left of the carpet and go to town with the vacuum. Lots and lots or mice and rat droppings...

    High pressure blasted the glass and after a good few hours scrubbing, managed to get most of the moss and lichen off.

    Tried briefly to get it to start, however realistically, I knew it was going to be an engine out job, so that was the first task.

    Shaun.

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    escortinadriver
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    Re: MK2 cortina wagon (estate) in OZ 2023/12/15 08:04:00 (permalink)
    +1 (1)
    Once the engine was out, and I could have a good look at it, my hopes of a quick fluid change and it firing up were dashed.
     
    Water pump seized, thermostat housing corroded, welsh plugs rusted out and sump was filled with a thick jelly consistency oil.
     
    Looks like a 'budget' rebuild is on the cards, as Im trying not to sink too much into the engine as it will more than likely not remain my powerplant in the future.
     
    Whilst the engine was out, I did detail the engine bay in an attempt to see what the what the finished product would look like. Again, exterior wise, I'm going for a semi-restored, ratty finish, low, with some nice wheels.
     
    Used a few old hot rodder tricks to get the look I was after with the paint.
     
    Before during and after detailing.
     
    Shaun
     
    Before during a

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    martymexico
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    Re: MK2 cortina wagon (estate) in OZ 2023/12/15 09:08:14 (permalink)
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    Great transformation on the engine bay, shame the rest looks tatty, yes yes rat look...
    If the engine turns over, I suppose a session in the parts wash bucket to remove the jelly and just get what is really needed, gaskets, water pump, bearings?, light hone, check valve stem seals etc and it's good to go.
    Or put the Kent over there and go straight to a duratec/zetec option...
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    PartTimeMK2
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    Re: MK2 cortina wagon (estate) in OZ 2023/12/15 10:58:14 (permalink)
    +1 (1)
    Just noticed your location - can't wait to see it running around the neighborhood  
    #12
    escortinadriver
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    Re: MK2 cortina wagon (estate) in OZ 2023/12/15 11:23:36 (permalink)
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    Yes the outside is pretty bad. 
     
    It has had a respray at some stage, the outer 'new' paint has worn off, whats showing through is yellow primer, and under that is the original.  Where I have to do rust repairs, I'll see what it is like after a going over with a sander...
     
    I bought a cheap gasket kit and water pump. Haven't yet pulled it down further, however yes, i'm hoping for just some rigs maybe bearings and a light going over with the ball hone.  Any further and I'll seriously have to consider my options.
     
    I have a few engines here to choose from, and due to budget, unfortunately zetec/duratec isnt on the cards. So ill use what I have before diving into yet another engine platform.  I have 2 running pintos which would almost go straight in. Over the years, I've acquired a modified escort R &P front end to suit and also have a capri front end.  If I have to go pinto, I'll do the swap at the same time. 
     
    My intention is to get everything running and sorted mechanically. Hopefully that will stop me from going to overboard with the body (I don't want this to turn into a long term project) and keep me motivated enough to keep things moving.
     
    Shaun
    post edited by escortinadriver - 2023/12/15 14:10:04

    'If I'd asked what people had wanted, they'd have said faster horses....' Henry Ford
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    escortinadriver
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    Re: MK2 cortina wagon (estate) in OZ 2023/12/18 11:56:26 (permalink)
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    It quickly became apparent that I was going to need a donor car in order to replace the many rusty and missing sections. So the hunt was on for a sedan.
     
    Whilst many panels are similar to the sedan, there are also some differences.
     
    The rear doors have a different shape and glass.
    The rear lower quarters have a different profile
    C pillars and roofline are different.
    The chassis is different in the rear as well as fuel tank, rear suspension etc.
    Front seats are different, they have the centre locking strip on the transmission tunnel like an early MK1 escort.
     
    I managed to pick up a donor shell at a very good price.
    It had been in a flood at some stage as all the sills and chassis were filled with red river sand making cutting with the plasma challenging. The engine and gearbox were seized. it had no interior and would've been headed for scrap. I had no problem sacrificing it to save another.
     
    Only problem was I was under very strict instructions not to buy any more cars......   So, whilst the wife and kids were away on a scout camp, I made the most of my time.  Plan was to collect the car, cut it up, and dispose of the evidence. All within a weekend.
     
    Didnt get much sleep Friday and sat nights, luckily the weather played ball, and i got it done.
     
    Grabbed what I could in the limited time I had.
     
     
     

     
     
     
     
     
     
    post edited by escortinadriver - 2023/12/18 13:16:04

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    escortinadriver
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    Re: MK2 cortina wagon (estate) in OZ 2023/12/18 12:28:22 (permalink)
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    Rear door differences...
     

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