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Escort "recreations" are a sore point in the kit car community if you own a Jago, Rickman or Dutton. Many of these get bought cheaply and scrapped (or stolen) in order to put Escorts back together!!!
That was not the case when those kits were built- you would only get scrap metal value for a rusted out Escort then. A bit like Mazda MX5s now I suppose.
The popularity of Mk1s is undeniable though- you can even buy steel shells from Turkey or China.
Bright side- could make the aforementioned vehicles a lot more valuable in the marketplace. The price of crossflow engines has been rising steadily.
Just looked at the shp device- that spaceframe allows a lot of scope- however the "cooking" Mazda V6 with 200bhp in the MX5 "chassis" will produce a healthy bhp/ton ratio in a MXico.
Damn, and I was hoping it was going to be a VW Mexico Beetle 1200 deluxe...
Actually think a mk1 Escort tribute is an inspired, if not quite unique choice (see below).
When I joined up in the 70's one of the (aircraft) painter and finishers had a mk1 that he'd resprayed two-tone in navy blue over silver. It looked stunning.
Looking forward to seeing this come together at an affordable price - I'm not sure but I think SHP charge about £10k for a bodyshell. Ouch.
I always fancied a Mk1 Granada coupe powered by the 2.9 808 Cosworth engine or even a tuned 2.4 duratec both engines supplied by the ugly as sin Scorpio / Utima
The last time I saw a Granny coupe it was at a banger race.
I always fancied a Mk1 Granada coupe powered by the 2.9 808 Cosworth engine or even a tuned 2.4 duratec both engines supplied by the ugly as sin Scorpio / Utima
The last time I saw a Granny coupe it was at a banger race.
The very first car I ever bought was a '72 Ford Consul ('The Sweeney' Granada shaped). It had started out life as a 2.5 V6, but the owner had acquired and fitted a Capri RS2600 engine while stationed in Germany.
The engine transplant was a very professional job (he was an aircraft engineer), he'd ditched the fuel injection in favour of triple Webers on a (home) cast aluminium manifold, but he hadn't modified the suspension or brakes and it was on standard steel wheels with relatively skinny rubber.
It had around 210bhp turning the back wheels and suspension by Slumberland, which made it exhilarating to drive in the same way that running for cover while under enemy gunfire is exhilarating.
It offered clouds of smoke from the back wheels when you launched away from the traffic lights, and clouds of smoke from the front wheels when you tried to stop at the next set. Oh, and it pinked like hell on four star when they stopped selling five star and did about 12mpg on a run, 7 if you caned it.
Funnily enough, most of my mates had mk1 Escorts with weedy 1.3's at the time...
A mate of mine had 3 Mk1s using 2 of them to keep one running. It was stolen from his garage- rolled down the garden past his house and down the hill. It appeared several times on eBay as a rally conversion but the police weren't interested- he eventually collected some insurance money.
Found this rendering by a talented guy
Modern proportions but still a classic
As a modern twist on the original that works really well, but I will be sticking to most of the original Escort lines for my version. Front wings and front panel have arrived:
Thanks Steve. I have been searching for cheap parts here and there. I will be going to S&D for the boot and bonnet when I make a start on the project properly, as steel boots and bonnet fetch silly money. Just need a roof and part of a rear quarter panel.
I may be able to get hold of a roof and C pillars if you're stuck. Will get back to you - though you're probably better at finding a bargain than me :-)
I may be able to get hold of a roof and C pillars if you're stuck. Will get back to you - though you're probably better at finding a bargain than me :-)
bugger next years build maybe 
