Ford escort series 1 RS turbo

One of three series ones we have been restoring this one was purchased as an abandoned project with most of the fabrication completed and accompanied by boxes of new old stock parts for the rebuild

These photos were kindly forwarded to us by the previous restorer

With all the parts unboxed, organised, catalogued and dismantled the various components are boxed up and sent of for Powdercoating , plating rebuilding etc

All the nuts bolts hardware etc all catalogued and labeled ready to be shipped of for plating

With a small amount of welding and cleaning up and the panels all mounted and adjusted the body shell and panels could be filled and prepped

With all the preparation and filler work completed the shell and panels were primed , blocked down by hand and re primed ready for the final flat and topcoat

with the shell fully blocked down by hand to ensure all the panels are arrow straight the top coat can be applied

Starting with the cabin area and the underside ,followed by the engine bay

With the inside and underside complete the out side is painted

Once The paint has cured the shelll is then flatted by hand and machine polished to a mirror finish

with the shell, panels and body kit painted its time to lay out all the original parts and new old stock parts for the refit

The previous owner had spent a lot of time and money collecting up new old stock parts

First things to go in are the soundproofing pads and the wiring loom

Folowed by the sunroof drain pipes

Amongst the new old stock parts are a set of new rear lamp connectors and fittings , lucky as usual the original connectors are wrecked

Unfortunately the wiper spindles have seen better days son a new set had to be sourced and the wiper unit assembled and fitted

With all the soundproofing, sunroof surround fitted and wiring in place the new headlining can go in

Supplied by Aldridge trimming and fitted in house the series 1 now has a crisp new lining

Rebuilt and refinished and fitted in place

The carpet and liners though grubby are in good condition so a good jet wash and re coloured and in the Rs they go

Trims have all seen better days so a refurbish and they look as good as new

Ecu’s also need a refresh

Dismantled ,cleaned re-gasketed and rebuilt

The clocks have a little corrosion and wear but luckily amongst the new old stock parts are dials and gauges

The original rare cassette holder and fader are missing a tray and a few springs plus the wiring has been hacked off so a similar unit was found and sacrificed the parts needed to make one good unit