My money pit

[Oldbloke]

Bought this off FleaBay in April 2008. Advertised as "two week's work", this early RS (April 1976) had been stored for 19 years.


After turning it over, I wondered if it had been stored under water!

















Well - you get the idea!

Cleaned off all the underseal and cr*p....



And it started to look a BIT better...



Had to wait for panels from Ex-Pressed but 6 months and £1200 later...

[Oldbloke]

Started work properly in early 2009







However, work and home commitments stopped play until now.
THEN - I spoke to a friend who had moved away near Lincoln but had an Escort-shaped space in his garage (and he happens to be an ace welder) and - with a dangly carrot in the shape of a huge wedge of dosh- was persuaded to take over the job of at least getting the major structural work done. So the shell has been trailored oop Northwards and he has just sent me these pics:









I'm so happy the project is moving again. Will post more pics as he sends them.

Chris.

[graham John]

a familiar sight, unfortunately,

god luck with the rest of the work

cheeRS

[Mk2steve]

that must feel like the longest two weeks of your life but what the hell its an escort and we love them keep up the good work and good luck.

[mike77cos]

It is looking good

[mexicostids]

big old job this looking good so far mate , keep the pics coming !!

[RS2000EXPRESS]

Nice to read about an early droopsnoot being restored nicely, it looks as if it's been waiting a few years for someone like you to come along and look after it. Good luck with the resto and please keep the pics coming if you can.

Tim.

[Groupfour]

Nice work ,keep it up, luckily the panel supply situation is good even if they are expensive.

[Oldbloke]

OK. This project has upscaled since the last update! Following the discovery of the remains of an Australian shell (thanks Martin!!), the bulkhead and floorpan was liberated from it and transported up to join the program.
Poor Paul had to unstitch the work already done but we both felt this was a great opportunity to rescue this old girl from a lingering death by ferrous oxide.
I doubted the viability of doing this but Paul - and Martin - were confident. Let the pics speak for themselves - I owe Paul bigtime !!

[RS2000EXPRESS]

That's a useful piece of bodywork you've slotted in there....coming on very nicely!

[Groupfour]

Never seen that done before ,nice work.

[mk2ddc]

Thats very nice work there mate, I hope i can locate a nice front end like that when the time comes !!!

[steven f]

well done many would of gave up a long time ago are you going to sell it when its done ??

[wayne m]

Well done now thats commitment, another one get's saved.

Keep up the good work

[Oldbloke]

Thanks for your comments guys. I'm made up with what Paul has done so far and to see such a change so quickly. And no - I have absolutely no plans to sell this baby. Coming from such an advanced state of corrosion, I don't think it will ever be concourse, but I'm building it to use as my own daily driver and for the satisfaction of seeing another broadstripe saved from being just a parts donor. Cheers. Chris