RS1800 sympathetic resto

[rs2000_gb]

It came with the minilights and a set of steels
The steels are now refurbished and going back on for the summer

Got minilite sports on my car, something abit different. See plenty of normal minilites not so much the sports.

[TimGR]

Got minilite sports on my car, something abit different. See plenty of normal minilites not so much the sports.

I remember when the sports came out - for those who couldn't afford proper minilites!

Nice car though. Interesting find.

[grum]

[RS2000EXPRESS]

Do what you feel is right..I was advised not to redo my Mexico,but in my opinion it would deteriorate too quickly if I had tried to use it in its stored condition.
Only you know what its really like.Looks a great car.

I agree too. Scraping off the rust and just touching it in does not do much for me...it deserves better than that! I would prefer to get it properly protected and looking nice!

Tim

[yellowxpack]

What a dream find! Looking forward to seeing what you decide to do.

Noting that you erased your plate in the first photo, you've left it visible on the trailer photo. Not sure whether that bothers you or not, but fyi.

[windymiller]

Absolutely love what you've done to this mate! As nice as it is to see show-queens and full-on restos, it's about time someone had the balls to just keep one truly original with the kind of patina yours has.

Well done!!!

Was reading a few things yesterday about how some of the split-screen camper boys care for the bodywork on their rat-look busses. They use chemicals to halt the process of rust, then seal it in with wax, etc. Quite interesting!

[rsjon]

That's nice,plenty of waxoil

[graham John]

I remember when the sports came out - for those who couldn't afford proper minilites!

about 1976 if i recall Tim ?

cheeRS

[RS2000EXPRESS]

That's nice,plenty of waxoil

Yes great idea, but the wax is going to look sh*t on the outside!

[Martin]

Wow

Loving this original RS1800, very similar to Mark Bosomworth's car in that it is totally original. Look forward to seeing your progress and how you sympathetically restore the car.

[maru_uk]

about 1976 if i recall Tim ?

cheeRS

The Minilite Sports with the fins between the spokes came out way earlier than 76. If I remember correctly they were fitted as standard on the early Mk1 1300 Sports, or if not standard they were an option. The Sport I'm on about is the original one with standard 2 dial dash with seperate rev counter in a pod on right hand of dash.

Mark

[mk1GTstu]

The Minilite Sports with the fins between the spokes came out way earlier than 76. If I remember correctly they were fitted as standard on the early Mk1 1300 Sports, or if not standard they were an option. The Sport I'm on about is the original one with standard 2 dial dash with seperate rev counter in a pod on right hand of dash.

Mark

Hi,
Early mk1 1300 sports had 5J steels as standard & not minilites, I'm currently restoring an early 1972 1300 sport.

cheers, Stu.

[maru_uk]

Hi,
Early mk1 1300 sports had 5J steels as standard & not minilites, I'm currently restoring an early 1972 1300 sport.

cheers, Stu.

Hi Stu

I wasn't sure on the wheels. Think they might have been an option then. Definatley remember seeing an early Sport in Godfreys of Cardiff showroom with the finned Minilite sports on

Mark

[mk1GTstu]

Hi Stu

I wasn't sure on the wheels. Think they might have been an option then. Definatley remember seeing an early Sport in Godfreys of Cardiff showroom with the finned Minilite sports on

Mark

I expect they were an optional extra as you say. I think MK1 1300 Sports were launched by Ford as a clubmans car & a cheap way to get into motorsport. Its definately worded that way in an original brochure I have.

cheers, Stu.

[RS2000EXPRESS]

I've never seen Minilites being offered as an option on the Sport, and can't see why they would, as the original 1300 Sport was introduced as a true budget priced performance car which resembled the RS models of that time, which many buyers would have loved but could not stretch that far to buy. It really was the basics, rubber mats, basic vinyl seats, 2 clock instruments, basic steel wheels, dynamo, and hardly any sound proofing, but it had the respectable 1300 GT engine and those very desirable RS front wings which made it look like an RS. It was only later around early 73 that Ford decided to upgrade it, by fitting a proper GT 6 clock dash, steel sports roadwheels, and finishing trim to black rear panel. Options that come to mind were heated rear screen which included an alternator, and 1300E fabric seats.

Maybe it was the later sports steel road wheels which you have mistaken for the Minilites, as at a distance they did resemble them! Maybe that was why Ford designed them that way, as a cheaper alternative to the alloys!

Tim