December 1974 Mk1 Escort 1300L (2 door)

[LincolnDanny]

As some on here may know, I've owned a mk1 Escort for 10 years in January!

Bought as a bare shell with steering column(with key!) and a set of windows back in 2007, I initially set out to build a car as I wanted as a 21 year old. Big pinto, diamond white, lowered etc... Many cars came and went but the mk1 never got finished...







Over the last few years I've become more interested in restoring cars to original. I think that's why I lost interest in my mk1 really, as it didn't have an "identity" to speak of and some of my early butt welded repairs weren't to my current ability.
Luckily, when restoring the strut tops a few years ago, the shell gave up a nice little secret...





On the drivers side, amazingly the shell still had it's original chassis number!





So after a lot of detective work involving a hpi on the vin number to get the original registration, sending off for the log book, contacting the last registered owner etc, I now have a very late built(December 1974) Sunset Red 1300L to restore back to original.

Only modifications will be a type 9 5 speed(it has an auto tunnel), a slight bit of lowering and maybe a single box exhaust.

Luckily the late mk1 'L's had the option of 5j steels with Mexico front wings(I kid you not!!!)*so I will be going down this route.

First child due in June so progress should be fairly brisk!

[mk1GTstu]

Looking good! Keep at it!

cheers, Stu

[LincolnDanny]

Managed to make a start over the last few days in between mince pies and repeats of Only Fools and Horses

The first area I'm trying to sort out in the nearside sill assembly. I've got a new outer to go on but the rear closing section needs sorting out first. Its been chopped about over the years and is somewhat bashed and bodged.







I thought the best thing to do was to cut everything out and start again, then slowly replace each layer.

Outer rubbish cut out.



Inner rubbish cut out.



So on with the first layer. This is how awful the inner quarter looked at the bottom. Been chopped in half, plenty of dents, scruffy front mounting edge and the lower edge that attaches to the inner layer was completely absent!



Chopped the join back open and rewelded it to a better standard.









Move on to the front mounting lip and tidied it up.





And then finally spent a couple of hours today on replacing the missing lower section.













It's nearly ready for welding back in now, just a couple of holes to weld up. God knows where they came from over the years. Idea is to make the missing "frilly" section of the rear floor upright next, weld that in and then weld this section back in.

More in the next few days.

[m3dtm]

Wow, real crafstmanship!!!
I always love to read topics like this.

John

[Chesney]

Good effort mate, long time no see!

Keep us posted be good to see it back on the road

[RS2000EXPRESS]

A nice spot of work there!

[Phill Barker]

Being nosey

What welder are you using on that thin paneling? Your work is true geinious and patient.

You could do with your own TV show teaching keen amatures that art.

I suppose it's not like hard work when you enjoy something that much and can stand back and admire your acheivement.

[LincolnDanny]

What welder are you using on that thin paneling? Your work is true geinious and patient.

You could do with your own TV show teaching keen amatures that art.

I suppose it's not like hard work when you enjoy something that much and can stand back and admire your acheivement.

Thank you for your kind words Phil. Welder wise I use a SIP Migmate 105 that we have had for over 16 years! It gets looked after. I think its a fairly basic welder if I'm honest!

I've managed to get a bit more done today. Once again absolutely freezing but pushed myself to stay in there for a couple of hours.

Started off by tidying up the top edge of the floor around the seatbelt bolt. Made sure to add in the original scallop as original as well.

Before



And after



Moved onto the missing part of the rear floor. The "frilly" bit if you like. Made up a new section to butt weld in, used the offside to make a template.



Then finally today I clamped everything in place to check it all for fit. Looking ok to be fair.







Touch wood(well, If its warm enough...) I'll get it all welded in and dressed tomorrow. I'll chop this rough bit of the tub out before I do though while it's easily accessible.




More soon

[Aaron P.]

nice job so far....neat welding....what size gas cylinder ya using? 9ltr/ 11ltr etc?

[LincolnDanny]

nice job so far....neat welding....what size gas cylinder ya using? 9ltr/ 11ltr etc?

Thanks Aaron. I use the extra capacity 110ltr disposables from Machine Mart.They last me quite a while to be fair.

[Phill Barker]

Thanks for the info

Cheers for the welder info Danny. Thats massive work for an area never really seen.

What night will ya TV show be on?

[LincolnDanny]

Well with the festivities nearly over I thought I would do a last Christmas progress update.

Managed to get a few hours in over the last few days to get this inner quarter and floor edge finished off.

Not many pics as I was "on it"

A quick reminder of where we were(panels made and ready for welding in)..



With the frilly floor edge fully welded and welds finished. Lower quarter has also been welded in here. Plenty of penetration to the welds between the two panels.





Front edge was spot welded and I noticed that originally the front section was seam welded as seen here on the offside.



so replicated this as well on the nearside's repair.



All done. I didn't fully smooth the plug welds on the back of the panel. Wanted to keep the strength there.





Next up is to put the holes in the nearside inner sill and get the outer sill replaced.

Happy new year everyone!

[Reds946]

.
[
So after a lot of detective work involving a hpi on the vin number to get the original registration, sending off for the log book, contacting the last registered owner etc, I now have a very late built(December 1974) Sunset Red 1300L to restore back to original.

I never knew that you could recover a lost registration number by doing HPI on the vin, handy to know as ive got a motorbike to fix up with just a chassis number- DVLA were quite adamant that the only way to go was dating cert and age related plate issue..

Fabrication work looks great, nice project!

[LincolnDanny]

.
[
So after a lot of detective work involving a hpi on the vin number to get the original registration, sending off for the log book, contacting the last registered owner etc, I now have a very late built(December 1974) Sunset Red 1300L to restore back to original.

I never knew that you could recover a lost registration number by doing HPI on the vin, handy to know as ive got a motorbike to fix up with just a chassis number- DVLA were quite adamant that the only way to go was dating cert and age related plate issue..

Fabrication work looks great, nice project!

It wont work with online hpi's as you need the registration. Car dealers can do hpi on just VIN, luckily my good lady worked for a german manufacturer at the time....

[Reds946]

Nice to know, thanks