Shells - Escort MK1 & 2

[RS_Hopefull]

Hi Fellow Escort Nuts,

It's been a few years since I left the mother country (god I've missed the snow, the ice, the frozen pipes, the..........hehe).

What is the availability of MK1 & MK2 shells like over there these days and what condition would they likely be in now? If somebody was going to start a restoration project how easy would it be to find a suitable shell that doesn't need pretty much every panel replaced? What sort of money would a decent shell be worth?

My reason for asking is that I will be returning home sometime late this year (yes just in time for that snow, ice, pipes........) and I am trying to work out whether to bring my Escort shell with me. I bought one as the basis for a project but am yet to turn a spanner in anger. I could either sell it off where I am or bring it - I am just trying to work out the economics of each option.

I noticed that somebody has a reasonably rust free MK2 shell on this forum for 2000 pounds. Is that about the right money???

[AylesMadDuck]

Check out ebay for current prices on cars.

If you've aready got what your be looking for when back here ? Then bring it with you. Prices seem to be going mad at the moment with people importing shells to sell on to make money. So if your using a container put a couple more in to sell and you may get your costs back.

[mk1gaz]

Clean 2 door shells are £4000 and they ain't even clean normally !!!!!! They look alright untill you strip them and start scrapping .

[RUDDY]

Clean 2 door shells are £4000 and they ain't even clean normally !!!!!! They look alright untill you strip them and start scrapping .

I would agree with Gaz, minimum now of £4k for a very good one, more for one that doesn't need any body work but may need original paintwork sorting. Still at those costs its the option I would choose now, beats cutting rust out and searching the 'Bay' for panels, works out cheaper in the end. Make sure you bring all documentation to get it UK age related registered.

cheers, Paul

[RS_Hopefull]

So are you guys talking about rolling shells or complete cars with glass, engines and boxes etc?

I do not understand what you mean Paul by "age related registered". Sounds like I might need to investigate the legal aspects of bringing it in - which government department handles car registrations/MOT laws over there? I think I best contact them!!!!

Cheers

[RUDDY]

So are you guys talking about rolling shells or complete cars with glass, engines and boxes etc?

I do not understand what you mean Paul by "age related registered". Sounds like I might need to investigate the legal aspects of bringing it in - which government department handles car registrations/MOT laws over there? I think I best contact them!!!!

Cheers

This explains the docs you need to produce to have the car registered in the UK via a regional DVLA office, as long as you have all the info below to hand the car will get issued a number plate relative to its date of manufacture, eg 76 R reg 77 S reg .......and so on

Registering and taxing the vehicle

You can apply for registration at your nearest DVLA local office. The application takes two to three working days. There is no ‘over the counter’ service.

• Find your nearest DVLA local office

You will need to take the following documents to the DVLA local office (photocopies are not acceptable):

• completed application form V55/4 (for new vehicles) or V55/5 (for used vehicles)
• a £55 registration fee (if applicable) and the required fee for the vehicle tax (cheques or postal orders made payable to DVLA Swansea)
• a current British certificate of insurance
• foreign registration document and any other papers relating to the vehicle
• evidence showing the date the vehicle was collected (normally the invoice from the supplier)
• evidence of type approval
• a current British MOT test certificate (if applicable)
• the appropriate HM Revenue and Customs form
• a 'Declaration that a vehicle is new' form V267 (if applicable), available for download or from a DVLA local office
• documentation confirming your name and address (a list of acceptable identity documentation can be found on the link below)

Registering and taxing the vehicle won’t take place unless you have the necessary documentation. In some cases the DVLA local office may wish to see the vehicle to check its identity.

[AylesMadDuck]

Whats the veiw on importing just body shells (so wouldn't then be a motor vehicle) for reshelling a UK car ? Any ideas in this case if it becomes a loop hole to aviod all the above hassel ? This would def bring the import duty down as just the shell would be worth less and your not paying for stuff your going to bin.

My thoughts/reason for asking is you could then buy a rotten UK car and reshell it using all the UK parts. This is already common practice using base model good shells for RS's here.

I've got mixed feelings on this importing business. In one hand it's keeping cars on the road but for others who have spent a fortune to retain there original vehicle it poss may reduce or affect the value going higher (more back on the road).

[mk1gaz]

Bare standard 1100/1300 2 doors shells in good nick will fetch £4000 easier than a complete car as the buyer can see everything . Plus it then saves you taking all the standard bits off when you get home and paying £150 for a skip !!!!!!

[Scorted]

How about some pictures dude.. Lets see it.

[RS_Hopefull]

Thanks Paul. Great information there!!