New mk1 Shells

[boyce24]

Interesting one for the usual debates on here, let’s see if FaceTube has killed all the old banter.
I’d like one 👌.

https://www.motorsport-tools.com/catalog/product/view/id/189104/s/all-new-magnum-mk1-bodyshell-mst-cme-ltd-car-shell-mexico-bubble-arched-escort/

[para144]

I re-read some old threads on forums about possible 'new shells' & with hindsight it was amusing to see all negative opinions again.
Everything from 'this will never happen' to 'Ford will never allow it', 'they will be crushed at the ports', 'the value of our escorts will plummet', 'it'd be too expensive to make work' etc etc.

The oddest comment was ‘lock up your escorts’, not sure why the existence of more escorts would mean existing escorts are more likely to be stolen?

Anyway, here we are...

You can buy a brand new Chinese bare Mk2 shell for about £7K.
You can buy all the panels for a Mk2.
You can buy brand new prepared shells in various states of build from 'clubmen' & 'Grp4' up to full 'modern spec', even ready painted.
You can buy a full fibreglass Mk2 escort

Motorsport tools are in the process of making available new build, road registered on modern plates - SVA etc turn-key Mk2 escorts (who thought you'd be able to go & buy a new Mk2 escort road car! with a current registration!)

I took a good look at the 'Scort Solutions' full fibreglass Mk2 Escort when they showed it at Castle Coombe Rally day. I didn't notice it was fibreglass straight away, the engine bay bulk head gave it away. Looked really good, I don't think it can be used in rallying but in other Motorsport probably.

Mk1 'RSR' Fibreglass shells have been available for a while..

Brand new steel Mk1 shells available now in 2020, made from Magnum panels to any spec you want. All the Mk1 panels too. I think these will be much better than the Chinese Mk2's.

Forgetting cost, paperwork technicalities etc.... how many of us really thought all this would all happen?

[alancdavis]

People that make these commentes have never or never will own an escort

[loydpg]

You can also get new Mini, MGB, Midget/Sprite, and I think some TR shells too! It's not to everyone's taste, but if the new shell means a rotten and historic car is restored and returned to the road, I have no problem!

I know the new Escort shells were meant to repair/restore competition cars, but congratulations to the company who has invested heavily in getting the new panels/shells manufactured.

As for making new cars for the road, Aston Martin, Jaguar and Range Rover think it's financially viable with their "Continuation" DB4/5/6, XK's, E-Types and Classic Range Rover cars!

[stevesaph]

I’ve seen the mk2 shells in the flesh from that Higgins place and I can tell you now they ain’t pretty

[alancdavis]

I also have been told they need a lot of work but have seen a finished item and it looked great

[para144]

I also have been told they need a lot of work but have seen a finished item and it looked great

Yep, ditto that. The prepped painted shell looked ace

[auldescort]

Mk1 shells have been getting built for a while from panels by Graeme Morrison at retro restorations SCOTLAND so it’s not new . Take a look at his Facebook page , awesome job

[stevesaph]

That one they turned into a Mexico replica was absolute s@&t depends on your standards I suppose panel fit was dreadful boot catch all twisted round to one side to get it to close I wouldn’t have one if it was free

[katana]

You can also get new Mini, MGB, Midget/Sprite, and I think some TR shells too! It's not to everyone's taste, but if the new shell means a rotten and historic car is restored and returned to the road, I have no problem!

I know the new Escort shells were meant to repair/restore competition cars, but congratulations to the company who has invested heavily in getting the new panels/shells manufactured.

As for making new cars for the road, Aston Martin, Jaguar and Range Rover think it's financially viable with their "Continuation" DB4/5/6, XK's, E-Types and Classic Range Rover cars!

Why do people seem to expect these reproduction shells to be as 'good as factory' when they are clearly built from aftermarket non Ford press tool panels? They are sold via motorsport/ rally car builders - doesn't that provide a clue?

The Leyland / MG / Rover press tools were I believe preserved and certainly the MG shells are signed off as authentic reproductions - these Ford ones are not. As for Astons and Jags, these were nearly 100% handbuilt anyway and the price tag for a new one is as hefty as doing a restoration on an original.

The Ford world will NEVER get Authentic new shells - EVER as the tooling doesn't exist so everything will be average for fit and finish - which is fine for a rally or motorsport car - their intended purpose!

[para144]

The Dynacorn Complete 1967 Fastback Mustang Body Shell isn’t made by Ford but is a ‘Ford official licensed product’ .

Regardless, I think the Mk1 Escort shells will be loads better than the Mk2 Chinese shells.

I’m still amazed you can buy a escort shell, 10 years ago it was just wishful thinking!

[katana]

I believe the American Auto manufacturers had a different 'heritage' ethic to the UK and they either kept their press tools or sold them to aftermarket suppliers thus ensuring quality panels were available even long after production ceased. Obviously any tool has a life span so subject to use, the end products will get 'slacker' with time. Quite a few of the euro 'heritage' car co's are similar - Porsche will still provide panels for their early cars - they cost a bit but they are genuine!

[alancdavis]

What happend to all the ford presses

[katana]

What happend to all the ford presses

Sold for scrap - press tools weigh tons and think how many positive & negative side tools, duplicated and mirrored for each side, per car are required and differences for left and right hand drive? x the whole range + little facelifts very couple of years - amounts to thousands of bits! Mini and MGB were essentially the same patterns year after year!