30 Aug
Removed R/R window no rust. Cleaned up front side and rear window frames of sealant all frames are clean at this stage. Will need to replace all window rubbers I am wanting to retain standard glass at this stage of the build as I am wanting to be able to use this car on the road.
removed front suspension and cross member. There are a lot of mismatched bolts so I will replace with new ones.
Coss member has been reinforced so will retain it at this stage. I will get everything stripped and powdercoated before reinstallation.
Anti roll bar is a larger than standard one so will reuse this as well
Stripped down front suspension
Bushes have all been replaced with nolathane ones

Will need to replace steering boots and will get the rack serviced as well.
Will need to replace front rotors will look at getting vented ones
Will need to get the calipers serviced or look at replacing with lighter units possibly Willwood units
Front suspension will need to be stripped and serviced (Suspension Tech East Tamaki)
Removed R/F door to allow better access to A pillar rust

r/f door off

the rust in the A pillar

29 Aug
Finished removing sign writing
Paint is still in good condition however the advantage of cutting the paint is that you find any flaws. I have found a few small bubbles and some cracking around the rear quarter started to investigate and found a small amount of rust and under some bog and a couple of areas where the filler has cracked (remember this is a race car so not too surprising).
Removed the door rubber and found some surface rust there but found some major rust in the A pillar. I will need to cut this out and either replace the pillar or hopefully I will get away with just a couple of patches.

all the signwriting off and at this stage looking ok the grey primer marks flaws in the panelwork/ paint

first sign of rust r/h front corner in the boot drain chanel

found a few bubbles in the paint and a lot of bog under it plus rust spots under the bog

28 Aug 2010
Took delivery of the car this morning. I removed the sign writing from the R/H side cut paint and found the paint to be surprisingly good.
Started to clean up engine bay removed the original fuse box this will be installed on a new centre panel on the dash for easy access and will change to blade fuses/ circut breakers as they are easier to work on and wont come loose on rough roads jumps etc.
Found rust on the underside of R/F guard has been patched over but the rust has not been cut out will need to remedy this.
Engine bay area will need the most work as it is not very tidy
Steering rack is a quick rack 2.5 turns
Will need to get the underside engine bay and interior media blasted and primed will do a lot of rust work before it goes off for this so it will come back tidy. I will need to remove underseal, old paint and grease before i know exactly what i am dealing with.
the rear axle is an "english" axle but it has capri drums so it will only take 13" rims or larger the front has discs already fitted with type 16 calipers and solid rotors.
The roll cage is a standard 6 point weld in one by Prestige Motorsport in Manukau and has a brand new log book with the car.

the new toy on the trailer and in its new home

Escort race car rebuild

Hi all
At the request of some friends I am starting a blog on what i am doing to my mk 1 ford escort as things proceed i will post photos and a diary of what i am doing. Keep checking back to see progress ask questions give me some suggestions tell me what I am doing wrong.