Merlin
The MK1 Mex-alike!
WHAT:
1969 MK1 Ford
Escort, Originally build as a 1300GT in red. Re-shelled at some point, now
sports Mexico scheme with RS2000 specification.
Fast
Road, Race, Trackday, Dragstrip, Rally Car!!!
Engine: 2litre Pinto,
FR32 Kent Fast Road CAM, Vernier pulley, 38DGMS Weber, K&N filter, in-line
lead replacement filter, RS2000 Radiator, uprated alternator, coil, sparks &
leads. 4-2-1 2 exhaust system. Engine bay gusset strengthening, Strut Brace
& 3 x airhorns.
Suspension: Front
Michelin dampers on Capri struts with lowered strengthened springs, Rear
turreted Bilstein dampers with Anti-Tramp bars and 2 lowering blocks on
multi-leaf springs. 2 wheel spacing all around.
Transmission:
AP racing heavy duty clutch type9 5 speed box with quick shift gear lever,
one-piece propshaft into 3.9 differential.
Brakes: Dual circuit servo,
9 rear drums, solid front discs with 2pot callipers
Wheels/Tyres: Colour
coded RS 4spokes with 195/60x13 Firestone tyres
Interior: Stripped interior, ½
Safety Devices bolt in Cage, Sparco 3point harnesses, Cobra Monaco Bucket seats,
Ally panels, Navigator footrest, 2 x handheld extinguishers, bespoke dash,
Mountney Steering wheel, ally centre console.
Exterior: 2 door shell, fibreglass Bubble
arches, diamond white with Mexico decals, bespoke Merlin boot graphics, chrome
Ό bumpers, quad spots 2 x Super Cibie Oscar / 2 x Hella Rally Giants, flat
wing mirrors, removable bonnet plus pins.
PERFORMANCE:
130 BHP / 133lb torque @ 4500rpm. Revs to 6800rpm. Approx top speed 128mph. 0 60 @ 8secs, Ό mile @ 15.8 secs / 87mph
In
The Pipeline: Twinpipe Peco backbox, Twin 45
Weber Carbs, total re-wire, new headlamps, new Ό bumpers & rear bumper
rechrome,
Mexico
/ RS2000 dash with switched centre console and Eventually a re-spray!
As
most of you know "Merlin" is having a little revamp over the winter
and coming months so here is what has been done so far and more importantly
what's left to do!
Deep
front spoiler has been aquired and fitted. Rear brakes have been stripped and
rebuilt and are fully back together with wheels back on and brakes adjusted nice
and tight! Twin pipe peco backbox has been fitted and looks gooood! Front brake
and hub assembly has been stripped and replacement calipers (M16 spaced), vented
discs, greenstuff EBC pads and all fitments (nuts, bolts tabs etc) have all been
sourced and are awaiting fitting. Dashboard has been stripped and mostly removed
(which reveals the biggest wiring mess ever!). Chrome headlight guards sourced.
Set of MK1 Capri dummy vents sourced, but unsure if I'll use these yet. New
sealed beam headlights sourced. New started motor sourced and fitted. Chrome
Centre console sourced. Front grill removed. Now more importantly is the list of
stuff still to do...
Repaint
front grill in colour coded blue. Remove and prime / spray new front spoiler in
diamond white. Replace front headlights and fabricate chrome grill fitments.
Rewire entire car (!!!). Fabricate and fit new dashboard. Source complete set of
new gauges in white/blue scheme. Source new chrome switches, starter/ignition
buttons, fuse boxes, warning lights etc (and fit). Paint strip calipers to
remove red paint. Fit front hub and brake assembly. Fit "Pinto"
badging. Fit Centre console. Repaint interior and boot interior in white.
Strengthen harness fitments to chassis. Full Valet. Consider rear spoiler /
fibreglass boot replacement. Consider dummy grill usage - possible bonnet and
side vents. Consider side skirt purchase and fitment. Fit "Merlin"
black & Silver show plates.So there you go - as you can tell the project is
not even halfway completed but Merlin won't need to be back to road legal for
registration until spring 2009 (when I get my licence back!) so no rush -
however once it's all back together it may get trailered to a show or two! I
will probably save up and outsource the rewiring and dashboard jobs though as
these are likely to be a nightmare!
Further
updates to follow in due course.
Ade.
Then
..
Now
!!!
