Mk 2 Escort

[Mark A S]

Can anyone tell me what the details on this Mk 2 Escort Identity plate mean please.
Thanks in advance.

[Escort2dr]

Not off the top of my head, but look on RSOC, Turbosport, Oldskoolford forums - you should be able to search for a VIN decoder, or ask on there.

[neutral 3]

It looks like the Paint and Trim code plate . But dont know what the letters stand for

[aeropilot]

neutral 3 said:

It looks like the Paint and Trim code plate .

Yup, build plate.
Can't help with decoding it though, Mk2's weren't my speciality, and likely you'll find Ford records for decoding these disappeared long ago though, so you may only get part of the decode from various sources such as RSOC and the like, gleened from numerous places over the years.

[Mark A S]

Thanks all.

I thought it was a paint code plate, it’s a long time since I worked on a Mk 2.
However, I have a bit of a project on the go now

The original colour looks like a dirty red ish, on the Log book it says 1600 sport, June 1979.
This will be a Non Historic spec Rally car, not sure on Engine Box combo yet, either 2.3 Duratec, or 2.1 alloy block Vauxhall, with either a ZF Dog box or 6 Sp sequential, with a fully floating Atlas.
At present, 2.1 Vauxhall, and ZF are favourite.
Its great to be working on a Mk 2 again, any one want to buy a Tuscan
http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/1620911.htm

cheers

[aeropilot]

Mark A S said:

This will be a Non Historic spec Rally car, not sure on Engine Box combo yet, either 2.3 Duratec, or 2.1 alloy block Vauxhall, with either a ZF Dog box or 6 Sp sequential, with a fully floating Atlas.
At present, 2.1 Vauxhall, and ZF are favourite.

Any particular reason you're edging towards the Vauxhall unit...?

I have to say my inclination would be ZF as well, but with the Duratec.

[aeropilot]

olly22n said:

Someone on there will decode it, can see you picture, but fairly sure GCAT at the start means its a german built RS, but its been a long while since i last looked at any!

It's not the VIN plate, it's the build plate.

[neutral 3]

I am pretty sure that that plate would have been Painted body Colour from the factory. The only Red that i am aware of that RS Escorts were painted in in the late 70s was Ford Venetian Red. My 78 Feb RS2 is beleived to be Venetian. The Plate is the Factory Build Plate , and should have Body Colour, Trim Colour, Options ( if any ) Etc. But you would need to talk to the RS Club to decode it accureately.

[Mark A S]

At present [ it changes weekly! ] the Vauxhall is favourite as with alloy block, I have been told its lighter, being “only” 2.1 it can still rev to 9500, and a mate of mine has lots of parts for them,,, and can build a good engine, so is cheaper too.
I like the idea of keeping a ford engine in a Ford, but unless you go to the expense of a steel crank for the Duratec, 8k is absolute top revs. Even with steel Crank 8500 is tops.
Reason for this, is not so much for Tarmac events, but more so for forestry.
I remember that whilst a BDA lacks torque, one of its great attributes [ apart from the fantastic noise ], is its ability to rev high so as you can hang on to a gear on those tightening blind corners.
Running out of revs half way round or having to snatch another gear is not ideal!

In an ideal world, I would like to try both engines in the same car, not likely though!

I will contact the RS owners club, cheers.

[LRdriver II]

Would this help:

http://www.turbosport.co.uk/extras/ctagdecode.php

[graemel]

It might have been Sebring Red. A little more Orangy Red. Great Colour

[aeropilot]

Mark A S said:

I will contact the RS owners club, cheers.

Won't be of much help if it is a Sport.

As I said, there was very little data retained by Ford for the build plate info, this was just the code info for the factory workers to id the relevent info needed to put the correct bits with the correct car on the line.

Too many people here are getting confuced with this build plate and the black/silver VIN tags.

I have a vague recollection of there being a 'dirty' red colour (sort of light burgandy colour with gold coloured Sport decals) available on the 1600 Sports in the last year or so (which this will be being 1979) of production, just before the Harrier was brought out...?

[Escort2dr]

Escort2dr said:

Not off the top of my head, but look on RSOC, Turbosport, Oldskoolford forums - you should be able to search for a VIN decoder, or ask on there.

Rallyesport Escorts forum - there's another to try.

Have you got anywhere with this yet?

[Mark A S]

I remember that "dirty" red colour with gold sripes for the 1600 sports too, the colour on the car looks just like that, thanks.
What i have found so far is that it was made at halewood it appears in 78, but registered in June 79, thats about it.
Thankfully, it was Zeibarted from new, so the metal underneath is like new. A few scabby bits, but for a 32 year old Ford, in great condition
I look forward to driving it

[aeropilot]

Mark A S said:

I remember that "dirty" red colour with gold sripes for the 1600 sports too, the colour on the car looks just like that, thanks.

I've just remembered the colour....Jupiter Red?

[Escort2dr]

Same year/month mine was registered, but yours sounds a lot more solid Make sure you get some pics up.

[Mark A S]

Here is progress so far. With help from my mate Tom at New Techniques, we converted the dollies into a spit, great for working on the shell.
Its in very good nick. This shell has never rallied,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, yet
I will keep the updates coming as and when, so long as you all don't mind.

[Escort2dr]

Cool. Why not start a new thread under Readers Cars? I for one would like to follow progress (lots of this sort of thing on Oldskoolford and Turbosport but it's about time there were more Escorts on here).

Edited by Escort2dr on Monday 26th April 18:12

[Mark A S]

An update

Here is what I have done so far. All suspension is on, pedal box in, steering all in, sump guard on, all rear boot furniture in, apart from pumps and hoses, Fly off H brake in, and various other parts. Next job is interior door fittings.
Just awaiting the AP Racing brakes to arrive, then I can have them fitted to the Atlas axle, fit that, then it can go on some minilite look-alike wheels, which I have yet to buy!
Its Very enjoyable work, just wish there was more time and money to finish it faster, as I am itching to drive it.
Latest is I will be using a 2.3 Duratec engine now, as you can only use a Ford engine in a Ford, abroad.
Should be good for 215 torques, and around 285 brake.

Cheers

[aeropilot]

Looking very nice indeed, that's quite a bit of work done already, impressive