Mk1 Ford Focus RS
Discussion
johnnyBv8 said:
Colour looks great - it'll be like having a new car (though I guess various parts/interior bits that seemed ok before will suddenly start to get on your nerves as not being smart enough!)
Hoping it should be like a brand new car, the interior was in good condition before it was stripped back to the shell, so hopefully the interior shouldn’t need anything other than a good clean. You probably won’t believe me when I tell you the cars has less than 50k on the clock 
So went out to see the car this morning, Just going over the final snagging points now and bleeding all the various systems.
The Focus has a new RS friend in the workshop, a MK2 Escort RS2000 has joined it in the last week and will be getting the same treatment, full strip down and onto the spit for all the repair work.
Trying to source a couple of small parts this morning, the first being the small spring to return the rear calliper, as one of them has gone AWOL, luckily £5 on ebay has solved that issue
The Second issue which is proving a little more difficult to find is the clip which hold the hand brake cable against the calliper bracket
The Focus has a new RS friend in the workshop, a MK2 Escort RS2000 has joined it in the last week and will be getting the same treatment, full strip down and onto the spit for all the repair work.
Trying to source a couple of small parts this morning, the first being the small spring to return the rear calliper, as one of them has gone AWOL, luckily £5 on ebay has solved that issue
The Second issue which is proving a little more difficult to find is the clip which hold the hand brake cable against the calliper bracket
Each update OP does make me lust for fast Ford cars!
It seems to be very near the finishing line now? Will you be going to any shows or any of the PistonHeads meets (Sunday Service) happening this summer? I would love to see the car in the flesh and congratulate you on such a stellar job well done!
It seems to be very near the finishing line now? Will you be going to any shows or any of the PistonHeads meets (Sunday Service) happening this summer? I would love to see the car in the flesh and congratulate you on such a stellar job well done!
G.Fraser said:
Fantastic thread and great to see another fast Ford on it's way back to former glory!
For future reference, may I ask who the company is who has been carrying out the restoration work? Apologies if I have missed this in the thread.
Thanks, its been a long journey but getting very close to the finish nowFor future reference, may I ask who the company is who has been carrying out the restoration work? Apologies if I have missed this in the thread.
The Body shop I am using is Alan Scott Panel Beater and Paint Sprayer, he has his workshop about 30 minutes outside Aberdeen.
Felix79 said:
Each update OP does make me lust for fast Ford cars!
It seems to be very near the finishing line now? Will you be going to any shows or any of the PistonHeads meets (Sunday Service) happening this summer? I would love to see the car in the flesh and congratulate you on such a stellar job well done!
Thanks, I think I am only a matter or days / weeks away from having it completed. The leaking water pump has been a bit of a set back but I dropped the new pump off this morning at the workshop so hopefully get it fitted early next week. During the test run I think there was an ABS fault which might take a bit of time to solve assuming it can't be solved by bleeding the system again.It seems to be very near the finishing line now? Will you be going to any shows or any of the PistonHeads meets (Sunday Service) happening this summer? I would love to see the car in the flesh and congratulate you on such a stellar job well done!
I have applied to enter it in the Aberdeen Performance Car show at the new exhibition centre but I am still waiting to see if I have been accepted. I have also been asked to enter it at an All Ford show at our local motor museum so hopefully get it along to that in August. I think the Sunday service etc is all a bit far away from me but it would be nice to show off the car and more importantly the transformation from what was a pretty rotten shell into a car that looks as good as new.
MK1RS Bruce said:
Thanks, I think I am only a matter or days / weeks away from having it completed. The leaking water pump has been a bit of a set back but I dropped the new pump off this morning at the workshop so hopefully get it fitted early next week. During the test run I think there was an ABS fault which might take a bit of time to solve assuming it can't be solved by bleeding the system again.
I have applied to enter it in the Aberdeen Performance Car show at the new exhibition centre but I am still waiting to see if I have been accepted. I have also been asked to enter it at an All Ford show at our local motor museum so hopefully get it along to that in August. I think the Sunday service etc is all a bit far away from me but it would be nice to show off the car and more importantly the transformation from what was a pretty rotten shell into a car that looks as good as new.
Sadly, I'm all the way down south in Oxford, so a bit of a long drive all the way up to you! I have applied to enter it in the Aberdeen Performance Car show at the new exhibition centre but I am still waiting to see if I have been accepted. I have also been asked to enter it at an All Ford show at our local motor museum so hopefully get it along to that in August. I think the Sunday service etc is all a bit far away from me but it would be nice to show off the car and more importantly the transformation from what was a pretty rotten shell into a car that looks as good as new.
Will you try to do some concourse shows, while things are all fresh? I think the fact it's a Mk1 Focus RS and in such an iconic Ford colour, you might have a good chance at some success in the Ford shows.
If you're ever down this far south for any length of time, I would be happy to take you out (bot in our respective cars) on some of the hoon routes we have here in Oxfordshire and Berkshire, which would be perfect for your RS!
Looking forward for the updates over the next few weeks and seeing you complete the whole project!
Felix79 said:
Sadly, I'm all the way down south in Oxford, so a bit of a long drive all the way up to you!
Will you try to do some concourse shows, while things are all fresh? I think the fact it's a Mk1 Focus RS and in such an iconic Ford colour, you might have a good chance at some success in the Ford shows.
If you're ever down this far south for any length of time, I would be happy to take you out (bot in our respective cars) on some of the hoon routes we have here in Oxfordshire and Berkshire, which would be perfect for your RS!
Looking forward for the updates over the next few weeks and seeing you complete the whole project!
@MK1RS Bruce Thanks for the info about your body shop guy, he’s doing a phenomenal job by the looks of things. I agree with Felix, it would be great to see you and the car at Ford Fair (Silverstone) in August for example.Will you try to do some concourse shows, while things are all fresh? I think the fact it's a Mk1 Focus RS and in such an iconic Ford colour, you might have a good chance at some success in the Ford shows.
If you're ever down this far south for any length of time, I would be happy to take you out (bot in our respective cars) on some of the hoon routes we have here in Oxfordshire and Berkshire, which would be perfect for your RS!
Looking forward for the updates over the next few weeks and seeing you complete the whole project!
@Felix I live just outside Oxford (Wallingford), I’d love to hear about some of these routes. Feel free to PM if you have a minute/can be bothered
Felix79 said:
Sadly, I'm all the way down south in Oxford, so a bit of a long drive all the way up to you!
Will you try to do some concourse shows, while things are all fresh? I think the fact it's a Mk1 Focus RS and in such an iconic Ford colour, you might have a good chance at some success in the Ford shows.
If you're ever down this far south for any length of time, I would be happy to take you out (bot in our respective cars) on some of the hoon routes we have here in Oxfordshire and Berkshire, which would be perfect for your RS!
Looking forward for the updates over the next few weeks and seeing you complete the whole project!
Cheers felix I will keep that in mind, you never know where I might end up with the car so would be good to have a contact who knows another local area! Will you try to do some concourse shows, while things are all fresh? I think the fact it's a Mk1 Focus RS and in such an iconic Ford colour, you might have a good chance at some success in the Ford shows.
If you're ever down this far south for any length of time, I would be happy to take you out (bot in our respective cars) on some of the hoon routes we have here in Oxfordshire and Berkshire, which would be perfect for your RS!
Looking forward for the updates over the next few weeks and seeing you complete the whole project!
I have thought about doing shows and I plan on using it but keeping it fresh long term anyway. No way I want to go through this process again that is for sure!
I think I would struggle with the concourse type competitions due to the fact that its not standard or totally in keeping with the factory look, I would need to look into it and see if there is a "modified" class.
MK1RS Bruce said:
Felix79 said:
Sadly, I'm all the way down south in Oxford, so a bit of a long drive all the way up to you!
Will you try to do some concourse shows, while things are all fresh? I think the fact it's a Mk1 Focus RS and in such an iconic Ford colour, you might have a good chance at some success in the Ford shows.
If you're ever down this far south for any length of time, I would be happy to take you out (bot in our respective cars) on some of the hoon routes we have here in Oxfordshire and Berkshire, which would be perfect for your RS!
Looking forward for the updates over the next few weeks and seeing you complete the whole project!
Cheers felix I will keep that in mind, you never know where I might end up with the car so would be good to have a contact who knows another local area! Will you try to do some concourse shows, while things are all fresh? I think the fact it's a Mk1 Focus RS and in such an iconic Ford colour, you might have a good chance at some success in the Ford shows.
If you're ever down this far south for any length of time, I would be happy to take you out (bot in our respective cars) on some of the hoon routes we have here in Oxfordshire and Berkshire, which would be perfect for your RS!
Looking forward for the updates over the next few weeks and seeing you complete the whole project!
I have thought about doing shows and I plan on using it but keeping it fresh long term anyway. No way I want to go through this process again that is for sure!
I think I would struggle with the concourse type competitions due to the fact that its not standard or totally in keeping with the factory look, I would need to look into it and see if there is a "modified" class.
G.Fraser said:
Felix79 said:
Sadly, I'm all the way down south in Oxford, so a bit of a long drive all the way up to you!
Will you try to do some concourse shows, while things are all fresh? I think the fact it's a Mk1 Focus RS and in such an iconic Ford colour, you might have a good chance at some success in the Ford shows.
If you're ever down this far south for any length of time, I would be happy to take you out (bot in our respective cars) on some of the hoon routes we have here in Oxfordshire and Berkshire, which would be perfect for your RS!
Looking forward for the updates over the next few weeks and seeing you complete the whole project!
@MK1RS Bruce Thanks for the info about your body shop guy, he’s doing a phenomenal job by the looks of things. I agree with Felix, it would be great to see you and the car at Ford Fair (Silverstone) in August for example.Will you try to do some concourse shows, while things are all fresh? I think the fact it's a Mk1 Focus RS and in such an iconic Ford colour, you might have a good chance at some success in the Ford shows.
If you're ever down this far south for any length of time, I would be happy to take you out (bot in our respective cars) on some of the hoon routes we have here in Oxfordshire and Berkshire, which would be perfect for your RS!
Looking forward for the updates over the next few weeks and seeing you complete the whole project!
@Felix I live just outside Oxford (Wallingford), I’d love to hear about some of these routes. Feel free to PM if you have a minute/can be bothered
Also, just wanted to say I've been following this thread for a while and I'm loving it! Lovely car and it should look even better when it's all done
No Pictures but went to remove the water pump yesterday and a couple of the bolts holding it in place decided they didn't want to come out and sheared off so what should have been an easy job has become a bit more involved.
The cam belt has now been removed to give a bit more space to work and will be replaced during the reassembly, annoying but I guess that is the joys of working on "old" cars.
The cam belt has now been removed to give a bit more space to work and will be replaced during the reassembly, annoying but I guess that is the joys of working on "old" cars.
Small update, the water pump and cambelt and tensioner pulley have been changed, the car has been topped up with fuel and will be going to have the alignment set up on Wednesday.
In the meantime the team at the body shop have begun polishing the car and working on any imperfections in the paint so that the finish should be flawless.
I also dropped off a couple of new tyres as when they were painting the wheels it was noticed that although in good condition on the outside on of the existing Michelin PS3s was damaged on the inside from running a little soft at some point.
Previously before I took the car off the road I was running PS3s on the back and Michelin supersports on the front as I found it suited my driving style, however now that I’m replacing the PS3s I had the option of more supersports or go for PS4s. I decided I’d give the later a try as everyone I spoke to rated them above the supersports so time will tell. I will put them on the front to begin with and if I don’t like them I’ll swap them to the back.
New BCS exhaust, can’t wait to hear what it sounds like on a proper run! Went for the WRC style tip
In the meantime the team at the body shop have begun polishing the car and working on any imperfections in the paint so that the finish should be flawless.
I also dropped off a couple of new tyres as when they were painting the wheels it was noticed that although in good condition on the outside on of the existing Michelin PS3s was damaged on the inside from running a little soft at some point.
Previously before I took the car off the road I was running PS3s on the back and Michelin supersports on the front as I found it suited my driving style, however now that I’m replacing the PS3s I had the option of more supersports or go for PS4s. I decided I’d give the later a try as everyone I spoke to rated them above the supersports so time will tell. I will put them on the front to begin with and if I don’t like them I’ll swap them to the back.
New BCS exhaust, can’t wait to hear what it sounds like on a proper run! Went for the WRC style tip
Edited by MK1RS Bruce on Sunday 19th May 09:41
So this weekend is the beginning of a new chapter in the RS story
I got the call at 2pm on Friday to say the car was ready but given my luck it was monsoon season!! Luckily a friend of mine runs a rally car in the SRC and has a very nice race shuttle he said I could borrow.
It was a tight fit in the transporter but it was a good solution as a lot of the roads around the body shop have loose chippings on the road at the moment so an open trailer could have been a disaster straight away.
Got it unloaded back at home and stored in my garage, had to break it gently to the Fiesta ST that it would now have to live outside since it’s big brother has returned.
I got the call at 2pm on Friday to say the car was ready but given my luck it was monsoon season!! Luckily a friend of mine runs a rally car in the SRC and has a very nice race shuttle he said I could borrow.
It was a tight fit in the transporter but it was a good solution as a lot of the roads around the body shop have loose chippings on the road at the moment so an open trailer could have been a disaster straight away.
Got it unloaded back at home and stored in my garage, had to break it gently to the Fiesta ST that it would now have to live outside since it’s big brother has returned.
As promised a few more pics of it at home, now that its looking good I need to learn how to keep it that way. I enjoy cleaning my cars but not as much as I like driving them so It is going to take extra effort to keep this one looking as nice as it does at the moment. I have been looking at getting it ceramic coated but haven't come up with a final plan yet.
Any suggestions on a post card please!
Any suggestions on a post card please!
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