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58' Ford Escort - Family Cruiser

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by Chopperman, Aug 30, 2011.

  1. gasolinescream
    Joined: Sep 7, 2010
    Posts: 614

    gasolinescream
    Member

    Your Escort may be a Squire unless they have put Squire sliding windows in it. Escorts were more parts/courier type cars and the Squire was more family based. As Mart said most folk have had a 2/4 door, Escort or Thames van at some stage. If you don't already use this site 100e.com will help an awful lot.
    I had this 58 ripped off my hands before i really got to use it. Mad as a box of frogs in a kind of crazy 60's shop parts hauler kind of theme. Had quite a hopped up sidevalve motor using genuine (read expensive) Aquaplane engine parts and a very rare 6 speed box, little screamer that would do all of 80mph flat out. Lowered, signwritten, custom interior, red side and back glass, one piece front doorglasses, orange flake everywhere. All good fun at the time looking back and hope you enjoy yours.

    Dan

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    Last edited: Aug 30, 2011
  2. Chopperman
    Joined: Sep 26, 2006
    Posts: 1,272

    Chopperman
    Member


    That thing is awesome.

    I'm already on the 100E and your right, it's helped alot. As mentioned, mine has capri running gear, 4-10 gears and a 4speed which totaly sucks. Its geared way to low for freeway use. It needs a 5 or 6 speed or 3:XX gears. I dont even use 1st.

    EDIT : mine has sliding rear windows but escort badges ?
    EDIT2: I love that visor - where can I find one?
     
  3. gasolinescream
    Joined: Sep 7, 2010
    Posts: 614

    gasolinescream
    Member

    I'd check as there may be differences in overseas cars as regard to badging and trim. The Escort was a really basic car in many ways, mine had no lower dash so i put a Prefect one in and also it didn't have side trim. Also the front seat folded down and made the passenger side floor a space for goods etc.Escorts also didn't have sliders for rear passengers but a few were optioned that way. Squires had a wooden side trim, mini woody kind of thing and i've also seen them with chrome. I'm thinking you may have a spec'd up Escort but 100e.com will answer all that for you. Very helpful and friendly bunch. I see you've been shopping , very good place for performance parts but not cheap!!!

    Visors can be bought new, at a price, £175 but any 100E visor will fit. I have the guys details should you ever want one but maybe see if you can pick one up your side, happy to help if you can't just like anything your doing with it. Parts for these cars here are everywhere and cheap. The visor does change the look of the car, as with my current cruiser i always add one. They aren't so common here as in the US and other sunny places. Most folk laugh when you say sun visor in the UK.

    Glad you like the car, bit nuts but a heap of fun and pretty quick for a hopped up 1172cc sidevalve motor. Everyone thought i was nuts doing it and put a small pinto in it but it's no different to the flatty vs SBC chat you see here. I just like old and hopped up , thats my problem.

    Don't want to get o/t, i'm new here and don't want to get booted off or slammed for stuff so if i can help you out in any way just pm me and glad to help. Maybe one day you can help me find a nice 49-52 Chevy coupe as they seem to be all over your neck of the woods and one day i'll have one!!

    Couple more pics either way and one of my Aquaplane tuned stocker before it got lowered 4".Shame about no pics as i lost them but sure you get the idea. Good luck and shout up if i can help.


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  4. Chopperman
    Joined: Sep 26, 2006
    Posts: 1,272

    Chopperman
    Member

    Wonder why I was having braking issues?

    Plates fully reloaded
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    Last edited: Aug 31, 2011
  5. bob3757
    Joined: Sep 26, 2008
    Posts: 167

    bob3757
    ALLIANCE MEMBER
    from Tigard, Or

    Attached are some pictures of my "59 Escort, which I have owned since 1973. In 1973 I installed a 215" aluminum Buick, T-10, narrowed 9" ford rearend, & a straight tube axle front end. I drove it until 1980, then stored it for 25 years, In 2005 I re-did the front suspension, using Mercury Capri pieces, chopped the top 4 1/2 ", & painted it black. Still has the same running gear that I installed in 1973. Bob
     

    Attached Files:

  6. WICKED!!!


    Sent from my iPhone using TJJ!!!
     
  7. Kume
    Joined: Jan 23, 2010
    Posts: 980

    Kume
    Member

    I spent a lot of time trying to break the law in one of these at University in the early 1980s - one weekend we replaced the side valve with an OHV escort motor using a block and tackle dangling from a friends lemon tree. However, in NZ I believe they were known as Prefects and I think that some of the vans also came out with a 'Thames' badge. The first escort I remember coming out was the Mark 1 and was a coke bottle body in the late 1960s that was the mainstay of the rallying fraternity for many years. So are they prefects, escorts or Thames' and in what countries???.
    Regardless of their handle they are a bloody cute wagon and seeing your build brings back many fond memories. I loved the vaccum powered windscreen wipers that didnt work going up hill in the rain.
     
  8. rld14
    Joined: Mar 30, 2011
    Posts: 1,609

    rld14
    Member

    You might also try the folks at Kip Motor Co in Texas, they carry English Ford stuff.
     
  9. Nads
    Joined: Mar 5, 2001
    Posts: 11,862

    Nads
    Member
    from Hypocrisy

    They can bite my ass, they're the worst, overpriced and inept, they are a last resort for me.
     
  10. gasolinescream
    Joined: Sep 7, 2010
    Posts: 614

    gasolinescream
    Member

    Without stating the obvious, keep an eye on Ebay (UK), alot of stuff on there most days, many a bargain and NOS parts, even with postage over the pond. If you want help with stuff being looked at locally to me i'm happy to help, just pm me.

    Regards Dan
     
  11. Chopperman
    Joined: Sep 26, 2006
    Posts: 1,272

    Chopperman
    Member

    tomorrow is strut to coilover surgery. In the meantime, I bought some new capri calipers from the UK off e-bay.
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  12. rld14
    Joined: Mar 30, 2011
    Posts: 1,609

    rld14
    Member

    I haven't deal with inept, but they are really expensive, you're right. But when your Vauxhall spits out a clutch and ya wanna get it back on the road.......... or your Vanden Plas Princess needs a brake cylinder seal.... If ya remember the Velox was my daily for a looong time.

    Sometimes they are your only choice...
     
  13. Chopperman
    Joined: Sep 26, 2006
    Posts: 1,272

    Chopperman
    Member

    started on the coilover conversion. Little more work than I thought. The top plates I got from the UK were a NO GO fit, so I made my own out of the old strut plates couple hours down the drain errrr.

    I should have the front end back together tomorrow.
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  14. KustomCars
    Joined: Jul 31, 2011
    Posts: 3,465

    KustomCars
    Member
    from Minnesota

    It looks really cool !
     
  15. Chopperman
    Joined: Sep 26, 2006
    Posts: 1,272

    Chopperman
    Member

    R/P Bushings and coilovers or "shockers" to quote the english guys are installed. Car handles soooooooo much better

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  16. Chopperman
    Joined: Sep 26, 2006
    Posts: 1,272

    Chopperman
    Member

    Blew a lower ball joint out yesterday. Errrr:mad:, never ending.

    I have some new TCA's coming from Rock Auto
     
  17. Chopperman
    Joined: Sep 26, 2006
    Posts: 1,272

    Chopperman
    Member

    Front end is back together. Suspension and brakes are just about dialed in and its totaly driveable now.

    Next on the list
    - need a 5 speed trans to swap in hint hint looking for help here
    - floor pans
    - wing seals and tail lights
    - interior ( have an appointment on the 1st:D )
    - Dash - scored a nice piece of laminated maple from the neighbor
    - Guages
    - AC/Heat
     
  18. Chopperman
    Joined: Sep 26, 2006
    Posts: 1,272

    Chopperman
    Member

    Tailights - check
    Wing rubber - check
    Floor rot - Check
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  19. Chopperman
    Joined: Sep 26, 2006
    Posts: 1,272

    Chopperman
    Member

    Dropped her off at the upholstery shop..Should have some good pics in a few days.:D
     
  20. Bama Jama
    Joined: Feb 7, 2007
    Posts: 364

    Bama Jama
    Member

    I had a '57 Anglia in high school.It was my first car in '66.Stock flathead engine. I put a Cushman eagle muffler on it. It was as slow as syrup on a cold day. I wish I had it back. Thats a nice little car you have.
     
  21. 2manytoys
    Joined: Feb 24, 2009
    Posts: 224

    2manytoys
    Member
    from Fresno

    I've tried to find the one I had in High school back in the 60' but no luck. A 1957 English Ford Country Squire woodie wagon. Metalic blue with a black crinkle top. installed the later engine in it, a 1600 OHV banger. Gave up on looking and bought 2 Morris Minors sedans and a Minor woodie for my current project.
    Wanted a Hillman too.
     
  22. Chopperman
    Joined: Sep 26, 2006
    Posts: 1,272

    Chopperman
    Member

    its painful for sure.
     
  23. Chopperman
    Joined: Sep 26, 2006
    Posts: 1,272

    Chopperman
    Member

    Interior is done for the most part. I still need to do the dash, some window seals, door trim / rubber. Came out GREAT for the budget I had. The headliner amazes me. Keep in mind, I keep the seats and door panels as is.

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  24. Nads
    Joined: Mar 5, 2001
    Posts: 11,862

    Nads
    Member
    from Hypocrisy

    I love it, I'm so happy you didn't modernize her.
     
  25. gasolinescream
    Joined: Sep 7, 2010
    Posts: 614

    gasolinescream
    Member

    If your after a dash look to find a prefect, the 4 door version. It comes with a lower dash panel that is a straight bolt up. Gives you a glove box!!

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  26. Chopperman
    Joined: Sep 26, 2006
    Posts: 1,272

    Chopperman
    Member

    Wife is set on the idea of wood.
     
  27. Ole_Red
    Joined: Jul 29, 2009
    Posts: 596

    Ole_Red
    Member
    from 206, WA

    maybe I missed it.. por-15 or bedliner on the floor? also the new taillights look really sharp. huge difference. That headliner is :smokin:

    As I think I mentioned over on PBB a while back. Definitely following this one. Sweet Wagon!
     
  28. Chopperman
    Joined: Sep 26, 2006
    Posts: 1,272

    Chopperman
    Member

    por15
     
  29. Mart
    Joined: Mar 3, 2001
    Posts: 4,893

    Mart
    Member

    Hmmm. Not keen on the wood idea.

    But hey! That's just me.

    Chopperman! Just wondered if you saw this pic over on the Vintage pics from days gone by thread.. Your car probably rolled off a lot just like this.

    [​IMG]

    Mart.
     
  30. Chopperman
    Joined: Sep 26, 2006
    Posts: 1,272

    Chopperman
    Member

    Thats a cool photo. Thanks for sharing. There isnt too much on this side of the pond when it comes to these cars. Most of them are long gone or have been turned into race cars.
     

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