Just a quick introduction, been reading the forum for a few months now as Ive just purchased a 2 door 1968 Mk1 imported from South Africa. The car needs a lot of work but is in great shape for the age, luckily it was stored under cover and obviously the climate helps. Heres a pic of the car as it arrived on Friday, will obviously appreciate any help and advice in the future.
Hi mate welcome to TS. I also have a '68 (Jan) and if you didn't know there are quite a few unique differences to the later cars so if you need any info just ask-whats the plans for her?
'68 1100 Deluxe-bog stock soon to be a twincam rep.
Hi meXEco, thanks for the reply, thats great to know, any advice or pointers would be really appreciated!! My plan is to put her back to near original as poss, Ive got a 1600 crossflow for her and planning to keep her pretty standard. Id really like to know the differences when you get time!!
Ok off the top of my head and by no means exhaustive:
External door handles (symmetrical shape with lock in button) Sticky out petrol filler neck and cap (different tank to later cars and not swappable) External bonnet release button in front grill Cheese wedge washer bottle on passenger side Washer jets on back of bonnet rather than in scuttle grill Starting handle hole in front panel Slightly different pressings in rear panel Different pressing in rear firewall behind rear seats Heater dome goes to a point both sides Compression struts instead of front anti rollbar and corresponding different TCA's Brackets on tunnel for seat catches for tip forward seats Fatter switches (headlight/wiper/fan) Different style switch/ashtray panel Different loom with regulator box and dynamo Lodestar headlining Fan vents in dash are straight rather than chevroned Internal door handle/window winders different shape Front seat mount brackets on seat crossmember Rubber floor covering Steering wheel Imperial studs/nuts Front bumper bracket holes are captive rather than all the way thru chassis rail Drums all round with 12 inch steel wheels.
Think that's all I can remember there may be a few other bits and bobs-my compression struts will be coming off as I'm doing a twincam replica if you need these I think I need all the rest-have a look at my 2nd project under my user name on the left.
Last edited by meXEco; 19-09-2016 at 14:09.
'68 1100 Deluxe-bog stock soon to be a twincam rep.
Ill have a look now, sounds great, thanks again for spending the time to write this out, some of it sounds like what I have, some sounds like its been updated and as its a SA car Im not suprised!! Im certainly after some parts so if you have anything at all Id be happy take them off your hands, just trying to get a nice clean shell at the moment and then paint and parts next year. I did have a cheesewedge WB but looks like it got borrowed on the journey over? Really appreciate the replys though, thanks again for your time.
No worries mate-I didn't realise when I bought mine there were so many differences-unfortunately some parts are now getting rare therefore pricey-especially the washer bottle so its a shame yours has gone walkies. I'm not sure if the SA cars are the same but I'd imagine the early ones are.
Couple more things I've just remembered:
Static seatbelts with large buckle as opposed to inertia reel type Washer pump is foot operated just to the left of clutch pedal on the floor.
'68 1100 Deluxe-bog stock soon to be a twincam rep.
Top man, thanks for all the info!! Yeah Im going to start on the parts next year, not sure if fully original is a possibility as Im still looking into the Vin tag spec. Its all a bit different being a SA car. Its got the Borg Warner rear axle for instance, but Ill try and get it as close as!! Please let me know if you have any spares going, Im always on the look!! Ive got loads of bits and bobs to sort through off a donor car, Ive got a 1600 Crossflow going up for sale soon if you know anyone that is looking.
No probs-still waiting for mine to be started but i'll keep all the bits back-try your 1600 on here-I have the 1100 and 4 speed from mine out waiting for a new home-English axles are easy enough to find-got a pretty decent dash top, pedal box, drum struts and a set of 12" steelies. Got my original switches refurbed by a guy in Poland on Ebay lovely job.
Also rear shocks are mounted on a bar bolted to underfloor rather than bolted directly thru the floor on later cars (later shocks known as eye/pin location-pin goes thru floor with a nut on the pin, early cars are eye/eye which bolt to bar).
'68 1100 Deluxe-bog stock soon to be a twincam rep.
Ah I noticed the rear shock setup yesterday while taking a look at the diff. I love the simplicity of the Escorts. Thanks again though, Ive got the standard disc setup on the front as It must have been converted at some point, Im good for a dash top and pedal box but always keep me in mind for parts!!
Just a quick question, could you tell me if the chassis/vin number is stamped into the bodywork anywhere. Unfortunately my tags have been removed and I cant see it on the strut top. I have read it may be under the drivers seat or even heard swedish cars have it in the boot hinge? Any info would be appreciated!!
Just a quick question, could you tell me if the chassis/vin number is stamped into the bodywork anywhere. Unfortunately my tags have been removed and I cant see it on the strut top. I have read it may be under the drivers seat or even heard swedish cars have it in the boot hinge? Any info would be appreciated!!
It should be on the drivers side strut top as you suggested-I do not know of any other places it would be-that's the only place on uk cars I am not sure if its stamped anywhere else on export cars sorry.
'68 1100 Deluxe-bog stock soon to be a twincam rep.
hi thats a sweet looking car, I really like early mk1s i am doing up a 1970 aussie car that has quite a few quirky old pieces like the other early models like big switches etc… good luck with the build
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