What project car?

James07

James07

James07

Soldato
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West Yorkshire
Instead of the last thread which to be fair didnt make sense when thought about..

Ive thought about doing a project car? Is that a better way to put it?

Now ive thoguht about it a bit more, im looking at old cars that i actually like, and the Ford Escort RS 1989 or 1990 are one of my favs, i got offered one a while back when i didnt have a licence when i lives down south for 800 which was immaculate and i really wouldnt mind getting one of these cheep and doing it up..

This is a strong contender

What you guys think, and if not thaten suggest something :) Im sick the thought of having another crap car next year and id rather start doing one up now ready for when i get my first no claims..

Let me know people :D
 
:(

You related to Yantorsen?



Anyway, that aside. Don't do a project car for your main car, and the Escort is not special really, it'll cost a few thousand to fix that one, at least. Then it'll break down lots and you'll be left with no car.

If I had the space and money I'd get something pre '73 or at least something sporty and fun and interesting, like an old MG, Triumph etc. not a Ford Escort.

At the end of the day though, the car completely depends on what you like. If the Escort RS Turbo is your absolute fav car that you could do, then go for it. Lots of my personal choices would be frowned upon too. :p
 
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Whetever you go for, it should be something with a good online community for help, and a decent supply of parts/replacements etc.

MG/Triumph should fit that criteria, but might not be to your taste.
 
Always fancied having a go at a project car. Unfortunatley my current personal situation does not make it viable :(

Aero
 
MGB GT.

Buy chrome bumper one. All of the parts are available off the shelf, they look fantastic, they are reliable (my father has had his MGB roadster for 22 years and it has only broken down twice), they hold their value well and they are made for blasting down b roads :)

You will however need a largish pot of money, patience and some technical knowledge.
 
InvaderGIR said:
Anyway, that aside. Don't do a project car for your main car, and the Escort is not special really, it'll cost a few thousand to fix that one, at least. Then it'll break down lots and you'll be left with no car.
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Even if i do a proper job? Changing the engine, all related parts, obv id put new brakes in etc etc.

Scottland said:
Whetever you go for, it should be something with a good online community for help, and a decent supply of parts/replacements etc.

MG/Triumph should fit that criteria, but might not be to your taste.
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I can see why, they are nice cars, but i couldnt feel good driving around in one at 19 years of age :)

Id like to think these escorts would be in good supply of parts, but as per usual on this subject, i have next to 0 knowledge but im the kind of person who could figure something out and id put the time in to doing it.

Id neds lots of help like, what engine to buy?! Can it be any engine in the world? Or do they have to be specific?

Brakes? Again, are these universal? etc etc..
 
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Yes, there was a thread where some chap put a rolls royce merlin engine in an escort, let me just find it..

If you think you can use any old engine and brakes are 'universal' then clearly restoration is not for you.
 
James07 said:
Even if i do a proper job? Changing the engine, all related parts, obv id put new brakes in etc etc.
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If you want to have the proper engine, get an RS Turbo that's a bit minging and do it up, don't do a transplant.

Most parts are interchangeable between one model of car, but you'll have conflicts, as there are different versions of the Escort for example, MK1, MK2, etc. and MK1 and MK2 bits may not go between each other, but MK1 bits will go to another MK1.

In reply to Jansey, you can do things like that, but they will require a lot more knowledge and help, due to having to fit/adjust mounts and things one the car. Welding for example may look easy, but really isn't.

Cost-wise it all depends on the initial purchase cost of the car, and what needs doing. You could be lucky and spend £500, or unlucky and spend £5k.
 
Don't forget, you'll need space (ie a garage, driveway will not be suitable for restoring a car, too damp ;)) and tools, these can cost a lot, you may not think so but they soon add up as you'll always be buying more to add to the collection when you realise you need something but don't have it.
 
An old escort has to be one of the most pointless cars to spend that much time and money on.

You're young, you're inexperienced (both mechanically and as a driver) - just buy a decent car that will see you through, do tinkering jobs on it until you're confident and financially stable enough to get a proper classic car to restore in your spare time.

I said it in your other thread and I'll say it in this one - you're going to waste huge amounts of money on a car that is worth nothing. Costs like storage, tools etc could run into thousands on their own

Alternatively (and I have an incling this is the case), you want to put a body kit on something and clean it, thats not restoration and you need to join the line in halfords
 
InvaderGIR said:
Don't forget, you'll need space (ie a garage, driveway will not be suitable for restoring a car, too damp ;)) and tools, these can cost a lot, you may not think so but they soon add up as you'll always be buying more to add to the collection when you realise you need something but don't have it.
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Yeah, you could probably spend a fair few hundred just on tools.
 
iaind said:
An old escort has to be one of the most pointless cars to spend that much time and money on.

You're young, you're inexperienced (both mechanically and as a driver) - just buy a decent car that will see you through, do tinkering jobs on it until you're confident and financially stable enough to get a proper classic car to restore in your spare time.

I said it in your other thread and I'll say it in this one - you're going to waste huge amounts of money on a car that is worth nothing. Costs like storage, tools etc could run into thousands on their own

Alternatively (and I have an incling this is the case), you want to put a body kit on something and clean it, thats not restoration and you need to join the line in halfords
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I agree with this man.

I've always done most jobs on my cars as and when they've needed them. Over the past ~4 years I've stripped down and rebuilt a few cars, done engine changes, fixed body work, and other general stuff like brakes. And I have no knowledge of cars. :D

Scottland said:
Yeah, you could probably spend a fair few hundred just on tools.
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I have already, and I just have a socket set and a breaker bar. :p

"andy" said:
why are people been so funny with him

he just wants to learn about cars by starting a cheap project unless im reading it wrong
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Not exactly being funny, trying to get the point over it's not cheap nor easy. :)
 
InvaderGIR said:
Don't forget, you'll need space (ie a garage, driveway will not be suitable for restoring a car, too damp ;)) and tools, these can cost a lot, you may not think so but they soon add up as you'll always be buying more to add to the collection when you realise you need something but don't have it.
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I can get any kind of welding done at work, i can get taught welding, i can make gaskets and anything that needs to be/can be done on a lathe myself..

Anything with metal can be done at my work place..

Aslong as its bit by bit i wont mind.

I might be able to use a garage or two that i already know of, one up at my cousins farm that they might be willing to let me use in the corner (huge barn)

iaind said:
Alternatively (and I have an incling this is the case), you want to put a body kit on something and clean it, thats not restoration and you need to join the line in halfords
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I dont wana bang a body kit on it, i wana clean it up, get the panels sprayed metalic and clean, band bits around and pull things out, i want to make it look nice and clean and modernish? I want to do anything i can that will make a difference and i have nothing but time and money to do this.. 2-3 days a week maybe to do this? less some weeks and more other weeks..

I should have space and over time i should have money and once ive got all the crap ripped out and assessed what needs doing i can crack on bit by bit getting the engine and wear and tear parts done at the end, i sound noobish now i know but atleast im willing to learn, i just need to know what kind of thing to start with, a Escort RS seems like a good idea.. Or a Sierra cosworth?

"andy" said:
why are people been so funny with him

he just wants to learn about cars by starting a cheap project unless im reading it wrong
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EXACTLY!!!

Money dosnt bother me ill spend over time to save money, and as for the ease, not once have i said it WILL be easy.. Ill find it hard as **** but by mysef with the radio on chilling out cracking on with this ill learn a lot and be able to etach myself as i go along and figure things out.
 
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iaind said:
cheap + project

Problem, right there.
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Exactly. There's no such thing. Any car can turn into a money pit.

Run a few quotes for a Sierra Cosworth and you'll see how much of a good idea it is...

How much money do you actually have to bank roll a project?
 
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