My rare baby...... ongoing

[dan]

Well its coming along!!! Now back after 2 years in Afghan so have been tinkering with the old exec. Some of these you have seen already (apologies for that!) the paintjob will be getting changed soon (to replace the vodka induced current paint scheme!!)

this is how she was after I took her to Billing a couple of years ago. The old girl next door put a complaint in saying it was an eyesore and the wife wanted rid but I just couldnt do it.








I had leave earlier this year and so had a few sherberts and while she was out shopping..... we did this....







So now I am back.... swapped a few emails with ALANN the font of all things Mk3 on here and asked him about my van and how many are left etc, he told me about the interiors which got me thinking how abused mine was looking. So after sweat, blood and death threats to the kids if they ever eat McDonalds in it ever again, this is how she has turned out inside....









So thats the story so far.... its all original, original interior, original engine etc...... going to look for some wider wheels, have a bodykit which I am going to try to fettle this week and then its Rolf Harris time again..... thinking maybe bright silver over a candy blue but open to suggestions on anything to be honest. The main thing is... she is still alive, on the road and not destined for the scrappy anytime soon!!!

[rover]

Good to see you still have the old gal Dan

Keep an eye out for a set of Ronal Alloys coming up for sale , not from me by the way!

[dan]

Will do Rover! Couldnt bear to let her go mate.... she's family now!!! Give me a hint when you see those wheels about to make an appearance on here mate will start hiding cash from her in anticipation

[AlanN]

Those Executive interiors are just the nuts worth all the effort youve put in. As ive mentioned before, Ive got a grey version, but the blue one is nicer.
On the subject of all that is MK3, very difficalt question on numbers, I might try and get some info from the SMMT, but as for Executive, just so few about.

[dan]

Mate if you could get some info that would be superb..... am trying to get an agreed value on the insurance because of the rarity issues, I am on a traders policy which means I would only get market value for it. Believe it or not (and I know you will) the resale value of a mk3 petrol transit is........ wait for it...... 50 QUID!!!!!
The sooner they make the executive the modern classic that it so obviously is the better
As for the work thats gone into her so far..... its a labour of love for me Alan, she owes me nothing, rarely misses a beat and is great to drive. Never had a budget on her so done most myself with a just give it a go attitude I suppose.
As soon as the spoiler goes on its paint time again!!!!

[dan]

Here we go....... have just picked a full bodykit up on fleabay for a massive £21. Is there any member who can do a mock up on what this might look like? I tried with paintshop but it just looked like my van had run over a fridge!!!! pics below.

1. The van as it is now



2. various pics of the front spoiler





I got arches, rear spoiler and side skirts as well so happy I think I will remove the Ford Racing decals from the skirts though
Thanks in advance for any help with the mock-up guys n gals

[AlanN]

Ive been trying to find who to contact about DVLA Statistics, it used to be the SMMT, but by all accounts it now comes direct or from a company that sells the information on

[grunty]

info like that should be free to clubs , buggers will try to make money out of anything now.

[dan]

No worries Alan, thanks very much for trying mate and agreed Grunty it seems you ask a question and then have to pay someone for an answer
As for agreed values, as an official members club can the forum not be the authority on pricing? not over pricing or taking the michael though. It would seem logical that the amount of expertise on this site would be a good basis and the forum could charge for a certificate of value which we could then pass on to our insurers BEFORE we sign up to the policy?
Anyway Alan (the font of all things Mk3 and spoilered up!!!) any ideas on that spoiler of mine???? hehehehehe

[AlanN]

Ive not given up yet!!! Asking questions in other places and waiting for replies to come back, might be able to get some feedback from the Cortina Club

[gonzothejaffa]

what's that bumper off am after summat like that for mine?

[dan]

Its a full Ford Racing bodykit off an XR2i mk3?????? Usually came with 2 lights attached but for some reason this has 4 lights factory fitted. The side skirts are 'decal'd up with the Ford Racing logo's so I will have to remove them before paint. Flea bay has a few of these kits on at the moment..... its just being brave enough to make the adjustments.

[turbotom]

that bumpers a standard fiesta rsturbo or xr2i bumper, they all have the 4 lights. the bumper will also fit mk4 escorts with a few mods. cant wait to see it on your transit.

[dan]

I stand corrected Tom neighbour just said the same thing *suitably embarrassed*

I need to split the front spoiler and add about six inches (wife says the same!!!! )
Cant use the rear arches either as the sliding door is too snug, but having said all that I have offered it up to the van and I think with the 4 lights it will look totally different.
Question I am pondering Tom is whether to split it lengthways and use it under the existing bumper giving it a much lower look or replace the existing bumper altogether which would be a shame as its in perfect nick..... the dilemmas a cheap ebay whim causes eh?????

Please feel free to give your opinions guys n gals, if anybody can use photoshop could you let me know how to do a mock up

[dan]

Started work on the bumper today....... just me, twenty cigs, a junior hacksaw and about a dozen brews.




Tough going but got this far




Then split it before sanding the edges to make them symmetrical



All looking good and very neat until........ Paulsilly came over and we took the old bumper off to find that where there should be metal the rust had visited!!!! Big time!!!
So its all change again..... next week its learn to weld over at Pauls. We offered up the bodykit to the bus and it doesnt seem possible at the mo
So the cunning plan is now this........ we weld brackets and lower the existing bumper by about 4 inches above which we use the lights from the bodykit and insert a strip. Therefore the front of the van looks modded.
Will add more pics as we go. A quick thankyou to Paul for the help today, any members in the North West looking for a good mechanic give him a shout