Mk3 Escort Bodyshell

Hi,

Anybody know where i can get a brand new bodyshell for a 3 door mk3 Escort.

Preferably only primed and without a VIN number but if anybody has any idea i would be eternally greatful.

Thanks

Gimp

I doubt this is still possible because they have been out of production for a long time now, but there was a time you could buy one and I remember seeing about 6 of them in a breakers yard in Galasheilds (if thats how u spell it) Near Peebles\ Selkirk in Scotland. I dare say they are long gone now but the fact I saw them proves they did exist. They had never been fitted out and were there because they were no longer needed. The breakers bought them in so they could sell them along with a write off to make one out of the 2 because at that time there was money in the MKIII, which is obviously not the case now. There are still good examples of these to be found in breakers yards far from the coast. It's amazing what damage living anywhere near a coastline does to your car. I was in a breakers around Carlisle way a few years back and was surprised to see so many OLD cars that should have rotted years ago, in there because they had knackered engines or light panel damage. It was like a step back in time and I couldn't believe the cars could possibly have lasted long enough to still be there. A MKIII escort pop would take about half a shift to get to the state you want it anyway seeing there is little or nothing to them anyway. If I think of, or hear of anything I'll let you know.

Thanks alot mate. a guy from a ford dealer told me they got one directly of ford a few years ago but he doesn't work there anymore. it must seem like a fairly strange request but its needed for a series 1 RS turbo and as they are quite rare still hold a decent price. the engine in the car at the moment is seriously mental and my friend who's car it is doesn't want to scrap such a rare car.

Rare they may be, but they would have to be both rare and VERY VERY desirable to even consider spending the time, money and effort it would take to transfer all the stuff across to it. Then there's the fact the RS shell was different, stronger and had more reinforcement on it, that and the fact it would need to be in concourse condition to get any interest from the type of people who would buy it as " A classic" would really rule out any chance of it being worthwhile. I reckon he has 2 options and that's only if he plans to keep it and is able to do the work or afford to pay to have it done. One is to strip the shell and garage the parts till a new shell comes along, the other is to scour the country for a decent shell and transfer the stuff across. Bare in mind that the likes of chassis numbers etc isn't a problem to get round, but WILL stand out like a sore thumb to a prospective buyer who will be looking for EVERYTHING to be original. There is a massive amount of work involved in doing it, and even the keenest mechanic would find it a laborious task. Unless the guy was expert in every field involved, mechanical,electrical and bodywork\paintwork and can do it all himself I'm afraid he'll be throwing good money after bad and will never come close to making it worthwhile, sorry.

been told by the guy from ford that the shells are exactly the same but their is a few bits welded on after for extra strength, i think he will probably end up firing the engine in a westfield or bodging the car up for a "quick sale".

He just texed me and has found a shell for £5000 which is far higher than we thought it would be, i don't think doing the work would have been a problem tho as it has been completely stripped before and rebuilt but its probably not worth it if thats the right price for a shell

Gimp

Another idea might be to have him join the RS owners club. Such clubs have a monthly magazine which is usually filled with adverts from other owners for spares. Either way it will put him in touch with a large base of people with the same interest and hopefully a good knowlege of the subject.

which would be more desirable mk1 rs turbo or rs 16i?? i also think the shell is more stronger in certain points on these models(not that it warrents the price they may want) and a new shell for one of these would be like rocking horse shit to find, but the rsoc would be a good place to start, but i have yet to see one of either at around the £5000 mark???concourse condition for sale. have you not got a shell to repair? original is always best.


booboo:)

Couldnt you just buy a escort that some old boy has owned for years and has polished every sunday thats in mint condition. Pick 1 up for a few hundred quid and then just swap the parts over and sell the old bits in the paper !!!!