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Escort mk1 front fender profile (front wings)


von Race

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Can anyone out there tell me why there is a difference in the Escort mk1 front fender profile? I am referring to the space between the body line and the wheel opening lip. (outlined in pink) Obviously a change in production, but when did it take place. And, are there any other changes to the body? I have found this difference in several photos not just the two shown. If you Google Escort mk1 (images) there are lots photos of Escorts with both large and small gaps on the front fenders but no info on why. Hopefully someone can shine a light on this for me. Thank you in advance!

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6 hours ago, von Race said:

And, are there any other changes to the body?

 

The performance Mk1's (Twin Cam, Mexico, RS1600, RS2000) had what is known as a Type 49 shell. This was a strengthened shell based on (IIRC) a South African one. The only real visible external difference was a wider flare on the front wheel arch. There were strengthening plates on the inner front strut braces and other strengthening plates at the rear of the shell.

 

As to the two in the pic I can't enlarge the pics  enough to show if the Le Mans green car is a 'genuine' performance version, but I'm sure it's been significantly lowered from standard hence the minimal gap between wing and tyre.

 

HTH

 

Keith

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Further, this is I believe a 'bog standard' Mk1 Mexico and shows the factory ride height, and hence gap between wing and tyre;

 

1973-Ford-Escort-Mk1-Mexico-for-a-new-wo

 

Lowering the car can make a significant difference to the handling if not done to extreme (as I think the green car in your pic has been)

 

Keith

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14 minutes ago, Six97s said:

The Mexico had larger wheel openings,

 

Not from memory they didn't, it had a wider and deeper flare on the arch to cover wider wheels and tyres. I built a 'Mexico' using a standard shell to replace a 'proper' one that had a type 49, and although the clearance was the same around the tyre the arch lip needed relieving as the tyre fouled on (slightly less) than full lock. 

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1 hour ago, keefr22 said:

but I'm sure it's been significantly lowered from standard hence the minimal gap between wing and tyre

I'd agree, plus the sill line dips towards the front, should be level and the green one is clearly on 13". Another look makes me think it's lowered at the front but not the back, or at least not as much. Standard Mk1s had 12" wheels, but I put 13" on my 1968 1300GT and had no interference issues.

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Not of any great consequence, but: Heading down the road into town yesterday, a 'J' prefix ('91?) BMW 2litre touring, looked very nice. Personally, I think that the styling of that year was better than the lumpy, bumpy bulbous ones of today.

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10 minutes ago, MR2Don said:

but I put 13" on my 1968 1300GT and had no interference issues.

 

That more depended on the width I think - IIRC I had a set of standard Mex steel wheels that fitted the unflared arches with little problem, but 6 (or possibly 6.5) inch Minilites caused the fouling.

 

And I think your BMW post might be in the wrong thread? :)

 

Keith

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24 minutes ago, keefr22 said:

 

Not from memory they didn't, it had a wider and deeper flare on the arch to cover wider wheels and tyres. I built a 'Mexico' using a standard shell to replace a 'proper' one that had a type 49, and although the clearance was the same around the tyre the arch lip needed relieving as the tyre fouled on (slightly less) than full lock. 

 

OK, I have no first hand experience.  I was just basing it on observation - there's a definite difference between this Mexico and whatever lower spec model the red one is.  The arch meets the crease on the Mexico and doesn't on the other.

 

https://car-from-uk.com/ebay/carphotos/full/ebay33127.jpg

 

https://car-from-uk.com/ebay/carphotos/full/ebay173775.jpg

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1 hour ago, Six97s said:

there's a definite difference between this Mexico and whatever lower spec model the red one is.  The arch meets the crease on the Mexico and doesn't on the other.

 

Indeed, that's the type 49 flared arch. :)

 

Keith

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45 minutes ago, Jo NZ said:

Just to add to the confusion, the 1300GT also had Mexico front wings.

 

I had a 1300 GT and it didn't! To be sure, I've just checked the 'bible' ('Factory Original Sporting Mk1 Escorts') and the author states  "The GT's front wings were standard Escort parts, never having flared arches''. But back then parts were cheap and plentiful and the cars rusted while you watched, so there no doubt were GT's fitted with replacement type 49 wings....

 

Keith

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55 minutes ago, keefr22 said:

I had a 1300 GT and it didn't! To be sure, I've just checked the 'bible' ('Factory Original Sporting Mk1 Escorts') and the author states  "The GT's front wings were standard Escort parts, never having flared arches''. But back then parts were cheap and plentiful and the cars rusted while you watched, so there no doubt were GT's fitted with replacement type 49 wings....

 

Keith

Correct!

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9 hours ago, keefr22 said:

 

I had a 1300 GT and it didn't! To be sure, I've just checked the 'bible' ('Factory Original Sporting Mk1 Escorts') and the author states  "The GT's front wings were standard Escort parts, never having flared arches''. But back then parts were cheap and plentiful and the cars rusted while you watched, so there no doubt were GT's fitted with replacement type 49 wings....

 

Keith

Oops. I meant 1300 sport.  Flared front wings, rubber mats and quarter bumpers

Edited by Jo NZ
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56 minutes ago, Jo NZ said:

Oops. I meant 1300 sport.  Flared front wings, rubber mats and quarter bumpers

 

Oh yeh, I'd completely forgotten about that model - and I know it's many moons ago now, but I can't actually ever remember seeing one! But easy to confuse with any other performance Mk1 without stripes I guess....

 

Keith

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1 hour ago, keefr22 said:

 

Oh yeh, I'd completely forgotten about that model - and I know it's many moons ago now, but I can't actually ever remember seeing one! But easy to confuse with any other performance Mk1 without stripes I guess....

 

Keith

A mate of mine bought one and we spent a day stripping it out and adding insulation and carpets….

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Thank all of you for your input! You have certainly given me an excuse to go further down that rabbit hole of research. But I did learn a few things I didn't know. The 2 door and 4 door fenders (wings) are different. The "standard" fender, wide gap, was for the standard issue Escort. The small gap was, (insert big leap of faith) for all other "sporty models".  The RS's, the Twin Cam and Mexico's. The above mentioned Type 49 body shell. Thank you Keith. But it still leaves me puzzling over the estate and van, although I imagine it would be the standard issue fender. (Not that important though)

I must say, I've probably only ever seen 1 or 2, real, in-the-flesh, Mk 1's. They were never imported into the U.S. for reasons unknown. I've had a high school crush on them since.....well......high school,

when I first saw one. The most stylish and sporty car of its era IMO. And why does this all mater 100 years later you may ask? Hopefully this build will be the Mexico I've always wanted to own.

I would like to post on WIP when I get a little further along and have more of the details sorted. But for now, between Covid mutants, wildfires and the heat, it's hard to get anything done on the west coast!

Thank you all again for your help. (I'm sure I'll have more questions.)

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converted from the Belkits kit

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3 hours ago, von Race said:

(I'm sure I'll have more questions.)

 

Fire away when ready!

 

That converted shell looks lovely! I'm sure resin copies of it would sell like nobody's business in the UK......!! :)

 

3 hours ago, von Race said:

still leaves me puzzling over the estate and van

 

I have to admit to no real interest in those - not at all useful as a basis for rally preparation 'back in the day'! And I think 99% of the ones you're likely to see today have been customsed and are likely to have Type 49 front wings and a performance engine! 

 

Hope you are able to do a wip when you get chance as you have the start of an excellent looking Mex there!

 

Keith

 

Edit: I mentioned it in an earler post, but if you can find a copy of "Factory-Original Sporting Mk1 Escorts"  by Dan Williamson, it really is the 'bible' on these cars covering everything in detail down to the stickers in the engine bay! I had more than a few Mk1's and I think the author has probably forgetten more than I ever knew about them!! 

 

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