Restoring an Series 1 Escort Rs Turbo
After receiving a call to ask if we could help to restore and bring this iconic 80’s Series 1 RS Turbo back to life and on the road, we had to take a look.
Located in Surrey we made the trip with the truck to view. On arrival this sorry looking Series 1 had been in hiding, locked away since 1997 in dry storage, a proper barn find. Due to one reason or another our customer had parked his beloved Series 1 in the garage and left it until now.
How could we not take this on!!
Surprisingly all 4 wheels were free, the customer kindly inflated the tyres before our arrival so with care we winched the car onto the back of the truck and out it came, the first bit of daylight for nearly 27 years.
Back at the work shop it went straight onto the ramp to enable us to take a better look around the vehicle and at the scale of the restoration. The customer’s request was to carry out a full restoration to a usable standard not a full nut and bolt restoration.
On stripping the vehicle to a bare shell, we soon realised how original this Series 1 was, including still wearing its original paint. Once stripped we transferred the bare shell onto a dolly and off it went to our body shop. The aftermarket sunroof was to be removed and a new roof skin put in place. This enabled us to put it back to the non-custom original spec. New sills, new wings, wielding were required and a full paint job on the outside and inside along with the under body of the car.
Whilst at our body shop it was our task at the work shop to start trawling through the parts we could possibly save and restore, what we could clean up and what needed replacing.
The engine was stripped, cylinder head sent away for new valves and hardened valve seats and a head skim as required. We rebuilt the engine from top to bottom replaced sump pan on engine, painted as required. Reassembled engine bay and ancillaries.
The suspension was stripped and sent away for shot blasting and powder coating. Refitted suspension, poly bushed throughout, replaced shocks and springs, brake discs and pads along with brake caliper’s. Repaired fuel and brake lines. Hoses replaced where necessary; a new fuel tank installed. Decontaminated the gearbox and painted.
Although our customer did not want a full nut and bolt restoration, where we could, we replaced the nuts, bolts and washers for new and others we painted.
We owed it to this Series 1 to go the extra mile.
It was slowly coming together!!
Replacement tyres all round, along with a fresh set of new refurbished wheels were fitted, along with supplying and fitting the notorious series 1 decals.
We installed the wiring loom, fitted a new head lining and underlay. Refitted trims, carpet, valeted seats and door cards, fitted dashboard, clocks, instrument cluster, steering wheel and completed the full interior.
The customer was over the moon at the progress.
We were nearly at the point of turning the key, to finally hear this CVH engine fire up, breathing new life into this now gleaming Series 1 Rs Turbo.
What a build!!
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Next on the agenda, let’s get it running!!
With fresh new fuel added and a few clicks of the key to prime the fuel pump she fired up, what a feeling!
We run it up to temperature, keeping an eye on all levels, checked for the fan cutting in, and any signs of a leak.
It was now ready to be road tested, MOT’d and handed back to its owner.
What a pleasure this Series 1 Rs Turbo was to restore. It was a big build but a rewarding one. Seeing it every morning over the course of its visit slowly taking shape was our biggest highlight, knowing we have saved yet another classic car is an honour.
