Spec-R BARN FIND!Rare Geoff Woods Mk1 Hart Escort Special Saloon

[SPECR]

Ive taken the body off in its relevant sections to expose the chassis

[SPECR]

Front body work off

[SPECR]

This shows position of engine to scuttle panel.

[SPECR]

Originally Posted by celes1

I did think that as well, but a lot of the other alloy components look quite dull and not this bright and I am sure their are chrome suspension components at the front.

Can you confirm Pete at Spec-R with a pic.

N/S & O/S Front Suspension

[VIVA GT]

Originally Posted by celes1

There is talk on the GT40 forum that indicates some sanctioning bodies do not approve of chrome plating on suspension components as the plating tends to hide cracks and in some cases during the chroming helps to promote cracks in the metal component.

I am quite a fan of powder coating and this Escort would look great with components powder coated for the restoration, especially as it a race car with a high degree of stress during racing, so needs to be safe.

I think there was talk of this many years ago with regard to historic F1 cars, in particular the effect chrome plating can have to the areas around welds...

[Neil Duke]

Originally Posted by celes1

There is talk on the GT40 forum that indicates some sanctioning bodies do not approve of chrome plating on suspension components as the plating tends to hide cracks and in some cases during the chroming helps to promote cracks in the metal component.

I am quite a fan of powder coating and this Escort would look great with components powder coated for the restoration, especially as it a race car with a high degree of stress during racing, so needs to be safe.

Suspension parts should never be chrome plated,always nickel,for the reason you stated.

[celes1]

Good images Spec-R that show what amazing work Cyril Malem achieved fabricating this one off chassis and F1 race car chassis's in the 1970's.

When will you be starting the restoration, I would imagine the bodywork will need to be done before the chassis work is started, so everything is aligned. A lot of dirty work to come, but will look great when done.

As some of the other forum members indicated, the chromed/plated suspension parts would certainly look good powder coated or nickel plated and alleviate any metal weakness that is caused through possible chroming. We are all looking forward to the stage by stage procedure of this refurb on this very rare race car.

[VIVA GT]

Just another thought relating to the chroming/plating of parts. When it was criticised in the past (or at least suggested as not being a good idea), I thing another potential problem highlighted was that although this preserves the surfaces outside of the tubing, it doesn't stop (un-seen) corrosion on the inside...

[celes1]

Originally Posted by VIVA GT

Just another thought relating to the chroming/plating of parts. When it was criticised in the past (or at least suggested as not being a good idea), I thing another potential problem highlighted was that although this preserves the surfaces outside of the tubing, it doesn't stop (un-seen) corrosion on the inside...

Quite correct, on occasions hairline fatigue cracks may occur and not be fully realised under the outer protective coating.

I had this happen to a coated front o/s wishbone, which broke under extreme exertion, entering a left hander at considerable speed and the race car ended up in-bedded in an earth bank. Ouch!!
Should have gone to Specsavers.

[Neil Duke]

Originally Posted by VIVA GT

Just another thought relating to the chroming/plating of parts. When it was criticised in the past (or at least suggested as not being a good idea), I thing another potential problem highlighted was that although this preserves the surfaces outside of the tubing, it doesn't stop (un-seen) corrosion on the inside...

Neither does painting.I had a Tiga front upright rust away from inside,the exterior looked fine,& that collapsed at Castle Coombe.

[Mike Bell]

Originally Posted by Neil Duke

Neither does painting.I had a Tiga front upright rust away from inside,the exterior looked fine,& that collapsed at Castle Coombe.

Yup, same if powder coated..... That's when having components tested becomes a sensible and maybe cheaper option!

[SPECR]

Originally Posted by Mike Bell

Yup, same if powder coated..... That's when having components tested becomes a sensible and maybe cheaper option!

Hi, once we start to strip chassis all components will be stripped down and check/tested for any corrosion cracks etc.Also just to let you all know nothing on the chassis will be powder coated, I don't believe in it for the reasons mentioned above.All will be done properly to the highest standard chassis/suspension/body work/wheels etc👌👍 Thank you all for your comments,I will be posting more pics up of suspension chassis etc for you all. Breakdown of the escort will not be starting till later in year until Geoff woods son Graham and daughter Suzi comes down to see her in present condition. Which they requested from me😊Thank you all again cheers Pete @ Spec-R

[celes1]

Hi Pete @ Spec-R, what type of finish will you give the refurbished metal components on the Escort, I am sure the finish will be as good as your alloy work.

[celes1]

Some of the old noise tests shown for this Ex Geoff Wood's Escort came out above 115 decibels, it was as loud as some of the single seaters and probably even noisier with the engine in the cockpit next to the driver. Gerry Marshalls Vauxhall was slightly noisier but quieter within the cockpit and Sugdens was over 112 decibels.

These noise levels came down on many of the Special Saloons with the mandatory use of silenced systems during the late 1970's.

[PeterMorley]

Originally Posted by celes1

There seems to be chrome plated components in rear set-up, was this original as it was quite expensive to do aesthetically, unless Geoff Wood wanted to achieve a more slippery surface.

If it was original, then I would keep it that way during restoration.

Perhaps they were originally used on a single seater where they might have been plated for aesthetic reasons.

One reason that chrome plating fell out of favour is hydrogen embrittlement.

[celes1]

That would make sense, as it was F1 race car builders Len Terry and Cyril Malem who designed and built this one off space framed Special Saloon Escort for Geoff Wood.

They would have had a workshop full of F1 Grand Prix components, so everything put on this car would have been of the highest quality available at the time.

[st-dave]

This is just about readable. From CCC special saloon article.
[IMG][/IMG]

[st-dave]

[GWOOD1170]

The car never started out with chromed suspension, it was all black paint, my father was never one to waste time on fancying up stuff, everything was always the lightest and minimalised and he loved eggshell black paint ! GW

[celes1]

Originally Posted by GWOOD1170

The car never started out with chromed suspension, it was all black paint, my father was never one to waste time on fancying up stuff, everything was always the lightest and minimalised and he loved eggshell black paint ! GW

I wonder if the chrome type finish was then done by Andrew Grover who raced this Escort in the 1979 season. He changed some of the components including the exhaust system.

I actually like a black finish or a satin silver coating, which looks less custom than chrome and more in keeping with a race car.

[celes1]

Pete, what are you going to do with this original Hart BDA unit. Would you keep it at 1975cc that was it's last development in 1979 when Andrew Grover raced it, or would you revert back to the original 1840/1850cc Hart spec.
I am sure many in the forum will confirm one way or the other which would be best, for it to adhere to it's authenticity.

[celes1]

Pete of Spec 'R' what do you think of my old Ford. I have had it a few years and still turns heads as your Escort will do when it's all renovated.

[SPECR]

Program from 1975 GP sent to me from Geoffs son Graham

[SPECR]

Today was an emotional day for Graham and Suzi Wood son & Daughter of the late Geoff wood.They traveled all the way down from Grimsby to see there late fathers Mk1 Escort before it undergoes its restoration,which they last saw in 75.As soon as they were contacted earlier this year that there fathers car had been found,they organized a date with us to come down.
Lots of memories came flooding back for them both who were only young children at the time.
The couple of pics ive posted up say it all.
Thank you Graham and Suzi for this special moment.

[chunterer]

Originally Posted by SPECR

Today was an emotional day for Graham and Suzi Wood son & Daughter of the late Geoff wood.They traveled all the way down from Grimsby to see there late fathers Mk1 Escort before it undergoes its restoration,which they last saw in 75.As soon as they were contacted earlier this year that there fathers car had been found,they organized a date with us to come down.
Lots of memories came flooding back for them both who were only young children at the time.
The couple of pics ive posted up say it all.
Thank you Graham and Suzi for this special moment.

That's great, thanks for sharing a special moment.