Unique Pre Production 1968 Ford Escort MK1 Van 28000mls 1 previous owner! SWAP

If you are interested please read the full description. ask questions and if possible come and have a look!
With all probability This is the oldest. lowest mileage and lowest owner Escort Van in Existence and just to top that it was built using a pre production prototype shellIn other words a very unique piece of Motoring Heritage!
The Mark I Ford Escort was introduced in the United Kingdom at the end of 1967. making its show debut at the Brussels Motor Show in  January 1968. The Panel Van was put into production in April 1968. This Van has a build date of April 1968 so it was one of the very first off the production line. When stripping the paint from the inner wings some hand engraved and hand stamped numbers were found which did not relate to any of the production numbers on the van. I phoned Ford to see if I could find out what they related to and was put in contact with a nice chap who knew quite a bit about Ford Heritage and History. He thought that they could relate to a hand built pre production shell but wasn't 100% sure so he then passed my details to a chap who actually worked in the relevant department at the time. He later rang me and told me that they had hand built a few prototype Vans which were then used for testing. when they were finished with some were stripped and the shells put down the production line. He told me that these numbers related to this. so this Van actually was built using one of the original prototype shells. I am pretty certain that this is probably the oldest Escort Van in Existence!
A brief history of this Van
This Van was bought new and registered on the 3rd of May 1968 by a Chap who owned the Van until February 2007 when we purchased it. It was registered with a 3 letter 3 number registration plate from new which is still on the van. It was used only now and again and was never used as a work van because the owner fell ill and couldn't drive so it has only done just over 28000 miles from new. unfortunately it was parked in a garage in 1979 and didn't move again until we bought it in 2007. I do have a letter from the owner confirming all of this.
We recovered the van to our garage where a preliminary inspection was made. the front floors were rotten. as was parts of the bulkhead. the bonnet. both front wings and both front doors. the sills were a bit crusty. as well as the rear arches. both rear lower quarter panels. the rear lower panel and the rear doors. there was various patches of surface rust around the van and a few smaller holes dotted about. Surprisingly and fortunately the most difficult panels to repair correctly were totally rust free. the rear bed. the side panels. both front inner wings the gutters (apart from one rear couple of inches) the rear floor and the chassis rails.
mechanically it rolled well. the brakes worked but as it had sat for quite a while no attempt was made to start it
the interior was very minimal but the front seats had been fitted with seat covers from new so were in mint condition
all in all. even without knowing all the extra history we thought it was a very worthwhile project. There are not many Mk1 Escort Vans left in existence and much less in original form. a lot have been modified or customized so originality was decided upon. This is probably even more important now due to all of the extra history. The very early Escort vans had a lot of different features. fixtures and fittings compared to the post 1970 ones. so it was decided that everything would be kept just as it had left the factory.
The Van was then totally stripped to a rolling shell. most visible rust was treated with a rust inhibitor and then painted with red lead. It was then put under covers and left while other projects took up the time.  It was then taken out in 2011 and work began. Time was not totally wasted though because over the years we collected a huge amount of the correct NOS (New old Stock) original parts.
The bulkhead was repaired. front floors. inner and outer sills. front doors. front panels. front wings and bonnet were all replaced. A few smaller holes were also repaired. There was no bodging. rusty metal was cut out and correctly replaced with new. To keep the shapes in the panels another Escort van was sourced and this was cut up to provide the correct shaped parts. Again everything was treated with a rust inhibitor and painted with red lead.
This brings us up to the present day and how the van is now
Work still to do on the shell
The side just above the drivers side rear gutter has a few small holes that need repair. and the end of the same side the rear gutter needs repairing (about an Inch and a half) a repair panel is provided for this. The gutter itself is very good.  
Both rear wheel arches really need replacing. new repair panels are provided.  
Both rear lower quarter panels (behind the rear wheel arches) need replacing. new repair panels supplied. On the drivers side it would benefit from the inner panel behind the same rear lower quarter being replaced. a new panel is provided for this. (Not essential but if you want it done properly!) Also on the same side there will probably be a few inches above the rear quarter to repair but there are 2 complete lower side panels (one for each side) included so one of these could be cut to give you the correct shape repair panel.  On the inside in the rear there is a small hole in the very rear corner on the passenger side where the wiring comes through and it will need a couple of repairs the the rear corner on the drivers side. There is a complete rear floor included so again if you need repair panels this can be used.
The rear doors need replacing but a very good used pair are included
there are 2 used rear inner wheel arch tubs included
The rear panel (below the rear doors where the number plate sits) needs replacing or repairing but again a complete panel is provided.
The complete shell will need rubbing down and prepping for paint. nbsp;don't forget that the paint put on the Van was for protection only so there will be plenty of  body prep needed once all of the repairs are complete. you will also find that some of the existing repairs may need some minor dressing to get them as they should be. How much work completely depends on you and how you want the finished job to be. again I would really recommend a viewing to get the full picture if you are interested. It will need a bit more than a few weekend work but is by no means a basket case!
There are loads of repair panels included. both new and used. there should be everything there that you need. and much more

There may be a few other minor repairs I have missed but I am pretty sure that is all of the main work needed.
Other Bits
The Engine numbers match but the Engine itself is untested. The head was removed for inspection and it all looked OK. A complete rebuild would be recommended. Gearbox and axle all seem good as far as we can see. There are some original 12" wheels included. they will need to be rubbed down or shot blasted and painted. new tyres will be needed.
Supplied are NOS brake master cylinder. brake pipes. cylinders. drums and shoesNew suspension arms and chassis fixing plates (these were very hard to locate as they are unique to the '68/'69 Van)new steering armsNew genuine Ford Front and rear bumpersReconditioned Front struts. wheel bearings. ball joints etcshot blasted crossmembernew steering racknew engine gaskets/thermostatnew engine mountsnew genuine air/oil filtersnew genuine water hosesnew throttle/speedo/choke/handbrake cables etcoriginal early 'cheese wedge' washer bottle with new cap and pipesnew genuine bonnet release (the early vans had a button in the front grille)new old stock speedo binnacle surround (very rare)new correct voltage regulatornew windscreen rubbernew genuine headlights/fixings/trimsnew genuine F O R D chrome letters for bonnet with new original fixingsgood used front indicators/lensesnew genuine rear lights/lenses number plate lightsnew genuine rear door handle with keysnew genuine inner rear door rodsnew drivers side door handlenew original door mirrorsnew original lights/wipers/indicator switchesnew washer foot pumpnew steering column plastic/shroud/trimgenuine ford rear Van interior light4 new genuine ford door roll pinsnew original inner door handles/window windersnew gearstick and gatornew handbrakenew interior mirrorheadliningnew rear interior petrol filler pipe coveroriginal. rare heater bezelthere is loads more. I have collected boxes of the stuff. basically most parts are there that you need. most of it new. rare and hard to find. I also have the original handbook pack including an unused service book. there is also a genuine ford workshop manual. parts list and plenty of photos to help you with the rebuild
Still lots to do but the worst parts have been done. I really don't want to sell this but im losing my storage and when it comes to a choice between my Aston Martin Lagonda and this Van. special as it is the Van loses! It really is a very reluctant sale though!
Value wise I haven't a clue. fully restored I have been reliably informed it could be worth £20. 00 plus. but not as it is. I have spent a huge amount of time and loads of money on this. the spares alone are worth a fortune. but its current value I will let you decide. I wont give it away though because it is really unique in so many ways!
I would consider a P/x or a swap for an old Ford or Jaguar or maybe anything else that takes my fancy but it needs to be driveable though.
As I said before I would highly recommend coming over to look at it. Just to be sure you know what you are getting. I don't think you will be disappointed though. There are probably loads more spares/bits and pieces I have forgotten about but they will all be included in the sale
Can have it delivered for around £2. 00 per mile one way from Portsmouth but you will need to pay for everything in full beforehandOr If you are collecting it Will needed trailering. it does roll easily but there are no brakes or handbrake connected
International buyers will need to arrange their own shipping. I may be able to help if you need it delivered to a port though.
cleared funds only please
PHEW!!!

Also published at eBay.co.uk

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