Mark1
SMF Supporter
Another blast from the past, I had one of these in yellow many years ago,friend of mines dad had a black tr8,it was he's pride and joy.
1985 UK car park (1/43 scale)
- Thread starter mg ork
- Start date
Thanks for the comments, yes I can imagine the tr8 or 7 being anyone’s pride and joy! These cars are a trip down memory lane which is the main reason why I try to get them as close to 1:1 as possible - you don’t often get to see these on our roads anymore sadly.
Here is the Escort then, converted into a 1.1L, 1981 model.
Model makers here are minichamps, and unfortunately they didn't do a fantastic job and quite a lot of work had to be done to correct the body work.
Changes then:
- the front of the model at the edge of the bonnet above grille and headlights appeared to have a dent, wasn't smooth in a straight flush line and had to be corrected with a combination of dremel work, filling and sanding and a lot of trial and error was required until I was happy with it. Unfortunately due to the white colour of the model, correction not fully visible, however it is noticeable more to the naked eye.
- front valance trim was wrong shape and not pushed back far enough, hence I had to saw it off, reposition it slightly further back and tilt it so it has a more "curved effect". Also, more meat added at the very bottom of valance trim and shaped accordingly like on the real thing. As valance trim had to be repositioned, holes filled in via using filler and sanded accordingly.
- much like on the Marina, side wings were not pushed in enough at the bottom so same methodology was used to correct this; chipped away at metal using dremel, and filled/sanded accordingly until happy that bottom of side wings were pushed in accordingly.
- side windows were way too narrow, so had to be carved bigger using a combination of swan morten blade and file. Side windows re-done using thin acetate paper.
- rear lights had to be sanded/filed slightly so as to fit flush into sockets. Inside of lights painted matt white to exaggerate effect much like on citroen. Front headlights are vanguards cortina mk4 spares, reshaped appropriately for a mk3 escort. Indicators remain from original minichamps model.
- front and back window trims are chrome, used chrome pen for this. Surroundings are black waterslide decals as on the real thing front and back window trims (from L to ghia) are chrome and black.
- custom made plates and wipers to sync in with rest of collection; model also converted to RHD.
- wingmirrors are from vanguards as original minichamps ones too small for 1/43 version.
minichamps ford escort mk3 1981 by mg-ork, on Flickr
minichamps ford escort mk3 1981 by mg-ork, on Flickr
minichamps ford escort mk3 1981 by mg-ork, on Flickr
minichamps ford escort mk3 1981 by mg-ork, on Flickr
minichamps ford escort mk3 1981 by mg-ork, on Flickr
Model makers here are minichamps, and unfortunately they didn't do a fantastic job and quite a lot of work had to be done to correct the body work.
Changes then:
- the front of the model at the edge of the bonnet above grille and headlights appeared to have a dent, wasn't smooth in a straight flush line and had to be corrected with a combination of dremel work, filling and sanding and a lot of trial and error was required until I was happy with it. Unfortunately due to the white colour of the model, correction not fully visible, however it is noticeable more to the naked eye.
- front valance trim was wrong shape and not pushed back far enough, hence I had to saw it off, reposition it slightly further back and tilt it so it has a more "curved effect". Also, more meat added at the very bottom of valance trim and shaped accordingly like on the real thing. As valance trim had to be repositioned, holes filled in via using filler and sanded accordingly.
- much like on the Marina, side wings were not pushed in enough at the bottom so same methodology was used to correct this; chipped away at metal using dremel, and filled/sanded accordingly until happy that bottom of side wings were pushed in accordingly.
- side windows were way too narrow, so had to be carved bigger using a combination of swan morten blade and file. Side windows re-done using thin acetate paper.
- rear lights had to be sanded/filed slightly so as to fit flush into sockets. Inside of lights painted matt white to exaggerate effect much like on citroen. Front headlights are vanguards cortina mk4 spares, reshaped appropriately for a mk3 escort. Indicators remain from original minichamps model.
- front and back window trims are chrome, used chrome pen for this. Surroundings are black waterslide decals as on the real thing front and back window trims (from L to ghia) are chrome and black.
- custom made plates and wipers to sync in with rest of collection; model also converted to RHD.
- wingmirrors are from vanguards as original minichamps ones too small for 1/43 version.
minichamps ford escort mk3 1981 by mg-ork, on Flickr
minichamps ford escort mk3 1981 by mg-ork, on Flickr
minichamps ford escort mk3 1981 by mg-ork, on Flickr
minichamps ford escort mk3 1981 by mg-ork, on Flickr
minichamps ford escort mk3 1981 by mg-ork, on Flickr
Mark1
SMF Supporter
Looks good 
Sounds like that took a fair bit of work . Worthwhile though. The result is a totally believable rendition of a Mk 3 escort.
So here is the mk4 nordic blue Cortina, 1.6L.
Apart from a little bit of work done on the main shell, vanguards have otherwise done an excellent job. The L wheels are spot on.
- the side windows were initially too narrow hence have been made bigger height-wise, same methodology as used on the mk3 Escort.
- the front bumper was initially placed too low by vanguards which meant too much bodywork was showing in between the lights/grille and bumper hence I've repositioned the bumper slightly higher.
- headlight sockets drilled to make them slightly deeper; headlights now held in place by blutac. Initially vanguards had headlights positioned too far back and they didn't look good.
- inner chrome taken off rear lights and replaced with matt white paint for more exaggerated effect.
- custom wipers and numberplates, to fit in with rest of collection.
- coffee beige interior is just a personal preference.
Vanguards ford cortina mk4 1.6l by mg-ork, on Flickr
ford cortina mk4 1.6L, vanguards by mg-ork, on Flickr
ford cortina mk4 1.6L, vanguards by mg-ork, on Flickr
ford cortina mk4 1.6L, vanguards by mg-ork, on Flickr
ford cortina mk4 1.6L, vanguards by mg-ork, on Flickr
Apart from a little bit of work done on the main shell, vanguards have otherwise done an excellent job. The L wheels are spot on.
- the side windows were initially too narrow hence have been made bigger height-wise, same methodology as used on the mk3 Escort.
- the front bumper was initially placed too low by vanguards which meant too much bodywork was showing in between the lights/grille and bumper hence I've repositioned the bumper slightly higher.
- headlight sockets drilled to make them slightly deeper; headlights now held in place by blutac. Initially vanguards had headlights positioned too far back and they didn't look good.
- inner chrome taken off rear lights and replaced with matt white paint for more exaggerated effect.
- custom wipers and numberplates, to fit in with rest of collection.
- coffee beige interior is just a personal preference.
Vanguards ford cortina mk4 1.6l by mg-ork, on Flickr
ford cortina mk4 1.6L, vanguards by mg-ork, on Flickr
ford cortina mk4 1.6L, vanguards by mg-ork, on Flickr
ford cortina mk4 1.6L, vanguards by mg-ork, on Flickr
ford cortina mk4 1.6L, vanguards by mg-ork, on Flickr
Mark1
SMF Supporter
Looks good to me, my dad had a few of these when i was a kid.
Again excellent. Friend of mine had a two tone one….gold and rust 
Thanks guys. These were literally everywhere once upon a time. And the mk5’s too. I always had trouble differentiating between the two before realising the lights and wingmirrors were the main difference, then it became obvious. I’m still working on a second mk4 cortina L to go with this version - although I initially planned to do it yellow I’m kinda torn between yellow and red... yellow would look nice but red is a very striking colour so that’s the colour I’m edging towards...
Mark1
SMF Supporter
The mk5 had a higher roofline,slightly bigger windows.
Here is the mk2 Granada 2.8S then.
One the whole vanguards have done a really good job on this model aside from the front and back which needed some work done. Shape and size of the model is spot on and the higher spec model wheels very accurate - can't fault them at all.
Changes then:
- the front valance trim on the vanguards version was a separate unit and this had to be integrated on to the main model accordingly by first sanding outside edges to correct size/shape, filling, then sanding/smoothing accordingly.
- also, to reposition the headlights nicely first of all they and the front grille had to be made smaller height wise to fit flush as they were way too big initially. Secondly, where the repositioned valance trim connects with the main body just below the headlights where was a small hole and the surface slightly uneven. So in order for the headlights to fit straight flush and not wonky, the holes had to be filled and sanded/smoothed accordingly.
- the bumpers were initially placed too far out, hence to correct this the top part of front valance trim and main body behind the bumper had to be filed/sanded to get rid of the excess. Bumpers also had to be repositioned slightly higher as initially they were placed too low; too much body work was initially showing in between bumper and front lights/grille.
- at the rear of the model, not enough "meat" showing below the bumper. Hence what I did was using some slaters micro strip and filler, I made the bottom lower as vanguards didn't originally have this low enough. It's ok for series 2 models as bottom of back is slightly higher on them but not on series 1 models. Notice the exhaust now sits lower, like on the main model.
- inner chrome taken off rear lights and repainted with matt white paint for more exaggerated effect.
- custom made windscreen wipers and plates to sync in with rest of collection.
One the whole vanguards have done a really good job on this model aside from the front and back which needed some work done. Shape and size of the model is spot on and the higher spec model wheels very accurate - can't fault them at all.
Changes then:
- the front valance trim on the vanguards version was a separate unit and this had to be integrated on to the main model accordingly by first sanding outside edges to correct size/shape, filling, then sanding/smoothing accordingly.
- also, to reposition the headlights nicely first of all they and the front grille had to be made smaller height wise to fit flush as they were way too big initially. Secondly, where the repositioned valance trim connects with the main body just below the headlights where was a small hole and the surface slightly uneven. So in order for the headlights to fit straight flush and not wonky, the holes had to be filled and sanded/smoothed accordingly.
- the bumpers were initially placed too far out, hence to correct this the top part of front valance trim and main body behind the bumper had to be filed/sanded to get rid of the excess. Bumpers also had to be repositioned slightly higher as initially they were placed too low; too much body work was initially showing in between bumper and front lights/grille.
- at the rear of the model, not enough "meat" showing below the bumper. Hence what I did was using some slaters micro strip and filler, I made the bottom lower as vanguards didn't originally have this low enough. It's ok for series 2 models as bottom of back is slightly higher on them but not on series 1 models. Notice the exhaust now sits lower, like on the main model.
- inner chrome taken off rear lights and repainted with matt white paint for more exaggerated effect.
- custom made windscreen wipers and plates to sync in with rest of collection.
Mark1
SMF Supporter
Love the old granada,2 8 ghia x i always found appealing.
Yeah I always found these stylish, certainly the design very similar in ways to the mk5 cortina. The ghia x I always seemed to think they were a bit over tooled what with the additional fog lights etc, but each to their own lol. Really fond of the mk2 Granada’s, takes me back to my childhood. An uncle of mine had a red GL with the black steel wheels, looked amazing, and another relative had a white ghia x with all the trims and what appeared to be much more . Sadly the cars or the relatives are no longer with us, hence you can understand the sentimental value of my collection.
This thread is brilliant. It's already stirring up so many memories for people. I was 17 in 1985 and just started to learn to drive. It's strange how cars, like a Sierra, just sort of fade away, and all of a sudden, they are all gone.
Agree completely Colin. I was 24 and on bikes, but Leyland and Ford ruled UK roads right up until they didn’t!
Here is the Austin Princess then, a November 1980 Princess 2 facelift 1700L model completed in snapdragon yellow.
The original model from vanguards wasn't a million miles away from being excellent, but quite a few changes had to be made to make the model look more realistic. Wheels are very good, top quality and very accurate.
changes then:
- Bottom of wings were a separate unit from vanguards hence had to be integrated on to the main model with a combination of dremel work, filling and sanding accordingly.
- side windows were initially too narrow much like on the escort and cortina hence made bigger using the same methodology. However, I ended up losing the 3d horizontal detail on the C-pillar, which usually sits in line with the bottom of the side windows. The existing 3d horizontal detail on the C-pillar was no longer in line with the bottom of the windows, therefore I got rid of this with a combination of dremel work, sanding/filling and sanding accordingly until the areas became smooth, then replaced the lost 3d bar(s) with chromed self-adhesive strips, one for each side.
- rear lights from vanguards were way too narrow, height-wise. Hence I made a couple of custom plastic ones, after shaping accordingly, spraying plastic primer grey and colouring in accordingly using transparent paint, chromed surroundings courtesy of waterslide decals.
- a little bit more "meat" added to back of model, below bumper (much like the granada). Vanguards had this much too narrow and this was corrected using filler and sanding/reshaping accordingly. I have coloured the bottom of the rear black as I've googled quite a few of these very late Princesses, and it's quite common for them to have black just below the rear bumper.
- headlights sanded flat like on the real thing, I hadn't initially realised vanguards had these convex shaped.
The coachlines are light brown metallic like on the real thing, but barely visible due to partially the colour of the main model and also because they are supposed to be really thin. Sometimes, even on the real thing, depending on the colour of the main model the coach-lines do not stand out. Also, notice the rectangular blue logo on front grille missing as haven't had them made yet.
The original model from vanguards wasn't a million miles away from being excellent, but quite a few changes had to be made to make the model look more realistic. Wheels are very good, top quality and very accurate.
changes then:
- Bottom of wings were a separate unit from vanguards hence had to be integrated on to the main model with a combination of dremel work, filling and sanding accordingly.
- side windows were initially too narrow much like on the escort and cortina hence made bigger using the same methodology. However, I ended up losing the 3d horizontal detail on the C-pillar, which usually sits in line with the bottom of the side windows. The existing 3d horizontal detail on the C-pillar was no longer in line with the bottom of the windows, therefore I got rid of this with a combination of dremel work, sanding/filling and sanding accordingly until the areas became smooth, then replaced the lost 3d bar(s) with chromed self-adhesive strips, one for each side.
- rear lights from vanguards were way too narrow, height-wise. Hence I made a couple of custom plastic ones, after shaping accordingly, spraying plastic primer grey and colouring in accordingly using transparent paint, chromed surroundings courtesy of waterslide decals.
- a little bit more "meat" added to back of model, below bumper (much like the granada). Vanguards had this much too narrow and this was corrected using filler and sanding/reshaping accordingly. I have coloured the bottom of the rear black as I've googled quite a few of these very late Princesses, and it's quite common for them to have black just below the rear bumper.
- headlights sanded flat like on the real thing, I hadn't initially realised vanguards had these convex shaped.
The coachlines are light brown metallic like on the real thing, but barely visible due to partially the colour of the main model and also because they are supposed to be really thin. Sometimes, even on the real thing, depending on the colour of the main model the coach-lines do not stand out. Also, notice the rectangular blue logo on front grille missing as haven't had them made yet.