mk1 escort arches question

[ernie]

Hi there.
First post but long time lurker.

I have a MkI RS2000 (one of the 25). When I registered it in Melbourne in late 2000 I got the standard "can't do that son" line. Man went away at my insistence and when he came back it was "no worries". Because it had previous rego in Vic it wasn't a problem.

Ernie

[MK1_Oz]

[ozstang65]

This is the Queensland regs for Light Vehicle Modifications. I thought that the regs were supposed to be national these days, but you might want to check your state department of transport website and see what they say.



My understanding is, (at least for the age of cars we are all talking here) if Ford made it somewhere in the world then its OK for you to emulate it. As long as you meet the emissions adrs for the age of the vehicle then you can control/feed the engine however you want.

[John Hadden]

[MK1 Paul]

[gen mk 1rs2000]

[kieran]

[Neville Bertwistle]

Steve I think we’re actually talking slightly different things.

The original question was whether certain performance parts like bubble arches were ever sold here in order to have to avoid the necessity to have the car engineer tested for a modification plate. It would also help in gaining approval for a modification that does not meet the vehicle modification rules of today as by having a “precedent” you can claim the mod is factory therefore must be allowable. (please correct me if I’m wrong MK1 Paul).

My argument is that the general model lists that the regulatory bodies go by only has those standard commercially available models on that list. That means one-off constructions, special imports and other low volume specialist cars are not suitable as examples for proving the existence of model variations and factory modifications.

It doesn’t mean you can’t still get the car registered but that you may have to jump through more hoops to do so. In the case of the few rare original cars (Steve & Ernie), they SHOULD have been fine because they are the real thing with the correct compliance plates. They can’t refuse registration of an original car.

But the issue of did the car come with bubble arches is different. They weren’t on any build sheets here like you could get in the UK. We didn’t have a network of Rallye Sport dealers selling us all sorts of motorsport goodies. We have standard MK1 1100, 1300 1300GT and Twin Cam MK1 Escorts, and that’s it. If any did have bubble arches they would have been fitted by the dealer, not in the build sheet. There is no option code in any of the paperwork I’ve seen from Ford for any of that sort of stuff (if anyone has some would love to see it). That’s why you have such trouble when it comes to the motor registry bodies because there is just no information there. And where do you think they get their info from in the first place – the factory.

A little example. Back in the early 90’s I wrote to Ford Australia about my German RS – gave them every number on the car, all the history I had etc and asked them for a letter of verification like guy’s get for GT’s etc. The reply – we have no records on special import models like that. Try the RS Owners Club!

So I’m not saying you can’t get the cars registered with these modifications, just that you can’t legitimise the argument using low volume imports and/or one off specials. There's not enough official documentation there to back up your case.

[MK1 Paul]

Neville's thinking is where Im at. I was hoping someone would say but what about this car with that model number has bubble arches. I would then be able to argue replica of a known model, making it a lot easier.
As I mentioned replica they're first question was of what car , got a model number.
Wide guards are not illegal what they didnt like was the more than 75mm that the guards are wider than the body.

[jsa]

[MK1 Paul]

Im reading the modifed vechile regs now for SA.
I cant find anywhere where they specify guards and limits on them, SA website leads to this site .
It may just be that a casual chat at regency wasnt the best sorce of information

[MK1 Paul]

well Im happy, body mods section has no rules on guards at all.

[Neil Englund]

[ozstang65]