Tech Spec
Inside informant
Vans today are generously equipped, but back in the 1970s they tended to be pretty bare with little in the way of creature comforts. Gavin opted to take his own route and once sat inside, you’d forget you were in an old van at all. The Sheel bucket seats, RS centre console, carpets and steering wheel you’re more likely to see in a fast road saloon, while those Racetec oil and water gauges keep you informed that all is well under the bonnet.
As you’d expect for one of Gav’s creations with his wealth of experience, this build has been well thought out with no expense spared. He’s not one to take a breather and is already well into numerous follow-up projects — with the revamp of his RS1800 replica being one that we can’t wait to see!
The 7x13 steels look superb finished in gloss black.
Body
1979 Escort van, gusseted chassis legs, FORD grille, tinted headlights and rear windows, new windscreen. Paint: Nitrous Blue
Engine
ST170 2-litre, Retro Ford sump, engine mounts and water rail with silicone hoses, standard rubber mounts with steel cups, uprated water pump, Airtec big header radiator with Spal fans connected to ECU, DTA S60 ECU with custom wiring loom, oil catch tank with braided hoses to crankcase and rocker with AN fittings Jenvey ITBs with powdercoated inlet, ported to match head, ceramic-coated Piper manifold, Piper full exhaust system, custom-fitted back box to clear fuel tank, fully hidden wiring loom, long distance custom fuel tank, CNC internal swirl pot, Harley Davidson lift pump, Deutschworks DW65 fuel pump with PTFE fuel lines and AN fast flow fittings
Transmission
Type-9 straight-cut gearbox, English axle with 3.77 gears and 3J Driveline plate-type LSD set to competition spec by AP Racing
Suspension
Front: GAZ coil-overs, tension struts, Group 4 hubs, 2.4-turns quickrack Rear: Avo adjustable dampers, anti-tramp bars, decambered springs, 2 inch lowering blocks. Fully polybushed
Brakes
Front: Willwood four-pot callipers with uprated pads and vented discs. Rear: 9 inch drums. Custom AN3 PTFE lines all round, bias pedal box
Wheels and tyres
JBW 7x13 inch steels in gloss black, with 175/50R13 tyres
Interior
RS2000 centre console, RS2000 carpet, Sheel bucket seats, Racetec oil and water gauges, plain door cards, battery relocated in cargo area in Group 4 battery box, powdercoated black with dead key
Thanks
AP Racing Engines (01623 490777, www.apracingengines.co.uk), Chris Bardsell, Andy at Alloy Refurbs, Chris Walker, Ben Szanto, Retro Ford (www.retroford.co.uk), Airtec Motorsport (www.airtecmotorsport.com), Piper Exhausts (www.piperexhausts.co. uk), and Jack Plowman at Asylum Skatepark (www.asylumskatepark.co.uk ) for the shoot location.