Owner: Tina Christians
Make: Ford
Year: 1979
Model: Escort Van
Club: Vanz Unlimited, Christchurch

Engine: Ford 2.0 Litre
Modifications:  

Transmission: Ford Siera 5 Speed 
Differential: Ford Escort Sport

Suspension: Front & Rear - Stock 
Shocks: Standard Escort
Wheels: Front & Rear - 5 x 13 Hot Wires front, 7 x 13 Hot Wires rear
Rubber: Front & Rear - 205 x 60 x 13

Front Interior: Honda Prelude Seats, Garfield Custom Door Panels, UHF CB Radio, Altered Sports Dash, Sports Steering Wheel. 
Rear Interior:  

Unknown.

Flared Steel Guards, Hand Made bar Grill, Twin Honda Headlights, Sport Spoiler, Custom Bumpers Front and Rear, Custom Made One Piece Gulwing Rear, Altered Tail Light Fittings. 

Finished in Green.

1979 Ford escort panel van, now named as Furball.   

I bought this van in May 2002 paid 500 dollars for it, this was one of about 3 escort vans I looked at. This one we could only look through a hi window at but saw it was a panel and decided this was the one, so on Monday morning we went back and bought it. It had all the power in the world, yep it was a 1200 auto so only drove it till the rego ran out 6 months later, then decided to re-power and redo the body work.

So this meant we were on the hunt for cheap parts. Nigel turned up with a Cortina car for nothing so this was the donor motor for the van then got cheap seats and seat belts from mid 90s Honda prelude next, through one of Bobs mates. It was a cheap 5 spd gear box, then once again Nigel turned up with a cheap sport diff. Things were starting to happen. With Bob and lots of help from Nigel the body work was really coming along nicely so once again out on the hunt this time for cheap paint, as the paint I wanted was to dear at about 400 dollars a litre. Ended up with a tin of miss tinted paint from under the counter. Have you got the idea this van was being done on a tight budget.

Now was the real telling time on the body as other van members came to help rub it down. The likes of Rod Dune Jeff Berry, Nigel. This took a lot of time. Bob then under coated the van in the garage then more rubbing down. Next was the motor rebuild, done by a good friend who is a mechanic. Mount the motor, fit gear box which meant some alterations to make it fit. Once this was all done Jeff came back again to wire in new fuse box and do all the wiring that need doing. Then through another person Bob knew it went and got painted this was also done cheap as a return favour. It was bought home and all glass, lights etc put back in. Now was the big test off to see the man for certification. First time round it failed on minor things. Bugger a little work, back about two weeks later passed yay!

So now I am a complete member of Vanz Unlimited. Being able to drive my own van and being able to join the cruises and other outings. I have been a member now for two years, I got into vanning through knowing Nigel and Jeff and with Bob having bought his morri van and doing that up. Still not complete as interior still needs to be completed and graphics on the out side as well and few other bits and pieces. I would like to thank all of the people who have spent time and effort to make happen for me so I can enjoy the sport of vanning.

Keep on Vannin,

Tina

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