Ford Escort Twin Cam chassis number BB 49 HK 06416. This vehicle was delivered to Papakura Motors in Auckland and registered 16 September 1968.
A copy of the original ownership papers is available to any serious purchaser.

I’ve ascertained from a previous owner of the vehicle that he used this vehicle for rallying between 1976 and 1980 and it was re-shelled during this time.
This vehicle was purchased from Michael John of Auckland by the current owner on 22 October 2001.
At the time of purchase, this vehicle was a rolling chassis with the differential ratio reportedly being 4.4 and the vehicle rolling on 14-inch Minilite replica rims.

The following was supplied with the vehicle, some smaller items may have been missed off this list.
A previously certified Motorsport New Zealand certified roll cage was fitted.
Initial stages of fitting a Panard bar to the differential which included the brackets being welded to the boot floor was removed and suitable patching applied.
The front suspension was in place which is reportedly Capri uprights with Capri vented brakes.
Koni rear adjustable shocks have been fitted with Bilstein adjustable front stocks fitted (prior to purchasing this vehicle, the rear shocks mounts had been turreted to the body.

The following items were provided with the rolling body shell which had the original build plate affixed and has been retained.
A second later version build/Chassis plate which is now on the vehicle.
Two front quarter and one rear bumper.
Two rear and two front braking systems and during the restoration, all linings and brake pads were replaced along with all rubber brake hoses.
All chrome trim, windows and rubbers, window winders and/or handles et cetera (some glass panels don’t appear to be the originals).
Wiring loom.
All relevant switches and plugs.
Reconditioned fuel tank.
Battery cradle for location in the boot.
Rear seat.
Handbrake mechanism.
Close-ratio straight cut gearbox.
Flywheel.

Rebuilt standard Lotus L Block twin cam engine (with a spare basic block without caps et cetera).
Remote oil cooler.
Six dial instrument panel (it is not known if this is the original)

During the rebuild/restoration process the following was completed.
The engine was stripped and checked with all crank and conrod cap bolts being replaced.
A new high-pressure all pump was fitted.
A reduction starter motor was fitted.
New headers and exhaust system fitted with the design being similar to these items used in motor racing in earlier days.
New boot mounted battery fitted.
Full flexible braid brake system excluding the rubber flexible units connecting the brake system to each wheel.
Wilwood brake bias system fitted to the engine compartment bulkhead (original brake fluid reservoir for clutch and brake systems in the original position retained).
Front disc rotors and calipers rebuilt, new pads fitted.
Rear brake drums machined and new linings fitted.
All differential bearings replaced as required.
New replica radiator and associated hoses fitted.
New driveshaft manufactured to original specifications.

New original fuel system fitted which was upgraded due to issues with the mechanical fuel pump diaphragm, to an electric fuel pump located under the rear passenger seats with the pressure gauge and regulator mounted in the engine compartment (this installation does not look out of place).
Both 40 mm side draught Webers were rebuilt
New Pipercross air intake filter fitted.
Remedial work on the electrical loom was undertaken and then fitted to the vehicle.
Electronic ignition fitted with the control box located as a top section of the passenger's footwell.
Kill switch fitted in the dash.
At the time of the rebuild, modern race seats were fitted with new carpet and underlay fitted to the floor.
Competition harnesses fitted to the driver and passenger seats.
The roll cage was recertified to the Motorsport New Zealand roll protection rules of the day which required that the bolt in diagonal support was removed and a fixed diagonal bar welded in place

Following the restoration/rebuild process.

Maintenance and upgrades approximately 2014
The differential ratio was changed to the original 3.7 and the wheels changed to 13-inch pressed steel Lotus rims which now have dot rated racing tires fitted. About that time a second set of Minilite
replica wheels were purchased for use with road tires for use on the road only.
New clutch and flywheel fitted at this time.
New rectangular headlights were purchased.
Numerous hubcaps for use with the pressed steel rims.

Maintenance and upgrades in 2016

New seats to replicate originals, on sliders, with adjustable headrests (custom seat mounts were made).
Given porosity detected in the cast aluminum head, a new fully built-up head was purchased from Burton Performance in the UK which included all machining being by CNC and big valves with sprint cams fitted (this was the basic spec for a twin-cam head from Burton performance).
A new engine block timing chain/water pump housing with a changeable water pump seal was fitted.
A new timing chain and tensioner were fitted.
The engine was again stripped and checked for condition with no rotating parts being changed as all components appeared in very good condition (this appeared to be the correct decision as this engine still runs very well).
A new clutch plate was fitted.

Use over the years

While the actual mileage is not known as for the first five years of life with the current owner, the gearbox was not fitted with speedo activation however an educated guess would suggest this car
would not have done 20,000 km during the last 18 years and probably only 1500 km since the new head was fitted and remedial work undertaken.

Initially, when put back together, the current owner participated in one race meeting and then realised how valuable this vehicle is and subsequently the vehicle was used sparingly in the odd hill
climb, stretch sprint and classic trials over the last 15 years or so.