Hi Tre.
I like your idea of using them for a steel template,how much do you think they will cost ?and timescale?
gr4 bilstien front struts would be the norm for stage rallying using 260/60 inserts.
In the UK There are a couple of different rally specs to build to. Grp4, Grp 1, Historic rally spec etc
The only rules in THAILAND historic rallying group A is that the engine must be the same brand as the car,and carbs not fuel injection.
This leaves everything else ,the shell, suspension, brakes, etc free to build as you want.
Some examples would be 22mm front anti rollbar,High Ratio steering racks,adjustable track control arms, compression strut kits,double width kits,world cup engine crossmembers,grp4 hubs, 4 linked axle, panhard kits, rear disks,hyradlic handbrakes,strengthening and uprating the bodyshell,etc,etc .
All the above parts are available off the shelf in the UK.
I have a book on how to build an escort to grp4 spec,it explains what you need to modify,and as the parts are not available here it will be used to fabricate the parts in thailand.
Its not rocket science ,just tried and tested modifications from 40 years of rallying Ford escorts.
For my own cars ive built from standard mk1 struts, height adjustable coilovers using a bilstien insert,with modifications for disc brakes as normal thai spec escorts came with drums.
Next step will be to replace everything on the front end back to Ford original standard parts,new track control arms, anti roll bar rubbers, ball joints and steering joints and rack,then fit a double width kit and tweak some negative camber as the springs are higher
you can call me 0890091730
Simon