Indholdsfortegnelse for March 2018 i Classic Ford

FRONTEND HISTORIC MOT RULES FINALISED UK Government releases details of rolling 40-year test exemption — and it’s good news for modifieds “CLASSICS OVER 30 YEARS’ OLD SIMPLY NEED TO BE MOT’D AS CURRENTLY“ Originally proposed in September 2017 (see December 2017 issue) the Department of Transport has now published the confirmed details of its rolling 40-year MoT exemption for Vehicles Of Historic Interest (VHI) to commence on May 20, 2018 — with some substantial changes to the rules for modified classics, largely thanks to efforts by the Federation Of British Historic Vehicle Clubs. From May 2018, almost all UK vehicles manufactured or first registered over 40 years ago will be exempt from the MoT — if they are registered as a VHI. Vehicles that have been modified in the last…

COMING UP Inside the April 2018 issue of Classic Ford! It’s all about the wheels in the next edition of Classic Ford — from classic styles to something more off-the-wall, if you’re looking for inspiration in preparation for the forthcoming show season then we’ve got you well and truly covered on that front. Also in the April issue you’ll find a complete rundown of where to go and what to see in 2018, let you know what to look for when buying a Mk4 Escort Cabriolet, plus the full SP on this deceptively-quick Mk1 Fiesta competition tool. The April 2018 issue hits the newsstands and is available to download from Friday, February 23 — why not subscribe to make sure you don’t miss it? See page 84 for the latest…

CF TECH Top 10 What to do in 2018 Why don’t you switch off your TV set and go out and do something less boring instead? Finish that build Whether it’s a drawn-out build crafted over a number of years, or a rebuild to make your car harder, faster and stronger, Spring 2018’s the time to get your classic Ford back on the road/track/ trailer, or whatever floats your boat. We’re anticipating great things for this year! Do a track day For lots of us, an important part of owning a classic Ford is being able to abuse it on a regular basis. As we’re all law-abiding citizens with clean licences, the best place for this — outside of competition — is on a track day, and there are a…

HERITAGE Prefect 100E Original classic Fords: This sidevalve-powered Prefect is Paul Howell’s first classic Ford and we reckon he’s chosen wisely — he admits he’s certainly having fun with the car. Words Mike Renaut Photos Matt Woods Paul Howell’s 1959 Prefect has a very simple story. “I’d had a bit of a recent hard time and wanted something to cheer myself up,” says Paul. “I saw this Prefect for sale at a car dealership in Lydney near Chepstow in 2013 and just fancied it. It was obviously in good condition — it currently has just under 42,000 miles showing on the clock — and still had the plastic covers on the seats. “I don’t have any special connection to Fords, in fact my first car was a Hillman Minx in…

readers’ rides YOUR PROJECTS Classic Fords being built in garages and on driveways! Blair Hughes From: New Zealand Car: Mk1 Escort “Here’s my 1970 Mk1 Escort all the way from New Zealand. I purchased the car about 10 years ago when I was 11, and my brother drove it around for a year or two until we found some Superlight wheels to throw on it.They didn’t quite fit as planned and while attempting to roll the wheelarches and chunk of filler fell out, so the decision was made to pull it off the road and give it a new lease of life. One thing sort of lead to another and as you can see by the pictures this is how it has ended up. “The plan is to have the…

your tech questions answered EXPERT CLINIC TROUBLE WITH YOUR FORD? SEND IN YOUR QUERY AND WE’LL SORT IT OUT QUERY OF THE MONTH Reversing lights Q I have a 1983 Fiesta Mk1 1.1 Popular Plus, and my friend and I have been having an argument the about the MoT. We are arguing about the reversing light, as my car doesn’t have one. Will I need to install one into my Mk1 to pass the MoT? I don’t want to go round cutting holes in the body if I don’t need to. Same question for the passenger wing mirror as my car doesn’t have one either. Keith Meehan Email A For your car, reversing lights are not required for the MoT — if the car wasn’t fitted with one from the…

MOTORSPORT CLASSIC FORDS FLAT-OUT ON THE STAGE, STRIP AND TRACK MOTORSPORT AT THE PALACE To many, Crystal Palace isn’t just a park, it also means motorsport. The original circuit may be gone but the magic’s still recreated once a year. Words and Photos Jon Hill Crystal Palace was once known as London’s Own Circuit and for those that simply know it as a leafy park, it’s hard to imagine that the area had a full-on race circuit hosting events with the best of them, such as Silverstone, Donington and Brooklands. Alas, the circuit is long-gone, closed in 1974 because it would have cost far too much to bring it up to the then current regulations for safety. But sections of the original circuit still remain and, coupled with other asphalt…

BUYING & RESTORING CLASSIC FORDS Dedicated to help you find your next project — rebuild it, and keep it on the road. HOW TO: make basic repair patches Step-by-step guide KNOW THIS: getting ready to paint Expert advice on spray gun prep RESTORATION: Mk1 Granada One-owner XL restored to perfection BUYING GUIDE: Fiesta XR2 Mk2 What to look for, how much to pay CLASSIC FORD CLASSIFIEDS Cars, projects and parts for sale SAFETY FIRST When working on cars and using tools of any kind — especially power tools — always use protective gear: goggles, gloves, ear defenders, masks and a decent set of overalls are essential. A fire extinguisher is also advisable. Never work under a car without supporting it with axle stands and if you’re not completely confident of…

Know this GETTING READY TO PAINT Having the correct set-up is vital for achieving a quality paint finish. Here’s what you need to get started. Photos Gerard Hughes Hose Hoses come in a variety of bore sizes, typically 8 mm (0.25 inch) for suction and gravity-feed guns and larger bore for HVLP guns. Check the spray gun specification and compressor output for the optimum size. If your compressor’s housed outside the spray booth, you need to allow for air pressure drop, which increases according to the length of the hose. A drop of 0.47 psi per foot at 50 psi through 8 mm hose at 8cfm is a good working guide, although this drop will increase to more than 11 psi on a 25 ft hose. For best results, always…

Welcome If you’ve ever pulled opened the door to the garage or lock-up, took one look at that project under the sheet that’s been on the go for far too long, and quietly pulled it shut again, then this issue’s for you. Whether it’s trying out an unknown engine conversion (the Mustang/Coyote-powered Capri, page 24), pulling a barn-find (or Outback in this case) out from hibernation and getting it back on the road in record time (Tim Mattison’s seven-day Anglia project, above and page 30), trying to get a project done while working overseas (Ricky Stapleton’s S2000 Escort, page 42), or finally completing a build that’s been on the go for almost two decades (Mike Binning’s two-door Cortina Estate, page 48), these readers all share their experiences in our Mission:…

LENDING A HAND Cortina’s handbrake gets scientific at Dounreay When a classic Ford ends up in a breaker’s yard, its parts often live on in all sorts of ways, but this has to be the strangest yet: the handbrake from a 1968 Mk2 Cortina has been used to make a tool for surveying the inside of one of the nuclear reactors at Dounreay in the Scottish Highlands. Designed by senior design engineer, Chris Irwin, parts of a can opener were also used to make the device, which was fitted with a camera and rolled into confined spaces of the site’s Prototype Fast Reactor, which is currently being decommissioned. “I was opening a can of beans at home and realised that the cutting wheels of a can opener were exactly what…

Classic-friendly garages Heritage launches Classic Friendly garage service Heritage Car Insurance has launched a new service giving its customers access to specialist classic car garages throughout the UK. The Classic Friendly service means policy holders will be able to access more garages up and down the country in the event of an accident or if urgent work is required to a particular classic or vintage vehicle. The scheme means drivers are increasingly likely to have nearby access to a garage where specialist mechanics can liaise with Heritage to access policy information and provide a service more quickly, efficiently and cost-effectively. For more about Heritage Car Insurance, visit www.heritagecarinsurance.co.uk…

MK3 CAPR WILY COYOTE What’s the best way to turn a Mk3 Capri into the muscle car it arguably always should have been? Shoving in a modern muscle car motor is a strong start. If only it was that easy... Words Daniel Bevis Photos Chris Frosin It’s often said that the Capri was Ford of Europe’s muscle car; a riposte to the no-substitute-for-cubes Stateside V8 wars, refracted through a smaller-scale European filter. You can see the logic of this — while the elegant Mk1 Capri was a sylph-like ballet dancer of a thing, the third iteration of the breed, having dabbled with the meaty Essex V6 before embracing the fuel-injected snorting of the Cologne motor, was an overtly muscular creation. Broad hips, bonnet bulge, a propensity to rock from side-to-side…

MK2 ESCORT Long Distance Determination Seeing this wide-bodied Escort effortlessly drifting around corners, it’s easy to forget the epic journey it’s been through — it’s taken Ricky Stapleton and a load of friends to get it to this frankly awesome state. Words and Photos Jon Hill When it’s cold and damp, it really is hard to motivate yourself to get off that warm sofa and get in the garage to build your car. Watching yet another re-run of The Professionals or The Sweeney’s far too tempting; especially if there’s a roast dinner going on in the background, too! To be honest, if you’re in that sort of scenario, you may well have got it easy — if you’re Ricky Stapleton the fact of the matter is, you could well be…

SHOW REPORT CAUSEWAY COAST FORD FAIR Causeway Coast Ford Fair After 12 years of growth, it was time for a new venue for Northern Ireland’s homegrown Ford festival. We went to check it out. Words and Photos Chris Penny Early June saw the Causeway Coast Ford Fair enter its 13th year and here it’s all very much a story of mighty oaks from little acorns grow. 2005 saw Alan Gourley (Club Chairman, Capri Club Northern Ireland) hold a small gathering of cars at the Lindsay Cars dealership in Coleraine. Word spread of Alan’s meet along with his intended plans to repeat it, and naturally more blue ovals appeared. As the years have elapsed, whilst attendance has increased, so too more notably, has been the willingness of those to travel to…

MOTORSPORT CLASSIC FORDS FLAT-OUT ON THE STAGE, STRIP AND TRACK 20 SOMETHING The classic looks of Dan Creswell’s homebuilt Mk1 Escort Tarmac rally car give no clues as to the rev-happy 20-valve powerplant under the bonnet — and that’s just the way he likes it. Words Marc Stretton Photos Andy Saunders/ASDesign.uk.com Rallying is fun, dangerous, exhilarating, and hugely addictive. But on top of all that, it’s also massively expensive. So if you’re closer to the pauper end of the scale that the tycoon, then getting involved has to be with a lot of work done yourself, slowly and ingeniously. Dan Creswell from Somerset grew up with Dad, Mike showing him the ropes on engineering and driving, and he soon got involved in Autocross and then rallying in a quick, budget-run…

mk1 granada THE XL FACTOR Reader’s restoration: Brian Creed has not just owned this Mk1 Granada XL almost from new, he’s recently restored it. And it’s a beauty. Words Martyn Jones Photos Gerard Hughes There have been a few notable exceptions, but over the years Ford has managed to produce cars that have really resonated with the buying public — and sold exceptionally well. One such car, and a rather sizeable one at that, is the Granada. Introduced in 1972, and aimed squarely at the executive market, the Granada, which replaced the Zephyr/ Zodiac Mk4, was part of Ford’s new pan-European range. This first iteration of the Granada (lesser models being badged as Consuls for a time), was so smart, stylish and well-proportioned, that the designers deserved a collective pat…

your projects: thames van EARLY DELIVERY Your projects: When your background is customs but you come across the earliest-known 307E van, it’s hard not to go overboard, but Gary Layton’s got the balance right. Words and Photos Jon Hill Name: Gary Layton Age: 57 Job: Building trade maintenance manager Location: Cheshunt Car: 1961 Thames 307E 7cwt van Start condition: As found original vehicle Condition now:Tail end of dummy build, torn down to paint and fit up Time taken so far: 18 months Estimated time of completion: Spring 2018 Some cars get under your skin and no matter how much you resist the itch, you just have to scratch it — usually, forever. Such is the case with Gary Layton and Anglias. His first was a very well-known saloon that ended…

FRONTEND 5 minutes with Troy Robinson Starting off with traditional carbs, NMS now embrace the whole spectrum of fuelling systems, and Troy’s loving it. How did you get into cars? Like most young kids, I was into my bikes, then radio control stuff, but really anything mechanical. I just couldn’t wait to get a car when I was 17 and I’m afraid it was Rootes Group-based — mostly Hillman Imps and Avengers. Naturally, like all Imps, it had a cracked head but was also a rally-spec engine, too — if you weren’t tinkering with it because you wanted to, you were tinkering with it because you had to! Your first Ford? I needed a tow car to move my rally cars around so I bought a 2.8 Granada. Within a…

ANGLIA 105E YOU’VE ONLY GOT SEVEN DAYS We all love a challenge, but getting this Anglia Estate on the road in just a week, after it had sat in the Australian Outback for years might have pushed Tim ‘Angry Anglia’ Mattison to the edge... Words Chris Avery Photos Chris Avery, Tim Mattison “WITH SO MANY PROJECTS ON THE GO, THE LAST THING YOU NEED TO DO IS SET YOURSELF THE GOAL OF A SEVEN-DAY BUILD, RIGHT?” Angry Anglia is the brainchild of Melbourne-based Tim Mattison, and is apt for his addiction to one of the most unique of the classic Ford models. You see, Tim has an ever-evolving collection of Anglias — anywhere from 10 to 15 in his possession at any one time. At an educated guess, Tim says…

readers’ rides YOURS CARS CAR OF THE MONTH David Randall From: UK Car: Sierra 1.8 LX “I purchased this Sierra from a car auction in Leeds in March 2010. The rear wheelarches and sills where starting to corrode in the usual places but that wasn’t going to put me off, as the engine bay had been Waxoyled from new and was as good as the bodywork, so when the bidding started at a mere £50 and with my last bid at £200 the hammer went down, I was more than happy. Two months later the car was in the bodyshop for new rear arches and sills repaired and with a good buff the paintwork was like glass. “It’s had three previous owners I’m the fourth. It’s covered 81,900 miles to…

CF TECH IMPROVING YOUR CLASSIC FORD JUST GOT EASIER... How to Install a roll cage Whether for competition or race-car looks for the road, a roll cage adds strength and safety. Here’s how to fit a six-point, bolt-in item. Words and Photos Jon Hill Info Contact: Safety Devices 01638 713606 www.safetydevices . com There are several reasons why you’d want to add a roll cage to your classic Ford — in most cases it’s pretty obviously for adding safety to a race car, which let’s face it is more likely to find itself upside down than your average road car. But then again… They also add stiffness to the shell and give you added protection in a crash — especially from the side if you fit…

OUR CARS Gavin’s Mk1 Cortina New year, new gear — well for Gavin’s two-door project anyway, as he steps up the quality and direction with the new fuel system. What’s been done this month: Ordered a fuel pump and swirl pot for the Cortina, got the fuel tank powdercoated in two-tone black stripes Next on the to-do list: Plumb it all in Thanks: Dynamic Signs 0117 3731765 www.dynamicsignsco.uk Momentum Motorsport 02892 621822 www.momentummotorsport.co.uk Reality Motorworks 0117 9042339 www.realitymotorworks.co.uk “THE BUILD OF MY TWO-DOOR HAS WEIRDLY BEEN INFLUENCED BY THE MOST UNLIKELY SOURCE - ITS PETROL TANK...” I find it intriguing what influences the build of a car. I guess the most common influences are from relatives, or cars you’ve seen. It amuses me that…

MOTORSPORT CLASSIC FORDS FLAT-OUT ON THE STAGE, STRIP AND TRACK MALTA DRAG RACING It may be a small island, but Malta is home to some of the fastest classic Fords in the world thanks to an obsession with drag racing. Words Jo Peters Photos Kieran Jenkins Nestled between Sicily and the coast of North Africa is the tiny island of Malta. Steeped in history dating back to 4000 BC and ruled by many nations including the Romans, the French and, more recently the British, it has become a Mecca for the drag-racing masses. If you want to see some of the fastest old Fords in Europe, Hal Far Raceway is the place to go. The Maltese have been racing cars down the quarter mile since the ’70s where they started…

IMPROVING YOUR CLASSIC FORD JUST GOT EASIER How to Make basic repair patches Performing minor structural repairs using basic tools at home is the best way to build bodywork confidence. Here’s how. Words and Photos Rob Marshall Running repairs help preserve a car’s condition, enabling it to pass an MoT and reduce the likelihood of more expensive repairs if left unchecked. Major corrosion within 12 inches of mounting points for vital components such as suspension and brakes will fail an MoT. Although the entire panel can rust away, corrosion tends to strike at their extremities first. A cost-effective and high-quality localised fix can be carried out on your driveway. Performing patch repairs will not only strengthen your skills and sills but also build your confidence. In the short term, the…

buyer’s guide: fiesta xr2 BUYER’S GUIDE FIESTA XR2 MK2 Got your sights set on Ford’s mid ’80s hot hatch? Here’s everything you need to know to help you find the best example for your hard-earned. Words ChristianTilbury Photos Matt Dear “THE CHEAPER XR2 GAVE THE 205 GTi A RUN FOR ITS MONEY” After shifting the thick end of 20,000 Mk1 XR2s, Ford had every intention of giving the XR treatment to its Mk2 Fiesta. On the late 1983 launch of the second-generation Fiesta though, the feisty flagship was embarrassingly conspicuous by its absence and it wasn’t until the middle of 1984 that it reached UK showrooms. A greater emphasis on manufacturing quality and the exhaust cooking itself at constant high revs caused the delay, but the new XR2 lived up…