Indholdsfortegnelse for November 2020 i Classic Ford

THE WORLD IS YOUR LOBSTER MINDER ON TV Between 1979 and 1994 Minder was one of Britain’s favourite, and ITV’s top rated shows, the comedy drama running for 10 series. It starred George Cole as Arthur Daley — a dodgy used car dealer, shady entrepreneur with fingers in many pies and general con man with social aspirations — and Dennis Waterman as his minder, the ex-professional boxer Terry McCann, who despite a spell in the nick is an honest man often dragged unwillingly into Arthur’s exploits. It was a more grown up Only Fools And Horses with less slapstick and more punch ups while Arthur tries to get away with his latest racket and avoid the attention of the police of the wrath of ‘er indoors while the cars of…

EV IN A BOX If you’ve been looking into the idea of converting your classic Ford to EV (electric vehicle) power, then there’s a clever way to achieve it thanks to a new crate electric motor developed by Swindon Powertrain. Developed under the title, HPD (High Power Density), the system is specifically designed for low-volume car makers, and more importantly, home enthusiasts in mind, being engineered to make it ideal for use in retro conversions. Key to its appeal is the size and weight – weighing in at just under 50 kg and measuring 441x384x228 mm including the motor, transmission differential and cabling. The 80 kW output is equivalent to 107 bhp and it produces 100 lb.ft of torque — from zero rpm... The cost? Some £6400, and that doesn’t…

ON SALE October 30! COMING UP Inside the December 2020 issue! It’s 40 years since Ford radically changed the driveline of the much-loved Escort with the introduction of the Mk3 version and to celebrate, the December issue, on sale October 30, is a 132-page special dedicated to the front-wheel-drive interlopers. Packed with facts, figures, and of course, some top-notch restored and modified feature cars, it’s not to be missed. Not forgetting, of course, the usual great mix of tech guides, buying advice and all the latest products. The December 2020 issue goes on sale Friday, October 30 — why not subscribe to make sure you don’t miss it? Check out on our latest subscription offers on page 62 or go online to: https://shop.kelsey. co.uk/issue/CFD or call us on +44 1959 543747.…

2020 VOTE Classic Ford CAR OF THE YEAR We’ve featured some stunning Fords in the last 12 months, now vote for your favourite! A. Popular 100E Owner: Dave Caley Featured: November 2019 Revealed at The Great Unveiling earlier in the year, Dave’s Pop is a proper crowd-pleaser with subtle looks and a 2-litre Zetec swap. B. Capri 280 Owner: Allan Brown Featured: July 2020 Completely restored by Steadspeed, Allan’s rare Turbo Technics-converted Brookie has to be one of the UK’s best. C. Mk1 Fiesta Owner: Ben Gibbs Featured: November 2019 Who would be mad enough to bolt a 500 bhp ST170 turbo motor behind the front seats? Well, Ben obviously, and this superbly-engineered Mk1 is the bonkers result. D. Anglia 307E Builder: Michael Wood Featured: May/June 2020 It looks like…

SHOW REPORT OLD FORD RALLY OLD FORD RALLY 2020 Good Ford, an event that actually took place this summer! The British Motor Museum put on their — socially-distanced — annual Ford day and it was a very welcome occasion. CONTACT British Motor Museum www.britishmotormuseum.co.uk…

classic ford letters MAILBOX YOUR LETTERS, EMAILS & SOCIAL MEDIA COMMENTS Keeping It Real? How refreshing it was to read about David Challenger’s beautifully-restored Capri in the August 2020 issue. He is a person after my own heart, taking a delight in restoring a car back to how it should be. I am one of these people who cringes at the sight of classic cars being hacked to pieces in order to lower their rooflines or fit excessive engines. Surely stripping a classic of most of its original parts, chopping the bodywork about and replacing everything with modern parts destroys every part of the identity that the car was meant to have. Why not get a modern car and give the same treatment to that? What’s the difference in the…

YOUR PROJECTS Liam Jones From: UK Car: Mk2 Escort What’s the story: “My dad’s Mk2 Escort is a 1978 1300 two-door — originally gold and left-hand-drive,” says Liam. “It’s just in the paint shop now and will be getting rebuilt once he gets it back. He’s converted it to right-hand-drive and will be fitting a 2.1 Pinto with a five-speed ’box. It should hopefully be in colour soon and then the reassembly can begin. I just hope he doesn’t drag his feet with it — he’s owned it for almost a decade!”…

EXPERT CLINIC TROUBLE WITH YOUR FORD? SEBD IN YOUR QUERY AND WELL SORT IT OUT Mk1 Escort brakes Q I’ve just purchased a 1972 1100L Escort. I would like to upgrade the brakes as, having a family, I would like it to feel a bit safer. Can you tell me about any bolt-on upgrades? Alan Morgan UK A There are two basic options, the first of which is to get hold of a pair  of Mk1 Escort 1300 or 1300GT complete disc brake struts from a specialist such as GS Escorts, plus the master-cylinder/servo unit. The struts go for around £80-100 per pair, while the servo unit is £60. These are getting harder to source, however, so your second option is to use Mk2 Escort disc brake struts. These have…

CF BUYING RESTORING How to Know your nuts and bolts Want to know the difference between imperial, metric, Whitworth and BA — and how to switch? Follow our guide to knowing your threads. Words and Photos Rob Hawkins Old age has many downsides, whether you are a car or a human. Things don’t fit, you forget what has already been fitted and modern stuff isn’t always straightforward to adopt. So when you’re faced with a Mk1 Escort that’s 50 years old and has been maintained, repaired and perhaps restored by a number of previous owners, how sure can you be that all of its essential nuts and bolts are the correct types? The following pages reveal all, explaining the jargon behind the technical terms of threads per inch or the…

BUYER’S GUIDE CAPRI 280 Capri production ended in fine style with the 280 limited-edition. Here’s what you need to know. Words ChristianTilbury Photos Matt Woods With its iconic Capri having torn up UK streets for nearly three decades, Ford finally took its beloved coupe off the road in 1986. It might have been eclipsed by the hot hatch phenomenon in later years and, for most, was no longer the car you always promised yourself, but if the Capri was going out, then it was going out in style — cue the 280 run-out edition. Rightfully, Ford decreed that the Capri’s contribution to British motoring culture had to be celebrated and with the UK-only 280, it arguably saved the very best version until last. Rumours of a turbocharged version had been…

Welcome I’m not going to hide it. I’m incredibly excited to be featuring the Consul GT from The Sweeney in Classic Ford. It was 12 years ago that we first had a secret meeting with the mysterious Mr S and he revealed that not only had the car survived, but that he owned it and it was undergoing a mammoth restoration. A classic Ford like this is not easy to rebuild which is why it’s taken so long to finish, but last month, after a further delay due to lockdown, we were given a few precious hours with the car to let Ade Brannan work his magic, and you can see the results and read Mike Renaut’s account of its return to glory starting on page 22. TV programmes like…

THE MINDER CAPRI FROM SCREEN TO SHOW Of all the Minder cars, SLE 71R, the 1977 Mk2 2.0S is the most well known, having starred in the opening credits for many years. After the car was retired from the show it moved into the used car market and obscurity and apparently even wound up it the hands of a drug dealing gang, but was saved from the scrapyard and into the hands of John Hill, well known in Capri Club International (CCI) circles. He paid £1500 for the car and then commissioned a full restoration which was documented in the CCI magazine at the time. He sold it in 2014 and it is now part of a private collection appearing at shows from time to time.…

GET IT TOGETHER The British Motor Museum at Gaydon is set to host Gaydon Gatherings — a series of new monthly evening classic car meets. Taking place on Tuesday, October 13 from 5:30 pm to 8 pm, the Gaydon Gatherings will then be a regular feature of the 2021 events programme, on the second Tuesday of every month starting on the April 13, 2021. These informal events will be held outdoors and are free to attend. At 7 pm the Museum will present the Gaydon Garage feature when the Museum’s workshop doors will be opened to reveal one of the vehicles from the collection that are not often seen out of the Museum. On the night visitors can also enjoy refreshments including burgers, beers, tea, coffee and soft drinks. Gaydon…

PRODUCTS THE LATEST, GREATEST BITS FOR YOUR CLASSIC FORD 44-PIECE SCREWDRIVER AND BIT SET £32.39 Machine Mart This comprehensive hammer-through screwdriver and bit set is made from hardened chrome vanadium steel, tempered for greater strength and durability. The screwdrivers feature ergonomically-designed soft-grip handles for increased comfort and are colour coded for ease of identification. The set includes 17 screwdrivers, one quarter-inch bit driver, ten 25 mm bits and 16 Hex keys. Contact: 0151 9565555, www.machinemart.co.uk REAR DISC BRAKE KIT From £395 Burton Power This rear disc brake kit is designed to suit the Mk1 and Mk2 Escort, and Mk1, Mk2 and Mk3 Capri. The components have been manufactured by Hi-Spec and include their Ultralite 2 SVA callipers and grooved 240 mm discs, designed to fit inside 13 inch wheels. The…

CONSUL GT LONDON CALLING Against all odds the Consul GT from The Sweeney survived filming and, following an extensive restoration, is back out on the streets. We discover where it’s been since 1976… Words Mike Renaut Photos Adrian Brannan Yes, this is the genuine Consul GT from The Sweeney. Not a tribute or replica. The owner is Mr S, who prefers to keep his identity private, so we meet in a secret location where he confesses everything. “When I was 19 I swapped a three-year-old Mk1 Cavalier for a Consul GT that I rebuilt and took to an early AGM for the MK1 Granada Owners’ Club,” remembers Mr S. “The Sweeney Consul turned up and attracted a lot of attention. The chap had only owned it a month and we…

HOMEBUILT HERO LOCKED DOWN Brothers, Mick and Steve Dobson didn’t waste their time during the lockdown period, turning this Anglia 105E into a sorted sleeper in record time. Sometimes good things can materialise from a bad situation and let’s face it, in mid-March 2020 most of us were in a less-than-ideal situation. Putting the politics aside, while many of us were thinking about what we could no longer do for the foreseeable future, the glass-half-full remainder soon realised suddenly having a lot of spare time on their hands can be quite an advantage, especially if you have an Anglia-shaped project sat in your garage. Mick Dobson had begun work on his newly-acquired 1964 Anglia in January 2020 and with having Saturdays as the only available day to work on the…

HERITAGE CORSAIR V4 Original classic Fords: After a life spent as a teaching tool, this 1965 auto was rescued from a breakers’ yard and restored to its former glory. With only 3008 miles on the clock, it’s one of the UK’s finest. Words and Photos Dan Sherwood W ind back the clock to 1967. This was the year that the Ford Motor Company presented Loughborough Technical College with a two-year-old Corsair. The V4 automatic model, which was worth around £600 at the time, was not to be driven on public roads, but was to be used as a learning tool for practical instruction in the College’s automobile engineering course. It would spend its days being disassembled and then reassembled by the lucky students learning their trade. This rather unusual set…

STAND BY THAT VAN Just recently a friend gave me one of you magazines to read, saying he thought it would be of interest. The issue was May 2017 and it contained an article about a Mk1 Escort van owned and restored by Ian Jefferies. In the article he wondered if anyone knew any of the vans history — well, I worked for the previous owner, from Uckfield in East Sussex, LA Cooper Heating Engineers. I drove the van from 1976 until I left in 1984-1985. It was one of two identical vans, with similar numberplates, and I would drive one for about six months and then use the other one for six months. The vans were stored in the workshop where the business was run from. When one van…

Know this TUNING GUIDE COSWORTH YB The YB has been well documented over its 35-year life, but with constant developments continually pushing the boundaries things can quickly get out of date. Here’s all you need to know about this legendary motor and how to get the best from it. The YB as we know it actually started out life as a handful of 200-300 16-valve upgrades for the Pinto, privately offered by Cosworth. On a visit to the engine builder’s factory in 1983 to discuss F1 engines, Stuart Tuner, Ford’s Director of European Motorsports, noticed the 16-valve Pinto and started enquiring. Nobody knows for sure if the YAA engine (as it was then coded) was deliberately planted for Turner to see or not, but he did see it and Ford’s…

CF BUYING RESTORING PET RESCUE Reader’s restoration: James Suckling is a self-confessed Puma fan, and with his wedding day in his sights, he found — and restored — one of the rarer Ford Racing models. Words and Photos Rob Hawkins When James Suckling decided to buy a Ford Racing Puma (FRP) to use for his forthcoming wedding and to pass down to his children, the pressure was on. The hunt started in February 2015, and the wedding date was set for June 2016. At the time, used prices for FRPs started at £4000 for a rust bucket and went up to £15,000 for a low-mileage car that needed work. Luckily, he received a message from a fellow FRP owner, who had spotted a car for sale in Wales. “The lady…

PARTING SHOT ULLO JOHN! GOTTA NEW MOTOR? LOOKING TO THE PAST ONE CLASSIC IMAGE AT A TIME First released in 1982 then re-released in 1983, the single, Ullo John! Gotta New Motor? was a top 20 hit for writer, actor and comedian, Alexei Sayle (then best-known for playing the character, Jerzei Balowski, inTheYoung Ones — see page 28). Featuring slightly surreal lyrics, the rap largely references Ford’s decision to replace the much-loved Cortina with the about to be announced Sierra — with the record sleeve and video featuring a Mk5 and Mk3. Later in 1982, Sayle would participate in a BBC Arena documentary, ‘The Private Life of the Ford Cortina’, which reflected on the model’s demise. Watch the video for Ullo John! Gotta New Motor? at www. classicfordmag.co.uk. Photo Getty…

New rebuild series starts here! TROUBLE IN MIND A part of TV — and classic Ford — history was almost lost this Summer when the infamous Minder Capri suffered a devastating fire, but thanks to Classic Car Restorations, its survival is secured. Words and Photos Matt Richardson There are some cars that have embedded themselves in the national memory and affection after years of appearances in out living rooms — Morse’s Jag, Del Boy’s Reliant, The Professionals’ Capris and of course Terry McCann’s Mk2 Capri from Minder, so it was a huge shock when pictures and a video appeared recently of that very car in flames while driving back from an MoT near Gatwick in West Sussex. Despite it being a very unlucky event, there was some good fortune involved…

VOTE FOR YOUR CLASSIC FORD OF THE YEAR The end of the year is getting closer – it must be Classic Ford Of The Year time! The nominees for Classic Ford Of The Year 2020 have just been announced, and you can find out which 12 cars we’ve shortlisted this year on page 20. The winner will be announced in our Classic Ford Awards special in the January 2021 issue of the magazine — in the shops and available to download from November 27, 2020. How to vote Turn to page 20, cast your eyes over the 12 nominees, select your favourite, then go to www.classicfordmag.co.uk and click away.…

RUSTY CORNER Terminally-rotten old Fords Good things come in threes, right? The owner of these fine (if somewhat overgrown) Fords certainly seems to think so, with the Mk4 Cortina, Mk1 Capri and Mk3 having been put out to grass some time ago, judging by the foliage surrounding them. “The owner kept these car for spares as he used to drive old Fords,” says Reinoud Brands who took the photo. “He doesn’t like throwing stuff away so they’ve stayed put, and in fact there are some more Cortinas in a neighbouring field.” Spotted an unloved Ford on your travels? Email photos and details of your find to classicford.ed@kelsey.co.uk or you can write to us at the address over on page 5.…

WHERE TO GO THIS MONTH Newark Autojumble When: Sunday, October 25 Where: Newark Showground, UK What’s going on: A great day out, the ‘Normous Newark Autojumble offers a vast array of parts, restoration services and related products for a huge variety of classic cars. Each autojumble sees Newark Showground filled with hundreds of inside and outside trade plots, as well as a classic car and bike display area. On site catering units are available as well as an inside cafeteria. If you’re after a certain part, piece or tool for your project, this could be the place to find it. Find out more: 01507 529430, www.newarkautojumble.co.uk…

FRONTEND Join the club Sporting Escort Owners’ Club Keep loving those Escorts was the SEOC’s original mantra, and 35 years on, that’s more important than ever, reckons Stuart Parkin. When was the club founded — and why? The club has been running since 1985. It was originally set up to cater for non-RS /AVO performance Escorts (up to the 1300GT) but since 1993 we have welcomed any rear-wheel-drive Escorts, from standard base models right up to seriously modified cars. Has the direction of the club changed much since the early days? The main aim of the club has always been to preserve and maintain rear-wheel-drive Escorts. Enthusiasts have the opportunity to meet each other to exchange ideas and further their knowledge of Escorts. The only real change in recent years…

EXPERIMENTAL PROCESS THE PROTOTYPE V4 Paul’s Corsair was one of five prototype models that were donated to technical colleges across the country to be used to teach automobile engineering. As such it had a few unique features compared to a production model, such as the seat coverings, springing and foam mouldings, which were experimental items, and the front suspension top mounts, which are believed to have be modified by the factory to accept the suspension and crossmember of the new V4 range.…

readers’ rides TOUR CARS THE BEST OF WHAT'S DROPPER IN OUR INBOX THIS MONTH Mike and Kim Farr From: UK Car: Mk4 Escort “We had been looking for a Cabriolet for a couple of years,” says Mike. “I couldn›t afford one when we were in our early married years with young children, but we started looking for nice one a few years ago — and we always wanted an XR3i. We bought this one about 18 months ago. It had been in longterm storage for about 15 years but had been unmodified which was what we were looking for. Luckily, the car just needed to be recommissioned — timing belt, brakes all around, and it was ready to go. “What sold it for us was the originality of the car.…

OUR CARS Gavin’s (other) Mk1 Cortina My woody has made a few cameo appearances here over the years but I don’t think he’s been properly introduced, so here goes. What’s been done this month: Remembered I’ve owned this car for seven years! Next on the to-do list: Hit it with the modifying stick (strictly bolt-ons, naturally) Thanks to: Mk1 Cortina Owners’ Club www.mk1cortina. club Ibought this Woody way back in 2013 when it was straight gleaming black with no sign of any panelling. I bought it thinking he would be a good base for some major modifying, and he was for sale relatively close to where I live. It later turned out that I didn’t really know what I was buying. I was pretty pleased with my purchase and just…

MOTORSPORT CLASSIC FORDS FLAT-OUT ON THE STAGE, STRIP AND TRACK PRYCE IS RIGHT He might spend his days hurling R5 Fiestas through Welsh woodlands, but WRC hopeful Osian Pryce’s Mk2 proves that the rich tradition of rally driver-owned Escorts is alive and well. Words Jamie Arkle Photos Adrian Brannan Almost by definition, rally drivers are a breed apart. This won’t be at all surprising if you’ve ever had the good fortune to watch onboard footage of, say, Kris Meeke hammering Moll’s Gap in a Metro 6R4, or of course Frank Kelly, the most famous Tarmac Escort-chucker since Bertie Fisher departed this mortal realm. To put it another way, rally drivers know full well that trees and dry-stone walls don’t flinch and that it’s invariably the car that comes off worst…

MOTORSPORT CLASSIC FORDS FLAT-OUT ON THE STAGE, STRIP AND TRACK THE CHALLENGE The Securicor Sierra Challenge rally series from 1986 was Ford’s attempt to keep the RS Cosworth version in the news. But did it work? Words Graham Robson Production of the Sierra RS Cosworth took a long time to set up in 1985 and 1986, so to keep the pot boiling, Ford promoted a one-model rally series for the cars in the UK in 1986. Seven cars — all from the original press/demonstration fleet were allocated to selected RS dealers, with a six-event programme lined up. Securicor, newly in the mobile phone business, came on board as sponsors. In the end, the overseas event (Ypres) was cancelled because homologation was delayed, though three cars then competed in the RAC…

TOP 10 INSURANCE TIPS There are lots of ways you can cut insurance costs. Here are 10 tips on how you can do it effectively and still come away with the right policy for you and your classic Ford. 1. Don’t just renew It’s all too easy to let the direct debit continue and sign up for another year with your existing insurer. Before you do though, have a look at quotes from other insurers. If they come in cheaper and you don’t want to switch, call your existing insurer, quote the cheaper prices and quite often they will be able to bring your renewal quote down to a similar level. 2. Look at classic insurance They’re often tied into Agreed Value, limited-mileage polices but classic insurance specialists can offer…