Indholdsfortegnelse for February 2026 i Classic Ford

Ford ended production of its Focus on November 14, drawing a close to 27 years of continuous manufacturing and more than 12 million sales worldwide. News of the final car rolling off the assembly line at the Saarlouis plant was shared by Ford workers on social media and reported by German broadcaster Saarländischer Rundfunk. The decision to discontinue the long-running family hatchback was first confirmed in 2022, part of Ford’s wider strategy to speed up its shift toward an electric-only European line-up. It brings an end to a run of almost three decades for the Focus, which was launched in 1998 as a replacement for the Escort (although this carried on with a reduced range). The critically-acclaimed Focus was a huge success, going to the top of its class and…

Inside your March 2026 issue The March issue, on sale January 16, is looking firmly forward with our pick of the Fords you’ll be drooling over at the shows and events in 2026 — from a stunning custom Capri to a classic street racer-look Mk2 Escort van, and much more besides. Plus reveal what to look for when buying a Mondeo ST200, and look back at Ford’s hits and misses with the Monte Carlo rally. The March issue hits the shelves on Friday, January 16 — why not subscribe to make sure you don’t miss out? Turn to page 20 for our latest subscription offers. ON SALE January 16!…

Sunday Scramble When: January 11 Where: Bicester Heritage What’s going on: The hugely-popular Sunday Scramble returns to Bicester Heritage for the first of its 2026 meets. Over 6000 enthusiasts passed through the gates at the last meet, so expect this one to be just as well attended, with a vast spread of vintage and modern classic cars nestled amongst the historic buildings and workshops of the former RAF airfield. Having been off limits for the best part of 100 hundred years, historic vehicle owners and enthusiasts can now drive through the gates to this once hidden location and spend a Sunday morning exploring the Technical Site, and bring their own vehicles to add to the diverse machinery that makes this event special. Find out more: http://bicesterheritage.co.uk…

For those of us who’ve only ever known rear-wheel-drive Escorts as classic cars (and cult classics with a fiercely devoted following, at that), the old tales of how easy they once were to come by can feel akin to low-level cruelty. Because let’s face it: in a world where every Escort, from the humblest Popular to the mintiest Mexico, now commands a five-figure price tag, it’s a tough pill to swallow knowing that it was once possible to knock on the door of someone with a tired Mk1 or Mk2, probably on the way home from the pub, and walk away having bought it for little more than a month’s wages. These days, unless your pockets are deep enough to stretch to something wearing an MST badge on its…

Call them fakes. Call them replicas. You can even, if you’re feeling like a shiny-suited salesman, call them tributes. But no matter what name you apply to them, cars built to resemble a rare and desirable classic will always be a lesser relation to the genuine article. And if you hanker after a particular type of sporting Ford, chances are you love the heritage as much as the way it looks or drives. The Ford Racing Puma is a case in point: designed to celebrate Ford’s F2 rally machine, hand-built by Tickford between November 1999 and December 2000, and sold in small numbers (just 483 of the planned 1000 were assembled), the FRP (as it’s often called) is now in massive demand among Blue Oval collectors. And, thanks to low…

Chris Wakefield is a certified petrol head, having loved all things fast and loud for all of his 44 years. “My Dad, John, was a Ford man, having Escorts, Cortinas and Sierras throughout my childhood,” Chris remembers fondly. “He’s only recently stopped riding motorbikes, selling his last Fireblade at the age of 75!” Not surprisingly, Chris has owned literally hundreds of cars over the years, starting his automotive journey with a Vauxhall Nova Sport, but joining the Ford fray early doors. “I bought a Series 1 RS Turbo at 18,” Chris reminisces. “At the time, it was my dream Ford; a stunning example, I loved the looks and performance, and the fact that it was a non-Custom made it special. It was a real achievement at that age.” Other highlights…

JANUARY Classic Ford on sale January 16 https://shop.kelsey.co.uk/classic-ford-magazine Newark Autojumble January 25 Newark Showground, Nottinghamshire UK www.newarkautojumble.co.uk Retromobile January 28-February 1 Paris Expo, Port de Versailles, France www.retromobile.com/en Bremen Classic Motorshow January 30-February 1 Messe Bremen, Germany https://classicmotorshow.de FEBRUARY Race Retro February 20-22 Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire UK www.raceretro.com MARCH Classic Car & Restoration Show March 20-22 NEC, Birmingham UK www.necrestorationshow.com APRIL Fordmeet April 5 Squires Cafe, near Leeds, UK www.facebook.com/SquiresFordmeet 70th Anniversary Of The Consul, Zephyr & Zodiac April 12 Wythall Transport Museum, West Midlands UK https://mk11consulzephyrzodiacownersclub.com 83rd Goodwood Members’ Meeting April 18-19 Goodwood Motor Circuit, West Sussex UK www.goodwood.com/motorsport/members-meeting South London Retro Power Crew Drag Racing April 19 Manston Park Raceway, Kent UK www.retropowermotorsport.com Isle Of Man Ford Fest April 23-27 Douglas, Isle Of Man, UK www.iommotoringevents.com/fordfest Drive It…

PAY LESS AND NEVER MISS AN ISSUE! SEE PAGE 20 ON SALE January 16! Contents correct as we go to press, and will change… Meanwhile, get your classic Ford fix at http://linktr.ee/classicford Ask for it in your friendly local newsagents, or call us now on 01959 543747 IF YOU DON’T WANT TO MISS AN ISSUE: One of the best ways to ensure you receive every issue of Classic Ford is to place an order with your local newsagent. Once set up, your copy of Classic Ford will be held for you to collect, saving you the hassle of having to scour the newsagents’ shelves for it. So don’t miss an issue — simply complete the form here and take it to your friendly local newsagent today.…

It’s quite safe to say that the Lotus twin-cam is a legendary engine. First of the breed that truly looks right, it’s the engine that says period. Themed correctly you can base a car round this engine and it’ll always be a winner. You can’t have a more ‘correct’ engine than the Lotus twink. And it’s a legend in racing, too. The Lotus Cortina — notably Ford’s first fast-road car — bore the motor and launched the careers of plenty of famous racing drivers. There can’t be any more an evocative vision than Jim Clark cocking the inside wheel of a Mk1 Lotus Cortina, belting round any bend of any racetrack in the 1960s. And so it is today, the engine is still raced both in Cortinas and Lotus Elans,…

QUERY OF THE MONTH Crossflow jets Q After years of putting 2-litre Pintos into Mk2 Escorts, I’ve now fitted a 1300 Crossflow into a Mk1 Escort. The motor’s got a big-valve, lead-free head fitted, fully-balanced bottom end, a Burton A2 camshaft, a 1600 Sport exhaust manifold and a lightened flywheel. I had a 32/36 Weber left over from a previous project, which I tried to fit, but when I fitted it the engine wouldn’t start. Could you tell me what the correct jetting of the Weber for the 1300 would be? Or is it that I need the 32/32 Weber for better results? Also, is there a book you could recommend about tuning the Weber DGAS/DGV? Ferry van Laar The Netherlands A This is a tricky one to answer — the…

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 some great-value policies. Most class a vehicle eligible for classic insurance as being over 20 or 25 years old, but some allow exceptions for modern classics, so do your research before you dismiss a classic insurance policy out of…

With the end of the year getting scarily close as we prepare to send this issue to press, we can look back and see it has been a cracking year for top-quality restorations and ground-breaking builds — and we know from chatting to many of you at the Classic Motor Show recently (see page 56) that there are plenty more to come. If you’re looking to take on a new project to kick off 2026 then make sure you check out our restoration special first which starts on page 29. It’s packed with great advice and sound tips from those who’ve been there, done there and made all the mistakes so you hopefully don’t have to. And you never know, if you get your finger out, it might even be…

The Bromley Pageant of Motoring will return to the South of England Showground on Sunday July 19, 2026, with a new traffic plan that will ease congestion when accessing the Ardingly venue. The event was effectively forced out of home of more than 40 years, Bromley’s Norman Park, due to the extension of London’s ULEZ — a change that saw it take a break in 2024. But with a new home found at the South of England Showground in Sussex, enthusiasts responded in their droves by amassing an impressive 2500 cars — 500 up on the last two events at the previous location. Visitors can expect a bustling live action arena at the heart of the show, huge car club areas, and the much-loved one-make parking area. The Pageant will…

1. SHRINKING DISC How much: £46.50 From: Stakesy’s Stretching metal causes unwanted dents — getting them out takes skill and proper tools. You can remove the majority with a dolly but blending in with no filler takes shrinkage and practise. The traditional way involves Oxy-acetylene heat but you can do it with a spun stainless shrinking disc mounted in an angle grinder. They’re a bit controversial because they can explode, but with care, blending dents in with just friction is pure magic! 2. SHRINKER/STRETCHER How much: £179.98 From: Machine Mart Stretched and shrunken metal’s the cause of all dents and damage — getting them out’s where the skill lies. But you can make them work to your advantage — on right-angle sections, shrink/stretch one side and it’ll curve either way,…

Arecord turnout of classic fans attended the Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show over the weekend of November 7-9, with 72,738 visitors heading to Birmingham’s NEC to check out 3000 classic vehicles spread across hundreds of stands. In truth it felt like more, with the show packed with enthusiasts all weekend amid a wonderful atmosphere. Over 310 car clubs set out their typically varied stands, with an array of exhibitors, car dealers, industry organisations and traders joining in on the fun. The Lancaster Insurance Pride of Ownership competition took its usual place as a headline exhibit, and to celebrate the competition’s 10th anniversary, there was also a standalone Best Of The Best competition featuring some very special winners from previous years. Meanwhile, the show staple Meguiar’s Club Showcase competition celebrated 20…

Both myself and Classic Ford in general will always be the first to promote the idea of getting out there and using your car. Everyone has their own lane in what they enjoy most about cars, be it racing, fixing, welding, painting, cleaning, buying and selling or even just admiring them. For me by far and away the best part is hitting the open road and driving. The feeling of freedom, the connection with the machinery, and doing it all in a car of your own choice that you have made to be the way you want it. I do a lot of miles, and all in some unlikely old cars that many would consider wrong for the job, but when I was recently asked along on a Saturday drive…

Unitary construction is a trademark of modern cars and every classic Ford from the 1950s onwards. Using a completely self-supporting chassis/body — otherwise known as a monocoque — it consists of sheet steel pressings (the panels), which are welded together and form the structure of the car. This technique differs from other classics such as 1960s British sports cars, which used a ladder or backbone chassis with the body bolted on. The main advantage is that it’s lighter. Each part contributes to the strength of the car, and the stronger and more rigid it is the better. Safety aside, stiffening is also the main benefit of fitting a roll cage — by making the shell stiffer, it deflects less under load, keeping suspension geometry consistent and shell flex to a…

Standard steel wheels are good but we’ve got to admit we love the look of deep-dish alloy wheels. We love the sleek curves and we know that a lot of you do, too. However, fitting alloy wheels — even standard Ford ones — can be a nightmare, especially in the nuts department. So we thought we’d take a look at fitting alloys to your classic Ford in general because, although it’s straight-forward, there’s a lot to take in and it’s dead easy to get wrong. Assuming your wheels are round and not kinked, first thing you need to establish is which nut seat type you have — see the boxout for identification. The ones on the Revolutions are obvious. You need sleeve nuts and washers to seat on a flat…

As it did with the original Escort, Ford ensured that it offered customers of the new Mk2 the option of a slightly more luxurious version on the model’s reveal in January 1975. It was all change on how it named its refinement-focused Escort, though. Whereas the Mk1 offered an Executive variant in the shape of the 1300E, the flashiest Mk2 was now badged as the Ghia. It was a natural progression too, following in the footsteps of the already introduced Ghia versions of the Capri and the Granada, which Ford actioned after it shelled out for the Italian coachbuilder of the same name in 1970. On the outside, the Ghia was differentiated from cooking Mk2s by such additions as chrome front and rear bumpers with overriders, chrome side trim and…

DARK KNIGHTS This moody scene of parked cars at the headquarters of Thorn Electrical in Westminster, London, was supposedly taken in around 1955. Now you’ll have to excuse the poor strip lighting, but we can see enough to suggest that date is too early — the Consul on the left is a Mk2, which didn’t get released until 1956. Besides, there’s further evidence — another casually-parked example of one of Ford’s Three Graces — this time what appears to be a Zodiac — at the far end. There’s also a saloon car third from the left, which looks like either a Consul or a Zephyr, but the rear end is throwing us — could there be a glitch in the image which has somehow given it an alternative tail? We…

After completing his stunning OEM+ Mk2 Harrier early in 2024 (see October 2024 issue), Stuart Dando’s next plan of action was to bag himself a Java Green RS2000 and tackle what he would hope to be a light restoration at the most. Unfortunately, no such cars fitting that criteria were available at the right time and with Stuart’s empty garage crying out for another project, this prompted the purchase of a substitute for the elusive RS in double-quick time! “A Mk2 Escort van had never been at the top of my list,” Stuart smiles, “but as the project has taken shape, I’m wondering why I didn’t buy one and do all this years ago!” Starting with a bare rolling shell, this offered a perfect blank canvas and with good friend, Steve…

The Goodwood Festival of Speed is already gearing up for its return, with organisers announcing the theme of ‘The Rivals – Epic Racing Duels’ for the event’s return on July 9-12, 2026. The theme, Goodwood says, ‘Draws together the cars, bikes, drivers, riders, teams and manufacturers that attend the event’ by focusing on famous motorsport rivalries from across multiple disciplines of racing. The Rivals’ portion of the theme is set to see the celebration of some important racing anniversaries, including 60 years since Ford’s victory over Ferrari at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1966, and 50 years since James Hunt and Niki Lauda’s battle for the Formula One World Championship in 1976. ‘Epic Racing Duels’, meanwhile, will be represented by a group of cars and motorbikes spanning Formula…

The Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs (FBHVC) has moved to counter the rising age of historic vehicle owners by launching its new Youngtimer initiative catering for cherished vehicles between 20 and 30 years old. The FHBVC’s latest National Historic Vehicle Survey, released last month, included research into Youngtimers for the first time. The term Youngtimer has gained significant global momentum in recent years, especially in Europe, and applies to vehicles over 20 years old. The survey attracted almost 20,000 responses and revealed that the average age of an owner has risen to 66. That’s up from 63 in 2020, with the average age of a UK adult standing at 41. Encouragingly however, the research has also revealed that under-35s now show the most significant interest in historic vehicles, and…

SAVE 66% ON A ClassicFord SUBSCRIPTION • • • • Every Issue includes ■ Tuning & restoration projects ■ In-depth technical articles ■ Product news, events and reviews ■ Buying guides and reader classifieds Reasons to buy • Receive your first 6 issues for just £18! • Save money on the shop price • Hassle free - never miss an issue • Delivered directly to your door • Cancel at anytime 6 issues FOR JUST £18 Only £3.00 an issue! Scan me EASY WAYS TO BUY YOUR SUBSCRIPTION GO TO SHOP.KELSEY.CO.UK/NY26CFD SCAN THE QR CODE AND GO DIRECTLY CALL 01959 543 747 AND QUOTE ‘NY26CFD’ Terms & Conditions:* UK Direct Debit or Continuous Credit Card offer, you will pay £18.00 for your first 6 issues, then £29.99 every 6 months thereafter.…

The addictive chase of finding a project car rarely accounts for the reality of spending countless evenings and weekends trying to dismantle or assemble the remains of what was once a working vehicle. If you’ve dreamed of undertaking a restoration, but wondered whether it’s for you, then hopefully the following 10 soul-searching questions will help you decide. They’re not as cheesy as you may imagine and are intended to make you think about the level of commitment that’s required to see it through. 1. Can I really learn to weld? There’s more to welding than switching on the gas for a MIG and pointing the nozzle in the correct direction. Get it wrong and your weld can not only look like bird mess, but the heat generated can warp surrounding…

Any sort of restoration work means you need welding. Farming it out though, can get expensive; especially if your classic Ford is a rotten shed. The only real answer’s biting the bullet, investing in a welder and practise, practise, practise. But you can give yourself a massive head start if you buy decent kit in the first place — there are certain areas where it’s just not worth trying to do it for peanuts, and investing in excellent welding gear is something you will never regret. By far the most popular form of electric arc welding is MiG. We’re here to show you the basics with the help of Retro Ford’s Dave Colledge, because he’s welded a thing or two has our Dave. What is MiG? There are several types…

This fantastic 1974 Sebring Capri 3-litre Ghia might appear a pampered show car, but owner Gordon Millington is quick to point out the reality. “It’s never been on a trailer since I’ve owned it,” says Gordon. “I drive it about 5000 miles a year, it’s been out in the rain. In fact it got soaked driving home from the Classic Motor Show recently.” But that doesn’t mean the car stays dirty. “Once I’m home the Capri — fondly known as PBR — goes into the garage, gets towelled off and wiped down. I jack it up, remove the wheels and dry the car end to end, including the engine bay and inside the wheels. It then sits drying for two days and my wife Mandy just shakes her head…” Gordon…

Ben Drake From: UK Cars and vans: Mk1 Escort, Mk5 Cortinas, Mk2 Transit, Mk1 Transit “Thought I would show you our little collection,” says Ben. “I’ve just finished the Mk1 Escort after several years building it and recently had it on the dyno — it’s only 154 bhp but it goes really well for a Pinto. The Mk5 Cortina estate I’ve had for around three years and again is Pinto-powered, this time running around 115 bhp. This car has had three engines, three gearboxes plus all new suspension and brakes. The Cortina saloon I’ve had on the road for many years — it’s a 2.3 V6 and is next in line for a makeover starting this winter, while the blue Mk1 Transit camper I built through lockdown and we’ve driven…

The A B C of tuning Y is for… YB The super Pinto needs little in the way of introduction. Starting with a conventional 2-litre OHC block casting, Cosworth twin-cammed and turbocharged the Cortina/Transit/Capri lump, and the rest is horsepower history. Depending on whether you got it out of a three-door Sierra or 2wd Sapphire, or one of the later 4x4 Saph or Escort variants, you’ll already have somewhere between 207 and 227 bhp. 200-plus bhp is a comparatively mild state of tune for this race-bred engine, but we’re concerned primarily with Stage One tuning here, and that’s the safe and reliable bracket that produces 250-270 bhp. This is the best power to Pound ratio by far. You don’t need to worry about strengthening anything internally. Nor is it necessary…

As with every project, there are always things you try to put off, knowing they are going to be hard or leave you covered from head to toe in dirt and grease. My Anglia build is no different, and the rather large item I have put off, and delayed has finally become simply too big to ignore any longer. It’s time to address the bulkhead, and the horrible Frankenstein creation that I inherited when I bought the car. At some stage in the past, the Anglia was being built to be a hillclimber, and the factory bulkhead and gearbox tunnel were chopped out in a very crude manner. This is how I got it, with a whopping big hole in the middle. No tunnel, no firewall, just a big gaping…

Cast your minds back to the late 1980s or early 1990s (if you can) — a time when XR-badged Fords seemingly terrorised every street. Usually, to be found accelerating to warp speed at every given opportunity, pulling handbrake turns and generally hooning around with the obligatory substantial sound system on board, it’s easy to see why they weren’t especially popular with the general public. Or at least that’s what the disgruntled and sleep-deprived older generation would have you believe. For those like Neil Webster with youth on their side, the XR2 in particular was pure perfection as it provided that all important grin factor whenever it was required. Since then, times have changed and the younger generation of thrill seekers have tuned into 200+bhp hot hatches boasting a multitude of…