Fast Ford September 2021

INTRO WELCOME Wev’e been to a car show! We did cover a few smaller events during the breaks between lockdowns last year, but the recent day out at RS Combe was the first time I personally made it to a show since Ford Fair 2019 - the birth of my son in September scuppered plans to attend TRAX 2019... So, it was really great to get back out there, pitch up a mag stand, invite along some brilliant Blue Ovals and their equally brilliant owners, and enjoy the show vibe at RS Combe 2021. It may have been smaller than previous years, but it worked out beautifully for me as it meant I could take the kids and really enjoy the day out with family and friends. Before the whole…

WHICH MOD YOU MADE TO A CAR MOST GOT PEOPLE TALKING? “I once decided it would be cool to put black Shelby stripes on a Saph Cossie. It wasn’t. On the other hand, people loved the 20in Cades Bern alloys I fitted to my ST220 estate. Sat low on coilovers and with big 20in rims, it got positive comments everywhere it went My wife used to hate people saying ‘nice wheels’ every time we went out, though!” JAMIE, EDITOR “The one aspect of the Ford scene that’s always frustrated me is the lack of imagination when it comes to wheels! Yes, the typical choices can be cool, but there’s so much more out there. I’m thinking back to when I put a set of Irmler spilt-rims on my Saph; the…

SERIES TWO RS TURBO LITTLE RED BOOSTER RS Turbos were hot hatch kings of the 1990s – so by continuing to modify his Series Two, David Platt created a masterpiece through the ages Words DANIEL BEVIS / Photos DANIEL PULLEN The most interesting characters in world history are those who go out of their way to do what they’re not supposed to. Likewise, it’s these maverick thinkers who colourfully shake up the car scene with their bizarre concepts. We love a weird project, and we’ve seen it all: from Viper-engined Sierras to VTEC-powered Fiestas. When you fuse this penchant for the jarring with the broad-reaching world of RS Turbo modifying, again it’s possible to track down examples of pretty much any outlandish notion you can think of. After all, back…

TECH SPEC SERIES TWO RS TURBO ENGINE 1596cc CVH, ported and polished cylinder head, 1mm oversize inlet and exhaust valves, Piper T285 cam, Piper uprated valve springs, bronze valve guides, Series One RS Turbo inlet manifold, four Bosch 803 injectors (dark greens), Fiesta RS Turbo fuel rail and fuel regulator, Cosworth idle speed control valve in Lancia Delta Integrale remote housing, Garrett T3 turbo with 0.48A/R exhaust housing, Sapphire Cosworth 2WD engine loom reworked to suit Escort layout, Weber/Marelli Ahmed Bayjoo Level 6 ECU with Pectel piggyback board for active spark and electronic boost control, modified distributor, custom camshaft and crankshaft sensors, Group A coil, Airtec RS500-style intercooler, Airtec alloy radiator, twin cooling fans, Hayward & Scott exhaust system with large internal silencer and downswept tailpipe, silicone boost and water…

DRIVER SPEC DAVID PLATT AGE 49 JOB Logistics INSTAGRAM @stuart6565 (“That’s my twin brother”) BEST MODIFICATION “It’s hard to choose one. I’ll say the boot lid” FAVOURITE FORD SHOW OR EVENT? Players Classic TRACK DAY OR SHOW & SHINE? “We have cars for both” LESSONS LEARNT FROM THIS PROJECT? “None at all” WHAT’S NEXT “I have a wheel swap planned, but will keep the THs. There are other cars to restore, including another Mk4 Escort as a track car” THANKS “Thanks to my twin brother Stuart, Jez at Carrera, Dave Jordan, Gary Chamberlain, Mark at Grove Garage and the late, great Ahmed Bayjoo”…

NO TRAILER QUEEN The finish and presentation of this RS Turbo is utterly flawless throughout, with incredible attention to detail. You’ve no doubt seen it at various shows over the years. But don’t go thinking it’s a show pony or garage queen – David built this to drive and enjoy, and that’s exactly what he does. He assures us, “The car gets driven to all the shows. We take it over to the European Ford Event in Holland, and it gets a trip to the Nürburgring every year. I love the attention it gets, and never get tired of doing little bits on it. And what really makes it special is the people I’ve met through the scene.” See, cars are for driving – get out there and enjoy them;…