Innehållsförteckning för September 2020 från Classic Ford

E10 PETROL EDGES CLOSER Recent weeks have seen countless reports in the wider press that E10 petrol will be the new standard grade for unleaded fuel in 2021, a situation that continues to occupy headlines due to the potential damage it can cause to older vehicles. At the time of writing, nothing had been confirmed by a UK Government understandably rather busy with other things, but it does look increasingly likely that E10 will finally arrive in the UK next year. Currently, unleaded petrol in the UK contains up to five per cent bioethanol, a grade known as E5 and labelled on the pumps as such since last year. E10 petrol contains up to 10 per cent bioethanol and is available in European countries, but not the UK as yet.…

WHAT TO DO THIS MONTH Uprate the suspension Even if you prefer your classic Fords looking standard, you can still make numerous tweaks to the suspension on your classic Ford to improve the ride and handling — without changing the looks. Uprated, stiffer springs and either dampers or inserts for front and rear will do no end of good, as will thicker anti-roll bars (often sourced from the sport models), and polyurethane bushes — there’s a whole world of options out there. www.bilstein.com/uk/en…

definitive guide: mk3 cortina DEFINITIVE GUIDE THE MK3 CORTINA Delve into the Coke bottle-styled world of the Mk3 as it celebrates its 50th anniversary with our complete lowdown. Words Dan Williamson, Simon Woolley Main photos Andy Saunders Additional photos Adrian Brannan, John Colley, Ford, Andrey Moisseyev, Matt Richardson It’s hard to believe it’s been 50 years since Ford started building the Mk3 Cortina — a car so different from its predecessors that it could definitely be called all-new back in 1970. Car companies, especially Ford, tended to play it safe — new bodies with old engines, new engines in old bodies, but rarely both at once. In the case of the Mk3 though, there was a real technical step-up, with a brand-new engine, gearbox and suspension under that distinctive Transatlantic-style…

THIS ONE’S MINE: PAUL RUNTON 1972 2-LITRE GT As the Chairman of the Cortina Mk3 Club, you’d expect Paul to have a few Mk3s on his driveway, and indeed he does, but it’s this rare, Electric Blue two-door that always jumps to the front of the queue when Paul and his wife, Gail fancy a drive out. “We’ve had it eight years now, and we came across it after a guy I was talking to told me I could have it, if I could get it out of his garage. It had been in there since 1977 so it took a while but it was worth it. The bodywork, thankfully, was in good shape — it still has its original front wings,” Paul continues, “and while the tan interior was…

TIME FOR A PINTO THE NEW ENGINE (AND GEARBOX) Ford-USA started planning its own small cars in the mid-1960s, and needed a new-generation engine to power them. This strategy matured when Ford-of-Europe was set up in 1967, so the an integration move was logical. A new engine coded Pinto (the name of the first American Ford to use it) was designed, was originally built by Ford-Germany in Cologne, and was a world engine to be supplied to Germany, Britain, and the USA. It was more than 10 years since Ford had designed an all-new four-cylinder engine, so the Pinto had to be new-generation in every way. This explains why it boasted two Ford firsts — it was the company’s first ever single overhead-camshaft engine, and the first with a belt-driven…

HERITAGE ANGLIA Touring Original classic Fords: We all recognise Ford’s reverse-rake 105E Anglia instantly, and while the estate version is much rarer the Friary Motors-built Touring is much rarer and even more special. Words Andrew Roberts Photos Matt Richardson People are often puzzled when they see my Anglia from the rear,” remarks Bob Kent. It is an understandable reaction, for although 578 BJB seems to be a typical 105E forward of the B-pillars, the side windows and tailgate are totally unexpected. With coachwork by Friary Motors, it is one of just three known Anglia Tourings, and the only example believed to remain on the road. It is a car which, as the advertising copywriters promised, ‘Blends the many superlative qualities of the saloon with extra load space and general accessibility.’…

classic ford letters MAILBOX YOUR LETTERS, EMAILS & SOCIAL MEDIA COMMENTS Escort Club IRL I have a Mk6 Escort — nothing sporty but I would like to join an Escort club. Unfortunately, I do not own a computer or have use of one. Can you help me with a phone number or address? Len James UK Sadly Len, almost all of the late Escort-friendly clubs are online-based. The RS Owners’ Club still includes a traditional magazine and contacts though, and covers the Mk6 RS2000. They can be reached on 020 7965 7516. Kiwi Brits The Auckland Brit & Euro Classic Car Show was held early March — prelockdown — on a nice, fine sunny day with around 1200 cars — the largest turnout in New Zealand. Some very rare Fords…

classic ford’s project cars Ben’s Mk1 Cortina After the last update of sparks and big holes, the Cortina’s progress seems understated. As long as you don’t count the huge turbo… Once id gotten the old girl home from suspension guru, Gary Martin’s place, full of enthusiasm and keen to follow his pointers while they were fresh in my mind, I was soon back in the workshop continuing the fabrication. Once again firing up the trusty welder and grinder, I started making mountings up for a new rear firewall and reworking the existing rear interior panels to work around that rather beautiful fabrication in the rear of the car. This consisted of cutting some of the rear parcelshelf away, to allow quick access to the rear coil-overs (for quick spring changes…

How to Use an angle grinder Interested in using an angle grinder, but don’t know where to start? Follow our beginner’s guide to grinding and cutting. Words and Photos Rob Hawkins An angle grinder is an incredibly useful tool for cutting through and cleaning up metalwork, but it can also be a dangerous tool if used incorrectly. So the following pages outline the safety precautions that need to be followed and provide guidance on how to use an angle grinder for a variety of jobs. If you’re a complete novice, there’s no shame in admitting that you need to learn how to use an angle grinder. This is one of those tools that everyone assumes you should know how to use, but until you’ve practised cutting through metal and grinding…

AT YOUR SERVICE ATSPEED LAUNCH NEW WEBSITE Essex-based classic tuner, Atspeed, has made good use of their time in lockdown by producing a totally new website. The new site features all the services that Atspeed provides including: rolling road power testing and engine mapping on their 1000 hp rolling road, engine development, carburettor tuning and conversions, ECU installations and fuel injection conversions, ultrasonic carburettor and fuel injector cleaning, Smoke-Pro leak detection and general workshop repairs and servicing. There is also an on-line shop for the purchase of engine components, carburettors, engine management systems and all the components associated with engine tuning. For the full story visit www.atspeedracing.co.uk.…

THIS ONE’S OURS: JOY AND GARY SHERWIN 1972 2-LITRE GXL Gary’s no stranger to restoring Cortinas, but even he admits he took on a challenge with this one. Bought as a part-finished project, the previous owner had turned it into a mini Mustang with heavily-reworked front panels and a V6. “It took two solid years of grafting to put the bodywork back to standard and replace any rotten panels and sections,” Gary admits. “It came from the factory in Fern Green but I’m not a fan so I went for Copper Brown instead, along with a Tobacco Brown vinyl roof — that wasn’t easy to fit and took a few attempts, but I’m glad I persevered.” Luckily, the missing running gear was easier to sort: “I already had a reconditioned…

THIS ONE’S OURS: LYNETTE AND STEPHEN DICKINSON 1973 2-LITRE AUTO CRAYFORD GT Such is the appeal of this Signal Red Crayford, that Lynette and Stephen have owned it twice. “We first bought it in 2000,” Stephen reveals. “We got it off the guy who had just finished restoring it, but he’d decided to make it look like the later facelift model. Luckily though, all the original trim came with the car, though it was a pig of a job to refit it all.” Originally sold through Bristol Street Motors in Birmingham, Stephen estimates there are only around 10 to 15 Crayfords left, but despite its relative rarity, they wanted to use theirs as much as possible, taking it to shows all over the UK. By 2012 though, fancying a change…

TAUNUS TC THE GERMAN COUSIN Founded in 1967 to bring Ford-UK and Ford-Germany closer together, Ford-of-Europe was well established by 1970. This explains why, at the same time as the Mk3 Cortina was launched, Ford-Germany announced the new-generationTaunusTC (where, logically enough, TC stood for Taunus-Cortina). This car shared the same new chassis platform, running gear, and much of the inner structure as the Mk 3, but had entirely different outer styling, and used new Pinto or existing Ford-Cologne V6 engine. There was also an optional two-door coupe body style. Sold in Europe, but not in the UK, the TC (later known as the TC1) was successful, for more than 1.1 million were sold.…

HOMEBUILT HERO BONUS POINTS With his first classic Ford cruelly taken from him, Oliver Preston’s bounced right back with this sleeper 2-litre Escort Bonus. Words Simon Woolley Photos Darren Mallinson Every cloud has a silver lining, just ask Oliver Preston. The 20-year-old had his first car — a classic Ford, naturally — cruelly taken away from him, but he bounced right back with his next — this stunning, Zetec-powered Mk4 Escort. A car that, we think you’ll agree, has absolutely nailed the sleeper look. “I bought my first car before I even passed my test,” recalls Oliver of his former Ford. “It was a Mk1 Fiesta 1.1 Popular Plus and was a no-brainer for me, as I’d always been into old Fords — I didn’t fancy a more-modern car, I…

ENDANGERED SPECIES Ssh, these animals are almost extinct and very timid, this is a rare beast indeed. It is the much sought after Escortius Populus languishing in a leafy woodland, it looks at ease though forever wary. She had just been fed on the only food available, plus a supplement to keep her internal organs in order . Once the Escortius Populus ran in herds all over this area, but was mercilessly hunted down for their coats and various other parts by those fearful tribes the Carbraekii and Modyfiori. These awful tribes hunted down Escortius Populus to near extinction to feed there own beasts. The Fordus Mexicus and Aresus and but for the foresight of a very mild mannered and kind tribe. The Keepori Classici, they would not have survived…

classic ford’s project cars Project XR3i With the handling sorted, Paul would like to see where he’s going — time to call in the professionals.. Last month saw us managing to squeeze the Escort into one of the final workshop slots before the country entered lockdown and with the rear suspension bushes replaced, the car felt much more stable at speed. Driving home into the setting sun however threw up the fact that forward vision through what may well be the original front screen was less than ideal. “FITTING A WINDSCREEN IS TRICKY WHEN YOU’RE TRYING TO MAINTAIN A 2 METRE DISTANCE” It was pretty scratched in places and not only could we not see where we were going but where we’d been, since the rear view mirror had fallen…

CF BUYING RESTORING TWO PLUS TWO Reader’s restoration: Laurie Thompson’s recently-finished Mk1 is one of just six four-door Escort Mexicos built and the only example sold new to a private customer. Words Mike Renaut Photos Matt Richardson When you consider the life most Ford Escorts had; cheap everyday cars that were thrashed and crashed by numerous owners, it’s amazing any survived. Especially when it wasn’t obvious which examples would be worth saving. Who could’ve expected one of the rarest Mk1s anywhere would be a four-door? “It’s a 1972 genuine four-door Mexico,” confirms owner Laurie Thompson, “my Dad, also named Laurie, was always into classic cars and we were talking about buying one or two to restore. In 2012 he spotted an advert in a classic car mag for an Escort…

PARTING SHOT LOOKING TO THE PAST ONE CLASSIC IMAGE AT A TIME EAT MY DUST The Mk3 was the first Cortina conceived under Ford-of-Europe control, and here German engineers are filming the new suspension layout on a two-door Taunus variant at a very dusty Lommel test track in 1970. Gone were the familiar MacPherson front struts, and leaf-sprung live rear axle of the Mk1 and Mk2 Cortinas, to be replaced by a brand-new layout consisting of a coil-sprung wishbone front end (with rack-and-pinion steering), backed up with coil-springs and trailing, and semi-trailing radius arms at the rear. Novel at the time, but the suspension proved reliable in the long run and was used on the Cortina right up until the model was replaced by the Sierra in 1982. Ironically, the…

your projects: mk1 escort LAST ORDERS Your projects: Chris Spooner’s roped in his Dad, an ex-Boreham engineer to help finish his Mk1, but will it be his final Escort build? Words Simon Woolley Photos Matt Woods Name: Chris Spooner Age: 49 Job: Engineer and company director Location: Essex, UK Car: 1974 Mk1 Escort Start condition: rolling shell Condition now: in the latter stages of final fit-up Time taken so far: 10 years Estimated date of completion: August 2020 Name: Gordon Spooner Age: 74 Job: retired motorsport engineer Location: Essex, UK Dads can be awesome can’t they? When Chris Spooner was a kid, his father, Gordon worked at Ford Motorsport in Boreham, building up the rally Escorts — including two iconic Mk1s: the 1970 World Cup Rally-winning car, and Hannu Mikkola’s…

RUSTY CORNER Terminally-rotten old Fords Not so much rusty as in need of recommissioning, this Ogle GT Cortina, reputedly once owned by Stirling Moss, and one of only two built, has resurfaced in The Philippines. Based on the Mk1 Cortina GT but powered by a Lotus twin-cam and sporting a very stylish fastback shape - two were built by Radford based on Ogle’s designs but plans for a limited production run came to nought. Stirling Moss was said to be delighted with his car and used it around London for a few years before it disappeared – only to reappear recently. Thanks to Brian Oinks for supplying the info. 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…

WHERE TO GO IN SEPTEMBER European Ford Event When: Sunday, September 13 Where: Raceway Venray, The Netherlands What’s going on: Probably the biggest Ford event on mainland Europe, the European Ford Event which is held at Raceway Venray in the southern part of The Netherlands every September has been running for many years and is a full-on feast for Ford fans with stunning Euro show cars, excellent trade stands and the chance to try out the short oval track or slalom on the raceway! Find out more: www.europeanfordevent.nl…

Join the club Ford Sidevalve Owners’ Club It’s one of the oldest classic Ford clubs still active — and one of the most enthusiastic too, reckons chairman, John Porter. When was the club founded — and why? The Ford Sidevalve Owners’ Club (FSOC) started as the 100E Owners’ Club at the end of 1969 later becoming the FSOC to cater for the other models powered by Ford’s sidevalve engine. The idea for a club, initially for the 100E and the 107E, was first thought up by Roger Palmer in one of the most unlikely places — the middle of an Irish peat bog! It was summer 1969 and Roger felt that the Ford 100E really did have some rather pleasing points, and that a club for such a vehicle was…

the birth of the mk3 THREE FOR ALL The Mk3 Cortina was a radical change for Ford, heralding a new era of design and engineering — and huge a range of models for everyone. Words Graham Robson Fifty years ago, Ford launched the Mk3 Cortina, which changed the image of that product line completely. Compared with the ousted Mk2, it was almost all new, for there were new engines in a new structure, while hidden away there was a real technical mixture, for the entry-level versions still used old-style Kent engines, and their matching gearboxes. Compared with the much-loved Mk2, the new machine was very different. Not only did it look different, but it felt different too. It was larger and looked much more transatlantic in its style than ever…

BUMPER TO BUMPER THE RACE OF CHAMPIONS Only months after AVO opened its doors at South Ockendon, the factory set up the Fordsport Club to get all its new enthusiasts involved in using their new-generation cars. Every year it promoted a one-make day at Brands Hatch, where a variety of races were only open to Fords, and Ford-powered machinery. The highlight of the day — and the slowest — was always the invitation-only celebrity race, where a group of hastily Ford-prepared, and nominally ‘standard’ Ford products were loaned to racing and media drivers. In 1971 that event, held over 10 laps in the rain, was placarded as the BEA Trident Trophy, and run for the new, 2-litre Mk3 Cortina GT two-door saloons — all of them carrying a series of…

CFTECH IMPROVING YOUR CLASSIC FORD JUST GOT EASIER Know this ZETEC SE One of the most overlooked engines in the Ford tuning world is the lightweight, 1600cc Zetec SE, but it actually has great tuning potential — we find out exactly how much. The Zetec SE was first seen in the Mk4 Fiesta in 1.25-litre guise way back in 1995. It later appeared in 1.4-litre and 1.6-litre capacities in both the Fiesta and Focus, and also as a 1.7-litre in the Puma. Before we continue, let’s get one thing perfectly straight — it has got absolutely nothing in common with the Zetec E engine! It is not a Black Top as it is often incorrectly called, and is perhaps best referred to as the Sigma engine to avoid confusion. There’s…

EXPERT CLINIC TROUBLE WITH YOUR FORD? DEND IN YOUR QUERY AND WE'LL SORT IT OUT FIESTA BRAKES Q I have a problem with the brakes on my Mk2 Fiesta. When I press the brake pedal normally it feels fine, but if I apply the pressure slightly harder when at a standstill and applying the handbrake for example, the pedal drops 2-3 inches. When that happens the pedal will pump up again. I have tried bleeding the brakes but there was no air in the system and the problem does not feel hydraulic. Can you help? James Cope UK A You haven’t mentioned removing the brake drums and checking the mechanism, and this is the first thing we would check. One of the common failure points on the Fiesta’s rear brakes…

MOTORSPORT CLASSIC FORDS FLAT›OUT ON THE STAGE, STRIP AND TRACK FLOORED GENIUS Heavy, arguably crude but utterly awesome — the 4x4 Capris of 1969-1971 were made for rallycross — and the TV cameras. Televised rallycross was fashionable in 1968 and 1969, and so was four-wheel-drive, though still crude in operation. Harry Ferguson Research was trying to persuade Ford to adopt its system for special Zephyr road cars, and also suggested doing the same to 3-litre engined Capris. Boreham’s competitions manager, Henry Taylor set Mick Jones to build two four-wheel-drive Capris for the 1969 rallycross season. Roger Clark won three televised races, first time out, at Croft in February, while Barry Lee and Ove Andersson both got their hands on the other car soon afterwards. With 160 bhp from a Weslake-tuned…

BUYER’S GUIDE KA A New Edge design for 1996, the Ka is now slipping into classic territory. Here’s what to check when looking at Endura-E versions. Words ChristianTilbury Photos Richard Parsons Making its debut in September 1996, the Ka raised eyebrows for a number of reasons, its arrival notably seeing Ford commit to the city car segment and also introducing the manufacturer’s New Edge styling. But while the Ka ushered in a brave, bold new approach and focus for Ford, some were quick to notice that its angular lines and sharp wheel-at-each-corner, wide-track design were complemented with a drivetrain that wasn’t particularly cutting-edge. To the uninitiated the Ka’s engine was the new Endura-E unit, but to those in the know it was little more than an updated, fuel-injected version of…