Innehållsförteckning för October 2021 från Classic Ford

NEW MOVES TO FUTURE-PROOF OUR HOBBY Innovative carbon offset schemes set to benefit the UK’s classic car sector. With the reduction of carbon emissions an increasingly dominant issue in global politics, the freedom to enjoy our classic Fords in future could depend on how we offset the footprint of their use. Although the carbon output of the sector is very small in relative terms, innovative schemes such as the latest from HERO-ERA could make all the difference when it comes to the classic car industry justifying its existence. HERO-ERA is one of the busiest events organisers in the industry, with a programme that ranges from single-day affairs through to 9000-mile rallies across different continents, such as Peking to Paris. In 2019, it committed to ensuring all sources of emissions from…

ON SALE October 1! COMING UP INSIDE YOUR NOV 2021 ISSUE If you like your mods on a budget then make sure you don’t miss the November 2021 edition, on sale October 1. The 148-page bumper issue will be packed with the top 30 retro mods for £500 or under, and there’s truly something for everything taste. Elsewhere in this issue you’ll find this superb Mk1 Escort 1300E, Mk5 Escort buyer’s guide and a whole lot more. Why not subscribe to make sure you don’t miss it? See page 18 for the latest subscription offers.…

WHERE TO GO IN SEPTEMBER Escort Rally Special When: September 11-12 Where: Couvin, Belgium After 2018’s incredible 50th anniversary event, the Escort Rally Special is back as a regular fixture. Based in the town of Couvin, Belgium and including the classic Chimay circuit, the road-based special stage rally is once again attracting historic-spec Escorts from all over Europe for the 25 km stage that will be run four times. With a great atmosphere and guaranteed top action, it’s great for spectators. Find out more: www.escort-rally-special. com…

FORD FAIR 2021 Silverstone welcomed the return of the blue oval, as Europe’s biggest Ford fest made a triumphant comeback. Words Simon Woolley Photos Rob Schaverien It’s been a long time coming but boy was it worth the wait. The return of Ford Fair after last year’s pandemic-enforced absence was a reason to celebrate for blue oval fans, and celebrate they certainly did, with the whole of Silverstone Circuit’s huge infield filled to the brim with stunning Fords, old and new. And while this is a show that resolutely highlights Fords more the modern era, the classics were in no many sidelined, and with clubs bringing along an impressive selection of cars, in what was a massively varied and welcoming event. The Classic Ford Zone was in a new, central…

CHRIS SPOONER MK1 TRANSIT SERVICE BARGE LIKE YOUR VAN! Spec: ex-German fire service, Ford Motorsport livery, 3-litre Essex When Chris finished his superb works RS1600 replica (see January 2021 issue) he realised there was something missing — a vehicle to tow it to events with, and what’s more suitable than a tribute to the Transit service barges that Ford’s Boreham engineers (including his dad, Gordon) thrashed all over Europe in? Finding an xxxxxx ex-German Fire Service Mk1 with 6000 miles on the clock, Chris set about converting it, removing the Cologne V4 and slotting a 3-litre Essex V6 in its place. “I’ve copied the service vans from old photos,” reveals Chris, “but there are some things I’ve changed – I’ve fitted the interior out as a day van so it’s…

SLEEPER EXIT THE DUMMY EXHAUST There’s been real efforts to ensure the Escort looks like a sleeper, such as the RS steering wheel retrimmed in brown to match the interior, but none more so than the exhaust, which if you look closely has two exits. “I did originally intend to run a single down-swept exit, but we got carried away and did a 3 inch semi-side exit, which we painted black to hide. The little polished 1.5 inch tailpipe was then welded to sit in the position of the stock pipe. I’d like to think it still surprises people but I don’t bait people in it like I used too.”…

EVENT REPORT BRITISH FORD DAY BRITISH FORD DAY With a leaning towards ’60s Fords, the British Ford Club’s gathering welcomed some of the Sydney area’s finest ’70s Fords, too. Words and Photos Stephen Roser The British Ford Club was originally formed as the Cortina Anglia Prefect Club so at their recent show at the Ettamogah Hotel in Sydney it was to be expected that there would be some lovely Cortinas, Anglias and Prefects on show. Amongst the Cortinas it is the early models that attract the most attention and the host club had plenty of those to show off. Some later models were also present including a TC (Mk3) with the factory fitted 250 cubic inch straight six while a TE (Mk4) had been modded with a 302 Ford Windsor…

CFTECH IMPROVING YOUR CLASSIC FORD JUST GOT EASIER Know this PINTO CARB TEST Last issue it was a standard Pinto, this time Graham bolts a downdraught and sidedraughts to a modified head. But which works best? Words Graham Bahr Photos Graham Bahr, Jon Hill I› in last month’s dyno test we back-to-back tested a twin-choke Weber 32/36 alongside a pair of DCOE40s and DCOE45s on a bog-standard Pinto. The test found that up to about 5000 rpm the 32/36 was sufficient, but after that bigger is definitely better. After that test it made sense to repeat the test — but this time with a better head and cam. The head I used was one I repaired for a customer and at the same time fitted a Newman PH4 cam. Not…

classic ford’s project cars Project XR3i The Escort gets a long-overdue interior tidy-up, spurring Paul on to sort a while host of other small jobs he’s been putting off. What’s been done this month: Tidied up the interior, binned off the mudflaps Next on the to-do list: Fix that sticky lifter Thanks to: Lancaster Insurance 01480 484860 www.lancaster insurance.co.uk Last time saw us sign off having fitted most of a new ignition system to the Lancaster Insurance XR3i. Having ticked off the misfire as being fixed, we were able to turn our attention to the inside. Ford’s woeful lack of interest in its older models means that trim for the 1980s Escorts is hard to source, especially for the Mk3 cars, and good used parts are generally your only hope.…

MOTORSPORT CLASSIC FORDS FLAT›OUT ON THE STAGE, STRIP AND TRACK GANG OF FOUR Classic Ford gets up close and personal with some of the most important Escorts ever to wear the badge — all built by Boreham in period, and all with a remarkable story to tell. Words Jamie Arkle Photos Adrian Brannan It speaks to the sheer number of works Escorts built by Boreham that even now, well over 40 years on from the model’s replacement and withdrawal from works service, we’re still finding out more about their competitive careers. Ford Motorsport’s Boreham site has been shuttered for almost 20 years now, and yet the flow of tantalising information concerning the cars that did more than any other to cement Ford’s rallying reputation continues to dribble out. That our…

MOTORSPORT CLASSIC FORDS FLAT-OUT ON THE STAGE, STRIP AND TRACK VVX 958L SCLATER’S STEER Prepped by Ford to use by Chris Sclater, this RS ended up in the hands of legend, Billy Coleman. “VVX BEGAN LIFE AS A BRAND-NEW BUILD FOR HANNU MIKKOLA IN 1972” Resplendent in the white-and-red of Embassy tobacco, the first thing you notice about VVX 958L is how well suited to the fag packet treatment rear-wheel drive Escorts always were, and that by no means did such liveries begin and end with Rothmans. To judge this particular RS1600 by its scheme alone would be to do it a hefty misjustice however, as a quick delve into its period history demonstrates. VVX 958L was began life as a brand-new build for Hannu Mikkola in 1972, and it…

CF BUYING RESTORING How to Refurbish seats Discover how to rescue a tatty or worn seat with this step-by-step guide. Words and Photos Rob Hawkins Scuffed and worn seats with saggy covers and torn stitching can make a car’s interior look a mess, but many of these problems can be fixed with a new set of covers or some repairs to the seat frame. The work involved is often time-consuming, but it can usually be completed using a few basic tools, although there is however a skill in achieving a neat finish. There is a vast range of different seats found in classic Fords, but most of them consist of a metal frame, some webbing, springs and wires, and either cloth, vinyl or leather covers fitted over the base and…

PARTING SHOT LOOKING TO THE PAST ONE CLASSIC IMAGE AT A TIME FINE TUNING Sadly, background information on this image is scant — all we know is that it was taken in 1972 — but it clearly shows a 1970 Mk2 Cortina GT and 1971 Mk3 Cortina GT being tuned at a typical garage of the era — complete with the then high-tech Sun testing equipment. Ford’s GT models were always about stealth performance rather than being overly flash — something the owner of the Mk3 clearly disagreed with, adding period Cosmic wheels and go-faster stripes to the flanks of his or her two-door. Photo Getty…

RUSTY CORNER Terminally-rotten old Fords It’s that meandering man again. Our roving French Ford spotter, Bertrand Joseph has clocked yet another (slightly squashed) classic in need of rescuing, this time a Mk1 Escort four-door. “It’s in the town of Toul in eastern France,” says Bertrand. “It is used as part of a wall in an old junkyard that’s still in business to prevent thieves from stealing parts from the scrapped cars inside.” 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 on page 4.…

WHERE TO GO IN SEPTEMBER Spa Six Hours When: September 30-October 2 Where: Spa Francorchamps Think of the Spa Six Hours as like the famous Le Mans 24 Hours race, but for classic cars. Taking place at the amazing Spa Francorchamps circuit in Belgium, it’s a lot closer than Le Mans, and the atmosphere is just as electric. With the races broken down into six-hour stints, it’s easier to watch and there are some great dices with Capris, Lotus Cortinas and Escort Twin Cams and RS1600s taking on the Alfas and Jags. The classic theme means plenty of old cars make the trek over, and it’s a great way to end the summer. Find out more: www.sixhoursofspa.co.uk…

LIKE YOUR CAR! CALLUM MARSDON GRANADA 2.8i GHIA X Spec: ratty but solid To say that Callum and his Dad Mark are Granada fans would be doing them a disservice — between them they own 13 examples, the most recent of which is this Ghia X, aka The Beast, one of three used in the film, The World’s End starring Simon xxxxxx Pegg and Nick Frost. “I first spotted this car a decade ago,” says Callum. “Back then it was a show car, but not long after a production company bought it and deliberately made it look rough for the movie — flattening the paint, adding scabs and sections of primer.” After filming, all three cars were sold, two of them ending up on the banger track. “A guy we…

RARE GROOVE This Superspeed Capri is so rare, even the owners’ club didn’t know what it was. But Dean Goodman knew the score — and after a lifetime of dancing around it, he’s got the keys in his hand and a spring in his step. Words Daniel Bevis Photos Adrian Brannan This isn’t a show car, it’s a go car.” Dean Goodman is grinning like a Cheshire cat as he illustrates the true purpose of his muscular Mk1 Capri, and the implication is clear: given that it’s sporting a show-winning finish throughout, we can only imagine what manner of ‘go’ it has. We don’t have to imagine for long. Planting his right foot firmly on the loud pedal, 400 rampaging horses overwhelm the modern Toyo rubber to unleash a fully…

TOP 10 FACTORY FORD SLEEPERS Ford knew how to build a Q-car — fast, stylish but restrained. Here are 10 of the best. Words Dan Williamson Cortina Savage Engine capacity: 2994ccYears produced: 1966 to 1970Price when new: £1365Price now (condition B): £30,000Sleeper rating: 5/5 Savage by name and savage by nature, yet the now-legendary Cortina looks like a prehistoric relic to today’s British public. How wrong could they be… In 1966, ex-Ford works racer Jeff Uren started dropping 136 bhp 3-litre Zodiac V6 engines into unsuspecting Cortinas – beginning with a Mk1, then offered to customers through his firm Race Proved as fully-converted Mk2s. Initially, a Lotus or GT would be the basis, featuring a strengthened crossmember, beefier suspension, uprated axle, Kenlowe electric fan and harder brake linings. Performance was…

LIKE YOUR CAR! PETER FULLER ANGLIA DELUXE “PETER TRACKED DOWN THE DUNLOP ALLOYS IN RURAL NEW SOUTH WALES” Peter Fuller’s Anglia Deluxe is a delight to see. It has a very original look on the outside but boasts a number of period mods underneath that produce a far superior car to what originally came out of a Ford assembly plant. Originally Broadmeadow Green with a white roof, Peter had it painted all green when it came time for a respray. Originally wearing some inappropriate modern wheels Peter managed to track down a set of Dunlop alloys in rural New South Wales. The Anglia came out of the factory with a 997cc motor but now has a 1500GT pushrod. The  gearbox has also been upgraded to a Lotus ’box. The rear…

classic ford letters MAIL BOX YOUR LETTERS, EMAILS & SOCIAL MEDIA COMMENTS Married to Ford Here is a recent wedding photo that I thought you might want to use in the magazine. My husband, Richard, is part of the Bedfordshire RS Owners’ Club and has always wanted to be in your magazine. We were due to get married in May 2020 but sadly had to postpone to May this year. We were due to have 20-25 cars there with the whole of the Bedfordshire RSOC attending but unfortunately we had to settle with a smaller wedding. My husband had his Fiesta Turbo which he’s had since he was 18, his father had his Escort Turbo which he’s had for over 10 years and his best man had another Escort Turbo…

EXPERT CLINIC TROUBLE WITH YOUR FORD? SEND IN YOUR QUERY AND WELL SORT IT OUT Laser into Escort Q I would like to know if I can fit a 1990 Ford Laser TX3 engine into my Mk2 Escort. Can you advise what problems I may encounter regarding the distributor coming off the back of the camshaft? I have a Type-9 gearbox already in the car. Nigel Freath New Zealand A This is not a swap we’re familiar with, the engine not being available in the UK. However, if the issue is the distributor clouting the bulkhead, then this is a problem common when fitting Vauxhall XE engines into Escorts. There are two ways around this — either notch the bulkhead to clear the distributor, or convert the engine to distributorless…

MOTORSPORT CLASSIC FORDS FLAT-OUT ON THE STAGE, STRIP AND TRACK ETW 881G MIKKOLA’S FINNISH FLYER Competing in just one rally, this Twin Cam went on to become a star of rallycross. “ETW 881G’S RALLYING CAREER WAS OVER, BUT ITS COMPETITION DAYS WERE ONLY JUST BEGINNING” Perhaps the most successful car here, ETW 881G was driven in anger just the once, its competition career effectively over after a handful of days of flat-out, ruthlessly committed driving in the depths of the Finnish pines. For it was in this very Escort that Hannu Mikkola clinched his second of a staggering seven outright victories on the 1969 1000 Lakes, arguably rallying’s spiritual home and an undeniably top tier sporting achievement. Even when viewed through the prism of near unmatched home success at this…

MOTORSPORT CLASSIC FORDS FLAT OUT ON THE STAGE, STRIP AND TRACK MTW 200P FINNISH FRIEND After rallying around the world, this RS1800 is back in classic 1979 Motorcraft livery. “THESE FOUR CARS TRULY REPRESENT THE APEX OF FORD’S POWER IN RALLYING’S GROUP 4 ERA” If there’s one thing you swiftly begin to realise when studying Boreham-built Escorts, it’s that the cars themselves seldom lived a quiet (let alone easy) life, and MTW 200P is a superb example of that. Built as a rough road car in early 1975 and intended to contest the East African Safari the following year, it was instead sent on something of a world tour, beginning with the Firestone Rally in Spain. A minor event in the scheme of things, the Firestone was notable for seeing…

classic fords restored: sierra cosworth THE FAMILY CAR Reader’s restoration: Chris Yates’ 1986 Sierra RS Cosworth was bought new by his dad and will in turn be passed on to Chris’ son — who has just helped him restore it. Words Mike Renaut Photos Andy Saunders Perhaps you’ve already spotted this Sierra Cosworth has an RS500 boot spoiler, but doesn’t appear to be an RS500. “Dad bought that spoiler and fitted it in 1987 when the car was a year old,” says Chris Yates. “It cost him £71.87 with the VAT. Of course they’re about £1500 or more now…” Yes, Chris’ father Trevor walked into Thomas Motors, an RS dealership in Blackpool, in 1986 and bought this Moonstone Blue Cosworth straight out of the showroom — so that spoiler is…

VELVET FIST THE ORIGINAL COSSIE The Sierra RS Cosworth was built for homologation purposes, Ford wanted to be competitive in the Group A Touring Car Racing events but 5000 examples of the equivalent road car had to be built to keep things legal. Following in the footsteps of their XR4i model the three-door body was selected for being stiffer and lighter than the five-door shell .A new version of the 2-litre Pinto was developed by Cosworth with a 16-valve twin-cam head and a Garrett T3 turbocharger offering 9 psi of boost. Despite its race car breeding the RS Cosworth proved reliable enough to use on the road. In total 6021 were built between 1986-1987.…

PRODUCTS THE LATEST GREATEST BIST FOR YOUR CLASSIC FORD MODULAR WATER PUMP KIT FOR LOTUS TWIN-CAM £593.44 Burton Power This modular cover and water pump kit for the Lotus twin-cam engine enables the water pump components to be easily removed without disturbing the front cover or the sump. The water pump components are assembled into a module which can then be inserted into the front cover housing and retained with three socket cap screws. This saves a huge amount of time when replacing the water pump seals and bearing, and saves unnecessary costs in replacing oil and gaskets. The package includes the water pump module and both front and rear covers. Contact: 020 8518 9127, www.burtonpower.com MK1 ESCORT REAR SCREEN £ Pilkington Rear screen on your Mk1 need replacing? Good…

LIKE YOUR CAR! MARTIN SUDDES ESCORT 1600 SPORT Spec: 7x16 Compomotive THs, GAZ dampers, FRST Recaros Quite possibly the rarest car at Ford Fair was Martin’s Mk4 Sport — the 1989 special edition, of which Martin reckons just three or four are left on the road. “I spotted this one on Facebook Marketplace a couple of years ago,” xxxxxx reveals Martin. “It was advertised just as an Escort, but I knew immediately what it was. The car was standard in and good condition, but I’ve tidied up a few areas since, and done some paintwork. It’s not standard — I’ve added the Comps, GAZ suspension, Mondeo front brakes, an Ashley exhaust and a rear cage — but it’s all removable if need be. I love it, and it’s not going…

ESSEX BOYS SUPERSPEED CONVERSIONS The roots of Superspeed Conversions Ltd stretch back to the late-1950s. At the time, Ford of Britain had no works motorsport team to speak of, so race prep duties and homologation development were farmed out to three specialist outfits: Alan Mann Racing, Broadspeed, and Superspeed. Set up by Mike and John Young, Superspeed Conversions Ltd was run from a workshop in Ilford, and they didn’t just deal in V8 Capris; 105E Anglias were a particular favourite for racing earlier in the 1960s, and their treatment of the Mk1 Escort saw the Essex V6 nestling between its inner wings. Race cars acted as the halo for Superspeed, but road cars were also built for buyers with an eye for the offbeat — they weren’t cheap, but they…

Beige Beast Building a true sleeper is a hit or miss deal, but this ST170 turbo Mk4 Escort is one of the best we’ve seen and there’s good reason for that... Words Simon Holmes Photos Adrian Brannan It’s easy to assume that creating a sleeper is a relatively simple task, but it takes a whole lot of time and effort, and if it doesn’t pull off the combination of good performance and understated looks, then it’s failed. When it comes to this Mk4 Escort, we think it’s safe to say that owner Zak Williamson has accomplished his sleeper mission. Even the most eagle-eyed Ford fan would struggle to tell its packing an ST170 turbo engine, custom MTX gearbox conversion and a modern ECU with all the fancy…

MK2 ORION SUITED AND BOOTED This Orion has seen it all — bodykits, lairy paint, and rust — now thanks to Paul Best it’s been transformed into a superbly-restored and RS Turbo-powered sleeper. Words and Photos Jon Cass An Orion with an RS Turbo engine transplant was once a relatively common sight, so much that it made you wonder why Ford never built them that way. These days, you’d be hard pressed to spot an often overlooked booted Escort full stop. Luckily longtime Orion fan, Paul Best had the foresight to begin the restoration of his 1988 1600L way before others had even considered they might one day become collectible. During the lengthy rebuild he couldn’t resist to make a few changes under the skin too! Paul’s story begins as…

HERITAGE CORTINA 1600E Ford heritage: First spotted by Stephen Branson back in the early 1990s this low-mileage 1600E eluded him until he was finally able to buy it 30 years later. And now he’s made it even better. Words and Photos Jon Cass When it comes to old Fords and full-on restoration projects, normally that means lots of welding, but this stunning silver, late Series One 1600E of longtime Cortina fan, Stephen Branson proved to be an unusual exception to this rule. The welding torch may have remained untouched throughout this involving project, but Stephen still had his work cut out to reach his goal of owning that perfect example of a 1600E. Stephen is happy to admit he’s been a fan of Cortinas since as long ago as 1975…

HOMEBUILT HERO ROLE MODEL As James Pennington’s Mk3 Capri struts its funky stuff on the catwalk, this fashion-forward Ford is paving the way for a new generation of enthusiasts. Words Daniel Bevis Photos Adrian Brannan The world of high fashion, as you’re no doubt aware, is rather faaabulous, darling. Moët this, Dior that, it’s a whirlwind of sumptuous hedonism — and jostling in the centre of that maelstrom in 2021 is a shiny-white Mk3 Capri. Funny how tastes evolve, isn’t it? Whereas once fashion shoot sets were dressed with Karmann Ghias and W111 Mercs, today it’s the Dagenham muscle car that’s the sweetheart of Soho. The Capri you see here has recently enjoyed photoshoots with Pretty Little Thing, ASOS and Ralph Lauren, strutting its stuff with divine retro flair. All…

LETTER OF THE MONTH Our favourite letter, email or social media comment each issue wins a 768 ml bottle of Meguiar’s superb new Hybrid Ceramic Wax worth £20 —ceramic protection that’s so easy to use, you can actually wax your paint as you rinse off your car! For details of the complete Meguiar’s UK range, give them a call on 0870 2416696 or visit www.meguiars.co.uk. ANY LOVE FOR THE COUGAR? As a long time reader of many motoring publications I have seen little if anything about the Ford Cougar. It’s often glossed over or simply dismissed as a failure, or singled out as being unreliable and not very well built — strange when the same journalists wax lyrical about the Mondeo which is basically what a Cougar is underneath. One…

QUERY OF THE MONTH MODERN 100E ENGINE Q I’m looking to replace the tired sidevalve engine in my 100E with something better able to cope with motorway speeds. What engine and gearbox would the team suggest as a modest upgrade to something more modern but economical? GoeffTravers UK A Keeping it Ford, the obvious answer to fit the 1600 or 2-litre Pinto, or 1800 or 2-litre Zetec — both with the Type-9 five-speed gearbox. These engines are reliable and will soak up the miles with ease, though arguably the Zetec will be better on fuel economy — especially if you retain the standard Ford fuel-injection set-up. Either way, both will require some serious work and parts — the Pop’s engine bay and transmission tunnel are too small to accommodate the…

MOTORSPORT CLASSIC FORDS FLAT OUT ON THE STAGE, STRIP AND TRACK SPA SUMMER CLASSIC Even with restrictions in place this year’s Spa Summer Classic still captured the magic of the heyday of circuit racing. Here’s why. Words and Photos Jeannot Boesen Due to the pandemic the Spa Summer Classic 2021 was held under very severe conditions which meant no spectators and no additional activities were allowed. Even the photographers suffered from the high restriction in terms of reduced photographers windows and forbidden areas on the circuit. But the positive thing was that the event was held and a lot of classic Fords participants were able to see and smell the whole weekend back in June. All the grids in the race categories were filled with GT40s, Cortinas, Escorts, Capris, Mustangs,…

RESTO LOG In the Yates family since new, in 2016 Chris decided to give the Sierra Cosworth the rebuild it deserved.…

buyer’s guide: consul capri BUYER’S GUIDE CONSUL CAPRI Super-stylish and with rock-solid underpinnings, the original Capri has a lot going for it. Here’s what you need to know. Words ChristianTilbury Photos John Colley/Magic Car Pics Although originally destined for export, the Ford of Britain-designed Consul Capri officially made its way into the manufacturer’s UK showrooms in January 1962. With the European launch having taken place in September 1961, car buyers had already had a bit of time to become accustomed to the swoopy styling and its transatlantic-influenced pillarless design, but its distinctive sloping roofline still came as a shock to many. The new Consul Capri was far removed from the conservative-looking models that UK drivers were familiar with and, for those with families, its sweeping rear lines did little to…