Innehållsförteckning för April 2024 från Classic Ford

Achange to the way so-called “digital platforms” such as eBay, Vinted and Etsy share data with HRMC has led to much discussion among the historic vehicle community. From January 1, such platforms have had to collect extra information about sellers, including how many sales they’ve made and how much income they’ve generated. The platforms will have to start automatically sharing this information with HMRC by January 31, 2025, with the first lot of data-sharing to cover the current 2024 calendar year. Previously, HMRC was able to access sellers’ information from UK-based online platforms when required. However, a new, automatic data-sharing process is being implemented after the UK signed up to rules by the international Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, which aim to tackle tax evasion globally. Firms will only…

After much speculation, it’s finally been confirmed that the Bromley Pageant of Motoring will not be going ahead in 2024 due to the restrictions imposed by the Ultra Low Emissions Zone (ULEZ), which was expanded last August. The enlarged ULEZ brings the Norman Park venue in Bromley within the zone, thereby casting doubt over the event’s viability. While many classics would have been exempt from the ULEZ charge due to their age (over 40 years) the reality is some modern classics would have been susceptible to the £12.50 daily charge, as would many vehicles belonging to the clubs, exhibitors and public that make up the event. Extensive conversations were had to explore the prospect of the Pageant of Motoring going ahead at its natural home of Norman Park, or indeed…

TOP 50 Want to know what the 50 finest classic Fords are in the UK right now? Look no further than our Top 50 display featuring original, restored and modified examples that represent the classic Ford scene in its best light — from spaceframed Pops to concours RS Turbos. YOUR TIME TO SHINE If you think your classic Ford should be part of the Top 50 then show us what you’ve got! Email photos and a few details to classicford.ed@kelsey.co.uk CLUB DISPLAYS The Classic Ford Show would be nothing without the Ford clubs, which provide the backbone of the whole old Ford scene. Every year, thousands of club members swarm to the show from all corners of the globe, whatever the weather, to join their respective classic Ford club stands.…

1. FIND GOOD COMPANY Doing a project on your own is a recipe for going nowhere. Yes, you’ll be full of enthusiasm to start with because you’ll either forget how long a project takes, or if it’s your first one, underestimate how much work there is to do. Having a bunch of like-minded mates around you isn’t just for the help with lifting but serious amounts of inspiration, too. A regular meeting time works — make it one, two nights a week but make sure it’s a regular thing; something you make into an occasion. Get a takeaway in, fish and chips, anything to make it a laugh – working on your own is not fun; before you know where you are you’ll lose interest and go back to wearing…

LEE BURKE’S MK1 ESCORT Featured: March 2024 Cossie-obsessed Lee has built the perfect, big-power, road-ready Mk1 Escort with modern technology controlling the 450 bhp YB engine and running gear, yet this Mk1 still retains its classic (good) looks. CHRIS WITHERS’ MK1 ESCORT Featured: February 2024 One of the original Escort Twin Cam prototypes, XOO 354F’s early works career saw it gain a BDA before being pressed into British rally service in the hands of privateer Chris Sclater. Now finally it’s been restored back to its former glory by Chris Withers. DANIEL FINNIGAN’S FIESTA XR2 Featured: January 2024 Last on the road in 2005 then stored in a damp garage for 14 years, Daniel had his work cut out restoring this Mk1 XR2. With stunning paintwork and a whole array of…

1. PRE-WASHING The pre-wash stage is often the most overlooked process and that’s because it’s essentially washing your car before you actually wash your car! The idea is to remove the worst of the contamination before you physically touch the surface. Although many people tend to skip this stage, it’s crucial for limiting swirl marks and scratches that can be caused by a sponge or wash mitt. In fact, the most common cause of damage is premature contact washing. The pre-washing process can be as simple as using a pressure washer to remove heavy grime, or a little more involved if you choose to utilise snow foams. At the very least you’ll need to get the car wet to lubricate any dirt before contact washing. 2. CONTACT WASHING Even after…

Contents correct as we go to press, and will change… PAY LESS AND NEVER MISS AN ISSUE! SEE PAGE 22 Capri birthday special ON SALE March 15! 148 pages packed with tech and buying advice Special souvenir issue Meanwhile, get your classic Ford fix at https://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…

It’s a miracle that Ali McMillan gets any opportunity to work on his own projects, given how much time he spends under the skin of snapper Ade’s various cars. If you expect the head honcho of MJ Racing in Scotland to have several tasty toys of his own, then you won’t be disappointed. “I fancied an RS for the track,” he says, echoing pretty much every reader’s sentiment, of the inspiration behind his Touring Car-inspired RS500 homage. Bought in 2010 as a bare shell before patiently awaiting its turn to be built, the shell has a track-focused history so was the perfect base for the dedicated race car it has become. “It’s a base-model shell,” Ali continues, when asked if it’s a genuine RS500, of which he also owns a…

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Given that the Mk2 Capri was just around the corner and the UK was in the grip of a fuel crisis, Ford’s November 1973 launch of the V6-powered Capri RS3100 could have been considered questionable at the very least. Dig a little deeper though, and there was certainly method in the manufacturer’s madness. Rather than a seemingly last ditch attempt to eke out a bit more excitement from the ageing Mk1, the RS3100 was no more than a by-product of Ford’s desire to eclipse BMW’s CSL in the European Touring Car Championship. The specialised RS2600 had already taken the fight to the German manufacturer, but the need for a bigger engine was soon realised. Using the 3-litre GT as a base, the UK market-only RS3100 was the result. “THE RS3100…

As we inch slowly into the outdoor show season here in the UK (and about bloomin’ time, too!), the draw of seeing fresh metal in the, erm, metal is a strong one. So in this issue we reveal the six cars (actually, five cars and a van) that we predict you’ll be drooling over at the forthcoming events. Most are finished, some are almost there, they’re all uniquely different, but what unites them is the fact that they are also all insanely-awesome show-stoppers. If you only get to go to one show this Spring, make sure it’s the Classic Ford Show at the South Of England Event Centre on May 12, where you’ll not only get to see some of the cars featured in this issue but also five more…

Ford were on a roll in the late 1960s — literally — with the Escort launched in 1968 and then in January 1969 came the curvaceous Capri. The Spring issue of Classic Ford which goes on-sale March 15, is the perfect time then to celebrate this special 55th anniversary with a whole host of features dedicated to the Capri, plus some pretty special feature cars, too. The Spring 2024 issue hits the newsstands on Friday, March 15 — why not subscribe to make sure you don’t miss it? See page 22 for the latest subscription offers.…

Looks can be deceiving, and the Mk3 Cortina has always been a case in point. Its styling, heavily influenced by the chrome detailing and Coke-bottle hips of Detroit, has always carried itself with a muscular flair. It looks like the sort of car that would be at home roaring up the dragstrip, before picking up Peggy-Sue and heading to the drive-in; the reality was that the Mk3 was far more likely to be shuttling Bert and Maureen to the Co-op, but it was precisely this dis jointed aspiration that saw the model selling in mighty numbers. The example we have before us here was originally a very poignant marker of the ‘looks can be deceiving’ ethos. It may present itself as a mini-muscle car, but it rolled off the production…

Tony Lee hails from Devon and has been interested in Fords for the vast majority of his 46 years. “My dad had Ford cars and vans as work vehicles, that’s where the passion for the marque originated from. I was hooked as a young child and then I bought and started working on my first car, a Mk2 Escort, at the age of 16, before I could even drive. I’m self-taught and I think I have had nearly every Ford car, van and vehicle going over the years. Owning and running LVL Transport and Recovery makes it all too easy to pick up the next project at times!” A Mk1 Fiesta proved an insurance-friendly starting point for his first driver and Tony returned to the world of Mk1s more recently…

The winning combination of standard classic Ford looks coupled with a hot engine is a hard one to beat. It’s also hard to pull off as nicely as this Fiesta manages and owner, Stew Law has spent the last few years ensuring that. He bought the Mk1 Fiesta nearly four years ago after coming across it on eBay as a project and after winning the auction hasn’t looked back since. “The original plan was to build a track car, although I’ve ended up making it too nice to be a full-on track toy, so it’s become more a fast road car, with the option to use for the occasional track day,” he reveals. It helped that Stew had a good base to start with, having found a diamond in the…

Genuine Mk2 Escort RS2000s are rare enough, but this example is even more unusual. It’s one of the Zakspeed Spezials. The Escort belongs to Mika Reivo from Laitila, Finland and it’s the result of a 12-year long restoration. “I’ve been interested in cars as long as I can remember,” explains Mika, “I bought my first car at age 15 — a Mini Cooper S replica — and have been involved with various cars ever since. I’ve owned over 100 Escorts in the past 40 years and repaired crash-damaged everyday cars. I’ve also worked as an MoT inspection technician and now run a business with metalwork.” And having experience of working metal must have come in useful with this restoration. As we’ve said Mika’s Escort is somewhat rarer than the usual…

Email hi-res images to classicford.ed@kelsey.co.uk or post them up on our Facebook page.…

It’s more 30 years since Ford unleashed its 16-valve variant of what is basically an evolution of the CVH. Originally planted in Mk5 Escorts, the engine that went on to launch the Mondeo has stood the test of time. It’s economical, reliable and can withstand its fair share of abuse. It also has extra power potential that can be tapped into without breaking the bank. Available in 1.6, 1.8 and 2-litre displacements, it’s the 2-litre that interests us most because it’s got 130 bhp to start with. For that reason it’s the more popular choice with tuners and subsequently there’s more 2-litre based aftermarket tuning hardware available for the Zetec. So you’ve ousted your old engine and planted a Zetec in its place, but you want to pep it up…

Bedding in the new GT cam had gone well and the engine had performed faultlessly on its initial 500 miles of run-in. However, the combination of a low car, terrible potholes and maybe a tiny bit of operator error resulted in a damaged sump. With the engine out once again, it was time to contemplate my next move. With the Pinto plucked once more it was time to hatch a plan. The distributor and water pump were legacy items and it made sense to renew them prior to the Capri next being out and about. Steve Pester of Steve’s Classic Cars built up a custom distributor using a genuine Ford item but utilising the AccuSpark electronic conversion kit which remained in good running order. A new Cosworth spec water pump…

In the wheel world, diamond cutting is royalty. That super-bright shiny surface that isn’t polished is just the result of running a diamond-tipped cutter in a controlled manner across the surface of the wheel to produce that distinctive, clean look. But it’s never been easy – traditionally, the practice has meant making a pattern for a copy-lathe to follow. This has to be ultraprecise otherwise you run the risk of ruining the wheel’s profile — and this takes time and effort with the consequential impact on the price. Yes, you can buy new, diamond-cut wheels at bargain prices but then you could be running the same as everyone else. And what happens if you kerb the wheel, or the winter weather does its worst? The answer has always been wheel…

DOWN THE DRAIN This isn’t a photograph of a scene from a 1980s post-apocalyptic movie but in fact was taken on Hampstead Heath, north London in 2015. The Mk3 Cortina was discovered when a model boating pond was drained on the heath in August of that year as part of the City Of London’s £23 million pond dams project to protect the areas from flooding. The pond, one of three on Hampstead Heath is large enough to be classed as a reservoir, and it remains a mystery how the Cortina ended up in the water, though it could have been there since the mid-1970s.…

Car: 1977 Mk2 Escort Start condition: rolling shell Condition now: being prepped for paint Estimated date for completion: Classic Ford Show 2024 Name: Scott Ingram Age: 32 Job: mechanic, welder and fabricator Location: Surrey, UK Usually when it’s time to replace the work van you don’t get much say in the matter — you’re just grateful it’s got a radio and a heater, and doesn’t let you down. But as boss of his own business, Scott Ingram has the opportunity to opt for something a bit more special, and even better, classic Escort-shaped. Scott runs Ingram’s Automotive & Fabrications (01252 850003) which specialises in fabrication work and engine builds, and with an increasing amount of classics coming in through the workshop doors, he decided it was time for something classic and…

Classic Car & Restoration Show When:March 22-24 Where: NEC, UK What’s going on: The Practical Classics Classic Car & Restoration Show returns to Birmingham’s vast NEC halls in March. Set to be a big one, classic Ford fans will be well catered for with Ford clubs putting on demos and working on members’ cars as part of the show’s hands-on ethos. For more information as well as all the ticket prices and booking details, visit the website. Find out more: www.necrestorationshow.com…

PRODUCT OF THE MONTH RS 4 WHEELS £109.03 each JBW Get a set of 7x13 inch four-spokes under the arches of your classic Ford for a fraction of the cost of original used items. Available as shown, or with silver inserts. 6 and 7.5x13 sizes also available.. Contact: 01926 817444, www.johnbrownwheels.com POLYURETHANE BUSHES From £2.28 Superfl ex Fitting poly suspension bushes to your Ford is a no-brainer, and Superflex’s vast range covers all of the classic Ford models. Contact: 01749 678152, www.superflex.co.uk WHEELNUTS & BOLTS From £1 each Speed Shack With so many different design and types of wheels being fitted to classic Fords over the years, the number of different designs of wheelnuts and bolts is vast. Fortunately, Speed Shack know their nuts, and can advise and supply the…

FEBRUARY Race Retro February 23-25 Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire UK www.raceretro.com MARCH Practical Classics Classic Car & Restoration Show March 22-24 NEC, Birmingham UK www.necrestorationshow.com Wheels Day March 29 Newbury Showground, UK www.facebook.com/surreystreetrodders Zephyr & Zodiac Owners’ Club of Melbourne 50th Anniversary March 30-April 2 Ballarat, Victoria, Australia https://zzocm.com.au APRIL Techno Classica Essen April 3-7 Messe Essen, Essen, Germany www.techno-classica.de Squires Fordmeet April 7 Squires Bikers’ Cafe, West Yorkshire UK www.facebook.com/SquiresFordmeet Goodwood Members’ Meeting April 13-14 Goodwood Motor Circuit, West Sussex UK www.goodwood.com/motorsport Drive It Day April 21 Various club and specialist events and road-runs across the UK www.fbhvc.co.uk/drive-it-day Donington Historic Festival April 29-30 Donington Park Circuit, UK www.doningtonhistoric.com MAY Retro Rides Weekender May 111-12 Goodwood Circuit, Chichester, UK https://retroridesevents.com/weekender Classic Ford Show May 12 South Of England Event Centre, West…

We were talking rally-spec cams while looking at Kent Cams’ catalogue and the following questions arose. What is the difference between a rally cam and a rally cam from the Motorsport range? Could you use a short circuit oval race cam in a rally engine? Lots of people use rally cams on the road, so could you use an oval cam on the road? How much difference can there really be? After all, laws of physics dictate you can only have so many variations on a theme. So a plan was hatched, and with the help of Burton Power we gathered up a selection of Kent Cams and Burton Power’s own grinds and I was going to run them all on the same Pinto engine, carbs and exhaust so we…

We’ve waxed lyrical about the Broadspeed Anglias previously, so you know just how crucial the Birmingham-based tuner was to Ford’s performance in BTCC. Although several tuners thought they knew how to produce class-winning performance from the rejuvenated Ford engine — it was now the definitive Kent power unit, the Crossflow — few could make an Anglia or Escort chassis handle in the way that Ralph Broad could. Because a complete range of new Ford Escorts was introduced in January 1968 — one of them being a 1.3-litre Escort GT, the other being a Lotus Cortina-engined Escort Twin Cam — Ford hoped that it could look forward to a full-blooded assault on the British and European Championships. However, there would be changes — there was really scope for only two works-backed…

As classic Ford fanatics, we’re always on the lookout for motors that stand out from the norm. Whether it’s a rare trim level, engine configuration or a celebrated name as the previous owner on the logbook, having another level of interest to your car’s provenance is often worth its weight in gold. Mark Marsdon is a man who knows the benefits of a owning a unique vehicle only too well, as his unassuming Mk2 Granada hides a reinforced secret under its gloss black bodywork. “I bought the car back in late 2011,” Mark remembers. “I’d been looking for a black Mk2 for a while, as that was the first Granada I ever owned when I was just 17, and I’d always fancied owning another one.” As a self-confessed Mk1 and…

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…