Innehållsförteckning för March 2025 från Classic Ford

The backbone of the classic Ford scene has always been the enthusiast working away in their garage, shed, lock-up or even in front of the house, adapting parts to improve their car – right from the 1950s when the whole idea of making Fords go faster became a reality for petrolheads everywhere. So this issue we’ve thrown open garage doors across the UK (and even Australia with our own Racin’ Jason’s Anglia project) to bring you the finest Fords that Built Not Bought has to offer. Of course, if for whatever reason you’re more of a Bought Not Built person, there’s no reason to feel left out, and there’s plenty in this issue to inspire you. But if, after reading the mag you feel the urge to grab a spanner…

Classic Car & Restoration Show When: March 21-23 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…

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 about your classic Ford 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…

There’s no end to the number of tools that are required to work on a project car, so can they be reduced to a list of must-haves? Probably, and that’s why we’ve come up with our own recommendations. We’ve assumed the obvious, so there’s no mention of hammers, sockets and pliers, but we have looked at everything including time-saving tools and ones that will get you out of trouble. Plus those that should help to plan how a project is tackled. Whether you are about to embark upon dismantling a rusty-looking Mk2 Escort, or adding the finishing touches to a freshly-painted Sierra Cosworth, our top 10 list of tools will hopefully generate some inspiration. 1. ANGLE GRINDER Whether you need to cut out rotten metalwork or scrub off surface corrosion,…

Those of a certain age will remember that the Mk4 Cortina was once such a commonplace car, you’d never even notice one driving past. Such was their abundance on the streets in the late 1970s and early 1980s, we’re probably not exaggerating when we say every fifth car on a major road would have been a Cortina of this era. A T-reg Mk4 saloon usually covered in grime was a very typical sight! Yet with the exception of the estate model, all these Cortinas we’d witness had four doors. Even back in the day, the two-door saloon was a comparative rarity so the chances of any survivors now would appear to be pretty slim. We’re told no less than five of these right-hand-drive, UK base-spec two-door saloons still exist, which…

We really do take gearboxes for granted. They’re there and they do their job, but when it comes to pushing more power through them, they can seriously reveal their shortcomings — usually by breaking or by putting the engine revs exactly where you don’t want them. This is why we have close-ratio gearboxes, straight-cut gears and dog-box changes. But what does it all mean and how does a gearbox work anyway? Over the coming months we’ll be taking an in-depth look at the pros and cons of all the Ford gearboxes you’re likely to encounter with your classic Ford, but before we can do any of that, we’re going to have a brief look at the basics of gearbox technology. From torque multiplication to momentum, from power bands to strengthening,…

What’s been done this month: Prepped and sealed the patina’d paint, got the interior retrimmed, bolted up some Dragway Pros, slotted in the engine and ‘box Next on the to-do list: Finish the driveline swap, find and fit a headlining It’s been a while since I last checked in, and in that time the Aussie weather has gone from freezing cold to blazing hot in just six months. Motivation when it’s 5 degrees mirrors the same enthusiasm as when it’s 35 degrees, but rest assured I have been a little bit every week to keep the wheels of progress turning. Working with a better-condition shell is saving me a lot of time, money and energy. The added time on my hands has allowed me to take a step back and…

How much do we Ford enthusiasts know about Sir Jackie Stewart. Everything, too much or are we missing something? We know that he was World F1 Champion three times in Ford-engined cars, for sure — but who remembers that he started his single-seater career in BMC-engined Formula 3 cars, and hasn’t raced a car in anger for the past 43 years? There’s no doubt that he was incredibly successful as a racing driver, and even more so as a businessman. Made himself rich? Tick. Sold his services to Ford, Goodyear and other companies over the years? Tick. Founded his own Formula 1 team? Tick. And there is more. The mass media still look on him as the ultimate thinker. Sir Jackie will be approached and will always be fluent,…

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…

This images takes us back 29 years to central Leeds in 1996, and a symphony of rep car favourites in the Baird Menswear (still a going concern but no longer in the building) company car park. In amongst the Vauxhalls we can spy at least five Mk1 Mondeos, while a Mk3 Granada is parked in front of the building — surely one of the directors’ cars? Over the water by the Hilton hotel, a Mk3 Escort and a Mk5 Escort Cabriolet are lined up alongside more Mk1 Mondeos and a Mk1 Sierra. What else can you spot? Let us know via classicford.ed@kelsey.co.uk.…

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We love this time of year. Why? Because show season is just around the corner, which means we can lose ourselves in the garage for months, preparing for the first big event of the year. And there really is nothing like doing it yourself, is there? Sort your garage out - even rent a unit on a farm or whatever — if you play it right, your workshop can be a haven — where else can you fill full of lovely classic Fords and bits of old tat like period posters, road signs and broken parts with stories to tell? A heaven truly your own, that only other car people will understand… Lose yourself in there building your next project the way you want, when you want and with whom…

It was way back in 1980 when Richard Wood first got the bug for fixing up old cars, “I got hold of a Mk1 Cortina GT for £25 from a guy down the road,” he recalls, “and as I pushed it home with the engine in the boot, I optimistically hoped it would be an easy project!” Work began by cleaning the underside and applying a thick coat of red Hammerite, but soon Richard noticed gaping holes in the floor and sills. “The most challenging thing I’d ever done on a car by this point was changing the oil on my Mk4 Cortina daily driver,” he smiles. “I’d even got that wrong and drained the oil from the gearbox by mistake, then overfilled the engine oil with the result of…

1. HIT THE STRIP What’s your excuse for not getting along to one of the many Run What You Brung days going on this summer, laying some dollops of rubber and setting yourself some times? THREE TO RACE 1 Santa Pod, Northampton Home to many a fast classic Ford, and located in the middle of nowhere — just outside of Wellingborough, Northamptonshire. Visit www.santapod.co.uk. 2 Crail Raceway If you’re north of the border you’ll probably already know about Scotland’s premier raceway. Based just outside of St Andrews on the east coast of Scotland, it’s famous for its Crail thrashes, so roll along to one and have a crack yourself. Visit www.crailraceway.co.uk. 3 Melbourne Raceway Based on the old Melbourne airfield just south west of York, Melbourne is a mecca for…

PAY LESS AND NEVER MISS AN ISSUE! SEE PAGE 20 ON SALE February 14! 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 NEWSAGENT ORDER FORM Dear Mr/Mrs/Ms Newsagent, I want a copy of Classic Ford magazine! Please reserve/deliver* a copy of Classic Ford on a regular basis, commencing with the next issue. *delete as appropriate 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…

What’s been done this month: Got the Orion ready for the MoT – it passed – then tried and failed to swap it for a Mk5 Cortina Next on the to-do list: Carry on improving then Orion Thanks to: NHP Performance Rewind to September and you’ll have found me having tried in vain to get my Mk1 Sierra track-ready for FordFest and failing. The Orion being a nice uncomplicated thing took over this role of being my classic Ford of choice for my on-a-whim jaunt down to Mallory Park instead. And yes, as a birthday treat I had promised myself some track time. The Sierra with its lairy Pinto would have been much more appropriate, but sod it, the 75 bhp 1.4 CVH was sent around the track instead! As…

Type E and Type-9 ratios Q Can you clarify Type-9 five-speed and Type E four-speed gearbox ratios? I’ve heard it said that the four-speed’boxes have better ratios, but others say a five-speed Type-9 is the same as a four-speed but with the overdriven fifth gear. I’m building a 2-litre Mk3 Capri and have a Type-9 five-speed, but have been advised to use four-speed RS2000 ‘box. Can you help? Sean Davies UK A The RS2000’s Type E four-speeder has exactly the same ratios as the Type E found in the four-cylinder Fords of the era, and again the same ratios as the Type-9 five-speed (though lacking the overdriven fifth gear). The 2.8 V6 version of the Type-9’box has slightly better ratios, but fitting one of these involves either machining the input shaft or…

The sill area replacement has not been a totally straightforward task because the whole area is pretty important, governing the surrounding regions too. But after our two previous chapters of this story, where we sorted out the bottom of the A-pillar and fixed the rear quarter section behind the B-pillar, we can now tackle the sill itself. It seems that there are two ways to repair a sill. The most common’s to buy an over-sill, which goes over the top of the old. This is the traditional MoT repair, which was often fitted straight over the top of the rot, and it’s not uncommon to see multiple sills placed one on top of the other — nice! The other way is to replace the lot with a new panel —…

Great British Car Journey has announced its packed programme of themed classic car days set to take place at the Derbyshire venue in 2025. The events are open to everyone, but those who arrive in a vehicle matching the theme can take advantage of discounted entry. There are marque-specific days, including a Ford day on June 1, and as for eras, ’50s and ’60s vehicles are the subject on May 25. ‘The Wheels of the ’70s’ is set for June 14, followed by ‘Hot Hatches and the ’80s’ on July 13, plus a day for 1990s and 2000s vehicles on August 10. Other themed days include ‘Mass Movers and Shakers’ on May 5, catering for cars that sold over a million, ‘Carry on Classic Camping’ for camper vans on May…

We all know that classic Fords are class acts, and in the April edition of the world’s greatest classic Ford bible, we bring you what we think are the standout cars and vans of 2025 — the ones we believe will be wowing the crowds at the shows this Summer — from across the worldwide scene. Plus there’s a complete guide to buying a Sierra XR4i, we put six Pinto cams to the test on the dyno, and as much as we can pack into 132 pages. The April 2024 hits the shops on Friday, February 14. Why not subscribe to make sure you don’t miss it? See page 20 for the latest subscription offers. ON SALE February 14!…

There’s no denying two is always better than one when it comes to cars and James Stoddart just happens to own this very special pair; a 200 bhp Duratec Escort that’s built as a comfy cruiser and a 253 bhp Honda S2000-powered Anglia Tarmac terrorist. “Both cars are great fun and both have their own personalities,” James tells us. “They each get a lot of attention. I like the Escort as its a car that can go anywhere, for any distance, where as the Anglia is more fun for the power.” James tells us he’s owned lots of Fords in the past but had mainly been into superbikes and that led to thrill seeking on four and even three wheels as he built a Yamaha R1-powered go-kart, as well as a 10-second,…

The A B C of tuning L is for… lighten The secret to performance is to get your motor to spin up quickly and it can’t do this if it’s full of lard. If the components it’s trying to spin round weigh more than King Kong then it isn’t going to do it too quickly. The heaviest bit is the crank — made from spherical graphite cast iron. Revolving around the crank’s centre line are the big end journals and opposite are weights, which counterbalance the journals, plus the pistons and rods. The easiest way is to spin the lot up in the lathe and turn down the counterbalance weights to the same diameter as the journals. Then remove material from the weight’s sides and faces, plus the journal’s centres…

What’s been done this month: Fitted custom-made drift front suspension, went to a DWYB day at Santa Pod What’s next on the to-do list? Start modifying the rear suspension, then book another DWYB day Thanks to: Carlo the engineer (01895 232087) for re-machining the brake callipers James for lending us the car trailer Blackett Photography for the action images, www.facebook.com/Blackett Photography It’s been well over a year in the making and the time has finally come for us to take the Jelly Slider Sierra to a Drift day. Adam and I have already done a few of these events and while we had great fun learning to throw the car about we could clearly see the difference when comparing the Sierra with our friend’s purpose-built drift BMW. There is a…

The new event on the UK historic rallying calendar, Rally Anglo Caledonian, proved to be one of the toughest events of the last decade when Storm Bert arrived just in time to dump up to 6 inches of snow across the special stages being used on the first day. The Carlisle-based event covered 140 forest stage miles in Kielder forest on Saturday and southern Scotland on Sunday and it was like two entirely different rallies. While Saturday was all about snow, ice and then thick fog in the notoriously challenging Kielder, Sunday dawned dry, bright and clear of snow as crews headed into the southern Scotland stages. Through it all newly-crowned champion Seb Perez steered his Porsche 911 to a resounding victory in the double-header finale to the British Historic…

Seven years after Ford put the Capri out to pasture, Ford introduced another sporty coupe to the UK market. Before anyone got too excited though, it was soon obvious on the 1994 launch of the new Probe that Ford’s latest model was far removed from the ever-popular UK muscle car. While the Capri was always a little brutish, the Probe was designed to be much more refined and sophisticated, going head-to-head with such rivals as the Honda Prelude and Vauxhall Calibra. The Mazda MX-6 was another rival, although somewhat ironically as a partnership between Ford and the Japanese company meant that the two cars shared plenty. While it didn’t have the trademark never-ending bonnet of Ford’s previous coupe, the Probe was distinctive in its own way and, pleasingly, it was…