Cars & Motorcycles
Classic Ford September 2020
Classic Ford is rammed full of expert technical features, the best feature cars from across the world, a dedicated motorsport section plus all the news, products and information you'll need from across the entire classic Ford scene. Please note: This digital version of the magazine does not currently include the covermount items or content you would find on printed newsstand copies
in this issue
welcome
The first Ford I can remember being taken out in was a Mk3 Cortina — my Grandad’s four-door saloon (for the record, a 1600L in Cherry Red). It made quite an impression on me (though that may have been the black vinyl seats burning the backs of my legs in the summer heat of 1976...), and even now I’m struck by how daring the styling, both inside and out, was for a grey Britain in the 1970s. Five decades on, and for this issue we’ve set out to give the Mk3 the fitting tribute it deserves, and just in time for its 50th birthday next month. We’ll also be putting together a special display at Ford Fair on October 25. With fingers’ firmly crossed that it goes ahead, it’s shaping up…
last orders
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 1972 East African Safari-winning RS1600. On weekends, when Gordon had to work, he would often bring Chris in with him and race him around the Mk1s and Mk2s in the workshop on a car creeper. It’s no wonder Chris has Escorts in his blood. Later, Gordon set up on his…
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. The Government says that its introduction…
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.…
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 at the…
coming up
Did you know that the Mk2 Escort turned 45 this year? Yes, it’s true and to mark the occasion we’re having a Mk2 Madness issue! Packed full of frankly-stunning feature cars photographed by only the very best photographers, it’s a veritable feast for the Mk2 aficionado. Don’t panic if your first love isn’t the Mk2 Escort though, the October edition also includes a Mondeo ST24 buying guide, tasty Taunus TC and much more! The October 2020 issue hits the newsstands and is available to download from Friday, September 4. Why not subscribe to make sure you don’t miss out? Check out our latest subscription offers on page 20 or go to: https://shop.kelsey.co.uk.…
