Innholdsfortegnelse for January 2026 i Classic Ford

Chancellor Rachel Reeves will outline her Budget on November 26, and there’s been a rumour elsewhere in the classic press the current rolling 40-year exemption could be under threat, with the government poised to save £100 million if it scraps the concession. It was one of the matters for discussion latest Heritage Matters trade insights day, hosted by the Historic and Classic Vehicles Alliance (HCVA), where CEO Dale Keller addressed the matter: “Asking around at Westminster and with the Federation (FBHVC) and others is that it is a single source rumour from a member of the opposition, and we haven’t had substantiation from anywhere else. That’s not to say that couldn’t be a taxation policy that would be unwelcome, but there’s a lot of consequences around that. The rationale of…

13 ISSUES FOR JUST £34.99* GIVE A SUBSCRIPTION TO CLASSIC FORD EVERY ISSUE INCLUDES • Tuning & restoration projects • In-depth technical articles • Product news, events and reviews • Buying guides and reader classifieds Reasons to buy A magazine subscription is a great gift for someone special: 1 Personal and thoughtful - match their interest 2 Fuel their passion, help them stay inspired and informed 3 Provide enjoyment all year round, delivered monthly 4 Perfect for people who are difficult to buy for 5 Delivered directly to their door! 6 Saves you money on the shop price Buy for someone special, or treat yourself! Terms & Conditions:* UK Direct Debit of Continuous Credit Card offer, you will pay £34.99 on annual Direct Debit or Continuous payment, savings are based on the standard basic rate, which…

The polls have closed, all of your votes have been counted and verified and we can confirm that the computer says yes — Mike Wilson’s Mk1 Escort is your Classic Ford Of The Year. Mike had already put together a chopped, channelled and sectioned Pop 100E (April 2022 issue) when a year or so later he revealed to us that he was thinking of building a Mk1 Escort ready for the 2024 Great Unveiling at the Classic Ford Show. You’d think an Ermine White bubble-arched Escort would be a walk in the park in comparison to the Pop build. Not so, the restoration and build of this super-early Mk1, which he bought back in 1990 for just £50, challenged Mike every step of the way, but the end result is his…

While it’s not uncommon to feature two cars built by the same owner in the magazine over time, it is incredibly unusual to feature two builds in as many issues, but that’s exactly what Will Wilson has managed to accomplish. We featured his finely-modified Mk2 Escort van in the November 2025 issue, which was also part of The Great Unveiling at the 2025 Classic Ford Show. But that stunning build was just the tip of the iceberg, as we’ve since found out that Will is a certified, serial classic Ford nut, and although he casually mentioned in his last feature there were a couple more builds in the pipeline, that’s not quite the full picture. To tell the bigger story, Will admits he originally came from modern front-wheel drive Fords,…

In stark contrast to the numerous postponements of last year’s Fordmeets due to the inclement weather, fortunately all three of the 2025 events went ahead without a hitch. The end of season meet at the now familiar Squires Café, just east of Leeds has always proved to be popular on the calendar and this one was no exception. By mid-morning the vast showfield had almost filled to full capacity for what is widely regarded as the largest Ford-themed meet in the North and the sunshine made an entrance, too. As we’ve said before, any vehicle wearing a blue oval badge is welcome at Fordmeet and the result is an incredibly varied selection you’re unlikely to find anywhere else. Even we weren’t expecting an American school bus to turn up! With…

Once a common sight in office car parks and hammering up and down the M1, the Mondeo ST24 is now quietly slipping into classic territory. It might not wear a turbo badge or boast homologation-special motorsport pedigree, but with V6 power, understated looks and growing rarity, it’s fast becoming one of the most attainable ways into fast Ford ownership. And for our latest Classic Ford project car, we’ve got stuck in the only way we know how — by buying one of the cheapest in the country. Say hello to our new longterm project: a 2000-registered Mondeo ST24, finished in Panther Black and bought for just £500. Yes, five hundred quid. Once a £20,000 executive express, now rescued for less than the cost of a second hand set of Cosworth…

Core plugs are convex metal discs used to seal round holes that are found in engine block and cylinder head castings. They’re incorporated in the castings as part of their manufacturing process and are intended to allow the sand, used as a core, to be removed from inside the casting With time they tend to corrode, usually from the inside, and then leak. They can also be forced out in frosty weather if you have not filled your cooling system with anti-freeze! Replacing a core plug is pretty straightforward, so let Dave Fisher from D&D Developments show how it’s done using a Crossflow block. Replacement core plugs can be sourced from most of the specialists, including Burton Power. Using a hammer and small chisel, carefully knock the old core plug…

2025 was a milestone year for the Mk2 RS2000 as the iconic model turned 50. The thing is, there aren’t actually many cars built in 1975 left to celebrate their big day. Fortunately, there’s one in particular that is not only surviving, but worth celebrating. Built in December 1975 and first registered on January 13, 1976, you won’t find an example that’s been on the road for longer than Aled Hopwood’s stunning example and, perhaps just as impressively, it’s been there for most of the past 49 years. “I always wanted an RS2000 when I was a kid,” he tells us. “Back in the day I had a 1600 Sport, then when I built a double garage in 1996, I wanted one of each: a Mk1 and Mk2 RS2000.” Some…

GOOD EVENING We’re rewinding back to 1963 this week, specifically New Street in Birmingham during September. Evening time has fallen and shoppers and workers are making their way home after a busy day in the city, but naturally it’s the cars and specifically the Fords we’re interested in. A smart-looking Anglia 105E Deluxe heads the line-up, followed by an Anglia Estate in front of the sit-up-and-beg, Fordson Thames E494C van. Spotted anything we’ve missed? Let us know via classicford.ed@kelsey.co.uk.…

Every year at this time, as we put together the Classic Ford Awards (see page 23), it gives us the opportunity to reflect (in between arguing over who should be selected) on the season just gone, and perhaps more importantly, focus on the year ahead. Every year, too, we generally all agree that it’s been one of the best yet for the old Ford scene, with the standard of cars, parts and shows just getting better and better, and wonder if the coming months will see those standards raised. And of course they will be, because it’s in all of us to try and improve on what we’ve done before, whether we’re tinkerers or fully-fledged restorers. So here’s to what’s been a cracking 2025, and what should be an even…

There’s something special about cars that run in the family. Not just the cars themselves, but the stories that trail behind them like tyre smoke — the memories, the late nights in the garage, the busted knuckles and father-son bonding. For Lee Bruce from Essex, the Mk1 Fiesta XR2 you see here is more than just a quick, clean, Zetec-powered classic. It’s the result of a lifelong journey with Ford that began with his dad, and continues through his own hands — and those of his son, Elliott, too. Lee’s Ford story starts the way many good ones do: in the back of an old Anglia, driven by his father. That early exposure left an impression that would steer the direction of his automotive existence. Through the years, Lee built…

1. CAPRI STRUTS Bolt on shorter Capri struts and you’ve got yourself an instantly improved stance (hopefully) with a set of vented discs attached. With 2.8i Capris a relatively new car in comparison to Escorts, there’s no shortage of uprated springs, parts and discs either. 2. BETTER SEATS Remove the standard chairs, whack in a set of buckets and you’re well on your way to becoming a racing driver! Well, at least you wont get thrown around quite as much — nobody wants to end up picking themselves up off the gearstick after a ‘spirited’ roundabout! 3. LOWERING A fairly obvious one this. Everyone knows that the first step to making a cool car cooler is by beating it with the lowering stick, making it as close to the tarmac…

While it’s not unusual to see a Mk2 XR2 at your local show, coming across a lesser-specified cooking version is much more unlikely. For sure, there were once many more XR2s around than nowadays, but enthusiasts have successfully done their bit and saved a fair proportion of those that somehow made it beyond the late 1990s. In contrast, the countless base models which were once to be seen on every street corner have either long since departed or have been heavily modified, making any survivors in standard guise a very rare sight indeed. Back in the very early 2000s, Gavin Ellison found himself cruising around in a 1988 Fiesta 1.1 Popular he’d bought from his brother. “I was 18 at the time and although I only kept the Fiesta for…

Chris Rigler From: UK Car: Mk2 Escort RS2000 “You were kind enough to publish details of my January 1976-built, broadstripe RS2000 broadstripe project in your May 2023 issue,” recalls Chris. “At that time it was quoted as being 75 per cent complete – well, I thought I would bring you up to date on the project!” “The car is now done and has been on the road since April of this year and I am over the moon with the end result. “Many years ago I was lucky enough to be able to get hold of its previous owners record from the DVLA and was amazed to find that the second owner was Dave Loudoun who I remember from the 1980s and 1990s as an incredibly-successful saloon car racer who…

If you feel the need to install a powerplant that wasn’t conceived beneath the Blue Oval banner, you could do a lot worse than Vauxhall’s 2-litre, 16-valve XE. The C20XE, to quote its official codename, is an excellent engine in terms of component strength and high power-to-weight ratio. In standard trim the 2-litre XE delivers 150 bhp, and your budget is really the only limit to tuning the XE. It was designed and developed by Cosworth to put General Motors in contention for the BTCC. Swindon Race Engines managed to extract 300 bhp, though attaining this kind of power is dearer than diamonds. Upgrading the ECU with an aftermarket chip, isn’t likely to realise much more than 5 or 10 bhp. A more cost and power effective solution is to…

It’s a strange process putting a car back together and I have to admit I found it much harder to do than I thought it would be. Partly this was down to remembering where things go and they attach, but the main reason was simply knowing where to focus my time best. Each time I took a trip down to the unit the car is stored in, I found myself working on the interior and then being distracted by the engine bay before finding myself on the floor under the rear end trying to sort the rear bumper fitment. I had a couple of afternoons on the car where I felt I accomplished virtually nothing, so after feeling deflated with it all, I decided to concentrate on one area at…

HOW TO BUY USED RS FOUR-SPOKES Despite replica versions being available new, original RS four-spokes are still hugely popular on the second-hand market. The 5.5Jx13 was fitted to Mk1 RSs and features a flat face and flat seats for the wheelnuts. These are getting hard to find now and command a premium. The 6x13s are easier to find and feature a convex face. Don’t confuse them with the later, more common Capri Laser rims though. Genuine RS wheels have a flat seating on the nut and Laser alloys had a tapered seating. The edge around the spokes is also slightly thinner on the RS wheels, but without comparing the two this is not obvious. If you’re not sure, look at the date markings — a 1982-onwards stamp is usually a…

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…

Phil White bought this 1967 Cortina 1600E in 1981 using it as his daily until 1989. “In 2020 the engine and gearbox were rebuilt,” says Phil, “then a local chap began welding in new metal. He bodged it. Everything he did altered the dimensions of the bodyshell, before long nothing fitted…” That only became obvious when Phil tried to reattach the front suspension. “The crossmember wouldn’t fit — the chassis rails were too close together. By then the chap had disappeared. At 64 years’ old I don’t mind mechanical work but not bodywork, yet there I was with the angle grinder cutting off sections just to get the car rolling again.” Finally the suspension was roughly in place, allowing delivery of the rolling shell to Neil Crisp at Crisp Classic Car Restorations…

The Wild One is the title of a classic 1950s movie featuring Marlon Brando and his gang who raise enough hell to get kicked out of town. Perfectly apt then for the theme of the February edition which features classic Fords raising hell in their own ways, whether it’s on the track, in the show hall, or up the strip. Plus Mk4 Escort XR3i buyer’s guide, EcoBoost engine tech, and we catch up with rallying royalty, Gwyndaf Evans (right). The February 2026 issue hits the newsstands on Thursday, December 19 — why not subscribe to make sure you don’t miss it? See page 20 for our Christmas subscription offer. ON SALE December 19!…

TOP 50 Want to know what the 50 finest classic Fords are in the UK right now? Look no further than the Classic Ford 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…

Liam McCarthy is 34 years old, and in Capri circles, this makes the Merseyside-based civil servant somewhat of a whippersnapper, but a vivid childhood memory meant that Capri ownership was almost inevitable. “A lot of the older chaps are often shocked to see a guy of my age step out of the Capri, but I love these cars,” Liam informs us enthusiastically. “As a nine year-old kid, I saw a Capri come around the corner near our local pub completely sideways. It was the first classic car I was interested in, and it must have left a strong impression, as I remember every detail, even down to the fact that it was a Mk3 with a Mk2 grille.” Car-mad Liam’s first purchase was a Citroën Saxo, picked up for the…

NOVEMBER Roger Albert Clark Rally November 20-24 Stages across the UK http://racrmc.org DECEMBER Classic Ford on sale December 19 https://shop.kelsey.co.uk/classic-ford-magazine JANUARY Newark Autojumble January 25 Newark Showground, Nottinghamshire UK www.newarkautojumble.co.uk Retromobile January 28-February 1 Paris Expo, Port de Versailles, France www.retromobile.com/en FEBRUARY Race Retro February 20-22 Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire UK www.raceretro.com MARCH Practical Classics Classic Car & Restoration Show March 20-22 NEC, Birmingham UK www.necrestorationshow.com APRIL Fordmeet April 5 Squires Cafe, near Leeds, UK www.facebook.com/SquiresFordmeet 83rd Goodwood Members’ Meeting April 18-19 Goodwood Motor Circuit, West Sussex UK www.goodwood.com/motorsport/membersmeeting Isle Of Man Ford Fest April 23-27 Douglas, Isle Of Man, UK www.iommotoringevents.com/fordfest South London Retro Power Crew Drag Racing April 26 Manston Park Raceway, Kent UK www.retropowermotorsport.com Drive It Day April 26 Various locations across the UK www.driveitday.co.uk MAY Classic Ford…

PAY LESS AND NEVER MISS AN ISSUE! SEE PAGE 20 ON SALE December 19! 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 and take it to your friendly local newsagent today.…

The Scorpio 24-valve V6 is the cost-effective way of getting big power in your classic Ford. Just check the facts, it’s readily available for around £1000, plus it virtually slots straight in where a 12-valve Cologne previously sat. You get an instant 200 bhp to boot and what’s more, it looks the trickest lump in the book. That’s not the full story, though, because there’s essentially two versions, plus it’s capable of a lot more power than standard. However, there are limitations to the engine, which is why it isn’t the first choice in motorsport — for a start it was only fitted as standard to big lardy saloons and isn’t therefore legal in most classes of saloon car racing. However, it did start out as a racing concept,…

Turbo kit Q I have a question for you about a turbo kit for the Pinto that I’m going to fit to my Mk5 Cortina. I’ve never seen one of these kits before, and thought it would make a nice individual project for my car, but before I fit it I’m trying to find out a bit more about it. The kit was apparently produced by Ford in the 1980s for the Formula Ford 2000 series, and was given out to the race teams to try out on their cars with a view to introducing it into the FF2000 series. The dates on bits of the kit say 1984, and given the popularity of turbocharging around that time I can well believe Ford trying to push this to make the…

Plumbing in your own brake system or even making repairs to your current set-up might seem like a job for the professionals, but providing you take your time and plan everything carefully then there’s no reason why you can’t do the job yourself. Everything required for the job — from brake flaring tools to unions and brake pipe — is readily available from Rally Design. The majority of braking systems are plumbed in, and in exactly the same manner that solid lines are used when no movement is required, flexible lines are utilised at all other places. Flexible lines allow for movement between suspension and steering components and the callipers themselves, and can be either reinforced rubber or steel-braided. The former are used on most production models due to their…

RS is back!” screamed the marketing material on the 2002 launch of the Focus RS, providing fast Ford fans with the news they’d been longing for since the 1996 demise of the Escort Cosworth. It wasn’t all just buzz and noise either, the Focus RS offering more than enough to earn the hallowed Rallye Sport badge. At the business end, it was powered by a 1998cc engine that was badged as a Duratec, but was really a development of the Zetec, that literally received a boost in the shape of a water-cooled Garrett GT2560LS turbocharger. Notably, there were also the additions of forged pistons and con-rods, plus a host of detail changes, such as a WRC-style oil pump and injectors, that ensured the engine was as reliable as it was…