Classic ford 2007

[Roger Miller]

[jpayne]

Well that saves me uploading all my photos!

I blagged another lift from one of the locals to head out to Santa Pod for the annual massive display of classic fords. One thing that struck me while I first strolled around the rows upon rows of escorts Mk1, Two Three Four and Five, capris and cortinas, sierras, granadas etc and some things I didnt know about, was the sheer number of old fords. In Australia i'm excited to se an escort or two and a few of the others amongst the thick of japanese, Euros and Aussie muscle. But here there had to be almost as many cars on display as were sold In Australia.
The quality varied as with any Aussie show, however the number of top quality cars was of course much higher. Again, I am happy to report that our best equal the best I saw here and our worst is also equal. Line upon line of Mk1 mexico in silver with blue mexico stripes or green with mexico stripes or white or yellow or orange all with mexico stripes and of course 13x7 minilights with 175/50/13 tyres, ultra low small wheeled escorts with imaculate paint groomed interiors with roll top recaros and perfect vinylwork... I must admit after 3 hours I was feeling a little bored. There appeard to be little differentiation between the general appearance and level of modification to alot of the cars. many didnt have the bonnet open or boot and the interiors were piled with camping gear as the weekend is a camping event as well. Plenty of aftermarket brake kits on the front and standard drums on the rear, quality cars by all standards just not very individual. Something our escorts appear to have over the poms is our individuality, helped by a lack of numbers and a much lower cost (as Im sure one of these is worth more in this trim than completely custom and individual)
Two cars however stood out for me, Im biased towards Bubbled Mk1 escorts so thats what they were. Al Whites white castrol livered Retromotorsport prepared (sooj to be featured) and a past featre car the orange arched Mk1 on 15s running radtec promotion. Both were immaculately presented, competition oriented, bling donning beauties. And most importantly for me anyway, they weren't perfect, small blemishes here and there pointed to the fact they were home garage built and assembled works in progress. (ps Im also a picky bitch)

One of the more exciting aspects of the day was the Auto jumble or swap meet. Aisle upon Aisle of old ford parts from that little missing piece off trim to a complete Mk1 rear quarter, rows of bilstein dampers already converted to coilover, more minilights than I could count and remanufactured door locking mechanisms. Plus there were several new part suppliers stalls where you could get a complete Grp 4 metal kit including arches, link boxes, tunnels diff parts and front suspension plus place orders for other parts from their catalogue. I almost wet myself when I found myself standing in a field full of Mk1 replacement panels, piled high, front wings, front panels, sills, inner sills, rear panels, inner wings, inner arches, floors, boots, bonnets and doors, and all those little panels you have no idea where they go until you need it. Oh if only Australia wasn't so far away and postage so expensive, because earning ponds these are cheap parts. a front gaurd for two hours work, a front panel with round headlights for an hour and a half, a rear Mk1 quarter complete for a weeks work... heaven. no wonder there are alot more stunning escorts here. I got talking to a guy selling them, and he was quite frank, probably cause I said I was from Aus and wasnt going to buy... however he said the parts fit quite well, they al need a little tweaking but nothing your average home panel fitter couldnt do. This is a relevation as I had always belived them to be ill fitting requiring cutting and shutting and filler to fit. Guess im just going to have to try.
As the event was at Santa Pod which is a drag strip there was a day full of clutch and driveline abuse...Interesting to see as it was my first drag event. The harrisses and there wheel standing Mk1's the turbo boys and there slow starts and steamtrain progress and the big banger door slammers in the 8's and 9's. The quickest old ford ran somewhere in the tens I think, maybe very low elevens cant remember. What I will never forget was the two jet car demonstrations. Smoke and fire and a sound that at once would pierce your eardrumd and pond your chest. 1/4 mile in 5.2 seconds and a terminal speed of 260mile and hour 4 hundred meters from a standstill in 5.2 seconds and a top speed through the trap of 416km/h sheeeeeet. my ears are still bleeding.

Would I go again. No there wasnt enough difference between the cars, lots of them in different colours but nothing else to differentiate them.Not alot of cars were presented, they just lined them up in a row and that was it.They were just there!
Was it worth it. Yes a large scene, beautiful cars, good people, interesting day, apart from the expense it was worth the tree hours in traffic to get the 100km home, the 6 am start and a burger and chips worth half a weeks rent in australia (ok maybee a bit of an exageration)
I would strongly recommend if you find yourself In the UK during the summer show season to find your way to one, but dont expect to see gods own modified car, as god is just one of us!

[Mark Cogan]

[jpayne]

[Mark Cogan]

[Bruce Phillips]

[Roger Miller]

[Mark Cogan]

[banishit]