I make little effort to hide my passion for the blue oval. Even though I’m currently driving a machine from Munich, I’m always looking out for the classic or performance Ford that is right for me. Thankfully however, if one can’t find the right Ford for themselves, the huge Ford aftermarket parts scene ensures that if you can’t buy it, at the very least you can build your own. Take the Ka above for example, stock looking aside from the wheels right? I’ll have a dedicated post on this later because this is something you’ll want to see in a little bit more depth …
And whilst there were plenty of original Fords on display to salivate over, like this lineup of genuine RS500 Sierra Cosworths …
… or this 9,000 mile and completely original RS200 for example, for me the really interesting cars were the ones crafted and created by the owners themselves.
This Focus is probably how most wish Ford had built the Focus RS from the start – a Cosworth YB mounted longitudinally which points to a rear wheel or four wheel drive conversion.
Although it’s a 26 year old engine design, the Cosworth YB retains an unbreakable relationship with the modified Ford scene.
It wasn’t just the YB from the Cosworth family that was getting all the love either – take a looke at this supercharged Cosworth V6 in this MKII Escort.
In past years, an Escort Cosworth was just that. I think to some degree that it was considered sacrilege to swap out the YB for something else. This year’s Ford Fair however opened a lot of people’s eyes.
Take this pair of identical EsCos’. Owned and built by two twin brothers, the cars are almost identical save for the colour.
Identical right down to the LS1 V8 and rear wheel drive conversions. I’m sure there were plenty of diehards up in arms about these but I’ve personally always believed that when there is plenty of a certain car around in its ‘original’ state, then chop and change away!
Our friends at Classic Ford ran an absolutely whopper stand this year again with a huge variety of cars on display.
This semi-tube framed Escort with a Zetec engine surely wouldn’t be shy.
One of my personal favourites was this MKII Escort prepared by Maidstone Sports Cars in Kent and driven by Adrian Hall on track.
At its heart was a normally aspirated HT Racing Cosworth YB producing 280BHP in a car that weighs a little over 700KG.
I’ve been in touch with the crew at Maidstone Sports Cars with regards to an in-depth feature in the coming weeks, watch this space.
Another MKII on the Classic Ford stand that attracted the crowds all day was this no compromises track racer. It needs a post of it’s very own to be truly appreciated.
At a show where everything was pristine and mint, a Ford Cortina like this is always going to stand out.
With a much more modern and powerful Duratec ST engine (presumably from a first generation Focus ST170 or Fiesta ST) it’s clear what direction this owner likes travelling.
This Alan Mann Racing coloured MKII Cortina was for sale on the day. Weller wheels, stripped and caged interior …
… along with a Cologne V6 will surely make its new owner very happy. The only thing I don’t like is that I won’t be that new owner.
Another Zetec conversion, this time in a MKII Escort estate.
I say this every year, but there is something about a two door estate that is just all sorts of right.
This humble Fiesta probably never imagined it would be reborn …
… with a Cosworth V6.
Classic Ford staffer Simon Holmes has changed direction slightly on his Cortina project – he’s now aiming for 500BHP with his turbocharged Zetec conversion.
We covered this Escort in coverage from previous years, but it’s the sort of car that’s quite hard to ignore. From the top of my head, there’s a 5.0 litre V8 in there somewhere.
This was probably the biggest shock for me however …
… a Viper V10 dropped into a Sierra. I’ve no idea how they got it in there or why they decided a Viper V10 was the best choice, but regardless, I approve.
This car confused an awful, awful lot of people on Sunday. The best sort of builds always do in my opinion.
Not a Ford but probably the greatest tow car I’ve ever seen – C63 AMG.
I’ll be back again, but next time with some of the more traditional cars on offer …
–
Paddy McGrath
paddy@dev.speedhunters.com
Ford Fair 2012 on Speedhunters
OFFICIAL SPEEDHUNTERS SUPPLIERS
I love the picture of the guy scratching his chin at that V10 Sierra with the "Scrutineering" sign in the background! haha! Impressive swap though, even if those wheels on it are a bit of,... erm,... personal taste. Looking forward to the next post
That is one sweet event! Sad we don't get any of these beautiful cars here in Brazil... :(Anyway... I would love a hi-res of the Withe on Gold Escort RS!Thanks
Ferraz
Really lost count, but i think there was like 10 cars in this post alone that id like to see featured..!
Beautifully prepared and nicely swapped, love this kind of feature! Awesome pics and so much win!
@Ferraz
Check out randbmotorsport.co.uk this is the owners escort mike rainbird. he's a bit of a legend in the fastford world lol he used to own the first cosworth to crack 180mph
@Ferraz
Check out randbmotorsport.co.uk this is the owners escort mike rainbird. he's a bit of a legend in the fastford world lol he used to own the first cosworth to crack 180mph
does anyone have any more info on the flared black escort with the 5.0 in it?
@Lille Buller Absolutely, I'm currently working on chasing some of them down for full features ASAP.
Ok, I wanna know, what kit the owner used on that YB converted Focus RS? Feature please!
Some of the builds are just outta control, can't wait for the features coming up! Thanks, Paddy, great pics (engine bays esp)!!
@JoshMullineaux I just double checked Simon (owner of the turbo Zetec Cortina above) at Classic Ford who had this to say ...
"It was built in '70s as a Supersaloon. It used to run a heavily worked 5.0 Rover V8 with quad down-draught carbs. The spec has changed a little since then engine wise but the current owner - Lee Costello is planning to bring it back up to scratch. It still made 380 bhp apparently though. It was actually Lee's dad that built and raced the car originally all those years ago, so it's come back round to the Costello family. Lee plans to race it again next year. "
@JoshMullineaux
I just double checked with Simon (owner of the turbo Zetec Cortina above) at Classic Ford who had this to say ...
"It was built in '70s as a Supersaloon. It used to run a heavily worked 5.0 Rover V8 with quad down-draught carbs. The spec has changed a little since then engine wise but the current owner - Lee Costello is planning to bring it back up to scratch. It still made 380 bhp apparently though. It was actually Lee's dad that built and raced the car originally all those years ago, so it's come back round to the Costello family. Lee plans to race it again next year. "
@PaddyMcGrathSH Paddy, thanks for getting additional info! Just to confirm we're talking about the black flared MK1 above, yes? Any additional photo's of it? Suspension? That's a mean machine
Thanks for making that shot a desktop!
@JoshMullineaux I think there may have been more photos of it in our coverage from Ford Fair in 2010, I'll see what I can dig out.
LS1 replacing a YB? I believe this has gone too far. It seems that there are so many LS swaps these days that keeping the original engine would actually be more of an original idea, especially in drift cars. And where do all of these spare YBs come from? Seems like there must be a massive collection of broken Sierras and Escorts somewhere.
@Fred4 Not in the Ford community anyways with regards to 'an original idea'. An LS1 swap and RWD swap in an EsCos is pretty novel to be honest. The YB has been around 25+ years so there are quite a few floating about from broken cars as you mentioned.
@PaddyMcGrathSH Yes, I agree that the chassis/engine combination is quite original, just not the LS. The LS has just become a little too commonplace for my taste. Maybe it is just trumped by the V10 Sierra in terms of capability of dropping jaws.
I really like the front half'd escort, it looks like it would be a blast to drive. This may seem like a odd question but are there many of the larger more common American cars over there? Im kind of curious how they build the old camaros, mustangs, chargers etc as compared to here in the states. Thanks for the pictures!
sierra v10 is crazy how the hell would you get that in there. very creative very awesome
sierra v10 is crazy how the hell would you get that in there. very creative very awesome
I know how they make like cosworth subies and what not and in this post cosworth duratech, but does cosworth make motors or is it a ford motor with cosworth components?(kinda new so dont get crazy on me)
@Fred4 @PaddyMcGrathSH I agree, LS swaps are far too common. Far too bland and just flat out meh. Nothing special about them. Everyone is putting a LS in something. I'm guessing if another company would make a big V8 then people would use that one too. I know I'd love it if BMW or someone made a big V8. Toyota has a 4liter and 4.2liter V8 and to me that's rather small since I'd go with the 3.8 liter V6 from Chevy over a 4 Liter V8.
If you guys were to feature each one of those Escorts individually you'd get no complaints from me!
@KietaPhillips There's no 'kit' as such, it's had the complete floorpan cut out and replaced with one from Sierra RS Cosworth. It's a lot of work but there a few done this way now.
@Rotary American stuff still has a following but it's not massive. It's rare to see a Camaro or anything Mopar at anything other than a full on American car meet. A few Mustangs were at the show though. Style wise? We have our own but it's heavily American influenced - in my opinion of course.
@Connor Cham Cosworth have built some of the most important engines of all time IMO, including one of the most successful Formula One engines with the Cosworth DFV. They have a massive reputation as a successful engine builder but usually when something is referred to as 'Cosworth powered' - especially within the Ford community - it generally means it has a Cosworth YB (two litre i4 turbocharged) engine and perhaps some Sierra or Escort Cosworth running gear.
There is a lot of great reading material out there on the subject, my personal favourite is the book 'Cosworth' by Graham Robson. It's available on Amazon, eBay etc.
@Lastspark @Fred4 I guess it's worth pointing out that the Ford community, the majority at least, has been a group which solely relied on parts from the Ford parts bin, so the use of an LS1 in this example is actually very uncommon - it's just not a done thing and makes this pair of EsCos' pretty special. I do agree that the LS1 is probably the default choice elsewhere, but I'm sure it's for good reason.
BTW, BMW make some amazing V8 engines - the S62 (E39 M5) & S65 (E9x M3) in particular.
@Robo_No1 I think the wheels add to it for some reason - can you imagine meeting that on the road? If I didn't know better I'm sure I'd scoff at the guy in the Sierra with the Dodge badges and big wheels, right up until the point that the car rockets up the road ...
@Simon at Classic Ford So, kinda the same way with VW's then...interesting. What about the tranny and diff?
All those amazing Fords, and can't get one in the U.S.... I despise Ford for that reason.
@KietaPhillips @Simon at Classic Ford Well once the Sierra floorpan is fitted using a complete Sierra running gear is easy. Basically it's a complete Sierra Cosworth with a Focus shell welded on top.
@KietaPhillips @Simon at Classic Ford Well once the Sierra floorpan is fitted using a complete Sierra running gear is easy. Basically it's a complete Sierra Cosworth with a Focus shell welded on top.
@Simon at Classic Ford @KietaPhillips @Simon Ok I see now. Ideas are growing more and more with these cars. Thank you.
@PaddyMcGrathSH Ha, yeah I'm sure it wouldn't fail to put you back in your place and replace your scoff with complete look of shock/horror at what just happened! Hillarious amounts of fun to be had there!..... I still dont like the wheels though lol.
bakayaruNot ONE of "those" Fords is a current-gen model, either. Ford has already begun bringing European small cars over, and that will continue. Quit your illogical whining.
Mmmmm, so much classic Ford deliciousness! Never expected to see an LS swapped Escos though, let alone two of them, or hell, even a Viper V10 swapped Sierra cossie. As if YB-powered RS Cossies aren't bonkers enough when you turn the wick up on them.....
I'd be keen to see what that bloke's done to that Mk1 KA. My ma had one years ago, and while it was slower than a Morris Mariner with a piano sitting on top of it, it was an interesting little car, and yet somehow, we could fit four grown adults into it and plenty of other shit (most of which were crates of beer) and travel a few hundred miles in the thing in relative comfort. Granted it was only powered by the shitty old 1.3L Endura (read essentially a Kent crossflow with fuel injection strapped onto it) which did wheeze and struggle up the hills, but it did get there.
There's a few bonkers Ford builds down here in NZ as well. There's an 8 second Mk1 Capri (or Crapi) with an 8/71 blown big block Chev and full tubs which is somehow street legal, a Mk2 Focus ASBO with a 347ci SBF crate motor that does track duties, and I'll have a Mk2 Mondeo ST track car in the works at some stage. Undecided what motor I want to use, but I did have thoughts on a 3L V6 from an ST220 on open stacks. Would sound the bollocks
Camarão