Pop Rocks

The 100E was a humble and sensible thing when it launched back in the 1950s. But Rich Lakey’s radically-reworked 1959 example catapults the Pop into the 21st century — its 380 bhp turbo power ensuring that it rocks on every measurable scale…

- Daniel Bevis

The ethereal concept of creative tension is something that drives so many project builds. This is essentially the growing awareness of the gulf between what you want to happen in your life versus what is actually happening. Take the case of Rich Lakey, for example: his bread-and-butter comes from the successful business he runs down in Plymouth — RL Motor Services — an independent BMW and MINI specialist. What Rich doesn’t know about BMWs isn’t worth knowing, and the garage also caters for all manner of supercars — he’s had Ferraris, Lamborghinis, McLarens and all sorts pop in for servicing and maintenance.

But at the same time, there’s an entirely different automotive focus bubbling away beneath the surface. You see, deep down, Rich has always been a Ford man. The nature of his business means that a work van is necessary, and his weapon of choice is an aggressively-styled M-Sport R181 Transit. But it’s the classics that really flick his switch. “I’ve been a petrolhead from day one,” he grins, “and I’ve always been into my Fords — I’ve had Mk1 and Mk2 Escorts, a Series 1 RS Turbo, you name it. At one time I owned two Escort RS Cosworths, a Sapphire RS Cosworth, a Mk1 Escort and a Mk2 Escort as well as the Pop.” Ah yes, and it’s this last toy that’s in the spotlight today, for this is no ordinary 100E. You’ve probably already deduced from the photos that something mischievous is afoot here; you can’t really miss the in-your-face bubble arches, and if your eyes have flitted to the engine bay shots you’ll have noted with interest that there’s a Cosworth YB lurking in there. This is how Rich’s creative tension manifests itself: how does a Ford fan blow off steam after a hard day’s work fettling BMWs? By building a completely outrageous, utterly unhinged old Ford.