There’s a saying that does the rounds every few years which really gets our goat, and it’s this: Don’t sweat the small stuff — in other words, don’t worry about the details. Not only does it sound immensely irritating, it is a load of utter cobblers. You should absolutely fuss over the details in almost all walks of life, particularly so when it comes to the all-important task of taking on a classic Ford project — just ask Ashley Farazmand.
He finally finished the build of this outstanding Escort Harrier in the Summer of this year after an intensive three-year build, and Ashley would be more-than-pleased to hear you say that he’s produced a simple and clean car. Under the skin though, it’s far from that, with hundreds of unique touches and a spec that Ashley has been developing for some 12 years... We’re not the only ones to notice — the Mk2 has been cleaning up at the shows all summer, but now the season is over, it’s time to delve deep, deep into what makes this car a game-changer.
First steps
“Believe it or not, this was the first car I ever bought. That was when I was 18, and I’m 31 now,” laughs Ashley, who comes from a family with a long connection to classic Fords, especially the oval track variety. “I got it from a friend and drove around in it for about a year before deciding to do a couple of bits to it. I stripped it down to a shell to tackle some rust, then got a job that kept me busy and often away from home, and the Harrier sort of got forgotten about,” he ruefully admits.
Esta historia es de la edición January 2020 de Classic Ford.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición January 2020 de Classic Ford.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
RE:CREATION
Your projects: Pushed aside in the BTCC history books by the Cosworth and RS500, the 1985 championship-winning Merkur XR4Ti started the ball rolling for the Sierra’s success, and Alan Strachen is building a tribute to remind everyone why.
THE JUMP
It’s been 12 years in the making, but now Ashley Farazmand’s incredible Mk2 Harrier has raised the Escort show car game a level — or three.
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…
OUT OF THIS WORLD
With outlandish wings and 460 bhp, 1.4-litre engines, the amazing Zakspeed Capris looked, sounded and drove like nothing else on earth.
FIESTA FINESSED
Aiden Powell always knew what his first car was going to be, and now this Mk1 Finesse is just the way he wants it.
Old Skool Ford Drag Challenge
Seeing out the race season in style, Round 6 saw some impressive Fords hit the strip. But who was crowned overall 2019 champion?
IT TAKES TWO
Reader’s restoration: How do you make a once-rotten Cortina GXL even better? Give it to two Ford fans to restore then refine, that’s how.
ESCORT 1300L
Original classic Fords: We all dream of finding an untouched, one-owner classic Ford, but for Allan Binns it’s a regular reality, with this Mk1 being his finest find yet— and now he’s made it even better.
BRITISH HISTORIC RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP
The final 2019 round, the Trackrod Stages, wasn’t without its dramas.
1945-2019 Russell Brookes
Double British Rally champion Russell Brookes, famous for driving his Andrews Heat For Hire Escorts, has passed away at the age of 74.