A prolific car owner and builder, Ben likes his classic Fords very low, very fast and preferably not on fire...
How did you get into cars?
My Grandad was a big influence, but I’m afraid it was mainly through banger racing. I bought a Capri when I was 16, built it and raced it on paper-round money at Brampton Raceway. I did this for a while but after spending two solid weeks building a fresh car, only to be pushed into the wall before I’d even completed a lap, I thought, enough’s enough and it’s been road cars only since.
What was your first road-going Ford, then?
A 2-litre Laser Capri. Not long after I bought it I got offered a complete but rotten 3.0S so I swapped all the running gear over. I was only 20 at the time and the insurance was horrendous.
What happened to it?
I sold it to a good friend and I’m pleased to say he’s still got it.
How did you go from building your own Fords to doing other people’s?
This story is from the May 2017 edition of Classic Ford.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the May 2017 edition of Classic Ford.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
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.