aking place at Mallory Park Circuit
for the very fi rst time, the Classic
Ford Show lived up to its billing as
Europe’s biggest and best event for classic
Blue Ovals last month. Showgoers enjoyed a
packed timetable at the new Leicestershire
venue, including the chance to experience
the tight and twisty track in their own cars.
The Capri and Anglia 105E celebrate their
50th and 60th anniversaries respectively this
year, and there was no way such milestones
could pass without celebration. Both models
were treated to sizeable anniversary displays,
with the selection of Capris including
examples from all four decades of
production. They were joined by thousands
of magazine display and club cars, featuring
everything from factory-spec survivors to
rally legends like the RS200 and genuine
BTCC race cars.
Further attractions included parade laps
for those keen to experience the circuit at a
more sensible pace, while a demonstration
from the Ford Saloon Series was one not be
missed. Over on the Classic Ford Magazine
stand, The Great Unveiling saw a sleeper
100E, BDG-powered Mk2 Escort and a
Mk1 Fiesta with a rear mounted ST170
turbo motor revealed to the public for the
fi rst time, and there was a separate display for
the Homebuilt Heroes feature cars, too.
In the Show & Shine, Dan Dutch’s
stunning Mk2 Escort Estate just edged out
Mark King’s original Mk1 XR2 and Jake
McConnell’s custom Mk2 Cortina to
emerge as the victor. The Best Club stand,
meanwhile, went to Old Skool Ford.
The new venue brought more visitors
from further afi eld, too, including an
excellent turnout of cars from Belgium and
The Netherlands, plus a 33-strong group
from Denmark, while Angelo Pereira drove
his Mk4 Escort Estate from the south of
Portugal just for the event!
With plenty of potential for the future,
Mallory Park is very much the new home of
the show. Bring on 2020!T
You can be sure of...Mallory’s historic circuit was open to all
classic Fords — even Mk1 Cortina Estates!Words Jeff Ruggles, Simon Woolley Photos Greg Cook, Chris Frosin, Simon Woolley
With a new home in the shape of Mallory
Park Circuit, this year’s Classic Ford Show
had a very diff erent feel — in a good way.
Park Life
August 2019 23