PROJECT HUNTER

Sierra Estate and Mk2 Orion project ideas and inspiration.

A Mk2 Orion may be an unlikely base for an off-roader, but then that’s a very good reason to build one, right? With some longer springs and relocated mounts we’ve been able to lift this unsuspecting GL, and performed a little black magic to stop the CV joints from popping out, too. With the ride height suitably raised, it’s time to crack open the beige and brown tins of paint and respray our Onion in a Desert Storm-spec livery, apply some stencils then bolt up a set of 8x13 inch slot mags (colour-coded, naturally) wearing off-road tyres (give thanks to the 1980s Fiat Panda 4x4 for making these available in 13 inch diameter). The CVH runs well so we’re leaving that and the rest of the drivetrain alone, but the interior’s now wipe-clean vinyl with rubber flooring. Add a CB radio, some suitably off-road equipped mates, and it’s time to hit the quarries and lanes of this green and pleasant land.

One of our favourite feature cars so far this year is Callum Hynd’s 24-valve Sierra Estate from the April 2019 issue. The stupidly-rare RS200 wheels this car wears has inspired us to create out own Sierra Estate build — this time shod with equally-rare Ford GT wheels. And with the GT’s antics at Le Mans fresh in our thoughts, let’s head down the paint shop and buy some two-pack to recreate the ubiquitous Gulf livery. Of course, with the GT theme comes the responsibility to give this Sierra a suitable powerplant and so a Ford V8 crate engine it is, with added boost courtesy of an aftermarket turbocharger kit. The GT’s 20 inch wheels mean we can cram some serious, much-needed stoppers inside, and the suspension’s been improved with Cosworth-based items. Once a leather interior has been added, we can take the Estate across to the Rhine region of Germany so it can spend the summer as an awesome Ring Taxi.