GEOFF’S ESCORT NANA-MOBILE

It’s not always easy finding a mint stocker with a previous owner in the elderly age bracket, but Geoff Laybourn managed to do just that when he purchased this immaculate MkI Ford Escort. The Escort didn’t last long in that state though, as Geoff was pretty keen to see a bit more power under the vintage hood. The old boat anchor was removed and replaced with a black-top Nissan SR20DET engine out of a Silvia, with a few more additions to get some decent grunt out of it. The chosen GT2871R turbo, sitting on top of a custom steam-pipe manifold and HKS cams, should make between 260 and 300kW once it’s tuned by E&H Motors, near Geoff’s home in Pukekohe.

To get that power to the ground the S14 five-speed gearbox has been mated to a chromoly flywheel, five-puck clutch, and a limited-slip Hilux diff. With over 260kW and a feather-light kerb weight of 900kg thanks to the all-alloy SR20, Geoff’s Escort will be a rapid machine once it’s completed.