Ford’s Escort gets fans revved up
The Auckland All Ford Day has been a part of the city’s motoring culture for the past 17 years.
The outdoor show draws thousands of enthusiasts each year and Ford Escort fanatic Brent Ford had a riveting experience on April 8.
The Karaka resident attended to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the first model Escort to roll off the production line. To his surprise he drove home from the event with the people’s choice award for best Ford Escort on the day, as well as sponsors prizes and two trophies.
‘‘I’ve been to quite a few car shows and entered three times but haven’t won as the standard of well-presented cars is very high,’’ he says.
Ford says he wasn’t expecting to win but when he did he was so excited, his colleagues said he could not stop smiling for two days. He bought his 1971 Ford Escort two-door Mexico replica six years ago.
‘‘It was pretty much restored when I purchased it, but I have done a small number of modifications.’’
Winning meant everything, Ford said. ‘‘I spent hundreds of hours during the year keeping my Ford in pristine condition.
‘‘It’s my hobby, my car never goes out in the rain, and it totals 1500km a year. I take it out for a drive once every three weeks.’’
The people’s choice win came as a surprise to Ford because on the day there were more than a 100 Ford Escorts on show, all glistening in the sun with enthusiasts closely inspecting each at Smales Farm.
‘‘Anyone of them could have easily won,’’ he said. ‘‘I think I won because I have a beautiful candy red gloss perfect paint job. I spent five hours during the week polishing the car inside and out. The interior looks stunning.
‘‘It also helps when your surname is Ford.’’ He says he frequently runs into people who say ‘‘years ago I used to have one of these cars, wish I never sold it’’.
‘‘People get excited because they grew up with them. I’m the same. When I was a teenager all I wanted was a Ford Escort sports car.
‘‘It was all the rage back then and for the majority of my life I’ve been determined to get one. I’m very happy with my Ford Escort.’’