Copy of Article Text Below
.....you can press the go pedal and it's gone, there's no wait for it to come on cam or on boost - it just goes. In the boot is an aluminium tank made by Pre-fab to my specification, and next to it is a standard XR4i fuel pump.
The interior is fitted with a pair of bucket seats and harnesses and I fabricated an aluminium dash to house the XR4i instruments, it's more functional than ergonomi-cally designed. At the moment the windows still wind up and down, but I plan to replace these with Perspex soon. Oh, and for that slight touch of luxury there's a heated front screen, it saves running a heater, it was advertised in Classic Ford.
Project Fiesta has been done when time and funds have allowed, and nearly four years later it's on the road. It probably sounds quite simple when you read it, but it wasn't. I have overcome many hurdles, such as improving my welding, learning to paint, learning how to rewire a car and that's the tip of the iceberg. But it's mine and I built it myself. Another one isn't going to pull up next to me at the traffic lights - ever - and I love that.
That's one of the best things about classic Fords. They're easy to fix, get bits for and there's an enormous amount of enthusiasm for them. As with any project, there are always things to do, but this is it at present. Is it a classic Ford? - That's a matter of opinion. Is it a fun Ford? - Oh yes!
Tech Spec
Body
1980 Fiesta 1300 Ghia LHD American-spec shell, Sierra XR4i floorpan, body lowered over floorpan by 50 mm, fully welded and strengthened, glass windows and heated front screen, one-off aluminium fuel tank, steel doors and tailgate, fibreglass bonnet, new wings and widened front and rear panels, exhaust system raised and routed through boot floor, resprayed Ford Blue, Diamond White and Signal Yellow.
Engine
Sierra XR4i in standard tune, modified pipework to fit engine bay.
Transmission
XR4i gearbox and differential, shortened and balanced propshaft, reconditioned driveshafts.
Suspension
Standard XR4i.
Brakes
XR4i vented front discs and rear drums, new wheel cylinders and braided flexi-pipes.
Wheels And Tyres
Sierra Cosworth wheels painted Satin Black with 195/50x15 front and 205/50x15 rear Yokohamas.
Interior
Eight-point CDS cage with door bars, OMP bucket seats, Sabelt four-point harnesses, fabricated aluminium dash, Sierra instrument cluster and console for all switches and start button, brake and fuel lines inside car.
Thanks
Thanks to my wife Wendy for always being encouraging, even on 'doom days', David whose hacksawing talents never wavered and to Tony at MDC Broadstone (01202 475126} who was always helpful with parts. Cheers also to Avon Forest Auto Spares (01202 874859) for the photo location.
|
