Project Cars Update: Gareth’s More-Door

The 2.1 Pinto motor is finished and has found a new home. But not where you’d expect.

But not where you’d expect.

Well, my screaming 2.1-litre Pinto has been finished off by Colin Ashton and, as you can see, it looks fast! My main problem is the dilemma I’m now faced with, which centres on the fact I’ve bought another car. OK, snobs and traditionalists will have a good moan and a few tarts will raise an eyebrow at the ‘downgrade’ from a genuine 1300 Sport to a Pop Plus, but it’s representative of a society drowning in economic uncertainty. Basically, I’m skint, someone made a decent offer on the Sport in its current state and this four-door came up at a good price, and with lots of toys.

Off the road and used as a track car for 10 years by only its second owner, it’s covered 50,000 miles and was Ziebarted from new — other than a plate on the off-side strut top, she looks unwelded. Under the bonnet lies a 2.1 Pinto breathing through twin 40 Dell’Ortos with a ported, unleaded head and FR32 cam, which means the Ashton Mobile screamer can be dropped straight in on either the Type-9 that’s in there, or my Rocket box.

This makes life much easier, and cheaper, as the plumbing’s all there for a Pinto and the battery’s already relocated to the boot, so the only work required involves lifting and spannering. Job jobbed. As another bonus, the rear axle’s fitted with a rear disc conversion using XR3 bits, and also fitted with anti-tramp bars and a Panhard rod. Up front are Capri legs with 220 lb springs, quick-rack and Cosworth callipers on vented, drilled discs. Better still, we fiddled with the timing, jumped in and ran it down to a local garage and left less than an hour later with a year’s ticket. Result!

By the time you read this the engine should be fitted and, maybe, we can start talking about making the country’s fastest four-door…

For regular updates on Project More-Door, check out Classic Ford magazine every month!

This entry was posted on Friday, April 24th, 2009 at 9:12 am and is filed under Project cars. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a comment, or trackback from your own site.