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.....If you're thinking of building a classic Ford rally car, but want something smaller and more nimble than an Escort, an early Fiesta can be turned into a giant-killer for much less than you'd imagine. Over the past few years Mkl Fiestas have been quietly gathering a strong following - low prices and good spares support, plus great handling and a cheeky appearance have all helped swell the Fiesta's classic status.
Craig Wilshaw's one of many Welsh classic Ford rally enthusiasts, but unlike his mates and rivals, he's opted for a Fiesta rather than a Mkl or Mkll Escort. He runs his own rally car preparation and classic car restoration business, but above all, whether building a tarmac terrorist or making an old motor as good as new, he's a total Ford fanatic. He's already built a couple of rally Mklls and he's currently in the process of building a pretty pokey Mkll van that'll be painted the same colour as his Fester and Transit.
"I've liked Fords since I was very small. It all started when my cousin took me to a rally in 1977. Then, four years ago, I started this business because I didn't want to be a plumber when I was 40, so I bought a smallholding and built it up from there," he says. And true to his word, four years after starting the business he's still a year off his 40th birthday.
Running his own company means Craig's Fiesta hasn't always had workshop priority - after all it's the customers' cars that pay the bills. Even so, you'd think getting this car from rolling shell to what you see here should have taken less than 10 years - and it did, albeit only just, as Craig freely admits.
"It was certainly a long and drawn-out job - I thought it would be done and.....
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