Classic Ford Magazine have been to see us at Motorsport-Tools.com HQ to photograph the Escort project car for the upcoming calendar edition. There will also be some features that we contributed to in the magazine early next year. But we thought we'd take advantage of Classic Ford Magazine editor Simon Woolley's while he's here and ask him a few questions for our blog.
1). What's currently in your garage?
Simon - A 1969 Corsair. It's been there a while and will be there for some time to come. It's being restored by my friend, Jon Hill, but neither of us has much time. Or money, for that matter.
2). What was your first Car?
Simon - A 1979 Mini 1000. I was well into 'bikes, but my Dad was desperately trying to keep me away from them, so he told me a Mini was like a 'bike on four wheels, and I fell for it. I soon had it in bits.
3). What do you think you'd be doing if you weren't editor at classic ford?
Simon - Honestly, I don't know. I've always been deeply obsessed with cars, magazines and writing, so I've been pretty lucky to combine all three for so long.
3). Out of the cars you've featured in recent years, which did you really want to take home with you?
Simon - That's like being asked to choose your favorite child. Impossible!
4). What cars are in your dream garage?
Simon - Pretty much all the cars I lusted after when I was a kid: Escort RS1700T, Lancia Stratos, Fiat 131 Mirafiori, Opel Manta 400...
5). Given a big budget and a lot of time, what project would you build?
Simon - I wouldn't be happy with just one project - I'd fill a unit with five or six cars, twice as many engines, and have them all on the go at the same time.
6). During your tenor at Classic Ford, what are some of the parts that have come onto the Ford scene that you have found most innovative or exciting?
Simon - It's the quality that I'm most impressed by. When I first started mucking about with cars, it wasn't great and you were almost expected to have to modify new parts to get them to fit - these days they pretty much all bolt straight on. We're spoilt, really!
7). Have you ever fancied a go at rallying?
Simon - I did some co-driving in the late '90s in a Mini Cooper S on the Rally Britannia. It was daunting, particularly around the Caerwent stages, flat out, weaving in and out of railway sleepers that would've pulverized the Mini if we had hit one. I think I decided there and then that the best way to enjoy rallying was as a spectator!