Loading...Last Sunday (6/05/12) saw the return of the annual Simply Ford grace the gardens of Beaulieu.
On what was arguably the best day of our well deserved long bank holiday weekend – we took a trip to the heart of the New Forest to browse the best of the blue oval at one of the UKs most popular owners events.
Having owned a shabby Escort Mk5 myself as my first car - I personally caught the Ford fever young like most at the event.
Even though I'm sure the Mk5 will never become that of legends such as the Cosworth RS – I still feel a connection with the previous incarnations of what was the most characteristic car I have owned. Having never attended a Ford specific event before, I was looking forward to a collection of Britains best.
Upon arrival the grounds were strewn with a selection of cars from throughout Fords manufacturing history.
Visitors were presented at the entrance with a mint condition impressive-at-the-time 1200cc Super Anglia, a matte black second generation facelift Focus RS along with its older sibling; a pristine rally spec Escort Cosworth RS and its daddy: Group B power house RS200.
Enough to make any Ford fanatic loose track of time quickly, which I did.
As we meandered around the congregation, the selection of cars was captivating. An army of Escorts of every Mark, model and colour – with even a group of four assorted Mk 1 Mexicos lined up in one corner.
England’s equivalent to the mighty Mustang; the Capri was also well represented - with the 80's Mk 3 TV crime buster still sitting proud and looking good in its Laser trim levels – featuring its still plush leather interior and retro details.
The road going slash touring car monster hybrid Sierra Cosworths could also be seen spread around the gardens too – the predecessor to the Escort variant – the Sierra was a formidable foe on the track in the BTCC back in the day.
The car that introduced the world to the not so modest styling of the 'Whale Tail' – a feature that in the 80's would come to represent a mid-sized family car that would beat your much more expensive sports car away from the lights.
