DRIVING AMBITION

THE BRIEF WAS TO BUILD A FAST, GOOD-HANDLING AND WELL-SORTED STREET CAR THAT JOHNNO COULD BEAT LIKE A TRIBAL DRUM

FORD’S Mark 1 Escort is a legend of motorsport across rallying, touring cars and even drag racing, thanks to its tiny size, generous engine bay and rear-drive layout. As a fan of four-banger Fords from a tender age, John Dennis knew this all too well, but it took him a while to get around to building the righteous turbo pro touring Esky you see on the pages before you.

“I’ve been a small-Ford guy since I was a kid,” says the Sydneysider. “Years ago my uncle had a Ford Squire van