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Here's how this veteran petrolhead became a Ford fan

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Marcus Gordon has been a Ford fan since a very young age, especially because his older sister drove a bevy of cars from the Blue Oval brand.

He then purchased his very first Ford, a blue Mk1 in the early 1970s, and then purchased his second car just a few years later, a mint green Escort Mk2 1600 Sport.

He shares his story of how the love for Fords began...



Have you owned a Ford classic, or perhaps you still do? Email us your photos and stories and we will share your thoughts.


 

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       Marcus' wife Valerie Gordon and their daughter, Wheels24's Janine Van der Post with the 1600 Escort Sport in 1983. Image: Marcus Gordon

Gordon says: "My love for Ford was born way back in the 70's when my sister, Gwendoline Africa, bought a brand new 1600 white Capri with a black vinyl top. The elegant long nose and short rear gave the car that feisty racing look.

"I was fortunate to go get my driving licence in that car. The traffic official that took me for my exam was so impressed with the car that he barely paid much attention to my handling of the vehicle. He just told me to drive around town and I passed the test with flying colours. 

The car was then sold and Gwen then bought a Cortina Mk1. After that she had the true, blue-blooded 'Big Six Cortina' which made my legs lame. I could drive these cars around town, with her permission of course, any time I wanted to. A finely tuned Ford gave the exhaust pipe that distinguished white/blue color from the emissions.

The 'Toys' and Hondas came second because 'Ford was lord'. 

In 1974 I was able to purchase a new 1300 Escort for under R3000. I traded her in 1979 for the more sporty 1600 Escort Sport. She was my pride and joy. By keeping my hand on her with regular services I was able to drive her for nearly 17 years. After that I had a Ford Sapphire. 

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                          Marcus Gordon with his daughter Janine Van der Post in 1983.

There was also a 1600 red Ford Escort I bought 'out the box' in 1995, after the Sapphire. 

Gwen also had a Ford TX the last few years after 1995, a  real 'muscle car' that wasn't afraid of anything it might have met on the road. I was also fortunate to drive the Anglia which was the forefather of the Escort. Also a little gem and could she run.  

Gordon recently drove a 2019 Ford Fiesta on test and shares his first impressions:

When the new Ford Fiesta arrived on my door step to test, I couldn't believe just how good-looking this little car was. 

The very first day it drove like a dream and it reminded me of the 1600 Ford Capri my sister Gwen used to drive when I went for my licence. 

The 1.0-litre engine in the Fiesta is very responsive and nippy, and the technology of this little gem amazed me. It took me a while to get used to the interior lights, as it had me confused at first when it would not switch off immediately. I'm not used to this modern-day tech. However, I appreciated the ambiance light on the foot pedals.

This car is a real miser. It only used a quarter tank to Saldanha Bay in a total distance of 169km, and used about 8.5-litres of fuel with an average speed of less than 120km/h.

I gave a friend a lift to town one day and the sheer luxury of the interior of the car had him telling everyone who hadn't seen the car yet about the awesome little number I was driving. He could not stop talking about all the buttons and the way the car took off like a jet engine.

Respect for the old blue blood engines came through strong all over again.

I guess I just can't get the blue blood of Ford out of my veins, and never will. I will keep dreaming of owning a new Ford again one day.

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                     Janine Van der Post (age 7) with her Dad's Ford Escort. Image: Marcus Gordon

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