Graeme and Brad Cockerill know far more about the workings of early 1990s British Fords than most people.
The Cockle Bay father and son are looking forward to joining hundreds of their fellow car lovers when they display their rare vehicles at this year’s Auckland Brit and Euro Classic Car Show on March 5.
They’ll have five vehicles from their fleet in the show in Lloyd Elsmore Park, Pakuranga, including a blue 1992 Ford Escort RS Cosworth, white 1990 Ford Sierra Sapphire RS Cosworth two-wheel drive, Ford Sierra Cosworth four-wheel drive, 1987 Ford Sierra RS Cosworth three-door and a Ford Focus RS.
Graeme’s blue Escort RS is powered by a 2ltr turbocharged engine and puts out more than 300 horsepower.
He says he and his son are drawn to the Ford cars they own for a variety of reasons.
“They’re an investment. Only 2500 of these [the blue Escort RS Cosworth] were ever made and probably half of them were written off in the first year because they were designed as a rally car.
“There would be fewer than 10 of them in New Zealand and globally there’s maybe 1000 to 1200.
“But the parts aren’t hard to get, you just need to buy them from England and pay a lot of money.”
Graeme says while his 1992 Ford Escort RS Cosworth may be more than 20 years old, its performance is equivalent to modern cars.
“They’re way ahead of their time. This one is four-wheel drive and I’ve taken it around Hampton Downs [motorsport park].
“It’s just lovely to drive. It sits on the road, goes around corners and brakes and steers well.
“It’s got more than enough power for what it is.”
Brad says he’s previously owned the kind of turbocharged Subaru and Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution cars popular among young drivers, but his first car was a Ford Anglia, and he’s always had a thing for Fords.
“I had the Anglia and then an Escort and then the next thing was the Sierra, when I was 17.
“It was a pretty big deal. It’s just something a bit different.”
His white 1990 Ford Sierra Sapphire RS Cosworth is turbocharged and puts out more than 400hp.
“I take mine to work every week just to give them a run,” he says of his Fords.
“These things are quite analogue. There’s no traction control so you’re driving it and have to hold on.
“Especially with the turbo lag, the rear-wheel drive one in the wet is a real handful.
“I’ve had a [Mitsubishi Lancer] Evo 9 and it’s awesome and fast and a really great car, but these put a smile on your face.
“They’re old-school and people like to see them. I don’t know if we could afford to buy them now.”
More than 1200 vehicles will be displayed at this year’s Auckland Brit and Euro Classic Car Show.
It runs from 10am-3pm on Sunday, March 5, at Lloyd Elsmore Park in Pakuranga and entry is free.
The show is sponsored by Times Newspapers, Howick Local Board, Protecta Insurance, and NZ Classic Driver.
