The Classic Ford Show returned for 2025 in style last weekend. Here’s what you missed
Returning once again to the South of England Showground in Ardingly on Sunday, May 11, Classic Ford Show proved a massive hit on a warm, sunny day. Drawing over 3700 visitors and showcasing 800 cars, it set new records for the event, building on its strong post-pandemic revival in 2022.
True to form, the event shone a spotlight on the clubs and enthusiasts behind it all, presenting awards throughout the day. FordTEC won Most Varied Club Stand, South London Retro Power claimed Best Regional Club, Sussex Prestige Ford took Best Large Club Stand, Fraud Owners’ Club claimed Best Small Club, and the Cosworth Drivers’ Club earned Best Themed Display with its diverse range of standard, restored, and modified Cosworths.
The show field featured an exceptional and eclectic mix of club cars, including a bubble-arched Mk1 Escort with a Vauxhall ‘Red Top’ on throttle bodies, a rare South African Mk3 Cortina ‘Bakkie’ pickup, a Mk1 Transit with a 5.7-litre HEMI V8 and Chrysler 300C interior, and a concours-quality Mk2 Escort RS1800 restoration.
Milestones were marked with dedicated displays, including 40 years of the Sierra Cosworth, uniting dozens of three-door, Sapphire, and Escort Cosworths ranging from untouched originals to concours builds and 850bhp monsters. The Transit’s 60th birthday was celebrated with a special display, as were the 50th and 45th anniversaries of the Mk2 and Mk3 Escort respectively, with owners displaying a variety of modified, original and restored examples of front- and rear-driven Escorts.
As is traditional for Classic Ford Show, The Great Unveiling returned, showcasing five never-before-seen projects. These included a Mk1 Escort that was bare-metal resprayed just three weeks before the show and revealed to the owner’s family, a Mk1 Cortina GT boasting an Essex 3.0-litre V6 and five-speed gearbox, a Mk3 Cortina resplendent in Mustang ‘Bullit’ green, a Mk2 Escort Van finished to show standard and sporting a 2.5-litre Duratec engine, and a Mk2 Escort largely built using the owner’s spare parts. The Classic Ford editorial team also chose its Top 10, which saw owners awarded rosettes and invited to discuss their cars in front of the crowds and complete a celebratory ‘parade lap’ around the show.
The first public display of the Boreham Motorworks Alan Mann Edition Mk1 Escort continuation was another highlight, with chief engineer and former Ford SVE man, John Mitchell on hand to present it. Throw in the Top 50 display of hand-picked builds and BMX stunt displays throughout the day, and Classic Ford Show 2025 was judged to be an overwhelming success.
