Hello from Fern

[IFHP]

Hello everybody,

I just wanted to introduce myself. My name is Fernando Gomes Semedo. I'm a high school teacher from Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario and I have a great interest in European Fords and anything Ford in general. I met Michael (aka IFHP) through the FordEurope.net forums where I am a moderator. He introduced me to the group and I subscribed to the newsletter along with the Universal Car - both of which I enjoy immensely. Recently, Michael asked me to write a motorsport column for the Universal Car.

My interests in European Fords started when I was very young. My parents have a house in Coimbra, Portugal along with considerable amount of land passed down to them from my grandparents where they grow and harvest eucalyptus trees. We started making trips to Portugal almost every summer - I've tried to continue that tradition. Up to about the age of 12, my parents drove a Ford Capri while in Portugal. I really loved that car. In addition, my uncle who lives in Paris works for the Ford Motor Company. He too spent his vacation time in Portugal every summer and he always brought a nice European Ford with him. As a teenager, I was exposed to the Cossies through my uncle. He had a Sierra RS Cosworth that I was particularly fond of. I remember him reaching 200kph on runs to the beach. It seems that he gets a new car every year. With age, however, the cars that my uncle brought over have become more and more ordinary. This year, for example, he brought just a regular Ford C-Max. Yet one of the things that I look forward to when going to Portugal finding out what car my uncle will bring over. When in Canada, like every teenaged boy at the time, I dreamt of Mustang Five-Point-Ohs - a 87 Mustang LX 5.0 was my dream-car. My interest in Mustangs introduced me to motorsport and in particular to Ford's racing history, which I found to be absolutely fascinating with all the great stories and wonderful characters - a great study.

I currently own a quasi-European Ford - a Mercury Cougar V6. I also own a Mazda3, which replaced another quasi-European Ford - a faithful Ford Contour that was unfortunately turned into an accordion in an automobile accident. The Mazda3 isn't a European Ford but I still take comfort that it is part of the Ford family. I would love to someday buy and restore a MkI Escort. Particularly, I'd really love an MkI Escort RS2000 replica with modern Zetec power. I've seen a few such replicas in Portugal and I think that driving one must be so joyful and exuberant. I couldn't imagine a car that could be more fun.

(originally posted August 18, 2007)

[IFHP]

Hello Fernando,

Welcome to the forum! Sounds like you've had some great experiences with classic Fords.

As for a Zetec conversion, the guys (and gals) over at the 105speed forums

http://105speed.hyperboards.com/[url]
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seen to have a lot of experience putting them in Anglia's so they might be a good resource for more info on the conversion.

Best of luck!
-James

(originally posted August 18, 2007)

[IFHP]

Fern,

Excellent intro. Glad to see you here, as well as FordEurope.net.

Michael

(originally posted August 20, 2007)

[IFHP]

Thanks,

Experience with classic Fords? Well the Capri, yes. However, I can't believe 80's Fords are already classics. I get depressed whenever I hear a song that I listened to during my university days on a 'Classic Rock' station too. Pretty soon my Cougar will be a 'classic'.

Fernando

(originally posted August 24, 2007)