Closing date July issue -> May 19
Project Escort V6: precision work from Friesland
Anyone who walked past Gertjan Swieringa's pale blue Ford Escort in Ruinerwold would primarily see a neat first-series Escort, just like Grandpa might have driven. No spoilers, no flashy stripes, no bulging hood. At most, those slightly too-wide wheels and that strange two-piece front bumper. Only those who looked closer, or stopped, would realize this wasn't a respectable 1100 or 1300. And then that emblem on the front fender: 3000 V. Gertjan still smiles. Hood up, and yes, there it is: a Ford Essex 3.0 V6.
By: Max the Warrior
Wolf in sheep's clothes
The Escort is ideally suited for this kind of disguise. The Ford Escort is compact, light, timelessly designed, and sold en masse in the Netherlands. Between 1968 and 1975, over two million Escorts rolled off the production line worldwide. This makes it popular with restorers and those who want something different. Gertjan wanted exactly that: an unobtrusively fast car, without frills. "It had to look like it's remained standard," he says. No bulge on the hood, no racing look. Only those in the know will see it.
What's noticeable: the shoes are wider than Ford ever intended, and the front bumper is different from the original. This isn't an aesthetic choice, but a necessity. Underneath, everything is different.
From barn find to serious challenge
The foundation was surprisingly sound. The Ford Escort had been sitting since 1995 and came from a previous owner. Critical areas like the struts were still in good condition, something that's the exception rather than the rule with Mk I Escorts. This made it suitable for an ambitious plan. Before the first angle grinder was used, a visit to the RDW (Netherlands Vehicle Authority) was necessary. A smart move, because with an engine swap of this magnitude, you want to know what to expect beforehand. With the right paperwork and agreements in place, the real work could begin.
This happened at the Swieringa repair shop in Friesland, together with father Henk. Space, tools, and experience were available, but even then, installing an Essex V6 in a Ford Escort isn't a simple matter of simply inserting it and bolting it on.
Space is relative
A six-cylinder in such a small nose meant trial and error, and starting over. The transmission tunnel was enlarged, the battery moved to the trunk, and a standard subframe proved unusable. So, they built one themselves. Alignment, suspension points, steering: everything had to be perfect. The engine was mounted as low and as far back as possible for better weight distribution and to preserve that original hood.
The exhaust manifolds were also tossed in the bin. They simply didn't fit. The solution was a typical tinkering job: first designing with PVC elbows, fitting everything together, and taping it on, then replicating it in steel. Made a mistake? Then you start over. It took many Saturdays, but it resulted in a perfectly fitting system.
British technology with a detour
With this power output, the rest of the chassis also needed to be addressed. The bodywork received a rally-style reinforcement kit, coil springs came from a Capri, and the rear axle is of Jaguar origin. That sounds odd, because a Jaguar rear axle is far too wide for a Ford Escort. True. But a Reliant Scimitar used a shortened Jaguar IRS rear axle. Such a Scimitar was found, bought, and sacrificed. The rear axle is now under the Ford; the Reliant engine is still in the attic.
Parts hunting regularly took father and son to England, where almost everything for the Ford Escort is still available. That is, until Brexit struck. Prices sometimes doubled overnight. Nevertheless, the car was completed, including rare details like a proper parcel shelf. The paint job was outsourced; the rest was done in-house. Door panels were recreated, seats were reupholstered, and the dashboard came from an Escort Mexico, complete with oil pressure and temperature gauges. Not only more attractive, but also essential with such an engine.
The sound says it all
Driving it confirms everything. The anti-tramp bar keeps the rear axle nicely under control, and the Essex's growl reveals its potential. Quiet in urban areas, but always with tension under the right pedal. Additional cooling is provided by an auxiliary fan. The engine revs relatively high; a five-speed gearbox or other transmissions are still on the wish list. The build took five years, almost every weekend. Selling? Gertjan isn't even considering it. It's certainly unique, and built with more hours than you could ever recoup. The next dream is already waiting: an American pickup. Tinkering remains.
The full article about this Ford Escort V6, including restoration photos, can be read in Auto Motor Klassiek January 2026, this unique Ford Escort edition is still available at the kiosk.
(The photos continue below.)
That looks fantastic! Congratulations on the result. I'm really looking forward to the new project.
In Finland there is a B Kadett with a V8 under the hood.
It can also be concealed.
This car looks beautiful. I should know because I was a Ford mechanic in the 70s and 80s. I'm willing to believe that a lot of hours went into something like that, but you're reaping the benefits now. I think many people scratch their heads when they start the engine and hear a beautiful sound from the exhaust...no one expects that.
Take care of it.
Peter
Super cool, compliments!
And a USA pickup truck is also so much fun, I'm curious what the plans are. Here's a really nice (and now classic) starting point with a 7,2-liter V8 😉