A Ford Fordor Deluxe sedan, built in Dearborn, Michigan, USA in 1940, which was the subject of an eighteen month programme of restoration, upgrades and rally preparation by Belcher Engineering, has successfully completed the highly competitive and rigorous 2022 Sahara Challenge endurance rally, a 4,800 kilometre event over 12 days mainly in Morocco.
The car, driven and navigated by Sandy McEwen and Alan Stark both from Glasgow, finished 13th overall out of 46 starters who came, with their cars, from Japan, the USA, Argentina, New Zealand and many other parts of the world. The car was also classified 8th in the Vintageant Class for cars built between 1931 and 1947.
The terrain on the event included steep mountain climbs in the Atlas Mountains, long stretches on rough unmade roads and the Sahara desert landscape of sand and dried up river beds. These were a true test of man and machine over long distances each day which required accurate navigation and intense driving skills. However, the event was a great experience and thoroughly enjoyed by the Scottish crew.
The Ford sedan had participated in and finished the 2019 Peking to Paris endurance rally under previous ownership. Upon arrival at Belcher Engineering in early 2021, the body was removed and a full rebuild of the whole powertrain and upgrading and strengthening of the chassis and suspension were undertaken and underbody protection added. New fuel and electrical systems were installed along with a full roll over cage and other safety equipment. An inventory of spares for the rally was supplied by Belchers.
