Rally Jamaica 2011: An Anglia to remember!

Can you see a rally car here?

Or here?

Wikipedia will tell you that the Ford Anglia is a British car. It was manufactured by Ford, in the United Kingdom. The family had four models, all produced between the years 1939 and 1967.

So, when we talk about rally cars, we are normally referring to machines which abuse everything they come in contact with, all in pursuit of blinding speed, but marrried to poise and control. The traditional rally machines rev to the fore in the shape and form of for example – Mitsubishi Evolution, Subaru Impreza STI etc.

But, there is a part of us that clings to the past and whenever we spot ‘old school’ machines, the nostalgia devours our preference and whether out of sympathy or mere curiosity, we are led by an alien force which compels absolute devotion to the non-traditional entry.

One of Rally Jamaica’s adored underdogs, was this machine which I saw at Knutsford Court basking in its own glow. By Sunday, Day 3 of the rally, it had successfully claimed a massive folllowing, largely as a result of the prominence of showboating in the drivers skill set.

When it snarled into the parking lot on Sunday, the terror alert searched for a color to match its fiery intent. The machine was rapidly surrounded by eager fans who all wanted to catch a glimpse of their unusual neighbour.

Thankfully, I had a few from Knutsford Court, because my quest at snapping a few in the parking lot, Downtown, had a future stamped – Failure – all over it.

Ford Anglia – once old – now brand new!

Don’t scrap them or crush them – restore them!

Cecil Munroe Gleaner On-Line Writer