Conrod, here's a story you, as a devoted Escort Cosworth fan, might like. We usually had road test cars for a week at a time, and the three full-time staff members would take turns at taking them home, going on assignments etc. Over the years CCC had given a huge amount of coverage to Fords of all descriptions, and although we didn't do formal road tests like Autocar or Motor, say, we were always in good standing with Ford's Press Office, often obtaining vehicles for test before most of the other comics.

When the Escort Cosworth arrived, we were among the first to test one. Anyway, I drove it home one night, parked up, and was rummaging about getting my stuff out of the passenger seat when, unseen by me, a police car pulled alongside. When I went to get out, turned around and spotted the jam sandwich alongside I damn near had a cow. My mind was racing as I hastily rewound the last five miles of my drive home, trying to remember if I had inadvertently or deliberately done anything naughty. I couldn't think of a thing, but I was bricking it anyway!

Four coppers levered themselves out of their vehicle and formed a circle around the Cossie as I apprehensively wound down the window. "Is this your car sir? "Yes… er, no" I spluttered. "Well, what I mean is, I don't own it, but it is in my care for now. It belongs to Ford's Press Office, and is on test with a magazine". "Ah, we wondered about that", their spokesman replied. "We often see high performance cars parked here. We thought that might explain it. What's it like then?" he asked as the other three wandered around admiring the Cossie.

I had to explain that I had only driven it the few miles from the office and had not yet had a chance to stretch its legs. "Don't suppose there is any chance you could take us for ride?" "Sure, jump in". (Anything to oblige several of the Met's finest, eh). "Oh, we're on duty; we can't do it now. But we're off in about half-an-hour. Any chance we could come back?"

True to their word, three of the four came back a bit later, and so we went for a little ride down the A3 which passed close by my flat in Wandsworth. I was driving like a bloke who's got three coppers in the car with him when one of them said "We'd like you to forget the fact that you've got three coppers in the car with you". I didn't need any more encouragement. Probably it was just as well the A3 was busy as always, as it meant I couldn't go too crazy. But whenever the traffic allowed I gave it a mighty burst, handily exceeding 100mph a few times, then braking hard to check my speed when the gaps closed. My passengers were having a high old time, egging me on, laughing and shouting. We turned back about Surbiton and I gave it a bit of a squirt on the roundabout and tore back up the A3. By the time I delivered them back to their car we were all giggling like naughty schoolboys. We parted the best of friends. If it hadn't happened, I wouldn't have believed it...

Best wishes,

Art Markus