No quarter

I’ve agonised over every aspect of this car – and I’m still agonising about it now

Everyone has a story about how they came to build, or own, the car that ends up with us having a chat for a feature in Custom Car. Almost without exception, they’re a luxury item, a hobby, an obsession even. So we may as well enjoy the time and money-consuming process of building them. Why else would we all subject ourselves to it otherwise?

Speaking to Steve Wood about this Pop, it was clear from the start he has relished the process. It’s not been easy at times, but his background in electrical and mechanical engineering, quality management, technical writing and as an erstwhile mechanic on a Formula Ford team has stood him in good stead to deal with the inevitable adversity that’s part and parcel of building one of ‘our’ kind of cars.

He’s also taken a panel beating course, done a City & Guilds qualification in TIG welding and isn’t afraid to try his hand at things he’s not done before.

So, when the 302 Ford engine he bought through eBay turned out to be largely scrap, he didn’t