And Anstead will be at the International Ford Show for a meet & greet & to talk about the escort Mexico they restored.

• For the Love of Cars host to appear at The International Ford Show on Sunday May 1
• Star to talk about the show’s Escort Mexico restoration and answer visitors’ questions
• Advance tickets now available, from just £10 a head

One of the stars of Channel 4’s hit series, ForThe Love of Cars, is to be the special guest at the first ever The International Ford Show, which takes place on the weekend of April 30-May 1.

Ant Anstead, who stars alongside Philip Glenister in the popular programme, will attend the event at Sandown Park, Surrey, on the Sunday. He will regale showgoers with stories about his vehicle restoration business, and talk about the iconic Mk 1 Ford Escort Mexico that he and his team restored in the first ever episode, as well as making himself available to meet and answer questions from show visitors.

The 36-year old, who runs his own design and restoration business and has recently bought himself a rare Escort Mk1 van, said: “I’m delighted to be attending The International Ford Show, as the very first car we featured on For the Love of Cars was an Escort Mexico Mk 1.

“There’s a huge amount of love around for classic Fords, and the popularity of the marque means it has touched almost everybody’s life at some point – every single one of us has a Ford memory, either owning one, riding in one, or having a friend or family member who owned one, so being part of an event that celebrates those cars and those memories is a real honour.”

The International Ford Show will bring together fans of the blue oval from all over the globe and will feature some of the finest Fords from the UK and beyond, be them standard, restored or modified. There will also be premium trade stands from a variety of Ford experts and specialists, live demonstrations throughout the day and a significant presence from two of the Ford scene’s most respected magazines – Classic Ford and Fast Ford.

Further highlights of the indoor event will be announced soon and will further strengthen its position as an unmissable season opener for Ford fans.

Advance tickets for the show are available now, priced at just £10 per person for single day access, or £30 for the weekend (up to two children below the age of 14 go free) including camping. Those wishing to make a weekend of it at shorter notice can also take advantage of on-site camping for an extra £10 per person on the gate, adding to the show’s festival feel. Advance tickets can be bought from the show’s official website at 

www.theinternationalfordshow.co.uk

Full details of the show, the cars and the various activities will be announced nearer the date, on the event website, or via the official Facebook page and twitter feeds.

All New event for the UK's most popular brand, The New Ford Fest at Santa Pod this September.

• Brand new event for fans of Fords, classic and modern
• Takes place at iconic venue of Santa Pod on Sunday, September 13
• Thousands of cars on display, retail area and drag strip action

A brand new event for lovers of the UK’s most popular car brand is set to take place on Sunday September 13 at the iconic Santa Pod Raceway in Podington, Northants.

Ford Fest is a celebration of Fords of all ages, classic or new, standard or modified, and will feature cars from all corners of the Ford Scene, with club displays and private entries welcome in the show and shine competition.

Some of the star cars from two of the UK’s biggest magazines dedicated to the Blue Oval, Fast Ford and Classic Ford, will be among the exhibits, from immaculately restored classics through to the fastest and most extremely modified examples.

A festival atmosphere is promised, with a substantial retail village in the paddock, plus kids’ entertainment and a funfair creating a family friendly environment.

The world-famous drag strip will be operational throughout the day, with visitors encouraged to enter their favourite Fords into a ‘Run What Ya Brung’ competition. For just £20, showgoers will be able to compete against each other, with four runs on the famous US-style quarter–mile drag strip.

It won't just be Fords on the strip either, with Santa Pod wheeling out its ‘Fireforce 3’ Jet Car on the day. 

The famous dragster has a Pratt and Whitney engine from a Sikorsky CH-54A Skycrane Helicopter, developing approximately 10,000bhp, as it guzzles its way through around 120 litres of aviation fuel per appearance on track, which lasts around only 6 seconds. It uses its 5,500lb/ft of torque to fire itself down the quarter-mile, so blink and you'll miss it.

Tickets for the show are now on sale, with a substantial 20 percent discount for those booking in advance. They're available from the show’s website at www.fordfestshow.co.uk, priced at £12 for adults or £5 for children.

Those wishing to make a weekend of it will be able to camp onsite, adding to the festival atmosphere. The camping area will have all the required facilities, and costs just £7 per person if booked in advance.