Car Features

The Beginning of the Build

The project started in 2005 with the purchase of a bare Ford Escort MK1 2-door shell. At the time, it was simply an empty body — a blank canvas waiting to be transformed.

A Ground-Up Custom Build

What makes Thor particularly impressive is that this is not a build based on bolt-on parts alone. Nearly every component was either custom fabricated specifically for this vehicle or sourced internationally to meet the exact vision of the project.

The Beginning: A Bailey Cars Starter Kit

The journey began with a starter kit from Bailey Cars, supplied by Peter Frost. Bailey Cars is well known among GT40 enthusiasts for producing one of the most accurate GT40 replica chassis and body packages available.

Douw van der Walt

Curious, I asked Brad to tell me more about it. With a knowing smile, he called me over to his PC and began showing me photos of the entire build from the very beginning up to that point. What I saw left me speechless, and from that moment on I was completely hooked on the build.

Article and Photos by Jared Govender

A Striking Widebody Presence

At first glance, this 914 makes an unmistakable impression. The car features a dramatic A.I.R widebody kit, expanding the stance to an impressive 1900mm width.

Built to Be Driven

While the truck proudly wears its age, beneath the vintage exterior lies a thoroughly modern foundation. The suspension system was upgraded to improve ride comfort and handling, ensuring that the vehicle performs confidently on today’s roads.

A Project That’s Never “Finished”

They say a project car is never truly done — because every time you think you’re satisfied, you spot something else you could improve. A new detail. A better finish. Another personal touch.

What followed was nearly ten months of dedication. Every repair was carried out at home, by hand, without expensive tools or high-end workshop backing. It was a project built on patience, persistence, and countless late hours. The mechanical revival came first — restoring the fourth cylinder, fine-tuning the carburetor, and ensuring that everything operated exactly as Nissan originally intended.

But the true artistry lay in the details.

The Spark That Started It All

Matthew’s love for cars began early. As a kid, he dreamed of building a 1936 hotrod with his dad — a vision that never quite materialised, but quietly planted the seed for something bigger.

From the beginning, the goal was clear: capture the unmistakable character of a classic American school bus while integrating true hot rod attitude and modern performance engineering.