﹒Incredible condition 

﹒UK supplied car

﹒Original parts

﹒1760 Crossflow engine

The first Ford Mark 2 Escort rolled off the production line on 2nd December 1974. Unlike the first Escort, which was developed by Ford of Great Britain, the second generation was jointly developed by the UK and Ford of Germany. 

This car made a point, with just four body styles, of competing in many different market niches where rival manufacturers had either multiple model ranges or simply none at all. L and GL models were in the mainstream private sector and were available in 2-door, 4-door or estate, the Sport, RS Mexico and RS2000 were in the performance market, leaving the Ghia for the untapped luxury market, and the base / Popular models for the bottom end market. 

Early in 1979 the 1600 sport was launched, featuring a two-door body-shell, revised gear ratios and a sporty look, using the 1600 motor proving to become a highly popular vehicle to the present day. The 1600 Sport was the best selling car in South Africa in 1980 at its retail price of R4995.00. These vehicles had a stronger Kent block cast in South Africa that had thicker cylinder walls, which was, and is still used in the Formula Ford series.

This Beautiful Mk2 Escort 1600 Sport you see here was born on 27 March 1979 at the Ford Factory Dagenham, making this a sought after rare UK car. Something else that adds to the car’s rarity is that this is “one of only six cars ever produced in the special order AA-XSC632 Black/Schwarz by Ford UK”.

The seller continues to tell me that aside from it being a UK car, in special order Black/Schwarz it was also number two of six press fleet cars used by Ford UK Dagenham from 1979-1980. 

It has had 8 owners who have obviously cherished the 1600 Sport.  A look back through the MOT history reveals it only had 05852 miles on it in 1995. Another few thousand miles added up until 2001 where it went into dry storage for 10 years. 

In 2012 a previous owner had the option to buy the Escort.  It was stored alongside a Mk2 Escort Mexico and a Mk1 Escort. A deal was struck, and the then owner purchased the 1600 Sport because of the low mileage and very minimal rust (If any).

He then proceeded to restore the car to how you see it now. The car was resprayed at a cost of £5,000 replacing anything that needed to be replaced. You can see in the photos that a lot of the nuts, bolts and catches have all been re-plated, all signs of a well executed restoration.

The V5 is present. 

There are MOT Certificates dating from: 

1995-1996

1996-1997

2001-2002

2011-2012

2012-2013

2015-2016

2020-2021

There are also some recent receipts for work carried out by the seller. These include spark plugs, oil and filter change and a new alternator. The car has undergone a full set up and rolling road session at Mikeanics Motorsport Ltd in Congleton, Cheshire. After some subtle engine modifications and being set up correctly the Escort produces an impressive 127.3 Bhp and 119.5 ft lb after rolling road session.

The seller explains that sadly the paperwork and receipts from previous ownership were lost by the previous owner in a house move.

Inside the 1600 Sport you immediately notice how spotless it is.The seats are original ones as is the headlining, sun visors, carpet, door cards, steering wheel although there is some slight paint peeling on the edge of the steering wheel spokes. The boot area even has the paint code sticker on the back panel, the original boot liner and spare wheel. 

The dashboard has no cracks or splits.  Looking at the clocks you see the low mileage of 15561. Another tell-tale sign of the low mileage is that the indicator and wiper stalks still have the images for the horn, wipers and lights etc on them. The rear shelf also has no cracks, splits or speaker holes.

Moving down is the original Ford radio.  This is not connected up as there are no speakers in the car and no aerial hole (who needs music when you have the sound of a 1760 crossflow on twin 40’s) The clock below it does work, however this is only connected to a 9 volt battery to prevent any battery drain whilst being parked up over the years. 

The gear-knob is the original 4-speed. The seat belt clips show no signs of any wear on the buttons to release the belt and as you would expect the carpets also show no signs of wear.  Included with the sale is a set of mats to keep the carpet in tip top condition.

Where to start! The paint on this Escort 1600 Sport can only be described as amazing!

Starting with the front of the car you immediately notice the spotlights and yes, you guessed it, they are the original Ford lamps with the stickers still on the lens! Sitting alongside the spots are the original headlights and the same goes for the indicators. One more thing to notice on the front is that there are no stone chips on the leading bonnet edge, bumpers, or the lower valance. 

Around to the sides, the car sits perfect on the RS alloys covered in Yokohama A539 175/50 R13. The twin silver pinstripe flows along the swage line and over the arches perfectly to the rear of the car where it meets with the decal everyone knows, “1600 SPORT”

The rear of the car has the classic rubber boot spoiler, which is not perished or split and below that is the Escort 1.6 badge opposite the classic blue Ford oval. The original rear lights and bumper are again unmarked. 

The windows in the car are all matching and original with the registration number being etched into them. The rear window still has the original Reynolds Motors dealer sticker. The windows are not scratched and the seals are all in excellent condition. There is a very, very small amount of de-lamination on the front windscreen.     

The seller reports that the vinyl roof is also the original one, which again is in excellent condition.

Originally fitted with a 1600 Kent crossflow which produced 84 Bhp, this has now been upgraded to a 1760cc engine. 

To ensure enough fuel is pumped to the obligatory twin 40 Weber carburettors it has had an electric fuel pump fitted. Helping the engine produce some pops and bangs is a Kent race cam. It ticks over nice and smooth but will rev high if needed once you plant your foot. Helping those gasses escape quickly is a four branch manifold which, going up the road, sounds just like a Mk2 Escort should!

Having the engine upgraded is just part of it, and it would have been rude not to also lighten and balance the flywheel. The rear axle has also been upgraded to cope with the extra performance which, as mentioned previously, is 127.3 Bhp 119.5 ft.lb

Keeping the car steady on the twisty bits (although I’m sure if you wanted the car sideways it wouldn’t be too difficult) is the Bilstein suspension front and rear. The bushes have been replaced all round for uprated ones.

  

We all know that finding a decent Mk 2 Escort is getting harder and harder all the time. This particular 1979 MK2 Ford Escort 1600 Sport certainly wouldn’t look out of place on the concourse field, it has been built to a very high standard. 

Do you want a weekend car to take you back to 1979? Or are you a collector that is looking for a Mk2 Escort in your collection? To make it shine even more it just so happens to be a rare UK car and also in Black/Schwarz. 

Wherever you take it, it will turn heads! When taking the photos people kept coming to take a peek and ask questions. This car will appeal to many people as most car nuts have a soft spot for a Mk2. 

It really is a rare opportunity to own such a well presented classic car. 

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