• One owner from new with 26,025 miles

• Rare MkV XR3i model

• Great colour

• Large collection of past MOTs

The new shape MKIII Escort that was launched in 1983 was a very different proposition from its predecessors that were based on the ancient Anglia. 

The newcomer was intended to be a hi-tech, high-efficiency design capable of competing head on with Volkswagen's ever improving Golf. The most radical departure from previous models was the switch from rear- to front-wheel drive. However, there were plenty further developments too - power came from a fresh range of CVH engines, and independent rear suspension replaced the previous semi-elliptic cart style layout. 

Clothing the new mechanicals was a stylish hatchback body with sawn-off aero back end. This new Escort was voted European Car of the Year in 1981. From the outset a 'hot hatch' version was created to target the Golf GTi - the XR3 was born. Two years later fuel injection turned the model into the XR3i and a Cabriolet version was introduced for the first time. 

The MKV model of 1990 brought another new bodyshell and the facelift version of 1991 saw the introduction of the 16-valve Zetec engines. For the XR3i this meant a unit of 1796cc producing either 105 or 130bhp - the latter could sprint the Escort to 60mph in around 8.5 seconds

The car on offer is a right-hand drive Escort XR3i manufactured in 1993 and first registered on the 31st of August 1993. The history couldn’t be any more simple- it has had one owner who lived near Derby and used the car sparingly from new.  

It is likely that the XR3i was stored for some time before being lightly recommissioned, possibly in the mid 2000s.

The original owner obviously wasn’t one for keeping paperwork, but on a car with such low mileage we reckon not a great deal of attention has ever been required!  There is a virtually unbroken trail of MoTs from new in the file, with only a couple missing, that appear to ratify the low mileage.  

There is an original Owner’s Manual, and the Audio Systems Guide, along with two keys and two immobiliser keys, and the current MoT is valid until December 2021.

As you would expect from a one –owner, 26,000 mile car the interior is in great condition.  The patterned grey velour seats show only slight wear; the rear seats are like new.  The buttons and switch gear are all clean, as are the carpets throughout.  The roof lining is showing minor age discolouration, mainly confined to the sliding moon roof panel. The tilt and slide sunroof operates manually and works perfectly.

Upon close examination there are a few minor faults – a couple of plastic grommets are missing from the driver’s seat, the steering wheel has discoloured but may clean up with some effort. Likewise the armrest on the driver’s door could benefit from further cleaning.  There is an extra switch added to the underside of the dash that appears to switch the side lights on and may be connected to the alarm.  The lights operate normally from the stalk.

In the boot all is as you would hope, clean and tidy with no damp stains on the carpet.  The spare wheel is present, and the boot floor is clean with no corrosion that we could see.  The all-important badging is present and correct.

On the outside the Pacifica blue paintwork is in surprisingly good condition for a 28 year old car. An attractive colour, it was often seen on the XR3’s Cosworth engineered cousin.  There is a little “misting” in the paint here and there, and there are a few age related marks but they are hard to spot.  We could find only minor chips to the front of the car, and we didn’t spot any bubbling in the paint in any of the usual areas.  The wheels are all in good condition with minor curb marks.  They are shod with a matching set of Evergreen EH23 tyres that show very little wear.

The glass is all intact and chip free, with clear lenses front and rear with no cracks.

The under bonnet and engine bay area is clean and as can be seen in the photographs the engine appears entirely original, with no aftermarket parts.  There is no evidence of leaks or drips, and all the wires and hoses appear to be original, or factory correct parts.

The XR3i was always a desirable car in period, the real “high street hero” that was a more cost effective alternative to the more common Golf GTi. With continuous development from its launch to its replacement with the Focus in 2002, it just got better over the years.  

Now a rare car we reckon there can be very few with such low mileage and in such original condition as this.