Beskrivning
For Sale: A super rare MK3 Ford Escort Estate in beautiful Base specification, presented in period correct Terracotta.
This isn't a cherished and loved example. Nor is it your often misrepresented 'Barn Find'. Far more excitingly, this is a car that - to this day - performs the task of being a car. I use it for transport, moving things, driving places, going to work, travelling to sport and going to the tip. Last week it moved my bicycle and a flymo, this week my children and an office full of stationery. It's been used as intended, is charming, and is all the better for still being a car and not a trophy or showpiece.
A little about the car then. It has 5 owners on the V5 and is MOT'd until the end of the year. It went through the last MOT with no problem and has since done approximately 1200 trouble free miles. The only thing requiring attention this year has been a new battery cable and five brand new tyres.
The specification is very Base indeed. No Heated Rear Window, Base Dash, Vinyl Seats, No rear belts. Inside is a lovely time capsule of how things used to be. I adore it.
Mechanically it’s very good. Apart from a thermostat being needed, and a bit of gearbox whine on overrun, it’s fantastic. The car starts first time every time with a blip of the throttle, and settles immediately. A cliché I know, but I would drive it anywhere - and frequently do.
Bodywork? Funnily enough, it’s not as bad as it looks. Whilst the arches all look like they’re terrible – they’re actually all metal. I think the guy I bought it from had some paint mixed up and was keen to get it onto the car. Admirable. In a way. The battery tray is new and painted, the battery is also new and everything in the engine bay is solid and where it ought to be.
Interior? Very good. Other than a rip on the drivers vinyl seat, it’s really good. Dash perfect, doorcards perfect.
History? Despite appearances, it was clearly loved. I seem to remember it had the same owner for a long, long time. There are some beautiful, handwritten service history notes in the file. 76, 000 on the clock. There’s no blue smoke at all. Clutch is perfect, accelerates and stops as well as any 1980s Ford. I also put new gas struts on the boot so you won’t decapitate yourself. Two sets of keys are present and correct.
It isn't perfect, and nor would I want it to be. It's 40 years old next year and my aim with cars has always been to preserve them in suspended animation, not to restore them or callously improve them. You are welcome to poke and prod, and crawl underneath it too.
Be under no illusion, if you want a perfect car - you've a lot of work to do. But if, like me, you're happy to trundle about in a survivor like this - you'll drive away happy.
The truth is, there aren't many Mk3 Kombi's to choose from - I'd be delighted for you to select this one.
