Beschreibung
Here we have a 1981 Mk3 Ford Escort 1. 3 GL in Aztec Bronze, with matching orange and brown interior. The early cars had quirks such as the single bonnet mounted windscreen washer, uncovered wiper motor, metal door handles, early style seats without head restraints, the bottom row of warning lights, and the opposing camber front to rear – this car having all of these quirks. Being a GL spec means that it also has the clock in the dashboard, the lower dashboard around the gear lever with radio, 4 spoke steering wheel, boot light, aluminium trim around the windows, extra trim on the bumpers, and the early wheels (this car has ghia trims and embellishers fitted).
The car reads just over 85, 000 miles, has just had an oil and filter change, has MOT until around august, and is now free TAX and MOT exempt – and is therefore ULEZ friendly. This mileage will increase as I’ll be taking it to shows until it sells.
I have maintained it myself, changed the oil as above, and given it a replacement fuel and air filter, and spark plugs at 80, 000. I have just replaced the fuel hose to the carburettor with a resistant pipe from Demon Tweeks.
Since I bought the car almost two years ago, I have also:
- solved a number of rattles – some due to missing bolts,
- filled all the doors and underbody cavities with Bilt Hamber S-50 protective wax,
- replaced the fuel tank sender with a genuine NOS Ford item imported from Spain,
- removed various rust spots in the paint,
- repainted the wheels,
- solved other electrical issues with both front and rear lights, and heater,
- replaced some of the hoses,
- fixed all the issues with the exhaust
- replaced the steering rack gaiters, and had the tracking done,
- replaced the number plates as the old ones were cracked and delaminating,
- fitted a NOS rear bumper and light,
- fitted a new boot seal.
Before I bought the car, it had a new alternator and radiator. The history says it had a replacement clutch and steering rack, and exhaust components within the last 15, 000 miles, with other receipts for the tyres, rear seat belts, and other work. It also has the common modification of a Weber manual choke carburettor instead of the standard Ford VV unit.
Body wise, the car had paintwork to the front end before I got it, which doesn’t match the rest of the car. In this, it had a replacement passenger front door – I have the original glass for this. Someone in the past has levered the driver door which makes the window stiff, there are a few dents around, and my paintwork looks blotchy – really to get this looking factory fresh, a complete paint job will be required, but I think it is characterful and usable as is.
Interior wise, it’s mostly very good. No bolster wear, the seat fabric is mostly excellent – the front seats have sun damage to the outer top corners, the rear seat top feels dry compared to the rest, the carpet has lost some of its shape and the dash top is cracked above the dials. The door pockets are excellent – not cracked, but as seems common place, the dash has warped around the glove box.
Looking at these Mk3 Escorts for sale, the early GL spec cars appear to be among the rarest variants, and I've only seen two other Mk3’s in Aztec – neither with this awesome interior, which is why I bought this blind from Scotland two years ago. I do like this car and would like it to go to a good sympathetic home; selling as I have too many projects and need to let something go. I would be willing to help with delivery at cost if necessary. When I got the car, it came with a number of spare parts including a spare driver's door - which can be included in the sale.
