Beskrivning
An absolute time warp. With just 38, 760 miles from new and detailed service history from the original supplying Ford dealer and one local specialist, this stunning Mk IV Escort has come to us from a private collection having been in dry storage for the past 13 years. It is genuinely exceptional on every level and drives as if it rolled out of the showroom yesterday. Now benefitting from a fresh 12-month MoT Certificate, this evocative 1980`s Ford is the perfect family classic and unsurprisingly is immediately show-ready for the 2026 season.
An icon in its own right, the Escort was a small family car manufactured by Ford Europe from 1968 until 2004. This production period witnessed six variations spread across three different basic platforms and during the 1980`s and 1990`s it was consistently the best-selling car in Britain. Early cars from 1968-80 (the Mk. I and Mk. II) were rear wheel drive but all changed with the introduction of the Mk. III in 1980. Codenamed “Erika" the new model was perceived as very modern with front wheel drive, a choice of hatchback or estate bodies, all-new CVH overhead camshaft engines and all-round independent suspension. Voted European Car of the Year in 1981, it was an immediate success and with popularity came further options with a choice of engines and transmissions, both a commercial and convertible version and sporting variants with the advent of the now legendary XR3i and RS Turbo. In March 1986, Ford saw sense in a minor facelift and this in turn became the Mk. IV with a smoother front nose profile and revised rear lights. More changes were noted internally with a completely new dashboard with additional switchgear, new door cards and trim styles. Competition within the small family car marketplace was now fierce (Vauxhall and VW were respectively pushing the Astra and Golf Mk. II hard) and Ford needed to keep pace. In 1987, an LX trim was introduced in between the L and GL models with further mechanical and equipment upgrades in 1989 and again in 1990. However, by this point, the boxiness of the 1980`s styling was considered dated and later that year saw the Mk. V enter production with an entirely different aerodynamic bodyshell and from 1992, featuring Ford`s all-new Zetec engine.
Our car was supplied new on 10th August 1988 through Bryan Bros. Ford of College Green, Bristol. The original service-book records 14 services with the supplying dealer from September 1988 to August 2001 with, we understand, husband and wife being first and second keepers. In 2002, it was sold to a lady in Hanham, Bristol who subsequently elected to use her local Ford specialist, Kingsway Garage Ltd. of St. George, for future maintenance and MoT inspections. Annual services are recorded from August 2002 to August 2007 when, now showing just 32, 500 miles, the Escort was purchased by the garage owner himself. Having looked-after the car for the previous 5 years (including undertaking a cam-belt and water pump replacement in August 2004), he understandably recognised true provenance and the Escort soon formed part of a small collection of classic Fords. In March 2010, ownership was transferred to his son (now owner of the garage) who continued to MoT the car and use it sparingly. In September 2012, having been freshly MoT inspected, the car was put into dry storage only to re-emerge in October 2025. Since acquiring the Escort, we have undertaken a full health-check, detail clean and our own MoT inspection. Mileage today is just 38, 760.
The car presents just as can be seen in the photographs. It is exceptional. Other than a couple of very minor age-related marks and touched-in stone chips, it is just as it came out of the showroom 37 years ago. Original paintwork on original panels, all genuine Bryan Bros. stickers and number plates and superb plastic trim including bumpers and side mouldings. Even the plastic hubcaps are virtually unmarked and come with tyres dating back to the 1990`s! Indeed, the rear tyres, which themselves are showing some age, reflect the only MoT Advisory that has ever been issued on the car. The same story continues inside with perfect grey cloth trim, excellent grey carpets and superb dashboard which in itself is absolutely pristine. The car is difficult to fault. A couple of pumps on the throttle, turn the key and the engine fires immediately into life settling down quickly from auto-choke after just a few seconds. Select “Drive” and the Escort moves off swiftly with smooth changes through the automatic gearbox as the speed climbs. On a sunny Saturday morning, I took the little Ford for an extended run across the West Dorset Downs and loved every minute. Memories of my very first company car came flooding back as I was genuinely taken back to 1988. It honestly feels as if it has just left the showroom. Positive steering, balanced handling and excellent brakes all inspire spirited driving and being automatic makes it very easy to drive and live with day-to-day.
The Escort comes with its original supplying Dealer Pack including fully stamped-up Service Book (19 stamps), Handbook, Stereo Guide, receipts of work undertaken by Kingsway Garage from 2002 to 2007, virtually every MoT Certificate from 1991 to 2012 and a current MoT to November 2026.
A time warp example with wonderful provenance.
Shore Classics is based on the West Dorset coast within easy proximity of both Weymouth and the County town of Dorchester. As classic and vintage dealers, we offer full brokerage facilities. So if you require some help and guidance with selling your classic car or motorcycle, just give us a call today.
Deposit now taken.
