・Low mileage 
・Recent comprehensive respray
・Electric hood

The 4th Generation Ford Escort was manufactured between 1986 and 1992. It built upon the previous three generations and added different engine variations and more modern injection technology.

It was made in the lift back (hatch) , estate, cabriolet and van body styles and a range of engines from 1.1, 1.3, 1.6 , 1.8 and the fast version the RS Turbo.

The current owner acquired the car In March of this year and whilst the history was up together the bodywork needed some love. It has undergone a comprehensive restoration to the body in his ownership with the documentation and before and after photos as evidence.

The car has been serviced and had a number of items replaced and holds a current MOT until December 2021.

Now that the project is finished, the owner has spotted something else and so the Escort is up for sale.

The car comes with a folder of documents including most of the previous MOTs, the V5c, The service book which has a number of stamps in it, and a number of invoices for parts/servicing through the cars life.

Most notably the invoice for the respray at just over 4k alone.

There are also a number of the original handbooks, brochures and pamphlets.

The interior is tidy for a 31 year old car. It has the recaro sports seats with the body hugging side bolsters to keep you in your seat through the twisties.

Electric windows in the front, manual winders in the rear and all in all the seats upholstery is in nice condition. The binnacle has the white gauges and with the white of the car this really is a nice touch.

There are Pioneer speakers in the front and rear and an aftermarket head unit in the dash. 

There are a few minor things to note,

The drivers seat has unfortunately suffered from the very typical Recaro bolster wear from people getting in and out of the vehicle and the base of the seat suffers from the classic sag. These are pictured.

The rear speaker panels have unfortunately cracked in the sun due to their age and the passenger side rear window outer rubber seal has started to perish.

The exterior has received a comprehensive respray in the last few months. This was due to the bonnet catch failing and the decision was taken to do the whole car.

This work included:

Replacement of bonnet (genuine ford) Replacement scuttle panel, new windscreen, new bonnet catches and hinges (genuine ford), Complete body refurbishment and full respray to a fine standard. The paintwork really is lovely.

The electric hood works without fault and locks in as it should, it also comes with a tonneau cover to go over the hood and a fly screen. The hood itself is in very clean, nearly new condition and the owner believes it has been replaced at some point but unfortunately there is no paperwork to back this up.

There are two main exterior items that aren’t standard XR3i. You will notice that the car currently sits on 7 spoke RS wheels which look great and have minor curbing, one wheel has a small patch of paint flaking off. 

The car also sports a stainless back box which does give a decent note.

There are a number of invoices for various servicing over the years but in the last 4 months the car has benefitted from,

Cambelt and pulley replaced, oil and filter ,fuel filter , air filter  , spark plugs , new starter motor ,new coolant temp sensor.

The car starts as it should and drives well with the gears being easy to select. The car has low mileage and it shows in the way it drives.

Classic fords have a massive fan base and there are numerous enthusiast groups out there that still show up in their droves sporting their finest Dagenham born racers.

This particular Escort XR3i has had some serious love lavished upon it and it really shows. The cars paintwork is flawless and with a few minor adjustments to the wheels and the seats this car really could compete in competitions.

Classic Fords hold their prices fairly well and certain models are always on the rise so if your looking to get behind the wheel of one before the prices launch out of the stratosphere this could be a good one to look at.