Highlights
- Believed to be one of only 25 Tickford Edition examples produced
- 250bhp 5L ‘Windsor’ V8 with 5spd manual box
- Only 33,400 documented miles from new
- Likely the only example in the UK
- Rare Tickford-enhanced bodywork and styling in very good order
- £4,000 of bodywork repairs in 2023
- MOT to June 2026 with no advisories
The Appeal
Nothing, perhaps not even the kangaroo, is as ubiquitous and as Australian as the ute. Simple, rugged and with a massive load deck, these car-derived workhorses are a staple of rural roads.
Some of those farmers, however, clearly had an interest in more than just herding sheep because Ford and Holden have always offered high-performance versions of their sturdy utes. For those farmers with a penchant for showing off, Ford went one step further, offering a body kit by illustrious British tuner Tickford for its Windsor V8-powered XR8.
Just 25 are believed to have been built and this one is likely the only registered in the UK. It arrived here in 1999, shortly after first registration, and has had just two keepers since, amassing just 33,428 miles from new.
Appropriately finished in stand-out red, it is the farm workhorse that is actually a supercar-bating hot rod. That five-litre Windsor motor, a staple of Ford's muscle cars, is good for 250bhp through the rear wheels via a 5-speed manual box.
In 2023, this car was shipped to a specialist in Malvern for £4,000 of bodywork repairs. You’d hardly know because in the photos it looks highly original. The interior is factory-standard right down to the radio/cassette.
There is a lot of maintenance to back up that sparing use and a lengthy, advisory-free MOT to June 2026 to add reassurance. This is the Fast Ford to make even Fast Ford fans flock at the next show.
History and Paperwork
- First registered in 1998 according to DVLA
- First UK registered March 1999
- Two registered UK keepers
- Current keeper since February 2020
- Believed to be one of only 25 Tickford Edition examples ever produced
- Likely the only example of its kind currently in the UK
- Large history file as shown in photos
- Factory handbooks and technical data
- Workshop manual
- VIN plate confirms Tickford modifications as shown
- Various older and recent invoices
- Old MOTs and tax discs
- Specialist welding work in mid-2023 costing around £4,000
- Copies of these invoices can be inspected in photos
- MOT to 12th June 2026 with no advisories
- 33,351 miles showing on MOT test and 33,438 miles in photos
The Condition
- Red exterior paintwork looks smart with bright polished finish
- Bodywork is straight and well-kept
- Underside benefits from recent welding work in 2023
- No structural advisories on current MOT
- Factory standard car with Tickford body kit
- Body colour front and rear bumpers and side skirts in good condition
- Five-spoke alloy wheels in very good condition
- Matching Michelin CrossClimate tyres all round, showing good tread
- Black fabric interior trim in very good condition and factory standard
- Interior appears barely used and retains original features such as the audio system
- Large rear load deck with few indications it has ever been used
Enthusiasts familiar with iconic pickups like the original El Camino will find something familiar in the XR8’s swept lines. It looks particularly good in red, enhanced by those ultra-rare Tickford body fittings, including front and rear bumpers and side skirts. The exterior effect is completed by a big bore exhaust and a set of five-spoke alloys.
This car was sent to a specialist in 2023 for extensive bodywork repairs, including new sills. The current MOT contains no structural advisories
Inside the cabin is standard XR8 and in this case highly original. It looks barely used for a 27-year-old car. The usual high traffic areas like the driver’s footwell and seat bolster present well.
The Mechanics
- Fuel injected 250bhp 4,942 cc (4.9L) Ford ‘5.0’ V8 Windsor engine
- 5spd Manual transmission
- Right-hand drive
- Good history file as shown in photos
- No advisories on current MOT
We’re not quite sure why a farmer would need a 250bhp V8-engined ute, but we don’t care. We’re just glad the XR8 exists. There were two EL Falcon XR versions and the XR8 got Ford’s famed ‘Windsor’ 5L V8. The list of cars that have used this engine reads like a top 10 of Ford-powered sports cars includes the Mustang, Torino, AC Cobra and even the Sunbeam Tiger.
Here it is mated to a 5spd gearbox, which will no doubt please those who relish engaging the RWD layout. With under 33,500 miles from new, this rugged engine is barely run in.
The car comes to market with a good history file, of which we’ve shown highlights in the photos. The MOT shows no mechanical or running gear advisories, so it looks ready to use and enjoy.
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