HIGHLIGHTS
- Gorgeous example of XR3i convertible
- Loads of history
- Power-folding roof
- Excellent inside and out
THE APPEAL
The Ford Escort was the best-selling car of the 1980s – and not without good reason.
Affordable, neatly styled and pleasant to drive, it was the perfect choice of no-nonsense transport for British families. But that didn’t preclude it from being aspirational. Quite the opposite, in fact.
First came the XR3 – the sporty model with its distinctive teledial alloys and rear spoiler, soon followed by the fuel-injected XR3i, when anything with fuel injection was considered quite special in the strata of car badge one-upmanship.
Affordable, neatly styled and pleasant to drive, it was the perfect choice of no-nonsense transport for British families. But that didn’t preclude it from being aspirational. Quite the opposite, in fact.
First came the XR3 – the sporty model with its distinctive teledial alloys and rear spoiler, soon followed by the fuel-injected XR3i, when anything with fuel injection was considered quite special in the strata of car badge one-upmanship.
And then there was this – not just an XR3i, but an XR3i with wind-in-the-hair appeal. The soft-top Escort in the sportiest spec was the epitome of yuppie desirability and it sold in droves.
Like all Escorts, though, most have succumbed to the ravages of time. Which makes this car extremely special. With 74,500 believed genuine miles on the clock, it was restored a few years ago by a Ford enthusiast and has loads of history.
It’s a car that deserved to be saved, restored and preserved and it has been supremely well looked-after by its last two keepers.
Now’s your chance to join the fray.
It’s a car that deserved to be saved, restored and preserved and it has been supremely well looked-after by its last two keepers.
Now’s your chance to join the fray.
THE HISTORY AND PAPERWORK
- Original RHD car supplied to the Channel Islands and imported in 1990
- Fully restored in late 2010s
- Lots of historic bills and service invoices
- Original owner’s manual
- Service book stamped to 73,734 miles
- UK V5C
- Lots of old MOTs
- Restoration photos
- Original sales brochure
- Historic V5s
THE INTERIOR
- Smart grey velour Recaro seats
- Some minor wear to driver’s side seat piping
- Some crazing to rear soft top rear trim mounts
- Fully functioning electric roof
- Aftermarket Kenwood stereo
- White dials
- Electric door mirrors
- Excellent, clean and smart overall condition
THE EXTERIOR
- Fully restored and repainted
- Superb Diamond White paint finish
- Refurbished RS alloys
- Very good soft top with no notable damage
- Solid underside and recently rustproofed
- Original-spec XR3i decals and badges
- Ford mud flaps
- Very good tonneau cover
- Stunning overall condition – a really, really smart car
THE MECHANICS
- 1598cc fuel-injected CVH engine
- Five-speed manual
- Recently serviced and in great running order
- Starts eagerly and runs well
- Strut brace
- Slightly lowered
- All suspension and brakes overhauled during restoration
SUMMARY
Once a common sight, an immaculate and largely unmodified XR3i Cabriolet is a rare thing these days and you’ll have to look long and hard to find one as nice as this example.
It’s in superb condition inside and out with only a few minor signs of wear, while the history that comes with it makes it even more special.
A lovely car in lovely condition, and a wonderful slice of Eighties nostalgia.
It’s in superb condition inside and out with only a few minor signs of wear, while the history that comes with it makes it even more special.
A lovely car in lovely condition, and a wonderful slice of Eighties nostalgia.
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