HIGHLIGHTS
- Extremely well presented
- Superb history file
- Restored from 2020
- Final and desirable EFI model
THE APPEAL
It’s the car many 17-year-olds aspired to own in the late 1980s and early 1990s, but with high costs and even higher insurance premiums, thanks to the joyriders of the 90s, this made most “hot hatches” of the era untouchable for many young drivers.
The Mk4 variant of the Escort arrived in 1986 and in 1989 Ford introduced the enhanced 'EFI' fuel injected engine. The final iteration of the XR3i and particularly desirable amongst enthusiasts, these cars can be easily identified by their under-bonnet 'EFI' decals. The enhanced specification improved throttle response and gave a 0-60mph time of 8.5 seconds with a top speed of 120mph. Pretty impressive in a car which weighs 912kg.
The vendor rescued this 1991 example as a project he could work on with his son. Off the road since 2014, the XR3i has been resurrected over the last couple of years, and is now in excellent condition. It had a full respray in 2022 and mechanical recommissioning before being taken for an MOT in July 2023. Since the MOT, the car has covered just 200 miles and is now looking for a new home to make way for another project for the vendor and his son.
THE HISTORY AND PAPERWORK
- The V5C is present
- Registered on the 2nd August 1991
- MOT valid until 19th July 2024
- No advisories noted on the MOT
- Extensive collection of invoices for parts purchased dating back to 1999
- History file also includes tax discs back to 1999
- 8 owners
- MOT certificates, which date back to 1998
- Extensive body restoration carried out since 2020
- Recommissioned after being off the road since 2014
- Just 200 miles driven since its completion
- Gemini alarm and tracker recently installed
THE INTERIOR
- Optional Recaro XR3i Zolda interior
- Seats are in very good condition
- There is a small amount of stretching to the material and a minor amount of bolster wear on the driver's side
- The matching rear seats are in good condition
- The door cards also match. There are some signs of age on the driver’s side where the armrest has lost its shape
- Both handles are discoloured, which is quite common to see.
- The original XR3i front/rear seats and door cards are included
- The dashboard is in good condition with no splits or cracks
- There are some light scratches on the plastic glovebox
- The odometer shows a reading of 32,454 miles, which is believed to be 132,454 miles
- Clock facings have been replaced and temperature gauge needs adjusting
- The switchgear looks in good condition with no real signs of age
- Loose switch cable for the heater requires attention
- The steering wheel has a small amount of wear but nothing excessive
- The head unit is missing, but it should be quite easy to install one
- Carpets are in quite good condition with minimal wear
- The parcel shelf has escaped any 6x9 speaker holes being cut into it
- Inside the boot is clean and tidy
- The spare RS Turbo S2 alloy wheel does have some corrosion and scratches to the face
- Vendor informs us the temperature needle needs adjusting as it’s sits half way on cold, and also the fuel gauge doesn’t work
THE EXTERIOR
- Finished in the original colour of Diamond White
- Has been kept in a locked and dry garage since 2020
- The seller tells us that he has never used it in wet weather
- Brand new smoked rear lights
- The paintwork on the XR3i is excellent, having only been repainted in 2022 and on the road since July 2023
- There has been welding work carried out to the rear arches and sills
- The panel gaps appear to be equal
- 1990 spec RS Turbo body kit and bonnet fitted
- Headlights, indicators and spotlights are in excellent condition with no chips or cracks
- There is a small chip in the middle of the heated windscreen, but not in the driver’s view
- The other windows appear to be in good order, with no noticeable scratches
- Window trims and seals look in good condition
- Sunroof seal renewed and mechanism reportedly in good working order
- The vendor reports the sunroof does get stuck due to the new seal being a touch too thick
- Rear lights are in good condition with no splits to the lenses
- The RS Turbo boot spoiler is in good order with no cracks
- RS Turbo S2 alloy wheels are in excellent condition
- New Uniroyal Rainsport tyres have been fitted and have only covered 200 miles
THE MECHANICS
- 1600cc EFI engine
- Five-speed gearbox
- The XR3i fires up without hesitation, and no issues have been reported by the vendor with the running of the car
- The car has received the following parts:
- New timing belt
- TPS Sensor
- Idle Control Valve
- There have also been some upgrades carried out by a previous keeper:
- Kent cam fitted in 2009
- Custom exhaust with a 6” rolled tailpipe
- LSD gearbox
- Some of the bushes on the rear suspension have recently been replaced
- The brakes have had new discs and pads fitted and bring the car to a stop as they should
SUMMARY
What more is there left to say about this XR3i, it's had all the hard work done to bring back the ultimate “hot hatch”, leaving just one question…Are you ready to take a nostalgic trip down memory lane in this 1991 Ford Escort XR3i?
If you couldn’t do it in the 90s due to the high costs, this is the perfect opportunity to become part of that exclusive XR club.
BEFORE YOU BUY
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