Description
This lot will be auctioned via Iconic Auctioneers, The Iconic Sale at the NEC Classic Motor Show 2024 - Cars on Saturday the 9th of November, NEC, Birmingham, B40 1NT. Introduced in October 1968 and in production until December 1974, the two-door van version of Ford's first generation Escort became a stalwart of small businesses everywhere, peppering every high street in the UK in the early 1970s. Built at Halewood in Liverpool, some 1, 082, 472 managed to find homes before the arrival of the Mk2 in early 1975. Most were powered by Ford's ultra-reliable 1, 098cc Kent OHV four-cylinder with a single carburettor and a five-bearing crank offering a steady 48bhp, quite enough for most applications. Despite the substantial numbers built, survivors are rare with the British weather, more stringent regulations and advancing technology taking their toll.
On offer here is a rare Escort 1100 6cwt van with an interesting story to tell. Finished in Ford Marine Royal Blue, it was first registered on 20th March 1974 to the British MOD-NAAFI, transport department in London who used it for deliveries to military bases for the next four years until it was surplus to requirements. It was subsequently purchased by a Mr Edward Hatton on 3rd July 1978 and kept it in his caring ownership until 2006. The third and final registered keeper, Mr Fred Smith from Henlow, then owned the car from 2006 onwards until he eventually retired from driving.
It has recently benefitted from some light cosmetic and mechanical recommissioning having sat in heated storage in the past few years. The odometer at the time of cataloguing reads 79, 421 miles and the van is supplied with its V5C, tax discs, old MOTs and an original operators manual.
This is a great opportunity to acquire a rare van with low ownership and low miles. Delightfully original, it would make a fantastic promotional tool for a small business and being offered 'without reserve' means this charming 50-year old 6 cwt van will find a new home at the NEC.
NB; This vehicle will be issued with a fresh MOT prior to the sale.
