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GOOD HOME WANTED FOR "GRIFF" - My FORD ESCORT Mk4 1. 3 Popular in gleaming BLACK
It is with a heavy heart that I am selling GRIFF, my Escort Popular. He is a GERMAN built car whichvwere known to have a much better build quality than the UK vehicles.
Griff is quite a unique model ! He is a 5 door hatch - badged on the boot as a 1. 3 Popular. As far as I know, Ford did NOT make Popular's in a 5-door. Griff definitely IS a Popular - as he has a 'manual chrome' aerial (and all models "popular plus" upwards had the aerial combined within the HRW). He does not have any side body mouldings. The log book / order form state he is a "Bonus". Again, as far as I am aware, Ford only made the Bonus models in 3-door - so Griff is a bit of an anomaly !
I wonder whether his first owner - Mr Robert Vickers (from August 1990 to November 2020) worked for Ford? Griff has a boot light (which Popular's did not have) - with a separate switch so you can turn the boot light off if it is open for any length of time. All 4 doors operate the front courtesy light (as far as know it was only the GL's and upwards which did this). He has a cigarette lighter. A factory fitted FORD Sunroof which only pops up and can be lifted fully out. It does not slide back into the roof - so there are NO sunroof drain holes which drain into the Sills.
Griff has his original dealer front and rear number plates, his original dealer keyrings, the original order form (showing he was registered on 22 August 1990 and cost £7071 when new), original Ford Service Book with the "vehicle and customer service record assurance certificate".
His paperwork is pretty extensive - I have the original owners logbook, plus bits of the log books for the other 2 keepers. On 27 November 2020 Griff's ownership was transferred to Susan Vickers - I have assumed that Susan was either Roberts wife or his daughter.
Michael Webb, who I bought Griff from, took ownership on 1st March 2024. Michael is in his 60's (I think) - and he purchased Griff as their modern Ford Fiesta had sustained a rear end shunt / accident and was in for repair. He needed something to use and wanted something a bit different - which is how he came to acquire Griff. Unfortunately Michael's wife didn't get on too well with Griff as he does not have power steering (I don't think ANY mk4 Escorts had power steering!) - so when their Fiesta was returned from the repair shop, Griff was up for sale and that was how I came by him.
He is simply stunning! He's done 105k miles - but looking at the condition he is in you'd think it was more like 35k miles.
Robert Vickers absolutely cosseted his Ford Escort. Anywhere where they may be 'rubbing points' (ie on the sills when you get in and out of the car), Robert has put a strip of 'black electrical tape' across that 'corner' to avoid any scratches on the paint. It is NOT obvious - as the car is black and so is the tape - but that is the care that has been taken of this special vehicle.
I know Fords - I'm in my early 50's and have had Fords from the 80's and 90's for years - and I've never seen an UNRESTORED Escort in this stunning original condition. As far as I can tell (and a close friend who is also an Escort fan has also inspected carefully), Griff has not been re-painted or restored. He has been extensively waxoiled from new and is amazing original rust free condition - really must be viewed to appreciate how "true" this car is.
GRIFF did the vast majority of his mileage from 1990 when until 2005, from then onwards he's had a very sheltered and gentle life.
GRIFF has recently had the tracking adjusted and 2 x brand new front tyres. He is very reliable and very smooth. There is an instruction manual and guide for a Gemini care alarm (I don't know whether it works, I've not tried it, but everything is there).
GRIFF is after a caring home where he will be driven, enjoyed and treated well.
I am looking for £4, 995.
Please come and take a look for yourselves - you will not be disappointed. We are 10 mins off of junction 19 of the M5 - in Portishead, Nr Bristol. Feel free to come and have a look, no pressure and a free cup of tea on offer !
I have only owned GRIFF since 1st July 2024 - and I'm sure I am going to regret selling him. I have been looking, on and off, for a Hillman Hunter Estate for aprox 30 years. They NEVER ever come up. Sods law, a Hillman Minx Estate (same shape as Hunter) came up in mid July, nearby - and it is stunning (not as good as Griff - but VERY few cars are!) - I could not resist - but this means that Griff has to find a new home. We have too many cars - we are classic car fans - but it is essential that GRIFF goes to the right home. There are MOT documents from:
- July 1997 (mileage at that time was 93, 667)
- August 2002 (mileage 99, 588)
- July 2005 (mileage 100, 265)
- July 2006 - mileage 100, 466
- July 2007 - mileage 100, 662
- July 2008 - mileage 100, 876
- July 2009 - mileage 100, 959
- July 2010 - mileage 101, 134
- August 2011 - mileage 101, 342
- July 2012 - mileage 101, 663
- July 2013 - mileage 101, 875
- July 2014 - mileage 102, 003
- July 2015 - mileage 102, 253
- July 2016 - mileage 102, 337
- April 2017 - mileage 102, 411
- March 2018 - mileage 102, 534
- April 2019 - mileage 102, 679
- July 2020 - mileage 102, 788
- June 2023 - mileage 102, 802
- April 2024 - mileage 103, 525
Literally ALL of these MOT documents show the test as CLEAN / NO ADVISORIES. The only two which were a 'fail' was in August 2003 (c/ o emissions too high) and "July 2005 - fault on offside rear light when indicators working".
Although Griff has done 105k miles, you would not believe how quiet the engine is. I was at a show last weekend and had the engine running - I was chatting with someone and when we popped the bonnet open, he was surprised as he hadn't realised that the engine was running while we'd been chatting ! Its the 1. 3 OHV (High Compression Swirl - HCS) engine that Ford introduced when the Mk3 Fiesta was launched. And it is NOT the usual tappity engine - it is remarkably quiet! 4 speed manual gearbox, manual choke, windy windows, no power steering, no ABS, no electrics to go wrong - just driving as it should be !
