Blue Oval brilliance
Fast Fords have always been popular, when new or now they’ve become bona fide classic cars.
And it’s not just that they look great and go oh-so-well, they’ve always been accessible fantasy cars. While not cheap, these are dream cars where ownership could, one day, be a realistic proposition.
This quartet has certainly caught our eye. All four are for sale with Manor Park Classics in the auction house’s 14 May 2022 sale – and we had to take a closer look.
1. 1971 Ford Escort Mexico (est: £24-28,000)
To show no favouritism, we are going to look at these four classic Fords in age order, starting with the earliest, this 1971 Escort Mexico.
Ford’s Advanced Vehicle Operations division christened it after the marque’s success on the London-Mexico World Cup Rally, run from 19 April 1970 until 27 May of the same year.
Of the 96 starters, just 23 finished – and the winners were Hannu Mikkola and Gunnar Palm in, you guessed it, a Ford Escort.
1971 Ford Escort Mexico (cont.)
This example is a three-owner car that has been the subject of a complete body restoration in recent years.
However, as is often the case, life has got in the way and the work to this classic Ford has never been finished – could you be the one to do it?
1971 Ford Escort Mexico (cont.)
There’s that 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine, nestled within what appears to be a tidy and freshly repainted engine bay.
That colour, by the way, is the period-correct shade of Sebring Red.
1971 Ford Escort Mexico (cont.)
This classic Ford wears these fetching RS four-spoke wheels wrapped in correct Yokohoma tyres, but whoever the winning bidder is will have to budget to finish the job.
Mechanically we’re told it needs ‘setting up properly’. Inside it needs seats (front and rear), a steering-wheel badge, wiper arms and wiper blades, and pedal rubbers.
1971 Ford Escort Mexico (cont.)
Manor Park Classics describes this as a ‘simple and rewarding very light project’. That will probably depend on your level of expertise…
Either way, this 88,000-mile, highly evocative Ford Escort Mexico is a rather appealing prospect. Check it out.
2. 1978 Ford Escort RS 2000 (est: £35-40,000)
Another Ford, another Escort – and another car that surely requires little introduction.
Today, Mk2 Escorts are highly sought-after and in period were offered with a great many engine capacities and models: 1100 (Popular, Popular Plus, L, Estate), 1300 (Pop, Pop Plus, L, GL, Sport, Ghia, Estate, L Estate, GL Estate), 1600 (Sport, Ghia), Mexico, RS 2000 and RS 1800.
And all had lively five-bearing Crossflow motors.
1978 Ford Escort RS 2000 (cont.)
This 53,000-mile example consigned to Manor Park Classics’ 14 May auction was first registered on 9 October 1978.
As you saw in the previous slide, it is finished in Diamond White on the outside, while the cabin is trimmed with the correct black Beta cloth – it is said to show few signs of wear.
1978 Ford Escort RS 2000 (cont.)
And here’s that fabulous 2.0-litre overhead-cam Ford Pinto engine – the original RS 2000 carburettor was a downdraught twin-choke 32/36 Weber.
It was the ‘everyman’ performance model of the range, with a 110mph top speed and an ability to cover the benchmark 0-60mph sprint in 8.9 secs.
1978 Ford Escort RS 2000 (cont.)
As well as those famous ‘RS 2000’ decals that mark out this model, it has a noticeable slope-nose, plus a different bonnet and front wings.
And oh how we love those – correct – four-spoke wheels.
1978 Ford Escort RS 2000 (cont.)
Here you can see this example’s original bootlid spoiler, another one of the touches that set the more desirable RS 2000 models apart.
This car has been restored to what the auction house describes as ‘a very high standard’, new items fitted including the brakes, suspension and Yokohama tyres – and it has recently received a fresh MoT certificate, with no advisories. Find out more.
3. 1986 Ford Fiesta XR2 (est: £11-13,000)
This fun-looking ’80s hot hatch is also going under the hammer with Manor Park Classics on 14 May.
And as an apparently well-kept, unmodified example, in its original specification with a number of options fitted, it really is a very lovely thing.
1986 Ford Fiesta XR2 (cont.)
We bet this interior shot brings back memories for so many of you.
This Fiesta retains its original Ford radio and it is one of the cars with the pop-up sunroof, while other original factory items fitted here include foglights and central locking.
1986 Ford Fiesta XR2 (cont.)
This three-owner, 68,000-mile Ford Fiesta XR2 received some TLC back in 2011.
Work included a new clutch, fettling the engine and refurbishing the wheels, but the auction house also states that its seemingly fine condition is a tribute to its previous owners who’ve cared for it, as the car’s service history shows.
1986 Ford Fiesta XR2 (cont.)
And here are those fabulous wheels, refurbished a decade ago. That famous pepperpot design still looks brilliant and, today, is very evocative.
On this XR2, the alloys are wrapped in matching Yokohama tyres.
1986 Ford Fiesta XR2 (cont.)
Manor Park Classics says this 1300cc-engined Ford ‘performs excellently’ and it sounds like it would be a whole lot of fun to enjoy on quiet back roads.
It is predicted it will sell for £11-13,000 – see more here.
4. 1989 Ford Escort XR3i Cabriolet (est: £7-8000)
The youngest car in this quartet – and also the one with the lowest pre-sale estimate – is this 1989 Ford Escort XR3i Cabriolet.
It is another original-spec car and this one was restored in 2020.
1989 Ford Escort XR3i Cabriolet (cont.)
Inside you can see the Recaro interior, with its unmistakably ’80s style.
Any potential bidder will also be interested to hear this is a 69,000-mile car that recently passed its MoT, without advisories.
1989 Ford Escort XR3i Cabriolet (cont.)
Perhaps more so than some of the others here, this classic Ford shows signs of wear without being close to being worn out.
But, on the other hand, unlike the first Escort we viewed, it has seats, front and rear, and is ready to be enjoyed.
1989 Ford Escort XR3i Cabriolet (cont.)
This XR3i’s power comes from the fuel-injected, 1.6-litre, four-cylinder engine that was refreshed as part of this car’s recent restoration – and thanks to a stainless-steel tailpipe, we’re told it sounds great, too.
The brakes and suspension were also renewed in 2020.
And, as you might be able to see from this photo, this Escort has the RS Turbo bodykit, upgrading the bonnet to include vents, while beefier bumpers and flashier alloy wheels are also part of this option.
1989 Ford Escort XR3i Cabriolet (cont.)
It is also good to know that this Escort’s 33-year-old soft-top is, we’re told, fully operational and in good condition. Because as much as we love roof-down driving, the great British weather means the roof needs to be on standby.
It is also supplied with a hood cover.
Want to find out more? Check it out here.
Have you been tempted?
All four of these fast Fords will cross the block with Manor Park Classics in Runcorn, Cheshire, on Saturday 14 May 2022.
And with a host of other interesting-looking classic cars also consigned to that sale, there is a lot to take in – you can view the full catalogue here.
Keyword: 4 classic fast Fords for sale this month