1968 Ford Escort Mk1 2 Door Custom *Sold £16,500*

Description

• Full bare metal restoration
• Essex V6 3.0 litre engine
• Brand new custom vinyl interior
• No expense spared
• Award winning ex-Show Car
• Very fast stable car

From affordable road car to highly competitive race and rally car, the Ford Escort Mk1 has worn many hats over the years. And in all the intervening years nothing has changed – Ford’s hugely successful Anglia replacement still offers great motoring and this one offers quite a bit more.

Imported from South Africa and now registered with a UK V5, this example was already extremely solid and rust free, that didn’t matter as it still received a full restoration and respray over 2 years ago.

Knowing the car was to be built into something extremely special, more about that shortly, there has literally been no expense spared on the build of this one off, seriously fast 2-door Escort Mk1.

Exterior

As can been seen in the images this wonderfully presented Escort is in stunning classic Signal Orange paintwork that was applied to the completely stripped out shell following a full metal restoration. We’re told that the paintwork was flatted with 1500 grade wet & dry, followed by 2500 and finally with 3000 grade wet & dry, 2 stage grade compound followed by polish!

The engine bay and floor present just as well as the exterior with plenty of lovely thick coats of the luscious paint.  On close inspection there is one area to the nearside rear quarter panel that has bubbled but it really does not detract from how nice the paintwork actually is.

You will also notice some bling here and there around the car, especially in the engine bay, we’ll come back to that, that finishes off the exterior.  Installed are couple of chromed wiper arms fitted to a chromed scuttle panel grille and adjustable chromed mirrors that complement the chrome bumpers and grille perfectly.  All new window rubbers have been installed except the ¼ lights, giving this fantastic looking Escort some pretty neat finishing touches.

No wonder it has won so many awards in the past.

Interior

The saddle brown vinyl interior is a really nice contrast against the Signal Orange paint and is in the condition it was when created over 2 years ago, it genuinely presents like it was made last week and as you will see in the images it is unbelievably pretty with its pleated seatbacks and squabs.

The impressively designed seats hug you perfectly as the 3 litre v6 propels you around the corners, but equally comfortable as you poodle around the urban streets.  Fully reclineable and with matching headrests you would be forgiven for thinking you were in a modern luxury car, not a fifty-five year-old Escort!

The luxury does not stop there, along with those lovely seats, the door pads, the kick pads, the centre consul, the gear lever gaiter, rear parcel shelf and even the dash have been lavished in matching vinyl which to be honest, could be mistaken for leather, it looks that good!  There have even been four floormats made to match the whole interior.  Absolutely sumptuous and practical at the same time.

Lift those thick mats and you will see the carpets present like new and the roof lining is just as impressive.

The vinyl and wood dashboard house an MPH RS2000 cluster along with the usual heater controls and various switches that our vendor confirm all work as they should.  Fitted in the lovely vinyl clad centre consul is a Pioneer CD radio head unit, this is connected to a 600 watt amp that is professionally fitted in the boot with the obligatory six by nine speakers on the rear shelf.

Engine

It is hard to say on such a wonderful car what should be deemed as the pièce de resistance, especially when you have seen that super paintwork and the even better interior but the engine in the baby probably tips them to top spot.

The Essex V6 3 litre monster has been well and truly sorted, prior to refitting it after that bare metal respray it was fully rebuilt with 10.5 pistons and a 292-degree camshaft helping it to rev freely and push even more hp than it originally delivered.  Mated to a five speed Ford Sapphire Gearbox it really does pull like a train.

Add to that the 38 Weber carburettor and you will get an understanding of what to expect when you press your right foot to the sumptuous floormat.  It’s probably a good job those matching headrests were fitted because the back of your head will meet them at some point such is the acceleration of this bad boy.  Oh and it’s probably prudent to mention it fires first time with a brand new battery fitted in the bespoke carrier in the boot with a clear, see-through cover allowing the engine bay to stay looking as spectacular as it does.

With so much love and attention spent under the bonnet it was going to be tricky to list it all, but as ever, we will try anyway.  Deep breath:

• Electronic Distributor
• Electric Coil
• Aluminium Custom-made Radiator
• 57mm branch exhaust
• Stainless Steel Big Bore Exhaust
• Chrome Engine Mounts
• Chrome Sump
• Chrome Bottom Pully
• Chrome Front Pully Cover
• Chrome Rocker Covers
• Chrome Dipstick
• New Battery

You get the picture, in fact, go look at them, not only does this thing fly along at breakneck speed it looks even faster.  A very, very impressive engine bay indeed.

Wheels, Tyres, Suspension and Other

Before we get into the detail it must be said that custom built cars can sometimes be built just for the aesthetics, but it really must be shared that this had has some real thought put into it and it drives just as well as it looks and even better than it reads, which we will get to shortly.

Our vendor shared that it really does want to go fast and the suspension upgrades were designed with that in mind.  This Escort MK1 is supremely stable and drivable, don’t expect some cobbled together motor that scares the life out of you every time you hit a corner, this really is the real deal.

The five spoke silver and chrome wheels look spectacular, wrapped in new low profile rubber and tucked perfectly into the lowered body of the car are spotless.  The suspension and running gear is mightily impressive and again has had so much money thrown at it that we suspect it will be just as tricky as the engine bay to list but again, we will do our best:

• Mk2 1600 Sport Front Suspension and hubs to house:
• 1600 Sport Front Discs and Pads
• Height Adjustable Shock Absorbers
• Cortina 9” Rear Drums
• New Steering Rack
• Poly Bushes Fitted All Round
• Chrome Crossmember
• Chrome Suspension Top Mounts

Our View

It’s pretty obvious to state that the market for fast Fords is very hot currently, and this fully restored and customised two door Escort Mk1 is probably one of the faster, fast Fords we have had cross our path, add to that the stunning condition and we expect it to be very popular.

OK it may raise some eyebrows with the Ford purists, but you have to agree it is an absolute stunning build that has won and will probably win even more build and presentation awards should that be your thing.

Whatever is your thing, this is show car quality and fast car pace. so you can decide how to enjoy it and it will deliver in every circumstance.

Good luck! Please remember, our site uses anti-sniping software which ensures fairness to all bidders. So, if a bid for a lot is received in the last minute, the auction will go into a 2-minute overtime period for each subsequent bid.

Vehicle Location: Romford, Essex RM1– it’s the responsibility of the winning bidder to make collection / transportation arrangements directly with the vendor.

Would like to arrange a viewing or have a question about this Escort Mk1? Please contact us at team@evoke-classics.com and we will speak to the vendor on your behalf.

Guide Prices?

We’re different. But you know that. And we’re always honest. In a sector where no two classics are same, how does anyone put a ‘guide’.

Well, everyone knows the broad value of classic, let’s all be honest. So we don’t need to tell you what you already know, do we.

The ‘market’ decides and the old cliché that ‘it’s worth what someone wants to pay’ is no less true. So why kid everyone!

But, because we are different, if it really does matter to you, that’s fine, we want you to be happy. Just drop us a line at team@evoke-classics.com and one of us will be delighted to ring you back and discuss, it’s what we do.

Tedious but it’s vital you read this, please.

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