1990 Ford Escort XR3i Cabriolet SE500 LE *Sold £10,500*

Description

• Stored by our vendor in a Car-Coon for 26 years
• Described as a “Time Capsule”
• MOT to March 2024
• One former keeper
• Unique SE Pacifica Blue
• 1 of 500
• From a private collection

The Ford Escort XR3i Cabriolet’s mix of sporty looks, bargain price and lively performance made it one of the top hot hatches during the Eighties. When Ford built the Limited Edition SE with a production run of only 500 they were all eagerly snapped up. It’s no surprise when good ones like this come to market, there is always a great deal of interest, and this Escort XR3i is a real time capsule having been “sleeping” for 26 years after being put in storage by our vendor back in 1996.

This Escort XR3i

• First registered 21 May 1990
• 52,050 miles
• One previous owner
• The car was stored in a Car-Coon by our vendor from 1996 to 2022
• Our vendor describes it as a “Time Capsule” find
• MOT until March 2024
• Partially stamped original Ford Service Book

Outside

• Special Edition Pacifica Blue
• Body-coloured bumpers with integral overriders
• Satin black inserts
• Body-coloured side and wheel arch mouldings
• Tinted glass
• Quickclear heated front screen
• Front lip spoiler
• Blue, electrically operated fast folding vinyl hood
• Driving lights
• Electric heated door mirrors
• Hood cover

The Escort XR3i Special Edition 500 was available in just one colour that was unique to the SE, Pacifica Blue. It does look good.

There are of course a couple of age-related marks and rather than alter the originality our vendor has wisely left well alone. Images are in the Gallery

Bumpers, trim and the 90s spec style decals remain unmodified. The colour coded power hood is in as new  condition and comes with its own original Ford cover.  Our vendor tells us the boot stays “have a mind of their own”. Fair enough.

*Please note that the images and video show the bonnet slightly open, that’s just because our vendor did not close it fully!*

Inside

• The full Shadow Leather trim (unique to The Special Edition model)
• The interior is clean and in very good order
• The leather facings are fully intact with no rips or sunlight damage
• The colour-keyed cut pile carpet is good, as is the original lining to the factory hood.
• Original 2005 model stereo cassette with four speakers
• Fuel computer is standard fitment in the Special Edition
• Rev counter
• Central locking
• Two sets of original Tibbie torch keys
• Period Piranha Alarm fitted, with fobs
• Original toolkit
• Security wheel nut locking kit

Ford turned to the expertise of the German specialist Karmann to produce the Escort Cabriolet. “The result is impressive,” said Motor Magazine.

To counteract the absence of a solid roof, the Escort Cabriolets had an additional box section along the length of its sills and a strengthening rollover hoop keeps everything tight. It gave the Cabriolet the same taut settings, as well as lively performance, as the tin-top XR3i.

Mechanicals

• EFI 1.6 CVH bhp
• Five speed gearbox
• Standard fitment on the Special Edition are RS Turbo Style 6 x 15in alloy wheels.
• New Hancock tyres fitted
• Diagonally-split dual-line servo assisted brakes with ABS
• Upgrade suspension was fitted the SE500

The Escort XR3i SE 500’s uncomplicated charm shines through. Its raspy exhaust note makes the 1.6-litre fuel injected engine motor still feel strong. The steering is light and precise, while there might be some body roll in fast corners, the stiffer sports suspension keeps you well planted.

Additional info

From our vendor:

• The SE 500 comes with an outer roof protection cover, which explains why the original soft top is in showroom condition
• The engine bay has been deliberately left uncleaned to show its condition as it came out of its Car-Coon and authenticate its originality save for disclosed parts replaced to obtain its MOT
• Original radio
• Service documentation also with some supporting invoice copies
• V5 and MOTs
• There is an invoice of expenditure items for MOT which includes the cost of re-spraying the spoiler which had started to lose its lacquer
• KNOWN BLEMISHES – BOTH ON PHOTOS
  • Small scratch on offside front bumper
  • Jacking point near side cover is missing
• KNOWN DEFECTS
  • The boot hydraulic opening stay has a mind of its own
  • The roof down tonneau would benefit from new press studs
  • I’m still searching for the radio code
  • There are a few bonnet stone chips
• There is dust on some of the photos which is from the protective covering when stored
• The Escort XR3i Cabriolet SE 500 is only being sold due to reducing my collection
• Please note that the vehicle remains on SORN. I say this because it was transported to my race engineers workshop to have the MOT work done and transported back to me. The XR3i will need a check over before being driven, which is common sense after being unused for over two decades!

Summary

To find an Escort XR3i Cabriolet SE 500 with just two owners, professionally stored in a collection and totally un-modified is, err, unusual.

We don’t need to tell you where all Fast Ford values are heading. Limited Edition models like this one are in a league of their own.