Of course there are many cars I would like to have or drive, but there is one little car that really keeps popping up in my head, the Ford Escort Mk1 (2-door).
Now I know prices have risen quite a lot lately, but I am not looking for a 50K car. There must be plenty around in the UK, also for a lot less.
Maybe a stranded project that needs finishing, maybe someone who wants to get a different car, or maybe just a car that has been sitting in a garage for years.
I am not saying I don't want a finished car that can be driven right away, just not for 50K.
Any suggestions as to where to find such a car, please let me know. Or maybe the right forum or specialist.
Thanks in advance.
John
Looking for Escort Mk1 (2-door)
Moderator: martauto
John,
I know of one that a work colleague is debating about selling. It's an ex race mk1, but it is little more than a shell and a few parts. I think it has the running gear, possibly a capri rear axle. Given how much mk1s are selling for and this has some race pedigree I think he wants around 17k. Is it worth that? I have no idea.
Imagine a barn find shell and random bits and that is what it is I guess. They did look good way back when!
If you want more details, PM me
Thanks
Jon
Edited to add;
He just sent me some blurb that I presume means he is serious about selling:
Mk1 Ford Escort ex circuit race car un-touched, period barn find
Genuine period ex-race mk1 escort up for sale.
It stopped racing in the 70's, was dis-assembled (engine, gearbox, rear axle . . .) and been in dry storage since. So offered for sale is basically a rolling shell, but no rear axle! The car is a 1970 example, bodywork is all very solid, no rust that I've seen, it has very wide glass fibre arches as seen in the pics, the front end is lightweight glass fibre and fully removable. The whole car including bodywork modifications/arches are period and has not been touched/further modified in anyway since the car stopped competing. I have period photos of the car racing which will go with the car to the buyer. Also included will be photos of the car as I found it, near buried in a barn, as it was being uncovered and removed from its resting place of the previous 35 years.
It was a super saloon type race car and ran with a dry sumped Rover v8 on Webers. a lot of the upper floor pan/lower bulkhead/transmission tunnel have been cut away obviously to accommodate the v8, this could easily be welded back in with the correct parts if the new owner wished to re-fit a smaller engine rather than a v8.
I could tidy it up, clean it, repair/make a neater job of the bulkhead/transmission tunnel but I'm just offering it as it is, as a completely original barn find racer.
Having been in storage and done nothing since the 70's, it's very straight and original (in a sense). Doors shut beautifully, original early small door handles, front and rear screens are glass and in useable condition. Side windows are perspex.
The car has a roll cage fitted but again this is an original period item, so it's integrity/effectiveness would be questionable in comparison to roll cages of today.
The car will be advertised in various places so will be sold on a first come - first served basis.
Feel free to call/e-mail with any inquiries.
Buyer must collect car with cash. I am not willing to ship the car or organise any transportation.
£17,000
It is in the south of England.
I know of one that a work colleague is debating about selling. It's an ex race mk1, but it is little more than a shell and a few parts. I think it has the running gear, possibly a capri rear axle. Given how much mk1s are selling for and this has some race pedigree I think he wants around 17k. Is it worth that? I have no idea.
Imagine a barn find shell and random bits and that is what it is I guess. They did look good way back when!
If you want more details, PM me
Thanks
Jon
Edited to add;
He just sent me some blurb that I presume means he is serious about selling:
Mk1 Ford Escort ex circuit race car un-touched, period barn find
Genuine period ex-race mk1 escort up for sale.
It stopped racing in the 70's, was dis-assembled (engine, gearbox, rear axle . . .) and been in dry storage since. So offered for sale is basically a rolling shell, but no rear axle! The car is a 1970 example, bodywork is all very solid, no rust that I've seen, it has very wide glass fibre arches as seen in the pics, the front end is lightweight glass fibre and fully removable. The whole car including bodywork modifications/arches are period and has not been touched/further modified in anyway since the car stopped competing. I have period photos of the car racing which will go with the car to the buyer. Also included will be photos of the car as I found it, near buried in a barn, as it was being uncovered and removed from its resting place of the previous 35 years.
It was a super saloon type race car and ran with a dry sumped Rover v8 on Webers. a lot of the upper floor pan/lower bulkhead/transmission tunnel have been cut away obviously to accommodate the v8, this could easily be welded back in with the correct parts if the new owner wished to re-fit a smaller engine rather than a v8.
I could tidy it up, clean it, repair/make a neater job of the bulkhead/transmission tunnel but I'm just offering it as it is, as a completely original barn find racer.
Having been in storage and done nothing since the 70's, it's very straight and original (in a sense). Doors shut beautifully, original early small door handles, front and rear screens are glass and in useable condition. Side windows are perspex.
The car has a roll cage fitted but again this is an original period item, so it's integrity/effectiveness would be questionable in comparison to roll cages of today.
The car will be advertised in various places so will be sold on a first come - first served basis.
Feel free to call/e-mail with any inquiries.
Buyer must collect car with cash. I am not willing to ship the car or organise any transportation.
£17,000
It is in the south of England.
Hi Jon,
Thanks for posting.
This particular car sounds like a car modified in a direction I don't want to go with the transmission tunnel cut et cetera. It sounds a bit like a Thundersaloon which might be difficult to get back to original.
But I am sure he will find a buyer who is looking for a car like this, maybe to get into (historic) Thundersaloon racing.
Hope there will be more out there.
John
Thanks for posting.
This particular car sounds like a car modified in a direction I don't want to go with the transmission tunnel cut et cetera. It sounds a bit like a Thundersaloon which might be difficult to get back to original.
But I am sure he will find a buyer who is looking for a car like this, maybe to get into (historic) Thundersaloon racing.
Hope there will be more out there.
John
17k is dreaming. £20k buys a very decent Mexico, and 25 grand a seriously nice one. Projects just are not worth the bother - rusty shells and tired old bits are so much money now that it's cheaper to just buy a good one. If a Rallye Sport AVO car is too dear, look instead at a 1300 Sport.....but they aren't far behind. The trouble with Escorts is that the values of the proper AVO cars are dragging the values of 1300L crap and the like. AVO cars were bespoke built and fairly serious, but regular Halewood Escorts were just porridge.
Agreed Andy. I think he is chancing his arm. But if he doesn't need to sell, then I guess there is no harm, it will just sit there for a few more years.
I wouldn't want to pay more than £2k personally!
I wouldn't want to pay more than £2k personally!
Andyboy wrote:Projects just are not worth the bother - rusty shells and tired old bits are so much money now that it's cheaper to just buy a good one.
You might be right there. Some people with old, tired cars seem to think they are sitting on gold. I need to find a reasonable owner or maybe even someone he just regards it as an old car. Just heard from a friend that he was asked to clear out a shed and he stumpled over two Mk1s and was told he could have them. Naturally he keeps one and the other will go to his business partner.
I hear what you are saying, but nothing that can't be corrected when building up as a new car I presume?!? Mainly strenghtened body and seam welded, wasn't it?Andyboy wrote:AVO cars were bespoke built and fairly serious, but regular Halewood Escorts were just porridge.
John
I hear what you are saying, I think I already have an epic E30 with the S54 engine in it. For my other E30 I am planning to get the S65 engine or (just maybe) the S85.
But... I feel there are other nice cars to own as well and the Escort Mk1 (and Mk2) are to rallying what the E30 M3 is to touring car racing.
At the moment I have two pretty good leads, so here is hoping.
John
But... I feel there are other nice cars to own as well and the Escort Mk1 (and Mk2) are to rallying what the E30 M3 is to touring car racing.
At the moment I have two pretty good leads, so here is hoping.
John
Chevette hatchback - already a cracking little tram for handling. Then a 2.0i engine and 5 speed manual box from a Carlton or a 16v from an Omega, brakes from a Manta etc. You'll build something really handy for five grand, or the price of a shit 1100L 4 door Escrot.
I like a nice original Rallye Sport Escort but they are insane money now. An RS1600 is 50 grand plus, if you can find one.
I like a nice original Rallye Sport Escort but they are insane money now. An RS1600 is 50 grand plus, if you can find one.
Yup, and the Manta. Are the non lotus sunbeams still available for normal money? I had a go in one a few years back which had a Vauxhall XE lump(already a great engine) fitted with cams and throttle bodies, fucking mental.Andyboy wrote:Chevette hatchback - already a cracking little tram for handling. Then a 2.0i engine and 5 speed manual box from a Carlton or a 16v from an Omega, brakes from a Manta etc. You'll build something really handy for five grand, or the price of a shit 1100L 4 door Escrot.