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Ford Escort MkI 1300E

Ford Escort MkI 1300EFord Escort MkI 1300EFord Escort MkI 1300EFord Escort MkI 1300EFord Escort MkI 1300E
Ford Escort MkI 1300EFord Escort MkI 1300EFord Escort MkI 1300EFord Escort MkI 1300EFord Escort MkI 1300E
Ford Escort MkI 1300EFord Escort MkI 1300E
Lot number 154
Hammer value £10,600
Description Ford Escort MkI 1300E
Registration VMB 824M
Year 1973
Colour Amber Gold
Engine size 1,300 cc
Chassis No. BBATNC18156
Engine No. NC18156

Launched in 1968 to replace the Anglia, the Escort soon became Britain’s best selling car, with over 2 million sold by 1974. 

With a distinctive ‘dogbone’ front grille and swept ‘Coke bottle’ flanks, the Escort perfectly captured the clean 60s look and was widely admired. Mechanically it was conventional but effective, with rear-wheel drive, precise rack-and-pinion steering, MacPherson strut front suspension and a simple live rear axle mounted on leaf springs.

It was initially available only as a two-door saloon with either a 1.1 or 1.3-litre Kent Crossflow engine. Most were very basic inside but a top of the range model was introduced in 1973, the 1300E, which had ‘Executive’ trimmings such as additional dash instruments, wooden dash and door cappings, a three-spoke steering wheel, additional sound proofing, side stripes, full-width bumpers and slightly flared arches.

Under the bonnet the Sports version of the Kent 1300 used a Weber carb to develop 72bhp. The car wasn’t heavy and was able to achieve a highly respectable 93mph and managed the 0 – 60mph dash in just over 13 seconds. And all this for £1,182! Blessed with excellent handling characteristics, the MkI Escort went on to become one of the most successful rally cars of all time.

This particular 1300E is a truly exceptional car that has only covered some 29,000 miles to date. We are told that the car had just one owner from new, a Mr Barlow, who kept it until his death in 2004 when it was bequeathed to the Historic Motorsport Museum in Daventry.

After the museum closed down the car was acquired by the current vendor in 2008. At this point the vehicle was still in excellent, original condition apart from the Amber Gold paintwork which was a bit faded and scratched here and there, prompting the vendor to commission a full, engine-out respray in the original colour.

Apart from that the car is said to be totally original and unrestored with a superb tan interior. Said to drive beautifully, it has been very little used in the current ownership, being kept as part of a private collection in Ireland (hence the Donegal plates in the photos, although it should revert to its original number, VMB 824M, once registered back in mainland Britain).

Altogether a stunning, low mileage example of what is now becoming an increasingly collectable model. 
 

Please note that this car will need to be re-registered with the DVLA before it can be used in the UK. 

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