Ford Escort MkI Two-Door Rolling Shell

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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. Blessed with excellent handling characteristics, the MkI Escort went on to become one of the most successful rally cars of all time, remaining popular to this day within the now burgeoning classic rally scene.

This 1972-registered MkI two-door rolling shell was acquired by the vendor some time ago to join a small fleet of rally cars that he owns. His plan was to convert it into a competitive stage machine but the recent purchase of yet another project, a Mini Cooper, means that he now needs to liberate the space it occupies, hence the reason for sale.

Said to be in sound, straight and rust-free condition, it has had new floor pans and strut tops in the past and there is also evidence that it has already enjoyed a certain amount of competitive use with traces of a previously fitted roll cage.

It comes complete with steel Mexico front wings, two doors with wooden interior trim, all the glass, front and rear suspension, rear axle plus a box of other useful parts. A 1598cc Mexico block is also included in the sale but there is no cylinder head and no gearbox.

A great winter project for someone, it just needs some determined tinkering (and a few skinned knuckles, no doubt!) before it can be turned it into a gravel-spraying rally rocket once more. It also comes with a V5C that it will enable it to be road-registered once completed.

With early Fast Fords rocketing in value of late, this solid two-door project should amply reward the investment of time and resources now required.

CATALOGUE AMENDMENT: Bidders are advised that there is no V5 with this vehicle, although it is recognised by the DVLA. The vendor also advises us that this car has a wide gearbox tunnel.