mk1 ESCORT

[Guest]

Looking for a mk1 escort any condition if anyone knows of one stuck in a field somewhere

[pogweasel]

Won the lottery have we?

[retro80sboy]

you and everyone else mate, but best of luck anyway.

[Alexg]

This looks like a bit of a bargain

 

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Ford-Escort-mk1-T ... 53e5cb7edf

 

 

95% of parts to rebuild.

 

£12,750.00 Buy It Now

[retro80sboy]

The prices of these things really pisses me off to be honest.

 

I liked the mk 1s and 2s in the early 90s when they were proper 'shite' but was too young to own one, when you could pick them up for buttons and they were getting scrapped left right and centre.

 

Now it seems that every Tom Dick and Harry wants one and the prices are just obscene.

 

think ill stick to the Mk4s....

[dollywobbler]

If I wanted a quick, Seventies saloon, it'd be a Dolomite Sprint every time. In fact, I've just been researching them and I'm very tempted to flog the Landy and buy one!

[messerschmitt owner]

If I wanted a quick, Seventies saloon, it'd be a Dolomite Sprint every time. In fact, I've just been researching them and I'm very tempted to flog the Landy and buy one!

remember to sell the Landy just before you 'have' to visit the petrol station!

[Wilko220]

The prices of these things really pisses me off to be honest.

 

I liked the mk 1s and 2s in the early 90s when they were proper 'shite' but was too young to own one, when you could pick them up for buttons and they were getting scrapped left right and centre.

 

Now it seems that every Tom Dick and Harry wants one and the prices are just obscene.

 

A bit like Minis...

[Shep Shepherd]

If I wanted a quick, Seventies saloon, it'd be a Dolomite Sprint every time. In fact, I've just been researching them and I'm very tempted to flog the Landy and buy one!

 

Either one of those or a mark 4 Cortina S. RWD Escorts are a bit over-priced and over-rated in my opinion.

[seth]

Now it seems that every Tom Dick and Harry wants one and the prices are just obscene.

 

Fortunately, being blessed without the name Tom, Dick or Harry, I have no desire for an Escort at all.

[Shep Shepherd]

Now it seems that every Tom Dick and Harry wants one and the prices are just obscene.

 

Fortunately, being blessed without the name Tom, Dick or Harry, I have no desire for an Escort at all.

 

My interest in Escorts starts with the mark 3 and ends with the mark 4.

[retro80sboy]

When I was a car mad kid of about 5 or 6 my next door neighbours son had a mk 2 RS2000 in Green. I think it was on a T plate.

 

He gave me a load of posters and brochures and alike and I became facinated with the car.

 

Always liked them since then and such a model would be in my top 3 cars of all time that id like to own.

 

Even if I could afford one though I probably wouldnt buy one as id be scared to drive or park it anywhere in case some scumbag vandalised it or stole it.

[trigger]

If I wanted a quick, Seventies saloon, it'd be a Dolomite Sprint every time. In fact, I've just been researching them and I'm very tempted to flog the Landy and buy one!

 

Totally agree with that, The Dollys give me the right horn, (highly unlikely) but if someone came up to me with a nice, tidy Sprint wanting to swap it for my Kadett I'd doubt I'd have to think twice about it, and this is coming from a bloke who loves Mk 1 Escorts and Cortinas.

 

1978 Triumph Dolomite Sprint by Trigger's Retro Road Tests!, on Flickr

[Guest]

if i had kept all the mk1's and 2's ive owned in the past i would be minted now

[trigger]

My dad has a Mk1 Escort AVO back in the 70's that he traded in for a Avenger Tiger, I'd be kicking myself if i was him but that's life for you.

[Guest Leonard Hatred]

Escort is a poor man's Avenger.

[Shep Shepherd]

Escort is a poor man's Avenger.

 

Avenger is a thinking man's Escort.

[Cavcraft]

OH HAI I AM NU HERE ANY1 GOT AN JENSUN INTURCEPTIC 4 FOURTY QUID?

 

I like M1 and 2 Escorts and would happily own one but the money they make is just stupid for what is after all a very ordinary car. My son's mate at work has a four door Mk1, I could ask him if he'll part with it but it's a bit rough like.

[Pete-M]

I've got a Mk2 2dr 1300 Sport which is about two years into a restoration. Totally original spec, unmodified, and with a few tasty options.

 

Cost me about a grand a couple of years ago.

 

I did, however, buy it just outside Frankfurt.

 

If you want a RHD Mk1 or Mk2 project for less than a few grand I think you'll have to do the same, unless you'd be happy with a four door, poverty spec, rotten as fuck Mk1 1.1.

 

The reason they're worth so much money is, I think, because of the following;

 

A: Dead simple.

B: Easy to tune.

C: Capable of winning historic rallies for about 1/3 of the price of a 911 - which they often beat.

D: Great to drive, much better than an Avenger / Dolomite whatever, but I would say that.

E: Great looking in two door form

F: Every fortyish petrol head who had one twenty years ago wants another one, and they're willing to pay for good ones

G: Good parts availability, although doors and proper RS bits ain't cheap.

H: Reliable and cheap to run once they're sorted

I: Capable of taking massive amounts of thrashing

J : Better handling when sorted than most stuff out there.

K: Cool as fuck.

L: Parts are shared with loads of old Fords. Cosworth engine will bolt straight in (in N/A form), every motor factors has bits.

 

I adore Mk2 Escorts, had a few Mk1s years ago, but didn't enjoy them as much. Even after driving all kinds of weird and wonderful cars the Mk2 RS2000 with a few simple tweaks is still quite possibly my favourite handling car of all time. I have still to find anything out there that is as chuckable and fun as a Mk2 RS. I'm thinking of putting RS running gear in my Sport.

 

Avengers, Chevettes, Dolomites, Sunbeams, 131s etc aren't anywhere near as much fun as a good Mk2. They're just talked up by people who didn't try them back to back, or who cannot afford / or be bothered to find a good Mk2.

[Negative Creep]

Or this povvo spec one for a mere three grand

 

http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C200365/

 

 

 

 

 

So the price of a reasonable Dolomite, Avenger and Chevette then

[Pete-M]

Or this povvo spec one for a mere three grand

 

http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C200365/

 

So the price of a reasonable Dolomite, Avenger and Chevette then

 

32k miles is in its favour, but it's a four door, so I'd say it's between a grand and £1500 over the odds.

 

That's the problem with four door ones. Nobody wants them for rallying etc, nobody who had an RS, Harrier or Mexico wants a four door, they don't share any of the expensive body parts with a two door and a 1.3 isn't worth stripping for mechanical bits. Not even worth nicking the carpet for a nice RS as it's different. If it was a Ghia, with the twin choke Weber, four branch manifold, tinted glass, four clock dash, intermittant wipe, comfy seats (with headrests) and extra sound insulation it would be a nice little thing to use as a daily, but it ain't, so it's overpriced. It's a vv carbed, non servo, probably low compression 1.3. 50ish bhp. Ghias are 71.

 

If it were a two door, then that would be £3500-4500 without hesitation, and 2dr GL door trims are sought after by RS freaks as they're identical to RS ones other than the RS ones were carpeted along the lower 1/4. Four door ones are worth the square root of fuck all.

 

That would be €600 in Germany.

[Cavcraft]

I think the 'problem' is that as nice as a 1.1/1.3 Escort Mk1 or 2 may be it sure as hell isn't two or three grand nicer than an Avenger/131/Dolomite/Sunbeam/Shovitt.

 

They're all (in basic form) pretty much the same to me and it'd probably come to previous experience or ownership (and maybe badge loyalty) that would make any particular person buy any particular one of them.

I wouldn't ignore any one of them if the price was right. The trouble is in the case of the Escort the price never is right.

 

*I suspect people are asking silly money for four doors because they've seen how much ropey two door ones are fetching and automatically assume that because they have a Mk2 Escort is must be worth money. Even when it's a crumbing, semi-abandoned 1.3L with square headlights.

[Pete-M]

I think the 'problem' is that as nice as a 1.1/1.3 Escort Mk1 or 2 may be it sure as hell isn't two or three grand nicer than an Avenger/131/Dolomite/Sunbeam/Shovitt.

 

My 1300 Sport should just have enough poke and handling to be amusing, but it ain't gonna be quick. I'd rather have it than the equivalent Avenger / 131 etc. Mainly because I love the look and handling of Mk2s.

 

Would I pay a couple of grand more for a Mk2 than a 131 etc? Probably, but it would have to be a good spec 2dr. I'd give £3k for a good Harrier, I doubt I'd give even a grand for a mint 131 or Avenger.

 

If I could find a nice, correct spec, Mk2 RS2000 for £5k I'd be very tempted indeed. Problem is, I've not seen a correct spec Mk2 RS for years. There was one at Cholmondely that was very close to being right, but not quite close enough. There was a Mexico replica at the NEC that was closer to 'proper' RS spec than most RSs are nowadays. Even the company at the NEC advertising shell restoration, which had two 'RS' shells on show had got them wrong with basic items that they really shouldn't have missed. Either they weren't RS shells, or they'd cocked up their restoration.

 

They're all (in basic form) pretty much the same to me and it'd probably come to previous experience or ownership (and maybe badge loyalty) that would make any particular person buy any particular one of them.

I wouldn't ignore any one of them if the price was right. The trouble is in the case of the Escort the price never is right.

 

*I suspect people are asking silly money for four doors because they've seen how much ropey two door ones are fetching and automatically assume that because they have a Mk2 Escort is must be worth money. Even when it's a crumbing, semi-abandoned 1.3L with square headlights.

 

I always broke four doors for bits. They were never sought after. Even when a nice Harrier or 1600 Sport was £1500 (early '90s), the mechanically identical 1.6 Ghia four door was £250. I sent more than a few rust free four doors over the bridge after stripping them of any useful mechanical / electrical / trim bits, windscreen, rear window, bonnet and bootlid.

 

To me, and most other Mk2 freaks, the only ones to have are 2dr ones. Vans, estates and four doors are only useful for the odd spare part.

 

I'd run a 1.6 Ghia four door if it was mint, but not if it was more than a grand. As that ain't gonna happen, I'll give 'em a miss.

[Owain-328i]

You can keep your rwd escorts and your dollomite sprints, il have one of these thanks;

 

e21 323i;

[In The Pit]

I love the RWD Escorts and couldnt give a toss if its a 4 door or 2 door. Afew years ago some people were getting all thing over 2 doors being the ones to have, but nowadays thats a thing of the past with most fans. Loads of the OSF scene people have 4 doors aswell as two doors at the end of the day RWD Escorts are NOT sports cars so whats all the fuss.

 

The white one in this thread isnt a povvo spec one its a GL which is well appointed, I wouldnt pay £3000 for it but its worth £2000 atleast, the price gap between 2dr 4dr isnt as wide as it once was.

 

The sad thing is although they are fetching good money they are not usually finding good homes most being used as rally cars or barried up, still if you hate rwd Escorts on the bright side they will all be gone in afew years time.

[Lankytim]

About 7 years ago I weighed in a 2 door MK2 1600S... I really wish I had it now!! I did save the tags off it, but lost them years ago.

[In The Pit]

No joke this is on ebay with 8 bids currently on £510

 

 

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ford-escort-mexic ... 2eb2bd2a2a

[Owain-328i]

No joke this is on ebay with 8 bids currently on £510

 

 

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ford-escort-mexic ... 2eb2bd2a2a

 

Your bidding for the paperwork that comes with it. That'l be left where it is i should imagine and only a few choice bits taken with the paperwork.

[mk1_4dr]

Im not going to make any excuses for loving my Mk1, even with its 4 doors. Ive never felt the urge for a 2door, but then I suppose Im not quite old enough to remember them in the wild so Im untainted by the need for the RS moniker and all the right bits.

I bought escRot as I liked the look of it and it was borderline practical. I never intended for it to be a keeper, but after driving it for the last 5years I realise I'd have to pay good money to get the same grin-factor from anything else.

Like Mr M says, they're just so chuckable, controlable and thrashable.

 

As far as prices go, being a 4door i never regarded it as an investment but I wouldn't be able to afford one if I wanted to buy one now.

[Pete-M]

You can keep your rwd escorts and your dollomite sprints, il have one of these thanks e21 323i

 

I had one. YAT153X. (Wish it had been YET153X though, that would have been a good plate).

 

The BMW feels more grown up, and the six pot is a lot smoother than the old Pinto lump. Nowhere near as much fun to drive as a Mk2 RS though.

 

I love the RWD Escorts and couldnt give a toss if its a 4 door or 2 door. Afew years ago some people were getting all thing over 2 doors being the ones to have, but nowadays thats a thing of the past with most fans. Loads of the OSF scene people have 4 doors aswell as two doors at the end of the day RWD Escorts are NOT sports cars so whats all the fuss.

 

I was never part of the OSF scene. Yes, I love old Fords, but when I started buying them they were eight year old motors. My dad had brand new Fords on a regular basis. I only once went to an RSOC meeting, and to be honest I thought a lot of them were pricks so I never went back. I used to buy RWD Escorts because I love the look of the two doors, I love the handling of the quicker ones and the ease of tweaking 'em.

 

Ok, I'll admit that I'm a proper trainspotter when it comes to spec levels and stuff, but I've known that stuff since I was six years old reading Ford brochures. For some reason all that stuff stuck in my head. I wanted an RS2000 when I was 11 years old, and bought one when I was 19. I've had more Mk2s than I can remember, and from driving them the four door was never as much fun, I think it's something to do with the B posts being further forwards, restricts view compared to on the 2dr, and there's just something right about the 2dr's looks for me.

 

I think the other reason is that Ari Vatenen didn't chuck four door ones sideways through forests....