Auction House – 1972 MK1 Ford Escort on Car and Classic

This car started life in Cyprus, where it stayed with the same family its entire life, and the dry climate helped keep the shell rust free but the car had been driven for over 4 decades so needed some care and attention…

It was imported to the UK in 2020 and the current owner bought it earlier in 2021 and completed the Nova paperwork before embarking on having the car restored to the high standard he was looking for with a local car restorer.

THE PAPERWORK

Sadly there is no history from the Escort’s former life in Cyprus beyond the import document, but having been totally overhauled by Andy’s Auto Restorations in Rochester, Kent, it has good ‘new’ history detailing the extensive refurbishment and restoration the car has enjoyed since the current owner began improving it.

THE INTERIOR

The interior has a strong rally inspired feel, and having just been rebuilt all is new or in excellent condition. It has been fitted with new one piece bucket seats in black vinyl and the dash loaded with instruments, the main cluster dials taken from a period Alfa and auxiliary dials in the centre above an aluminium panel with extra switches.

The dash top and instrument binnacle surround are padded vinyl and look new, and is set off nicely by an alcantara three spoke RS steering wheel, also in superb condition.

It has new carpets and gaiters for the handbrake and gear stick, and the immaculate door cards are fitted with original door furniture.

In the back, the rear bench seat in matching black vinyl is like new, but with the non reclining front seats not easy to get to!

THE EXTERIOR

Thanks to a warm, dry climate the Ford had a rust free shell and arrived in the UK with the body and paint looking as it does now.

The owner thinks its a Porsche colour, but it suits it perfectly. The quality and condition are outstanding, there are virtually no marks in the finish, the bubble arches blended invisibly and the panel gaps are all very good. The white side stripes are done well, straight and even, and the gold alloys are immaculate with new Uniroyal tyres on all four wheels.

At the front there are the iconic four big rally spot lights with quarter bumpers, and the addition of a row of round air intake holes in between. The radiator grill does have paint chips in the black headlight surround but the owner has a a replacement grille, in better condition to install.

The chrome bumpers front and back are excellent. The off side rear light lens is cracked but again the owner has a new one waiting to be fitted.

THE MECHANICS

Although the shell was good, it was stripped down and totally rebuilt so there are too many new parts to list (see the pictures for the receipts) and every service part or item that would perish with time has been changed.

Under the bonnet the engine has been fully serviced including a new timing belt, performance carburettor, exhaust manifold, starter motor and a new steering rack and even oil sump.

The brakes are all new, from the disks, pads, callipers and lines to the master cylinder, and new shocks fitted to the rebuilt suspension.

The battery has been relocated to the boot for better weight distribution and the overall set up is now very much fast road ready.

More info at; https://www.carandclassic.co.uk/auctions/1972-ford-escort-mk1-y4oVQn