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[paulwoodford]

Just bought a house so this has to go, though I'd still like to have something for the weekends (suits you sir!), so would be interested in a cheaper part ex. I thought I'd post it on here, I appreciate it's not a Fiesta, but that hasn't stopped me before!

1978 31,000 mile Mk2 Escort 4 door Ghia 2 litre (originally 1600) completely rebuilt with a very clean shell and a good spec. I know it’s always said, but this really is a reluctant sale. I’ve owned the car since May and have spent a small fortune on it since then to make sure everything is absolutely spot on, with the intention of keeping the car long term. As above though, my current situation dictates otherwise.

I’m looking for £5,150 – the car is a good spec, very clean and needs absolutely nothing except a turn of the key whenever the mood takes you…!

I will probably miss something so please get in touch if you want to know more – by email teamwoodspeed@hotmail.com or PM on here. It’s been worked on recently by Neil from Retro Performance Motorsport and he will I’m sure vouch for the description below. I’ve tried to be as detailed as I can, but obviously happy to answer any questions – I would advise viewing the car though to make your own mind up, it really is as good as it looks. If you want a quick, good looking classic Ford which needs absolutely nothing and is ready to, then this is the car for you.

The Escort has a full MOT and tax until November. It sailed through the MOT, with the only advises being dry front upper rubber bushes and slight wear to the inside edge of the rear tyres. An MOT certificate that absolutely sums up the car to be honest – nothing needed, just get in and enjoy.

Here’s a spec with some (!) photos, and a detailed report of the car’s condition – sorry if it seems overkill but for me it’s better to have too much detail than not enough. Scroll down and look at the photos if you get bored!

Spec:

Body:
Fully rebuilt 4 door Ghia shell, retaining leathercloth roof
Square headlight grille
Mexico front spoiler
Chrome bumpers, mirrors and trim

Engine/gearbox:
2litre Pinto (Sierra)
Accuspark Electronic Ignition
Weber 32/36 DGAV carb
Janspeed manifold and exhaust system

5 speed type 9 gearbox
Rally Design Quaife-style rose-jointed Quickshift
2 piece propshaft

Suspension / wheels:
Capri 2.8i front uprights
Spax rear shocks
Anti-tramp bars
Capri RS 4 spokes
Yokohama S306 tyres

Brakes:
Princess 4 pot brake calipers front
RS 9" drums rear
710 motorsport fluid used

Interior:
Black Ghia upholstery
Unmarked dash, parcel shelf, headlining
CD player with front-off security (quick release speakers – read below!)
Correct centre console with clock

Detailed condition report:

Body:

4door Escort Ghia painted Vista (Phoenix) Orange as found on Mk3 Cortinas of the same period - full bare shell resto carried out around 5 years ago by the last owner who was local to me; the paintwork was a no-expense spared professional job and is still very good, the odd stone chip and blemish as you’d expect, but no rust! It’s hardly seen any mileage since it was built except for the odd local show run. The shell was properly painted, with the only clue to the car’s original colour being a couple of bolts on the boot hinge which the previous owner wanted to leave so he could show people the original colour (don’t ask!). The chrome round the car is all very good, including the side panel trim which was sourced NOS during the rebuild.

The leathercloth roof is original, though looking at the attention to detail of the rebuild you would be hard pressed to see any evidence that it was painted with this still fitted, unlike some attempts I’ve seen in the past! It’s in nice condition, again the odd mark but no rips etc. Had I done the rebuild myself I would probably have had the roof painted, but starting from a very good base, the previous owner decided he wanted to keep the car close to its roots and keep the roof.

The panel gaps and window seals are all very good, the rear window seal chrome insert has discoloured slightly, but none of them leak, and while the chrome strip along the top of the windows has lost some of its chrome finish I have a spare, new set that I will include.

The front Mexico bib spoiler has been riveted and then smoothed into the bodywork – it is showing a couple of hair line cracks from vibrations where it joins but only noticeable up close – just being as honest as I can. The arches are all clean along with the valances, door shuts, floors and boot floor. And you could eat your dinner out of the engine bay it’s that clean!

Underneath the car has no rust, and has been undersealed using black Waxoyl (not rust-trapping cheap underseal) since being rebuilt, the previous owner was as headstrong on this point as I am, meaning it’s in very good condition under there, and while you won’t win any concours competitions for having a mirror finish painted floor, it’s well protected and worry-free!

Interior:

The car originally had a lovely brown interior, which has been replaced with a black version – still the correct Ghia interior and in good condition – no rips or tears or undue wear to any of the seats; bolsters or bases. The dash is immaculate, no fading or cracks, and the same is true of the parcel shelf. I did intend to fit rear seat belts, but was loathed to cut holes in such a mint shelf!

The centre console is mounted a little further back to allow for the position of the Type 9 5 speed box gear lever, but is mounted properly and finished off nicely so it’s neat, tidy and OEM looking to all but the educated eye. It has a CD player fitted and working (JVC or Sony or something – haven’t ever used it) but no speakers as I couldn’t bring myself to cut holes anywhere for music when the engine sounds so good! The previous owner had a couple of speakers loose in the rear floorwells which are removable or can be connected back up in seconds if required. It has a cool retro screen mounted aerial which seems to work nicely, and most importantly means the wings are free of holes!

It has an RS 3 spoke steering wheel fitted, which has little or no wear to the leather, and just a couple of marks on the metal spokes – and it sets the car off beautifully. Overall, the interior is very neat and tidy, headlining etc. all fine and looks great. The only thing I’d say is that the carpet in the front is a little tatty in places, but I use Ford rubber mats so don’t even notice as this hides it. It’s nothing major – just what you’d expect I guess. All gauges, lights and controls work as they should.

Mechanicals:

Put simply, everything works perfectly and there is nothing to report. The engine and gearbox sound, feel and perform as they should, it uses a little bit of oil, but no more than my 2010 SEAT Leon! The gear change, on the other hand puts the newer German car to shame, it’s brilliant with the quickshift!

The suspension is a good spec with the Spax rears and the 2.8i (Bilstein) fronts, and as a result the car handles very well – no knocks or suspicious noises of any kind. At the MOT the front upper rubber bushes had an advise on them because they were stiff, but we suspect – as did the tester hence advise not fail – that lack of use means they are just a bit dry. Not an issue, and it’s not something that causes any strange noises or handling issues.

Neil from Retro Performance Motorsport (who I would recommend whole heartedly!) set up the engine a month ago, fitting Accuspark electronic ignition and rebuilding the carb ‘grub screw-up’ (I have full invoices with a description of the work carried out but it was a full rebuild, with everything properly cleaned and set up). It’s so smooth, and the auto choke works faultlessly – starts first time every time (even after being stood for a couple of weeks) and idles perfectly. It’s truly amazing that a 38 year old car can drive so well.

The front brakes have just been cleaned and serviced and although longer term could perhaps benefit from a rebuild kit to achieve their original performance, are very good as you’d expect. Or maybe you don’t know what to expect, which I didn’t, in which case you’ll no doubt be pleasantly surprised! The rear brakes have just been renewed – just prior to the MOT (isn’t this always the case?) we found one of the cylinders to be leaking so both were replaced, along with the brake shoes to be on the safe side. Again – always the case – the rear brake pipes had to be renewed at this point too, all done to a high standard. The discs, pads and drums are all nearly new in terms of wear and condition.

Wheels and tyres:

The wheels are Capri RS 4 spokes (with the tapered nuts), and to be completely honest could do with a proper refurb if you want them to the same standard as the rest of the car – they aren’t bad, don’t get me wrong, but not perfect – and we’re not talking kerbing, just the paint finish in places. They are, most importantly straight and true and balance up with no issues.

It’s fitted with Yokohama tyres all round, with good tread (although the rears had an advise at the MOT that the inside edges were worn – nothing major and a way off needing replacing but just so I’m happy I’ve mentioned everything!). There’s a good condition spare RS alloy with good tyre mounted in the correct position in the boot.

































































[img]http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o95/paulwoodford/Mk2%20Escort/A799329A-7F7C-4567-874D-E27F07B5D029-13537-0000