1974 Ford Escort Mk1 1300E

Highlights

• Family owned since new – just two owners in total
• Still very original inside and out
• Showing just under 32,000 miles
• Loads of provenance to back up the mileage
• So many nice touches like the original dealer sticker and bill of sale

Overview

Okay, it’s not a Twin Cam. And nor is it an RS1600 or an RS2000, but it’s still a) a two-door Ford Escort Mk1 and b) such a delightfully original example of one. Basically, if your eyes aren’t out on stalks and your hand isn’t manoeuvring the cursor over the ‘place bid’ icon now, seek medical attention immediately. Just look at it…it’s lovely.

There’s something effortlessly pretty about every Mk1 Escort, not just the rally-bred racers, don’t you think? Let’s face it, this was a humdrum model for the masses, yet somehow it manages to have grown men and women salivating puddles like it’s a piece of Italian exotica. Is it those sexy, Coke-bottle hips, or simply happy memories of riding in one as a kid?

Half-a-century ago, the all-new Escort was hardly a technical tour de force but it wasn’t a moribund sheep in wolf’s clothing, either. It took on its arch-rival, the Vauxhall Viva, boasting rack and pinion steering, MacPherson struts and disc braking up front, plus a range of perky Kent engines in a variety of sizes and outputs. It was quite the antidote to the ageing, angular Anglia.

Being a 1300E, this one has a 1.3-litre Kent motor, obvs. Bodily it needs a wee bit of TLC in places, as you can see from the pictures. For example, there are some non-standard drainage holes around the rear-wheel arches where the tinworms have been feasting. Yet, this is no threadbare, half-in-a-box barn find. It’s already had some remedial work – new front wings, sills, valance and slam panel, radiator, rear windows and floor panels – and it’s all there. Just a jolly original and complete Escort Mk1 with impeccable provenance.

Why do we say that? Because it comes to you from one-family ownership since new, and only two owners at that. Its current owner is the grandson and he tells us that it was his grandmother’s pride and joy, and she garaged it for 49 of the past 50 years. He also says that its low, low mileage (it’s showing just under 32,000 miles) is a consequence of her using it mainly as transport to the golf course and back.

You can tell it’s likely been garaged for most of its life and done few miles just by looking at the telltales: the unfaded vinyl roof and the unusually pristine wood veneers, which retain their rich colour and translucent lacquer. It comes with many lovely touches, too, such as the original invoice, many MOTs (dating back to its first), bills aplenty, a Haynes manual and most of the MOTs. And what about those period window stickers, aye? Fabulous. Cars this good don’t come along often. You know that, and you also know what to do when they do: don’t hover over the ‘place bid’ icon. Click it, now.

History and documentation

• Registered 1st January 1975
• It’s never had a plate transfer so it’s still on its original registration number HSC 886N
• Original bill of sale from 23rd December 1974 – showing an on-the-road price of £1,489.28 inc. options like inertia reel seatbelts
• Original owner certificate and service book included
• Loads of service and maintenance bills dating back to at least 1977 (going on the pictures)
• Previous MOT certificates dating from its first test on 15th December 1978 at 5,322 miles
• Currently showing just under 32,000 miles, believed to be original judging by the extensive paperwork provided
• MOT exempt but previous MOT history online shows this car’s limited use back to 2009
• V5 present in owner’s name
• Just two owners from new and both within the same family
• Two keys
• HPI clear
• London ULEZ exempt
• We’re told that the owner’s original Haynes manual is in the glovebox

Interior

• This is a plush 1300E model so it comes with a ‘massive’ kit list, including wood veneer dash and door cappings, six-instrument dashboard (with rev counter, volts and oil pressure), heated rear window, three-spoke safety steering wheel, heater, extended centre console, cloth seats, front and rear ashtrays, veneered glove compartment lid, anti-dazzle rear-view mirror, passenger grab handles, twin sun visors, door-operated interior light, driver and passenger door mirrors
• We’re told all the electricals etc. are working as they should be
• This car is almost 50-years old but could you tell from the condition of its interior? Unlikely, because the door cards and dashboard are exceptionally tidy, and the condition and quality of the veneers indicate that, as described, this car has been garaged for much of its life
• Very little wear to the seat upholstery – especially those near-brand-new-looking rear seats
• There are some chips on the steering wheel rim, but these simply point to this car’s authentic originality
• Stubby gear lever with black-ball gear knob and vinyl gaiter all look superb
• Even the door shuts appear very clean and tidy
• To our eyes, the still-taut headlining looks damn near immaculate
• This is a near-50-year-old Escort and the original supplying dealer’s window stickers still there – how amazing is that? – and the rest of the period window stickers are a nice touch, too
• Luggage compartment retains what we believe to be the original floor lining
• There is the obvious rust around the rear arches, but otherwise the boot looks very tidy, including the still shiny latch and original sound deadening material stuck on the inner wing

Exterior

• Sought-after two-door body
• Jeepers, it looks the bee’s knees in its original Daytona Yellow paint, doesn’t it?
• Original 1300E badging
• Full-length bumpers with overriders
• Halogen front driving lamps
• Reversing lamps
• Twin coachlines
• Black vinyl roof – showing very little colour fading to our peepers
• 13-inch steel wheels appear to be in great condition and complete with their original chrome centre caps
• Extra original chrome finishers around the rear lights and number plate, side glass and sills
• All the chrome seems to be shiny, but there are some slight dents here and there – including on the radiator grille and headlamp surrounds
• This car already looks superb from a distance and in most respects it is – the paintwork still shines or, as the youths would say, it pops
• The main areas that need attention due to rust are the rear wheel arches, the front suspension turrets and the spare wheel well, but these are easily fixable with parts readily available
• Restorative work that’s already done includes a replacement floor panel, sills and front wing
• Underneath there is also some rust – mostly it appears to be surface rust but there are some areas that might require more attention. The owner says that underneath it would benefit from cleaning and re-undersealing

Mechanical

• 1,298cc, in-line four, naturally aspirated, crossflow, petrol, with OHVs and single-barrel Weber carburettor and a manual choke
• Originally this engine produce circa 72hp with 75lb ft of torque, delivering 0-62mph in just over 13 seconds and a top speed of around 98mph
• Four-speed manual gearbox
• Rear-wheel drive
• Front disc brakes with servo assistance
• Other than the rust around the top strut mounts, the engine bay appears unrestored but clean and mostly original – only the new radiator and improvised washer bottle let it down on that front
• There is a very minor weeping oil leak from the rear diff and the rear exhaust section appears rusty. The centre exhaust section looks like it’s been replaced recently, though
• The owner tells us that the battery is a bit iffy and may need renewing, but the engine starts from cold relatively easily on the choke (we’re told two of three rounds of cranking and it fires) and from then on it’ll start all day on the button
• The engine runs smoothly and, as far as we know, there are no major mechanical issues to worry about

Summary

Okay, we know what some of you are thinking and you’re naughty people:two-door Ford Escort Mk1: that has rally replica written all over it. Well, true, that’s a big part of why this Escort Mk1 is so desirable, and therefore so valuable. And, to be honest, the office was split 50:50 on that as well - between those who’d make it a rally special and those who’d keep it just the way it is.

But with a little money spent to make it A1, the latter option could be argued to be the most “morally correct” route, bearing in mind it’s so lovely as it is; utterly original and wonderfully complete. Sort those bubbly rear arches and the other bits and bobs, and what you’ll have is the perfect show car with a fantastic provenance. But as they say: you pays your money and you takes your choice. Either way, this is a rare opportunity to own a very desirable classic Ford.

To arrange a viewing, please request this in the Q&A section. You can click through to the seller's profile and use the 'Email Me' function to arrange a viewing privately. This seller is located roughly halfway between Glasgow and Edinburgh in Scotland.