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1974 Ford Escort 1300 Sport “Barn Find” (Mk1)

At a Glance

Restoration Potential | Rare Model | Spares Included

  • Mileage~4,864 on clock
  • TransmissionManual
  • Engine1.3L
  • LocationLeiston

AUCTION LIVE

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CURRENT BID£3,500
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AUCTION LIVE

ENDS IN: 56 Days 12 Hr 51 Min51 Sec

CURRENT BID

£3,500

Introduction

Richard Gormley
Vehicle Consigner

Classic sporting 70’s Ford with all the romance of a barn find.

The hugely popular Ford Escort MK1 was first introduced to the UK in 1968 as the replacement for the 105E Ford Anglia. The Escort offered thoroughly modern styling with designer Harris Mann being responsible for the iconic ‘Coke Bottle’ lines that became a feature of Fords of the era. The Escort ultimately became one of the UK’s best-selling cars. While the base model was marketed as a practical and affordable family saloon the Escort was offered in sportier versions right from the start. In 1971 the Sport model was added to the range with Mexico style flared arches, RS quarter bumpers and GT Crossflow engine offering ~71 BHP with a top speed of around 90mph.

With all the romance of a "barn find", this 1300 Sport is a great project opportunity. Acquired in the late 1980’s, this car has been off the road for around 35 years and while the owner has carried out some work over the years, the car hasn't been completed. This Escort appears to be a sound basis for restoration, the engine turns freely by hand, and the car comes with a wide range of spares including "Mexico" front wings the car would have come with.

This listing was written from information supplied by Richard after meeting Dave the owner, and having visited and photographed the vehicle.

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Secure Auctions

We verify all our sellers and buyers to keep our community safe whilst also providing the highest levels of website security.

Full Transparency

8 out of 10 people that buy cars via our service don’t feel the need to visit due to the transparency and thoroughness of our listings.

Vehicle Delivery

We're there every step of your buying journey and will even arrange pick-up and delivery of your new vehicle.

Meet the owner

I have always loved Fords, particularly the sporty Escorts – good acceleration, agile handling, and great fun.

Dave worked as panel beater and sprayer and, as an ex-Dagenham employee, always had a soft spot for the Escort. He tells us “I used to own a 1300E but liked the 1300 Sport too, great to drive back in the day”. He goes on to say “I Purchased the car as an unfinished project but never got around to finishing it myself. I’d always had Fords, having worked for Dagenham Motors many years ago. I worked on them as a panel beater and sprayer over the years and in fact completed some of the bodywork repairs to this car. It has been garaged and not in use for 30+ years and was driven into the garage originally before being stripped”.

Dave is now looking to sell now as due to ill health he doesn’t feel able to tackle the project alone. He will be happy to answer any questions you have about the car in the comments section below.

Dave
Vehicle Owner

Ask Questions

CONTACT OWNER

Exterior

With classic cola bottle styling, round headlights and quarter bumpers, the Escort offers everything you expect from this era of Ford.

Wheels and Tyres

The car is fitted with aftermarket chrome plated 13” wheels. While the wheels would benefit from a refurbishment, they do not appear to have any damage of note.

All tyres seem to hold air which will assist with loading although being at least 35 years old will require replacement once the project is finished.

Bodywork

The car has been stripped for repair and, as can be seen from the images and video some work has been started on the bodywork while other areas will require more restoration. There are spare panels being sold with the car including an additional boot, 2 bonnets, new front panels and new Mexico front wings, as these were originally fitted to the 1300 Sport. Dave advises that the interior floor, boot floor, back panel and rear wheel arches have all been replaced.

We've highlighted in more detail our observations through our hi-resolution images and videos, so please take time to look through all the media files for a more detailed view of the restoration work required.

Paint

The original red paint has deteriorated significantly, and a number of replacement panels have been fitted meaning a respray would naturally need to form part of the restoration work.

Take a look through the pictures to see for yourself.

Glass and Trim

Windscreen, rear side windows and rear windows reflect ~35 years of storage but appear unbroken. Side windows and winder mechanisms are stored separately and will come with the car.

Window surrounds will require replacement and chrome trim and badging have been removed although may be among the spares. The driver’s door handle remains on the car and seems to function, but the chrome is pitted. The are two replacement grills, one of which is still in its original packaging.

Interior

The sporty six dial instrument binnacle offers real 70’s charm.

Seats and Carpets

The black cloth seats clearly have wear and degradation from 35 years of storage, but the seat frames appear sound. The covers will require a deep clean and some repair but do not appear extensively damaged. The passenger seat has been removed from the car. There are no carpets fitted although boot floor coverings are among the spares.

View the image gallery to see the seats up close.

Dashboard

A particularly attractive feature of the Sport and GT models was the six-dial instrument binnacle set immediately in front of the driver. On this car the dials appear tired but unbroken. The leatherette dash cover is split although the air vents, switches, and heater controls, while untested, appear intact.

Please take the time to look at the hi resolution images and video of the interior so that you can assess the condition and the extent of restoration required on the interior.

Steering Wheel / Gear Stick

The 3 spoke, drilled steering wheel and centre badging appear complete although will require refurbishment as you would expect.

The gear lever appears intact although the gear knob is missing.

Mechanics

The ~71 BHP, 1300 Crossflow engine offered sprightly and engaging performance earning these cars a great reputation.

Engine and Gearbox

The engine has not been run since the car was laid up and is partially stripped. However, the car can be turned over easily by hand as can be seen in the mechanical review video. There are several boxes of engine spares including a replacement carburettor.

Dave advises that somewhere along the line the rotor arm has been taken off and lost but confirms that otherwise the car is all there. Take a look at the video to see the engine bay and the engine turning by hand.

Suspension and Brakes

These Escorts were fitted with disc brakes on the front and drums on the rear. Dave confirms that braking and suspension components are present but will obviously require full checking and refurbishment as needed.

The Drive

While it was clearly not possible to run or drive the car the engine turns freely and the Escort rolls for loading onto a trailer. There are numerous engine spares.

Electrics and Other

Electrics were of course untested but most of the switches, dials and gauges appeared physically undamaged.

History and Paperwork

Coming to market from ~35 year ownership, a rare 1300 Spork Mk1 Escort, this barn find project comes with a host of spares.

Enormously popular in their day and with extensive rally success behind them MK1 Escort values have enjoyed strong, steady, and sustained growth over recent years. It’s easy to see why. Lively performance, stylish looks, and great fun to own and drive these cars enjoy a strong following with excellent club and spares support.

This Escort 1300 Sport appears to be a sound basis for restoration. The owner, Dave, tells us it’s all there to his knowledge, apart from the rotor arm. There are many spare panels, engine parts, and interior spares. This project offers a chance to create a whole new story for this lovely car.

We’ve done all our usual seller checks including photo ID, V5 and also actioned a HPi check on the vehicle.

We've summarised our own view on the car based on information gained from the seller in the listing above, however, and as you can see, we go to great lengths to photograph and video the car in hi-resolution detail - this has been done for you to make your own assessment from the comfort of your sofa. So please sit back, have a cuppa and take your time to review everything on this listing in order to make your own assessment on the vehicle's condition. Viewings are also welcomed with all our listings, so please get in touch with us to arrange a suitable time - we just need to speak to you first and receive a valid photo ID before confirming.

If there's anything you're unsure about, no matter how small, then please first ask the owner in the comments area below before placing your bid/s, as bids can't be retracted and form a binding contract if you win the car - just like a traditional auction house.

Service History
Key Details
  • ModelEscort 1300 Sport (Mk1)
  • TransmissionManual
  • Reg. Date11.12.1974
  • CC1,298
  • Mileage~4,864 on clock
  • HistoryNone
  • ColourRed
  • Interior ColourBlack
  • Interior TrimCloth
  • Chassis #BBATPA33264
  • Engine #PA33264
  • RestoredNo
  • Engine RebuildNo
  • MOTNo
  • MOT ExemptYes
  • Road Tax ExemptYes
  • HPi ClearYes
  • Former Keepers6
  • Tyre BrandDayton
  • Tyre Age35+ Years
  • LHD or RHDRHD
  • VisitedYes
  • Sale TypePrivate
  • Owned~35 years
  • Key FeatureBarn find restoration potential of a rare model
  • Auction ID1855


Auction Bidding

Live Bidding
Current Bid £3,500
£
Countdown Timer
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Auction Ends Thu 2nd May at 8.15pm
Bidding History
Previous Bids  3
£3,500 bid by leeallen3326.04.24 @ 07:32:26
£3,000 bid by leeallen3322.04.24 @ 07:22:49
£2,000 bid by Leemccarthy19.04.24 @ 11:42:16
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Ar0nd3l
Member
Ar0nd3l

Good morning

I was hoping we might be able to have a chat about your escort?

Give me a call or send me your number if this is possible

Andre

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Insurance Quote


Average annual insurance premium for a Escort like this is £TBC via our trusted partner ClassicLine.
GET AN INSURANCE QUOTEAnd get 10% off when you mention us.

*Quote is based on a garaged vehicle in CV32 5QY (Leamington Spa), travelling 3,000 miles per year, 1 driver who is 45 years of age and is free on accidents and convictions – valid Spring 2024.

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Vehicle Location

Leiston

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