IDRIVEACLASSIC: A MK3 Ford Escort turned movie star
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 5 ก.ค. 2024
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The MK3 Ford Escort with a story...
Whilst we see a lot of love for those early MK1 and MK2 Escorts, the MK3 Escort is still an affordable, interesting classic for a petrol head without the off putting price tag of those earlier RWD cars.
Examples such as these can be snapped up for under 5k and the MK3 like this was released in 1980 with production running until 1986 when the car was replaced with MK4 Fourth gen Escort.
Now although it’s less desirable than the earlier marques, I think the mk3 is a far more usable, enjoyable and practical classic for daily use; and even won European car of the year in 1981 when it was pitched against the Panda and Metro - which were both brilliant cars of their time.
When it came to market, the car was marketed with the strap line ‘simple is efficient’ and I think this example which isn’t a special edition or a trailer queen squirrelled away and mothballed, shows off that sentiment perfectly. The Escort was never designed to be some sparkly unicorn on a podium like you see at shows, it was a basic, everyday car with mass appeal.
The car for the time was considered high tech and looking at the design now in 2022, time has certainly been kinder to it style wise than many other cars of the era.
the changes from the MK2 to MK3 variant like independent suspension all round, front wheel drive and overhead cam engine makes it a car which can easily compete for modern classic/youngtimer status with cars ten years newer.
There are things I miss from the earlier Escorts like the bodyshape, the dash and the retro 70s lairyness of the driving experience; but these MK3s are a car which are currently slightly overlooked and definitely worthy of saving over scrapping…and I’m not even a modern Ford fan!
Today’s example is a 1.3 GL, which doesn’t put it at the bottom of the pile but it’s not the top either. The range had L, GL, Ghia and XR3. Although the 5 speed box was put into the range from 82 onwards, it wasn’t standard on these 1.3s and was merely an option. An option the first owner apparently didn’t fancy. When we go for a drive, you’ll see that fifth gear would’ve been an absolute winner.
Another canny little fact on these is that 1983, the year of this car being sold, was the first year for the 5 door variant.
All in all, this is probably a very good example of what most people remember the slightly dated Escort on their neighbour’s drive looking like. Cosmetically perfect, absolutely not. But full of history and a brilliant story, absolutely.
Kev will tell the story for us better than I could ever tell it myself, but hold your horses, because first of all, we’re off to look at the dash in more detail. - ยานยนต์และพาหนะ
As much as I like to see a really well restored, immaculate, concours car, it is just as good to see an ordinary example that is actually used as a mode of transport, instead of a trailer queen.
Absolutely agree 👍🏼love cars like these that are looked after, but used as they should be.
Regardless of condition, I think its fantastic that this old gem is still being used and on the road 👍
I have fond memories of a company car I had, a 1.6 diesel estate version. It was L spec and in a soft sky blue. I clocked up 1400 miles a week in the thing, visiting contract sites around Greater London, and it was just marvellous at it. They were comfortable enough to sit in for long periods of time, the 1.6 non-turbo diesel was outstandingly economical, doing 60mpg on a motorway run and well over 40mpg in town. Admittedly, you had to wring its neck to get any performance out of it, but that was no great chore, and being a robust diesel it suffered no problems at all. These engines were later increased in capacity (1.8?), but the 1.6 was 'good enough' and even a bit better in some ways. If I could find a good'un at a price in my modest budget, I'd happily get it for use today. Back then, Ford was on a roll. New models, with those fabulous origami lines and decent driving qualities... as if out of nowhere by comparison to the RWD range.
I had a 1.8GL diesel in 1989 as a company car. Did 95,000 miles in 3 years without any of the problems past cars had given me. Averaged about 45 mpg despite absolutely hammering it for my work all over Wales. Comfy seats, good driving position and more importantly it started first time, every time in the winter and ticked over from cold in the way carburettor petrol cars often didn’t in those days. It was also superb in snow due to heavy front end and narrow tyres.
Oh Steph, this is probably 1 of my fave IDAC videos
The Ford Escort mk3 was so under rated
Better to have a classic in use like this than sat in a garage
Well done to Kev for using it 👏
My father had one of the first Mk3 Escort vans in 1982 with the 1.6 engine and that interior takes me straight back .
My first car!....1984 A reg...a complete rust bucket but the engine just kept going.....loved it.
Gosh, i remember these being brand new sat outside my neighbour's drive, now they are considered Classics I feel old!
Back in the 90s I owned a two door Escort Popular, no thrills, no nothing, but I loved it. Thanks and a lovely northern accent.
That Mk 3 body has aged remarkably well - hard to believe the design is from four decades ago.
I remember seeing the first ones in 81 they were very ground breaking
I've never owned an Escort. I did have a 1983 Orion 1.6GL which had the CVH engine. I managed to get it through an MoT. The welding that was needed was done at "mates rates". I bought my next car (1986 Ford Sierra 1.6GL) off the guy who did the welding on the Orion.
We still have Escort III-V on the roads in Ukraine. They were brought used in the 90s. Age, rust and welding have battered them badly, but nevertheless they drive and are used for their intended purpose, although they are already 40 years old. A friend of mine owned a 1.6L Escort IV, the car had no problems except for the carburetor. It should be noted that initially there was a injection system on it, but when something in it became unusable, then in 90% of cases, a Solex carburetor from Lada 2108-2109 was simply installed. Thanks Steph for the review.
I've got a 5 door mk3 escort ghia 1982. Love it
I miss my father's mk4 escort... Incredibly practical vehicle!
A little gem! Brought back many memories as i had two Mk3s years ago and loved them both.
Lovely to see a Mk3 GL, GL, Ghia ,XR , RS had the additional warning lights that lesser models did without. Windscreen washer level, brake pad wear warning lights, neighbour had one exactly the same but it was a 1.6GL it had a 5-speed box as standard. But was Forest Green! Another good bit of work Steph!👍
I had two of these, they never let me down at all. Great cars
A friend of mine has a 1.3L Escort mk3 with 14,000 genuine miles. It’s been in his family since new and was bought new by his (now deceased) granny. It’s rarely used nowadays though. it’s amazing to think you could buy these for £100 or less back in the day. Great memories of my XR3i’s. I’d buy them for less than £500 and buy another when it broke or the MOT ran out. Who’d have thought they would become so rare and valuable 😳
I just bought a relatively low mileage generation one Escort GT, it's the American cousin of the Mk3 featured here.
Escort was a top seller in America for many years and I had several positive comments on it during my drive to trailer it back to my shop. I look forward to many years of enjoyment and people approaching me at fuel stops to look at it and tell me about the one that they had.
I had one of those loved it. Only got rid of it because I could not afford to run it anymore but I still think of it some times. Thank you
It looks pretty reasonable for its age, many of these escorts used rot away quickly, I think it’s lovely it has a storey behind it.
My had a blue 3 door mk3. He loved it. There's a picture somewhere in Scotland with me sat in the boot!
What a lovely, honest car! I liked these cars when they were new, and still rate them today. How I remember them breaking cambelts too; it was a common fault at the time. I seem to remember Ford bringing out a modification which cured the problem. Where I used to work, we were able to remove the cylinder head in less than 15 minutes! Yes, really! Try that on modern car! Best memory I have is of a customer complaining about the hard ride of his new Escort. Maybe if they had taken the blocks of wood out of the coil springs at the pre-delivery inspection....! Happy times! Great video as always!
thank you for sharing this with us, my first car was a 1986 ford escort 1.1 popular plus , it was pig to start in the cold, you needed muscles like the rock to steer it, and it wasn't the quickest but the car was awesome. I wish It was still alive as I would buy it back in a heart beat
Much like yourself Steph I've never been a huge ford fan but these really do represent the British landscape of my childhood. I think a lot of Ford's of this era (including the Escort) looked very contemporary at the time yet have aged well with a nice neat design.
I always though the MK4 interior looks much better but the MK3 tail light are way cooler with those ribs looking so 80's.
The nails in the ash try is a nice touch. I did once see a car where the owner had kept a deceased relatives cigarette butt in the ash try which is probably gross to most of us but absolutely priceless to the relative preserving a family memory.
My first car was a 3 door 1.3L reg HHV 582W one of the first produced loved it Weber carb and manual choke convertion as the standard VV/variable Venturi carb gave auto choke issues from the word go front shocks done by myself as I was an apprentice in the motor trade numerous timing belts a set of hydraulic lifters a snaped clutch cable but she was great and have good memories of her
Nice to see it un- restored , they used to be everywhere.
I've got 1.6 ,A- reg 1.6 GL estate. Its tatty and a bit scabby, great fun to drive about in on a Sunday lol
Nice one Steph...... My dad had 3 Escort Mk 1's as company cars between 1968 and 1974, then later he had a Mk 4 Orion. I had a Mk 2 Escort estate, a Mk 3 and a Mk 4 Orion and a Mk 4 Escort, after then they were rubbish. My favourite was the Mk 1 by a mile.
What a lovely example. I love seeing cars like this that are still in use. Excellent video as always Steph
Great to see an ordinary everyday Escort MkIII with all it`s quirks. I think 1980s electrics perhaps were only marginally better than 1970s LOL! Don`t worry about the glove box, my Metro doesn`t even have one. I think Fords often had quite smooth gear changes compared to a number of cars with notchy changes and even pudding stirrers LOL! Great to hear the story behind this car, thank you to Kev for putting the car forward for review. Happy classic motoring.
Another lovely video! So nice to see a what was normal everyday car with so much history and life all over it!
This brings back memories, my father had the same spec car.
I found it better to drive than the MK2 it replaced, and even more so as a passenger.
For me, of all the fwd versions, the MK3 was the best looking externally, and while there were definitely improvements in later versions, it wasn't consistent with some areas improving and others not as good.
For me the best package would have been the Orion Ghia version of the MK3 with the 1.8 injected engine and gearbox from a later version. Now that would be an interesting resoration/upgrade project!
Great video, Steph. Nice to see a Mk.3 Escort again, they were everywhere back in the day! I had a Mk.4 XR3i, loved that car to bits.
Great to see a car with a great story behind it .
It's great to see these survivors. My favourites at car shows really . The first mk 3 I drove was our firm's brand new X reg van. It felt so hi tech and modern compared to the old mk 1 and 2s we had.
You should be on Top Gear, I'd start watching it again if you were
A friend of mine had the 1.6 auto. Went anywhere in snow without a problem. Personally, I found the handling front-heavy.
One of the few without manual choke conversion
Good to see one of the more humble versions being preserved. I was watching the videos of the recent Longbridge meeting, trying to spot a Rover 213 (SD3) but there only seemed to be the later and higher spec. R8 cars.
I had an SD3 till last year..It features on the project nigel channel
I had many poor examples in my youth. Loved them all. Nice memories. Thanks for sharing 👍
Nice review Steph. Had my driving lessons and took my driving test in a Mk3 Escort in 1982. Months later, my Dad had a Escort 1.1L as a company car, great to drive, but remember it really struggled up steep hills. Happy memories, hard to believe it's now 40 years ago.
I took my driving test in a very early 1980 Escort Mk3 1300L. A few years later I had a Y-reg 1600 Ghia and one of the best things about it was the 5-speed gearbox, which, for some reason, was one of the best I've ever used. Sadly, the CVH engines were not so good.
nice video, thanks steff! i had a 1.3L back in 1990, it was a 1983 Y reg, proper rust bucket,lol.. The GL was rare even when new, as most people bought the L model, but if they wanted a posher one, bought the GHIA, or if they wanted sporty, the XR3/XR3i.
⬅️⬅️ I use my 1982 mk3 escort 1.3 2 door ghia nearly every day rain or shine apart from when its -degrees (I need heated seats lol ) even tho as far as I can tell its the only one left on the road , I forget what im driving because I drive it so much , its not till you see people taking photos and videos and getting thumbs up do I remember what im driving lol ... I get the all lights on dash too my fix is turn the headlights on and they go off 🤦♂️thanks for the video and thanks for Adrian flux for insuring it 👍
"plenty of life in the old girl yet, and I don't just mean me !"
Love the Humour Steph and that's one reason we love your Great videos, Great work, Bring It On Girl ☺ 👍 🏁
What a lovely upload. Great commentary, great story, the legend lives on! Sounds like a nice man. Keep up the memory. I still have my dads 3 Fords, 2 Escorts, and an orion, A cortina which is mine. I also have my mothers Ford Escort Cabriolet 1.6i.
I thinking that bird that unloaded down the door feels relieved and is flying a lot higher now 😂 brilliant cars great review Steph 👍
Very nice to see a car with such a good story. My Dad had a Mk3 five door but slightly more basic than that one but I think the same engine, burgundy but don't recall the year. I do remember I had to replace the clutch . My Dad was also a carpenter, though not self employed there would often be bits of wood being transported in it. He has long since retired. Great video Steph and thanks, please keep them coming. 👍
Good cars, I've had a few, excellent review as always Steph 👍
Hi Steph, such a heart warming story about his uncle, had many mk3's in the past , i love them, when i was 18 im 42 now, i had a sunburst red one a reg 1984 my favourite colour for the mk3 , it was almost concourse, it was the 1.1 over head valve engine known as the kent engine, it was a bit gutless but bullet proof, sadly got wrote off due to someone going through a red light at a junction
Looks just like the one my dad had in the late 80s as his was a y registration too.great video and enjoyed it Steph 👍
I love the story behind this one and the fact it still earns its keep. It honestly looks like someone has just transported an everyday family car from someone's drive in the 80s to now. Not dressed up, restored but all the more relatable for it
Great to see you back and great to see a good car mk3 escort is my favourite car after a mk1 metro turbo xx
What a lovely story and it makes that little Escort absolutely priceless.
Lovely to see something that I remember so well from my youth, I had Fiestas of that era, you are looking fab too Steph x
Kevin is a gem and his Uncle sounds like he was one too. Thanks for your sharing the car and story.
Since I've bought my mk3 Escort I've notice that it has been gaining a bit more popularity in the last 2 years or so.
Although on classic car meets, I still tend to be the only one showing up in a mk3.
Interesting story and heartwarming to see Kev keeping and using the car in honour of his uncle.
You don't see them in this honest condition anymore. What a charming example.
My Grandfather had a blue 1983 mk3 Escort XR3 back in the 80s, early 90s and I still have some pictures of it, have to dig them out again
Never been a blue oval fan , but a sierra and a Granada are on my bucket list.........My rover 45 has gone and has been replaced with a 1999 Mercedes Benz W202, my first Merc....what a car
It’s nice to see a Mk3 Escort that looks like they did back in the day. I’ve owned two Mk3 Escorts in the distant past. An early W reg 1.3L and an A reg 1.6 Ghia. I have fond memories of the 1.3 as I went all over the place in it with no breakdown cover, which would be unthinkable now! Although I did have the engine replaced at some point as it started spewing oil down through the air intake which would end up on the exhaust manifold and cause some nasty fumes to get into the car. The 1.6 was not reliable, it was always difficult to start and eventually it seized up, resulting in another engine transplant, I think the previous owner had neglected it. The bodywork was staring to dissolve when I got rid of it in 1994, I replaced it with a Montego.
That's just the condition I like to see these cars in, it's how I remember them in the late 80s/90s
what a wonderful experience and I really enjoyed every moment of this and it's great to see a car that is used every day and not a show pony .
Brings back happy memories of my Y reg 1.6 GL, which had 5 speed as standard. It was a good car and decently quick by the standards of the day.
I traded it on after about 4.5 years for a 1.8 GL Golf but wish now that I hadn't bothered.
Excellent reivew and I have several of them. Thank you for the upload. You should be hired on some motor programme!
Love this, reminds me of my first car a 1.3 GL X reg 3 door in white
My sister's first car in 1989 was a red 1981 W reg Escort 1.3 GL 5 door. Surprisingly it didn't have front seat head restraints like this one did. I think Ford made them a standard item in 1982.
I quite like the look of that Escort MK3. As I remember they are quite nice to drive and I think the looks will age well as you say. Not a huge ford fan myself but nice to see a car that's rapidly disappearing from the roads.
For definite an honest car and I loved the Uncle Geoffrey back story. It's always nice to get some history.
What a great story about this car its good to have a car with a legacy l hope this car remains a family heirloom as hopefully my 1997 toyota hilux will be
I had a 1.6 auto in that colour back in the day. Lovely video Steph 👍
Nice video, thanks for sharing.
Can't remember the last time I saw a boggo mk3 great to see it's still got a bit of life left in it,all the usual traits like the puff of oil on warm start up and a blowing back box ,hope he keeps it for many years to come.
Great review Steph and I have to admit I was never a fan of the Mark 3 Escort apart from the cooking models, I was more of a mark 4 and 5 and 6 Escort enthusiast but I can relate to Kev's Uncle as my late grandfather had 2 mark 4 escorts that he used as a daily and was used as a work car as he was a plumber so it had the roof racks, tools, pipes, sinks in the back of the car, and who cared for seat covers my grandfather used a binbag on the seats during the week and if he went golfing off came the bin bag and clubs went straight in the back on top of the tools, instead of nails in the ashtray he had polo mints quartered for eating! Thanks for sharing this.
Thanks for the video miss steph
What a cool back story, still looks tidy for its age, getting serious nostalgia as my grandad had a 2dr estate in power blue
A Mk3 Ford Escort that's well used definitely one that brings back memories
You've lost so much weight steph! Well done you... And so good to see an early 80's Escort on the chanel. My Grandad had the same one! Very happy memories 😊
Thanks Steph, great video.
I love cars of this era. In 1983 my boss's company car was a blue Y reg 1.3GL just like this and I was sent on errands all over the South West in it. Even a GL was considered a tad luxurious back then.
Later in 1986 my mate bought a 1.3L but the car was no match for my 1.3L Mk1 Astra which had a better performing engine.
Keep 'em coming, any chance of a review of a Mk1 or a Mk2 Astra?
Yes, I had the 1.3 litre 4 speed ''Orion L'' equivalent. I really enjoyed that car with the one proviso that it would have been a better drive with 5 forward gears instead of the four I had. Otherwise I found it a very good car for what it was. Thanks for this great video.
The 5-speed gearbox would undoubtedly improve acceleration and make it sound less busy at motorway speeds. Still a lovely car though, good to see it being used as a car and not a museum piece.
Great job, Steph! Kudos to Kev and his uncle, too. That wee beauty needs to be at the Festival Of The Unexceptional! I love seeing and old car that wears it's battle scars proudly! This one certainly does. We did not get this generation of Escort here. I believe our first was the next generation after this. That car is a credit to all of her caretakers. When you are fortunate enough to have an old and/or high mileage car you become caretaker and custodial more than owner. I certainly feel that way about my 1990 Volvo 240DL Estate. Ma bought him new, and 32 years later I am blessed to have both in my life. Arthur will always be a part of my life.
Great video Steph. Still drives like a new car with no rattles etc.Would love more details on how the rust issue was addressed
Love the Mk3. 👍👍 My old chemistry teacher had an X-reg Ghia 😍
Hello Steph.
Bit of a change from the Bentley.
Mum had one of these in bright metallic blue, 4 doors and those 4 circle alloys.
Loved that thing.
Really enjoyed this, great car. I've a Mk4 XR3i cab, so I'm biased. Terrific back story on the first owner.
Love the story & car. Had a MK3 1.3L on an A plate in '87 that literally rusted away in front of me. Reliable little runner, a tad gutless on the hills as you noticed
I had a 1.3GL on an A plate in the same year, it was very well appointed inside and a lovely driver, but like yours it rotted away in front of me, shocking really for a 4 year old car, I currently run a 10 year old mk3 focus and its mint
Not a bad example at all it's nice to see one actually looking like a daily driver much love it's Alex from Cape Town South Africa
A good honest used example
a great video keep up with the good work
I had an A reg very similar, shame the front plate is wrong (too modern) however the super serek font on the rear is delightful well done for using it Kev
Now thats a proper survivor car and needs to be used, warts and all, as long as it passes the MOT just keep it going, but when the time comes its ripe for a gentle, considerate restoration rather than a full on job, obviously the nails stay!
I learned to drive on my Dad's Canadian version of the Escort Mk. 3, and I'm always struck by how much nicer is the interior on the European versions. The engines and (I think) some body panels were shared, but apart from that, there wasn't much in common between them. And they had a terrible habit of cracking the cylinder heads and sometimes dropping a valve seat. Ours did it twice in the 13 years we owned it. But it's great to see this one still out and about!
Love it!!
I do love this car and the story behind it. The car has to be left as is and Im glad it is. I had one local to me where I lived which looked ok until it was customised and ruined
My grandfather bought a new one 1983 exactly same model but in bronze
What a beautiful place to live.
Ugh, wish we had these in the states. Such a neat car.
Just the greatest 😊❤️
Great cars the MK3s, had an XR3i back in the 80s. 👍
Very interesting! 👍