1987 Ford Escort XR3i

Two of the defining colours of the XR3 throughout the model’s lifespan were red and white, with this mid-production example looking very sharp in the latter.

‘It’s not concourse,’ says its present keeper, ‘but it’s very solid.’ He explains that he completed vast amount of work on this example in 2018, so he is confident that the car is almost completely solid throughout, more on that later... 

Another factor that makes this Escort attractive – apart from looking pretty damn smart – is the mileage; just 42,000 miles on the clock with a service and MOT history to cross-reference and back up that figure.

At this point, it’s probably worth remembering that there are probably fewer than 1200 XR Fords – of any model – still on the roads, so despite their ubiquity back in the day, these are now pretty rare cars.

As already mentioned, Diamond White with all the right decals and grey trim make for a perfect period piece – made all the nicer by this example’s condition. All those straight lines and sharp angles have remained true, with nothing in the way of panel alignment, be that wings, doors or indeed, bumpers to upset the balance. The grey and red trim low down on the flanks emphasizes those lines and this too remains straight, hugging the metal on which it is mounted. Panel gaps and shut lines are also narrow and consistent.

Like so many of its ilk, this example suffered some rust in the sills and wheel arches, but new metal has been welded into these areas and all areas skillfully repainted, leaving no trace. The paint work shows a good gloss and the colour is largely consistent across both steel and plastic (bumper) panels.

Our vendor completed repairs to the outer floor edges, repairs to the inner sills, full replacement outer sills, full replacement inner rear arch tubs and outer arch repairs, lower rear quarters inner and outer, front cross member, behind the drivers headlight and a couple of other little areas. 

The contrasting, powder-coated window frames are in very good condition, retailing an un-faded shade of black and showing no corrosion bubbling through. The rubber windscreen surrounds are also of a good colour, as is the rear spoiler, which shows no cracks or signs of perishing, and is firmly mounted to the boot lid. Before the inner / outer arches were welded on, He applied 3m anti corrosive Schultz, which serves a great purpose in protecting this XR3i from any future rust gremlins.

Every piece of rust that was found at the time was cut out and new metal welded in, it wasn’t patched over and the repair was done to factory original standard so it’s not visible, the underside was also treated with a 3m anti corrosive body Schultz. Once complete, the vendor also filled every cavity with waxoyl.

The sun roof cavity shows some small areas of concern where there is rust and the surrounding seal of the glass sunroof itself looks a little more tired. 

Even so, overall, the Escort presents as a very smart ‘young timer’ classic.

Although maybe not as glamorous as other aspects, one of the areas that sets this car’s cabin apart from lesser examples is the state of the interior plastics. It’s as much the condition of mundane components such as the rear parcel shelf, speaker mounts and suspension turret caps – the absence or warping or serious scuffs – and the fact that other trim in these potentially harshly treated areas has remained very much intact. The general state of the dashboard is excellent (look again at its edges adjacent to the door cavities) and remains a deep dark grey. There are no cracks, nor fading or discolouration. The centre console is similarly very good, while air vents and switches show crisp, clean edges – with the emphasis on clean. Notice too; the standard issue radio.

If you look hard enough for long enough, you can convince yourself that the steering wheel and gear knob show a little light wear, and the door handles definitely so (we’re still talking light). But the door panels and (largely plastic) window winders still look very good. The only real area where the panels have ‘deteriorated’ is where the vinyl covering is lifting in the rear around the outer armrests.

A talking point of the interior has to be the velour, which looks especially nice and remarkably intact all around. There appear to be no tears nor signs of fade, with the cloth colour remaining vivid on both the door cards and the seats themselves. Cushions remain firm with tidy edges. The seat backs show no tears or scuffs and their reclining mechanisms are outstandingly clean. The carpets too below them are very good, as is the headlining above.

The engine bay might not have that sugar-coated ‘concours’ look, but it is nonetheless very tidy – and business-like. All the major components have a slightly weathered, ‘worked-on’ look, but nowhere has grease or dirt been allowed to accumulate.

Everything appears to be in good shape, with wiring, hoses, cables, and castings looking the right colour and sitting in the exact place you would see them in the pictures in the launch brochure. H/T leads and cables look especially healthy and throttle assemblies eminently serviceable and adjustable. Another of those seemingly innocuous aspects that give an indication as to the state of the whole car is the battery tray – and cover – both of which appear original and very much intact. (So often the tray has rotted out and had to have been replaced).

Elsewhere under the bonnet, the sound/heat proofing is well intact, while the head lights and their brackets are excellent at one side and a little tarnished at the other.

Moving down underneath the car, again there is a lot to inspire confidence.

As mentioned earlier, the underside has been comprehensively undersealed with a thick and consistent coating. The sub-assemblies supporting the engine appear strong and the inner wheel arches very good. There are no signs of leaks under the engine.

Suspension parts look to be robust and free-moving, with just a little surface corrosion here and there – perhaps a bit more on the anti-roll bar. The exhaust appears very healthy and the underside of the spare wheel tub shows no dents or rust. Nor is there corrosion or accumulated dirt along fuel and brake lines. The brake assemblies too look well fettled, and those later pattern XR allows in front of them look to be in excellent condition.

All pretty confidence inspiring.

There isn’t a huge amount of paperwork with the Ford, though it’s nice to see an original stamped service book. Service invoices don’t follow the car through all of its life, though the vendor was keen to show that the XR3 had had some restoration work done.

You will see the parts and work for the sills and wheelarches ‘catalogued’ as well as the invoices for the materials – including paint and decals to finish off the job. Mechanically, as well as servicing sundries (fairly extensive) you will see that the engine has also benefited from a new cambelt and water pump – in 2018, along with a full service including air filter, fuel filter & all brakes serviced. The wheels were also refurbished inside and out & wrapped in brand new Dunlop tyres. 

The XR3i was quite a character back in the Eighties, and still is. Remember what we said at the beginning; there are probably fewer than 1200 XR Fords still on the roads. Also, you may have noticed more classic car magazines and websites becoming interested in the XR3 and its RS cousins over the last two or three years; people who had – or didn’t have – one back in the day are thinking fond thoughts about them again. This of course means only one thing; demand – and prices – will begin to rise.

The best advice is always to buy a good one, which this is, so, be prepared to pay between, £9,500 and £14,500 now rather than however much more in two years.