1978 FORD ESCORT MK2 1.6L,,,THE RAREST MK2 UK RHD MODEL?.,MATCHING NUMBERS

I HAVE TAKEN THE TIME TO DIG UP HISTORY OF THE MARQUE AND GIVE A FULLY DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE VEHICLE BACKED UP WITH PICTURES OF AREAS THAT GIVE THE MOST INFORMATION. OT THE USUAL GOT A FEW BUBBLES AND BITS OF RUST LOL. F YOU WANT MORE PLEASE ASK. UT PLEASE DON. WASTE MY TIME WITH SILLY OFFERS STUPID QUESTIONS BEFORE READING IT ALL. T. A RARE THING. O YOUR OWN CHECKS. HAVE ONLY PUT WHAT I HAVE BEEN TOLD AND COULD HAVE MISSED BITS IN THE DESCRIPTION BUT IT WON. BE MUCH. IF YOU ARE IN ANY DOUBT DON. BUY. AKE OFFER OR COME AND LOOK FOR YOURSELF. I AM AWAY 9TH TO 13TH SEPTEMBER. HE CAR CAN BE VIEWED DRIVEN AND INSPECTED ON A RAMP IF NEEDED DURING WORKING HOURS. br>IN 1978 JUST BEFORE THE MK2 GOT THE SQUARE HEADLIGHT CONVERSION THE FORD MARKETING PEOPLE COMMISSIONED A SMALL NUMBER OF 1. 6L 4 DOOR MK2 ESCORTS. FOR EACH FORD DEALER IN THE UK. DO NOT KNOW EXACTLY HOW MANY BUT THERE WERE PROBABLY AROUND 150 UK MAIN AGENTS AT THE TIME. HEY WERE FOR EVALUTION OF THE MARKET FOR A PLANNED RELEASE OF THE 1. 6 ENGINE IN L AND GL SPEC IN 1979 WITH THE NEW SQUARE HEADLIGHT FACELIFT. OLD UNDER THE MARKETING BANNER "FOR FAST MOVERS ONLY". HESE WERE TO BE UK BUILT STANDARD SPEC CARS NOT THE GERMAN BUILT ROUND HEADLIGHT WITH BETACLOTH INTERIOR AND GHIA SPEC RUNNING GEAR THAT THIS CAR HAS.
THIS CAR IS ONE OF THOSE EVALUATION CARS. UILT ON THE WEST GERMAN RS/GHIA PRODUCTION LINE WITH THE SAME RUNNING GEAR AS 1600 SPORT AND GHIA MODELS IN RHD FOR THE UK MARKET WITH CONSECUTIVE CHASSIS AND ENGINE NUMBERS BETACLOTH SEATING VINYL ROOF AND GT SPEC 711M CROSSFLOW AND HAS SURVIVED IN VERY ORIGINAL AND UNMOLESTED CONDITION. SCAPED THE URGE OF MODIFICATION OTHER THAN A MANUAL CHOKE CONVERSION.
THE CHASSIS NUMBER OF THIS ONE IS GCAF UU 12743 AND THE ENGINE NUMBER UU 12743 AND IT WAS SOLD BY WOLVERTON MOTOR COMPANY LTD. OLVERTON. UCKINGHAMSHIRE TO A MR A FRANKHAM OF STONY STRATFORD BUCKINGHAMSHIRE ON 4TH AUGUST 1978 AND REGISTERED CRP 722T ACORDING TO THE PRESENT FORD SURE SERVICE BOOK. HETHER IT WAS ALSO REGISTERED TO THE DEALER I DO NOT KNOW AND IT HAS 4 RECORDED UK OWNERS AND THE LAST OUTSIDE
I HAVE FOUND ONE OTHER SURVIVOR. HE CHASSIS NUMBER OF WHICH IS 130 FROM HIS ONE. HAT CAR WAS BOUGHT BY AN EMPLOYEE OF A FORD DEALERSHIP FROM THE SHIPPING LIST. EFORE IT ARRIVED AT THE DEALERSHIP AND HAS REMAINED IN THE SAME FAMILY SINCE. T. FAIR TO SAY THAT THESE WERE MORE VALUABLE FOR THEIR RUNNING GEAR BACK IN THE DAYS WHEN 4 DOOR MK2 ESCORTS WERE THROW AWAY CARS AND WITH VERY LOW BUILD NUMBERS IN THE FIRST PLACE. ARE THERE ANY OTHER SURVIVORS OF THIS ONE BATCH OF PRE FACELIFT CARS? THERE ARE PROBABLY MORE RS1800 SURVIVORS THAN THESE.
THE CAR HAS NEVER BEEN RESTORED AND ACCORDING TO MY FRIEND WHO BOUGHT THE CAR 10 YEARS AGO. E OR THE PREVIOUS OWNER HAVE NOT CARRIED OUT ANY BODYWORK ON THIS VEHICLE. EPT IT GARAGED AND USED SPARINGLY WHICH LEADS ME TO BELIEVE THAT THIS CAR DID MOST OF IT. 46K IN ITS EARLY LIFE AND HAD SOME RUNNING REPAIRS DURING THAT TIME AND HAS BEEN PRESERVED IN REMARKABLE ORIGINAL CONDITION FOR MANY YEARS WITH MINIMAL MOT STANDARD REPAIRS IN A COUPLE OF PLACES AND NO REPAIRS TO THE UNDERSIDE AT ALL. HICH HAS NEVER BEEN UNDERSEALED HAS NO MAJOR SURFACE RUST AND WOULD BE QUITE EASY TO CLEAN AND PAINT. HERE IS MORE SURFACE RUST ON COMPONENTS THAN THE FLOOR ITSELF. MOST OF THE PAINT ON THE CAR IS THAT IT LEFT THE FACTORY WITH.
THE INTERIOR OF THIS CAR IS EXCELLENT. ND PROBABLY THE MOST EXPENSIVE PART OF ANY CAR TO PUT RIGHT. HE SEATING IS BLACK BETA CLOTH WITH DIFFERENT STITCHING FROM USUAL UK SUPPLIED INTERIORS. HOSE 1979 1. 6L AND GL FACELIFT CARS OFFERED IN 1979 REVERTED TO STANDARD UK SPEC INTERIORS. ERE UK BUILT ON STANDARD RUNNING GEAR. br>THE DASH INCLUDING THE HEATER PANEL CAN ONLY BE DESCRIBED AS MINT ORIGINAL. S CAN THE HEADLINING. HE SEATS HAVE NO BURNS. WEAR. IPS OT TEARS. HE CARPET IS MINT ORIGINAL. O WEAR NOT EVEN ON THE TUNNEL NEXT TO CLUTCH PEDAL. DOORCARDS ARE MINTTO BE HONEST IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO PICK FAULT WITH THE WHOLE INTERIOR BUT BEING ULTRA CRITICAL HERE GOES
THE CHOKE CABLE IS FITTED IN THE CORRECT PLACE BUT IS AFTERMARKET. HAVE A PERIOD CORRECT CHEQUERED ONE TO FITTHE HAZARD SWITCH AND FAN SWITCH HAVE GONE MORE GREY THAN BLACK. VERYTHING WORKS EXCEPT THE FRONT SPOTS BY THE WAY. THERE IS A NICK IN THE VINYL OVER THE ARCH AND DING ON THE ARCH ON DRIVERS SIDE REAR. OOKS LIKE SOMETHING SHUT IN THE DOOR. A SHARP RADIO CASSETTE IS FITTED WITH SPEAKERS SCREWED TO THE OTHERWISE EXCELLENT REAR SHELF. NSTRUCTION BOOK IS ALSO THERE FOR THE SHARP RADIO. br>THERE IS VERY SLIGHT FADING TO THE TOP OF REAR SEAT. O SUN DAMAGE DRIED OUT AREAS . EAVE THE CAR SITTING FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS YOU WOULD THINK THE SEATS HAD NEVER BEEN USED. HE 38 YEAR OLD FOAM DOES NOT SPRING BACK AS QUICKLY AS IT ONCE DID. T. NOT ROTTEN AND FALLING APART JUST FEELING IT. AGE AND LEAVES A FEW CREASES LIKE THE MATERIAL HAD STRETCHED WHEN USED. br>THATS IT. OTHING SERIOUS AT ALL AND IT WOULD BE VERY EXPENSIVE TO RESTORE A POOR INTERIOR TO THIS ORIGINAL SPEC. br>
I PRESENTED THE CAR FOR MOT YESTERDAY AFTER FITTING NEW REAR BRAKE CYLINDERS. T FAILED ON BRAKE HOSES AND A BLOW IN THE CENTRE EXHAUST BOX AND I WILL GET IT THROUGH BY THE MIDDLE OF NEXT WEEK. IT DRIVES SUPERBLY. OCKED OFF ON ALL FOUR WHEELS INCLUDING THE HANDBRAKE AND THE BRAKE BALANCE WAS PERFECT. ASILY KEEPS UP WITH MODERN TRAFFIC. OOK A FEW BY SURPRISE OFF THE LIGHTS HAS NO RUNNING PROBLEMS OR FLAT SPOTS. HANGES GEAR CRISPLY WITH NO WHINES OR NOISES FROM EITHER THE GEARBOX OR REAR AXLE. IT REALLY WANTS A NEW EXHAUST AND NEW BUSHES AS MOST LOOK LIKE FIRST DAY ITEMS. UST ABOUT GOOD ENOUGH FOR THE MOT BUT REGULAR USE THEY MIGHT NOT LAST SO LONG. THE 165/7013 MICHELIN CLASSIC TYRES ARE SHOWING THEIR AGE. HEY WERE ON THE CAR IN 2006 AND I PUT MY CAPRI WHEELS ON FOR TEST. THINK IT WOULD HAVE ORGIINALLY HAD. 155X13 FITTED TO THOSE EXCELLENT STEEL WHEELS. HEY ARE NOT MINT. EEN PAINT OVER THE YEARS AND HAVE SOME RUNS. UT NOT PITTED AND BATTERED SO WILL GO AGAIN. LL FOUR CENTRE CAPS AND 16 NUT CAPS ARE STILL ON THE CAR. EW TYRES CAN BE FITTED BY AGREEMENT. NEXT A PANEL BY PANEL DESCRIPTION.
THE NEARSIDE FRONT DOOR HAS A BATTLE SCAR BUT ALL FOUR DOORS ARE FREE OF BUBBLES. OME LIGHT SURFACE RUST ON THE 38 YEAR OLD PAINT AND ON CHIPS TO THE BOTTOM EDGE BUT NO ROT. br>ALL FLOORS ARE EXCELLENT ORIGINAL INCLUDING THE BOOT FLOOR. OOT LOOKS BARELY USED WITH MINOR SURFACE RUST AROUND SPAREWHEEL DRAIN PLUG AND WHERE THE TYRE HAS RUBED ON THE ARCH. ACTORY PAINT CODE STICKER ON REAR PANEL WITH  SOME OTHERS ON THE ARCHES. THE ORIGINAL MAT. ACK AND WHEELBRACE IN HESSIAN SACK ARE PRESENT ALONG WITH ORIGINAL FIXING STRAP.
BOTH REAR ARCHES ARE ORIGINAL WITH NO BUBBLES. AVE BEEN COATED WITH UNDERSEAL ON INNER LIP MANY YEARS AGO. LITTLE SURFACE RUST ON CHIPS AND SCRATCHES BUT NO ROT. AME GOES FOR INNER TUBS AND INSIDE OF REAR DOORS. br>BOTH REAR QUARTERS HAVE NO ROT. OT EVEN ON THE TRAILING EDGE BEHIND WHEELS. OUPLE OF BATTLE SCARS TO OFFSIDE BUT AGAIN NO ROT.
REAR VALANCE AND UPPER REAR PANEL BOTH EXCELLENT WITH FACTORY SPOTWELDS. IGHT SURFACE RUST TO BOTTOM EDGE BUT AGAIN NO ROT OR DAMAGE.
BOTH SILLS ARE ORIGINAL BUT HAD MOT STANDARD REPAIRS TO REAR END AND BOTTOM OF ARCH MANY YEARS AGO. THERWISE ROCK SOLID IN ORIGINAL BLACK PAINT WITH SOME SURFACE RUST. ACH STEP HAS HAD PLASTIC PROTECTION STUCK ON MANY YEARS AGO.
BOTH INNER FRONT WINGS ARE ORIGINAL. S ARE THE STRUT TOPS AND BATTERY TRAY AND CHASSIS LEGS SO THE ORIGINAL MATCHING CHASSIS NUMBER IS PRESENT. O SIGNS OF DAMAGE JUST SURFACE RUST WITH ONE SMALL HOLE HIDDEN UNDER DRIP RAIL IN THE VERY BACK CORNER OF DRIVER SIDE. LAM PANEL ALL GOOD AS ARE THE JOINS TO INNER WING. RIP RAILS ALL GOOD TOO.
BOTH FRONT AND REAR SCUTTLES ARE EXCELLENT. OME LIGHT SURFACE RUST ON VENTS BUT NO ROT. br>THE NEARSIDE FRONT WING IS ORIGINAL HAS HAD REPAIRS TO FRONT WITH EVIDENCE OF FILLER NEAR THE HEADLIGHT. ING IS TOO GOOD TO REPLACE. ANTS THE OLD REPAIR DONE IN METAL. OFFSIDE FRONT WING IS A REPLACEMENT. LUG WELDED IN PLACE. ANY YEARS AGO AND IS A PATTERN WING FROM THE DAYS WHEN THEY WERE NOT CHEAP CHINESE STEEL AND IS ROT FREE APART FROM SMALL HOLE UNDER THE BONNET NEXT TO DRIP RAIL. WITH A COUPLE OF SMALL DENTS.
THE FRONT PANEL IS SOLID. AS VARIOUS DENTS FROM SPEEDHUMPS ETC TO BOTTOM EDGE AND SURFACE RUST IN SAME PLACE. FILLED DENT NEAR O/S BUMPER BRACKET AND O/S HEADLAMP SURROUND HAS BEEN REPLACED BY WELDING. HICH EXPLAINS THE REPLACEMENT WING AND MAY EXPLAIN THE FILLER ON NEARSIDE WING. ACTORY SPOTWELDS SHOWING ON MOST OF IT. br>BOOT AND BONNET ARE EXCELLENT WITH SCRATCHES. ROM KEY BUNCHES AROUND BOOT LOCK BUT NO ROT OR DAMAGE. BOTH BUMPERS HAVE DINGS BUT THE OVER RIDERS ARE ALL GOOD AND I DON. THINK UK SPEC l CARS HAD THOSE. br>I WILL HAVE TO SEARCH MY STOCK OF PARTS BUT I. PRETTY SURE I HAVE A NOS GENUINE FORD FRONT PANEL FOR THIS CAR AND MAYBE BUMPERS NOT INCLUDED IN SALE AND NO GUARANTEE I HAVE THEM BUT I CAN HAVE A SEARCH IF REQUIRED. br>VINYL ROOF IS GOOD BUT TIRED. LITTLE TAPE HOLDING DOWN FRONT CORNER. TICTCHING BEGINNING TO FRAY AND A BLISTER EACH SIDE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PLASTIC VENT ON C PILLAR. ORTH CHANGING THE INEXPENSIVE VINYL TO MAKE MINT AND ATTEND TO THE CAUSE OF THE BLISTER. T. A NON SUNROOF CAR SO I DOUBT THERE IS MUCH WRONG BUT WORTH A LOOK. IT WOULD NOT BE DIFFICULT TO MAKE THIS CAR MINT ONCE AGAIN. HERE ARE NO HIDDEN NASTIES JUST OBVIOUS RUNNING REPAIRS EARLY IN IT. LIFE AND IT. A RARE ONE. LWAYS SOMETHING TO ADD VALUE AND BOAST ABOUT AT SHOWS LOL.
THE CAR IS NOT CURRENTLY UK REGISTERED BUT WILL MOT ON ORIGINAL REG NUMBER OF CRP 722T AND THIS IS STILL ASSIGNED TO THIS CAR AS YOU CAN SEE IN ITEM SPECIFICS. T WILL GET ORIGINAL REG BACK BUT YOU NEED TO DO THE FORM FILLING EXERCISE. OVA DECLARATION AND FORMS ARE HERE ALONG WITH OTHER DOCUMENTS NEEDED. CAN ADVISE AND HELP OR DO THIS FOR YOU BUT MY NAME WILL BE ADDED TO LIST OF OWNERS. OU CAN INSURE THE VEHICLE WITH MOST INSURERS FOR A LIMITED TIME ON CURRENT REG TO DRIVE HOME. br>

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