1979 Ford Escort MK2 1600 Sport Homage

“ This is a cool 'restomod' that has had the 1300cc engine replaced amongst other things. ”Our estimate of £20,000 - £25,000, even at the upper end, represents a fraction of what it would cost to do the work yourself.

BackgroundThe second-generation Ford Escort broke cover in 1974. Hard-edged and squarer than the organic and rounded MKI, it maintained the successful recipe of managing to appeal to a wide range of buyers thanks to its huge range of engine and body combinations.

Code-named ‘Brenda’ (we won’t tell if you don’t…) its engines spanned an Italy-only 940cc all the way to the range-topping RS2000.

Body styles included two- and four-door saloons, and two-door estates and vans, and trim levels started at the poverty-spec Popular and moved all the way to Ghia via Popular Plus, L, GL, Sport, RS Mexico, and RS2000.

It truly was a car for the people and there was much wailing and gnashing of teeth when it was killed off in 1980 to be replaced with a front-wheel drive hatchback.

OverviewWith just one former UK keeper on the logbook and paperwork going back to when it lived outside Paris in the early eighties, this Ford Escort MKII would be something special even without the restomod.

Because ‘EEL 763T’ has been restored in Signal Green as a homage to the 1600 Sport – but with a twist, because it is powered by a two-litre Pinto engine that drives the rear wheels via a five-speed Type 9 gearbox. It also features a twin-choke Weber carburettor along with alloy components that include the radiator, bellhousing, and sump.

Restored in the UK on a rotisserie for full access and mechanically refreshed into the bargain, the seller took the Escort in part-exchange against an American classic car, which is what he specialises in.

Nevertheless, the quality of the workmanship impressed him: “It’s a well-put-together MkII Escort with a straightforward specification that adds a few sensible upgrades to the original look that make it easier to use.”

Estimate: £20,000 - £25,000

View Current Bid Price HERE