Last generation Escort XR3i heads to auction | Everything else…

David Ross, EditorThu, 06 Jul 2023

A last generation Ford Escort XR3i is expected to fetch between £8000 to £10,000 when it goes to auction later this month. The unmodified and unmolested example has just 26,000 miles from new.

It will appear at the H&H auction^[1] at Pavillion Garden in Buxton Derbyshire on the 26th of July.

Owned from new until 2021, this particular Escort XR3i was manufactured in 1993 and registered in the UK on August 31st of the same year.

It boasts an eye-catching Pacific Blue exterior with a grey cloth interior upholstery. The interior features include a manual sunroof, electric front windows, a heated front screen, front fog lights and a digital clock.

Equipped with the 1796cc straight-four engine and a five-speed gearbox, this XR3i remains pleasingly unmodified.

The XR3i was purchased new by a gentleman who cherished the car until his passing in 2021. Throughout his ownership, he sparingly used the vehicle.

After his passing, the car was acquired by a motor trader before finding a place in the current vendor’s private collection. With a mere 26,000 miles on the odometer, this Ford Escort XR3i has been well-preserved and maintained.

The 1990 MKV model of the Ford Escort introduced a new bodyshell and a simplified torsion beam rear suspension. In 1991, the facelift version featured the launch of the all-new Zetec 16-valve engine, offering improved driveability.

This update also marked the return of the XR3i, available with two versions of the 1.8-liter Zetec engine. The XR3i was offered in Hatchback Coupe or Cabriolet variants until its discontinuation in early 1994.

Accompanying this Escort XR3i is a comprehensive history file containing a collection of previous invoices, multiple tax discs, numerous past MoT certificates spanning the life of the vehicle, copies of previous logbooks, the owner’s handbook, original sales literature, the operations guide and the current V5C document.

Ask HJ

How do I insure my Ford Escort XR3i that has had an RS Turbo engine fitted?

What is the correct way to insure a Ford Escort XR3i which has had an engine from an Escort RS Turbo fitted to it?

For a car with extensive modifications such as yours, the best option is to go to an insurer that specialises in modified cars. Companies such as these are used to dealing with non-standard cars and they will ask you to outline all the modifications made in order to provide a more accurate valuation and a quote for your insurance premium. It’s important to be completely honest in your dealings with the insurers, as any failure to declare modifications can mean your policy is invalid. We would recommend companies such as Performance Direct or Adrian Flux as a good starting point.

Answered by David Ross

More Questions^[2]

References

1. ^{^} H&H auction (www.handh.co.uk)
2. ^{^} More Questions (www.honestjohn.co.uk)