Talk to me about... Mk3 Escort Cabriolet SE's

[MiniDan]

Hi guys,

I went and picked up a car for somebody today. When I got there, I was talking to the seller about car/his cars and he mentioned he's selling them all. One of which is a Mk3 Ford Escort Cabriolet SE.

I've always wanted an XR3, so was imediatly interested. I have no idea about them though.

It is in pretty good condition, although been off the road for six years. Only bit of rot is a small 1" squ. on the rear sill. Hood is shot, but comes with a brand new one. Grey leather interior in good nick. Engine did run when it went in there (had 12months MOT) but the temp. guage was reading really high, although the engine temp was fine, so went off the road to get sorted and never got back.

How much should I be paying for it? What are they worth all sorted? What are the problem areas? etc.

Thank you ;D

[lincolndanny]

Hello mate, might be worth having a word on www.seriesoneturbo.co.uk as the SE cabrio's are on the up in price if kept original

[Mystery Machine]

I cannot help you at all with pricing, but I have to say that I am a real fan of clean, neat and tidy Mk3 Escort '3i cabs.

I was following one on the motorway the other day. It was a little scruffy, but totally stock with the exception of some wide-ish alloys and lowered. It looked great. No naff bodykits, but nice lines and sweet ride height.

If I wasn't looking at a possible new car tomorrow I'd be thinking about a Mk3 cabby myself.

Let us know how you get on. LOTS of photos....

[MiniDan]

It was totally original. White/white power hood. Damn clean under all of the dust. 46k (genuine with MOT's to back it up) on the clock. Dry stored since it went in there. Really looks like a time-capsule car.

He was saying it had the turbo engine from the RS's, but I didn't think they were in the cabrios? It's never had an engine change.

He also had for sale a Merc 190LE in Azzuro Blue, a Mk1 Golf GTI shell, Mk1 Jetta and IIRC, a Mk1 Golf Etienne Aigner and a few modern cars.

[retroturbo]

Should be running a '3i motor, as no cabrios came as standard with the RS Turbo engine. Sounds well worth a punt if the price is right...

[philsford]

As said Dan they never had turbo engines in them. The engine number is the last part of the vin number so easy to check if the lump is original. The engine number is just above the alternator. These came with the series 1 kit if I remember correctly and white wheel trims. The cabs seem to wear better than there tin top brothers and don't seem to rot as bad, battery tray sills etc need to be checked but sounds nice if the milage is genuine.

[dbizzle]

Random fact about the Escort cabrio - they were based on the estate rather than the hatchback - that's why they have the squarer estate lights at the rear.

[stealthstylz]

They're good cars, but buying an 80s cabrio just intime for winter sounds like a reciepe for a mobile shower booth to me.

Matt

[trigger]

There's one that needs a lot of work on carandclassic at the moment, he wants £1000

www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C255339

Personally I wouldn't want to be paying any more then £500 for the one your looking at though, All they are is a run out Mk3 model with a few extra's like leather, bodykit and nicer alloys' fitted.

I often see this one at a show I go too.


1986 Ford Escort Cabriolet SE Mk3 by Trigger's Retro Road Tests!, on Flickr

[popuptoaster]

I bought a ghia cabriolet with a shagged roof and rusty XR with a brand new roof and swopped the fabric over many years ago, its a long job but not difficult if you happen to find one with dodgy roof on it.

[stocky]

i own one its been my daily for nearly two years it has a 1800 zetec on bike carbs will do 40 to a galllon and is a bit of a bone shaker on standard suspension, oh and theres alot of wind noise. I FREAKING LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[MiniDan]

I think I may have got confused with it being a turbo engine as he was talking about the cabrio in question and his RS turbo at the same time.

Cheers for the info guys ;D

Looks like I'm going to be giving him a ring tomorrow

[ChasR]

Oct 9, 2011 6:50:34 GMT stealthstylz said:

They're good cars, but buying an 80s cabrio just intime for winter sounds like a reciepe for a mobile shower booth to me.

Matt

I dunno, my old MkIV XR3i was fine in cold conditions. A lack of thermostat however made the heater useless (soon rectified).

I still miss that car (similar to the MkIII). Maybe it was the scuttle shake, poor brakes or poor paintwork, but there is something about Escort Cabby . FWIW, that cost just over £300, and it was not quite in that state either.




FWIW, these seem to rust alot less than their hatchback counterparts. Rear of sills can rust a little, but on the whole, on a much smaller propensity.