MK4 ESCORT CABRIOLET - Fast Ford

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BUYING ONE Keep your wits about you, and it’s all good when it comes to buying a cabrio. Not only are there loads about — Ford sold approximately 30,000 in the UK from 1986 to 1990 — but they won’t break the bank either, even the best examples cost less than three grand. But, be careful as there is an awful lot of rubbish out there. Once it was a highly sought-after car with a bit of yuppie appeal, but over time and as the rust has hit many examples, values have plummeted. Consequently, plenty have been bought as a bit of cheap flash and caned to death. It’s these cars that you need to avoid, unless you’re after a cheap project or want a beater for some budget summer fun. Sometimes the really cheap cars aren’t worth bothering with as only 500 quid can separate a snotter from a tidy car, but you need to be exceptionally careful as the wow factor of the cabrio makes it easy to pay over the odds. People are real suckers for a spot of open-top motoring and the trade are well aware of this fact. Where it would turn its nose up at a normal F-plate Escort some still retail the cabrio, dropping the hood to attract punters and slapping on a nice price tag. Generally, the trade only deals with the nicer cars but it’s not shy when it comes to optimistic pricing, particularly in the summer months. And that’s another reason to buy now. The current climate means no-one wants one now but as the temperature rises so do the asking prices. Because of their availability, you’ll find cabriolets for sale everywhere from eBay There are plenty of CVHs about, so buy on bodywork “ Plenty have been caned to death” to your local paper, but if you’re after a stock minter then search the XR Owners’ Club website and Auto Trader. At the bottom end of the market we found a couple of smokers for under £500, the cheapest being £395 and in need of an MoT. The middle ground for a nice example was around £1000-1500, depending if you bought privately or through the trade, while the most expensive was a mint 47,000 mile 1989 G-reg cabrio for £2950. A late H-plate Duo-Tone in silver and metallic red with leather and power hood looked a good buy at £1795, but our money would have fasttech Original details like these add £s to the asking price gone on another 1990 car. With an asking price of £1495 the metallic blue cabby had the end of the line ‘90-spec lattice rims and bumpers and also the optional ABS. The real bonus was that it had covered just 29,000 miles. If you’re looking for a car to hold its value then we’d suggest the better spec’d cars made around 1989 and 1990 and the limited editions like the All-White and Duo- Tone. The pick of the bunch though, is the option-laden and RS Turbostyled All-Blue limited edition. If you manage to lay your hands on one of the 600 made, we salute you. Fancy a Cab? Buy now as prices will go up once the sun starts to come out FAST FORD APRIL 2006 0 1 4 9
fasttech / BUYING GUIDE / MK4 ESCORT CAB / ...AND FINALLY THIS ONE’S MINE It’s hard to believe that Ian Southam and Paula Batchelor’s cab has ever been anything other than mint, but two years ago it was a shadow of its current condition. A friend in the trade originally unearthed the rare 1600 Ghia but after driving it for a few short miles from the vendor’s home, Ian decided he had to have it and persuaded his mate to let him buy it for Paula instead. Although he admits to picking the D-plate Escort “up for a song”, the cabriolet needed plenty of work to reach the meticulous standards that he and Paula have when it comes to their Fords. Unsurprising really as both are into cars in a big way — Ian works in parts for a bodyshop and Paula is a semi-qualified mechanic. HOW MUCH? 0 1 5 0 APRIL 2006 FAST FORD Between them, the couple have owned everything from an Escort XR3i to a twin-cam Sierra and a V6 Granada and over the years they’ve also amassed a massive stock of NOS parts. The spares stash donated a complete, genuine Ford front end and pair of brand-new XR3i bumpers for the cabrio and the completed bodywork was resprayed in the original and rare shade of Paris Blue. The finishing touches are a mohair hood, late Escort Si rims and a Mk5 Escort LX/ XR3i spoiler. So now all the hard graft is done, are Paula and Ian happy with their cabriolet? “It was a lot of work but we’d never done a cabrio before and I could see that this one had plenty of potential,” explains Ian, who together with Paula is a member of a number of Ford clubs including the Cabriolet Club and the Ford Escort Owners’ Club. “It’s amazing how many people look at the cabriolet, and as well as being completely reliable it really is great fun to drive. We’ve had it on the rolling road and it made 101 bhp, but it’s not for going fast and we’re only going to use it for the shows this year.” The only downsides that Ian can see to cabriolet ownership are that you can’t leave it anywhere and there is a bit of scuttle shake. Overall though, he’d certainly recommend one, but he does have some wise words for anyone considering £300-500 Snotters, or ‘project cars’. The hood will be in tatters but there’s a fair chance of finding one that’s got a valid MoT. £500-1000 Roadworthy cars that shouldn’t fall apart, although they will have high miles and are likely to need new panels rather than just a polish. Cars which are approaching a four figure price should be presentable. the open-topped Escort. “There are plenty around but there are far too many wrecked cars,” he says. “As well as checking the obvious places like the hood and interior, you really need to inspect them thoroughly for structural rust and previous accident damage.” £1000-2000 Ian and Paula did a total resto on their Cab Tidy to really nice examples. Mileage should be under 100K and there will be a decent service history. MoTs will be long and the bodywork, especially that on top price cars, will be sound and straight. £2000+ The very best and latest cars, including the desirable All-Blue edition. Rust should be non-existent and you want to see less than 70,000 miles on the clock and a full service history. FACTS The power hood option was quite quick in operation: raising or lowering the hood took just 15 seconds. Mk4 cabs sold best in 1989 — 21,052 were registered worldwide, 7433 of those finding homes in the UK. Back in October 1986, prices for the cabriolet range started at £10,189. NEXT MONTH Buying the original Sierra RS Cosworth
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MK4 ESCORT CABRIOLET - Fast Ford

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