MK4 ESCORT CABRIOLET - Fast Ford

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.
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