Shed of the Week: Ford Escort XR3i Convertible

When better to bag a 25 year-old XR3i drop-top than this wet, wet winter? Shed looks on the bright side

Back in the day, when Shed's company car was an A-reg Mk 3 Escort 1.3L in McVitie's digestive beige, his boss ran around in a white Escort XR3i.

Takes you back, doesn't it?

Resplendent in its four-hole telephone dial alloys, it was the first one in Croydon, maybe even the whole of Surrey. Shed remembers the waves of simmering jealousy bordering on hatred that he felt every time he saw that undeserving mullet-haired fool behind the wheel - until the night when he got to drive the XR3i for himself. That's when the rage turned to relief.

Ford had made great play of the XR3's radical rear suspension, featuring rear shocks laid down at a hitherto untried angle. The benefit for the XR3 owner would be the ultimate combination of nailed-on handling and class-leading rear cabin space.

Unfortunately, those early XR3 owners quickly discovered the reason why no other manufacturer had essayed this simple dynamic coup: the ride was skull-fracturingly hard. Lexus's CT200h suspension engineer clearly never drove an XR3i before he went down this same horizontal-shock route. According to legend, he has been put on permanent gardening leave and now bangs a big gong in a Tibetan monastery.

Wonder when the top will next be down?

Still, don't let that any of that put you off this fine example of the XR3i Convertible. The big C means it's a real Ford drop-top, as opposed to most previous mid-20th century European Ford drop-tops which, like the 1966 Corsair, crept out of the Westerham premises of Crayford Engineering in tiny numbers. Those Corsairs were pretty terrible cars, especially once they'd had the vestigial stiffening effects of a tin roof removed. They're now fetching big money, mainly due to their rarity but also because in certain lights they were quite attractive (as long as the flapping Scout tent roof was down and tucked well out of sight). You wouldn't want to go round a damp corner in one though, and not just because you'd get your barnet wet by doing so.

'Attractive' and 'rare' are words very rarely seen in the same sentence as 'Mk3 Escort', even when you tack 'Convertible' on the end. Indeed, some would say that in the annals of motoring awfulness, Mk3 Escorts are well to the fore. But then again, in the hopeful backwash of Mk1 and Mk2 price madness, even the dullest Mk3 hatches are getting daft pricetags stuck on them. There's no evidence of anybody actually buying them, mind you, but who's to say that they won't suddenly get cool and desirable?

This bit is very very very clean, certainly

Especially when they're as very, very, very clean as this one. The fact that your man has decided to off it just two months into the ownership experience could be a clue as to the slightly disappointing dynamics, made even worse in this case by lowered suspension. It's hard to imagine just how nobbly that must make it to drive, or the degree of scuttle shake and body flex that must surely ensue on our wonderful British roads.

What else can go wrong with the Escort? Apart from the obvious, i.e. that somebody sees you in it? Well, any 20-plus year old car has the potential to suffer from just about any automotive ailment on top of any model-specific faults - dirty corroded earths, dirt in the fuel system, terminal depression in the driver's seat, etc.

But if you really want to pin down a few classic Mk3 Escort foibles, look for bust CV joints, split steering rack gaiters, hot idling difficulties, stripped gearbox oil level plugs, knackered self-adjusting clutches, diff bearings, rotting wishbones - need we go on? When you boil it right down, the Bosch K-Jetronic fuel injection was probably the best thing about the XR3i. This '89 car should have the Ford EEC IV engine management system that was brought in that year. You'll also want to see evidence that the cambelt was changed less than 36,000 miles ago, and you might want to try and source some proper wheels.

How many Fords have these been on now?

The biggest thing of course is Rust. Big Rust, in the doors, floors, sills, and notoriously the battery tray, any or all of which will kill the poor thing stone dead. That's what happens when you use recycled steel.

If the CVH engine sounds and feels as rough as an alleycat's tongue, don't worry, that's normal. Paragons of mechanical refinement they were not. Why should they be? Escorts were for Every Man. So don't be put off.

Er, RS1600i anyone?

Here's the ad.

FOR SALE!!! Ford Escort 1989 xr3i Convertible VERY VERY VERY CLEAN!!

I have owned the car within the last 2 months and i fancy a change of vehicle hense me selling it now.

Its A VERY VERY CLEAN car paintwork is radiant red and has been professional mopped and detailed so is bright again and fully wax protected! Car is completely standard except on lowering springs, genuine ford replica Escort Cosworth wheels 16's with good tyres all round and also comes with RS Turbo series 2 front seats which are mint no rips tears anything. Car has service history, 6months tax and MOT until next year.

The roof on the car is immaculate no marks or tears or anything, all the glass has original reg etched into it so is all still original after 24 years!!! Interior is MINT and cleaner than newer cars. I am also a NON SMOKER so car never been smoked in.
Bad points:

Bonnet has some bubbling rust on it but do have a brand new bonnet ready to be painted so will come with the sale of car.

Front bumper has some cracks on it nothing major but spare bumper is about £60 online so have taken this into account.

Car has had no welding and floor is rust free and fantastic for its age!!

Viewing is welcome car is situated in South Wales, Cwmbran If you need any more info feel free to ring or text me as easier than email 07969977837.

Thanks again and whoever will buy this wont be disappointed!

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******** MESSED AROUND BY IDIOT AND STILL UP FOR SALE :) *************

***************** NO OFFERS ASKING PRICE IS WHAT I WANT NEED IT GONE ASAP £900 LOWEST PRICE BARGAIN!!! ***********************
***************** NO OFFERS ASKING PRICE IS WHAT I WANT NEED IT GONE ASAP £900 LOWEST PRICE BARGAIN!!! ***********************
***************** NO OFFERS ASKING PRICE IS WHAT I WANT NEED IT GONE ASAP £900 LOWEST PRICE BARGAIN!!! ***********************
***************** NO OFFERS ASKING PRICE IS WHAT I WANT NEED IT GONE ASAP £900 LOWEST PRICE BARGAIN!!! ***********************

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Frimley111R

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