Just pulled out my XR3 after 30 years in storage.

[Wolfer]

When I was a young and impressionable lad, at 15 I bought by first car, (well, fourth, my dad was a car nut and i had a few mini's and stuff to "do up" but this was the one i bought for me to drive) , a 1980 Escort XR3. 23k miles, all original, no 6x9's cut out in the parcel shelf, even though at the time I wanted to!

Now, obviously I could not insure that 30 odd years ago at 17, and ended up with a 1.1 Fiesta costing 2k a year to insure.

I popped the XR3 into storage with the idea that a few years no claims, I would get it out and insure it. I loved it!

Life then happened.

I got a house with the ex at age 18, it got left.

Probably cost over 16k in rent as was stored away from me, as I had moved away. This weekend, my Nephew and dad went out and got it out of storage for me and brought it back.

I'm now going to try and pop some pictures up, this may go badly...







Dropped off at my sisters lambing shed for now until I decide what to do, as we have the M3, Camper, Mondeo and daily Peugeot on the drive. Also found in storage a bonnet and door, and set of wheels. Can't remember what they were off, possibly a Hillman Hunter.

This is the first steps on the road to de-cluttering in our household. ...But, I really want to keep it now!

Wolfer

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

Excellent! Please get it going.

[W201_190e]

Wow, love stuff like this. Good luck with it!

[Wolfer]

Also meant to say, the tyres are also original (won't take it racing!) and they still had a bit of air in them.

They pumped up and are still up!

[bern]

Would make a great episode of Johnny Smith's barn finds!?

[stevemcs]

From the top that looks good, it’s the underside where it could go horribly wrong but certainly worth saving.

Is it an early car - it’s not one of the press ones is it, it looks like it’s only got 1 washer jet in the middle, reg isn’t TTW is it ?

Edited by stevemcs on Sunday 20th November 18:30

[pteron]

you paid 16k for storage and it came out like that?

[Wolfer]

stevemcs said:

From the top that looks good, it’s the underside where it could go horribly wrong but certainly worth saving.

Is it an early car - it’s not one of the press ones is it, it looks like it’s only got 1 washer jet in the middle, reg isn’t TTW is it ?

Edited by stevemcs on Sunday 20th November 18:30

Unfortunately , the storage garage had a leak, not impressed, but that leaked water over the tailgate, causing some rust on the rear valance, same with doors, as obviously there was then damp in there.

I have found all the keys for it.

Cannot remember why there is a keyhole on the O/S rear wing

Can't find the logbook, but just applied.

It has the black and orange/red pinstripe seats, and no cracks in the dash top.

Not TTW no. When i bought it, it was off a chap who said it was German built, and they made the first lot over there, and as it would then be on a shipping container to UK, they were made thicker panels, absolutely no idea if true, i just wanted to be the cool kid on the block

I'll grab some better pics when its light and i'm not working if interested.

[monthou]

pteron said:

you paid 16k for storage and it came out like that?

You don't get much for a tenner a week.

[Wolfer]

pteron said:

you paid 16k for storage and it came out like that?

Heh heh, yeah!

look at last post, didn't realise there was a leak, and as i said, life happened, I just forgot about it, and paid the DD for the storage.

All my own fault.

And it was 30 odd years

[vindaloo79]

pteron said:

you paid 16k for storage and it came out like that?

I was thinking the same

[irish boy]

Subscribed. Can’t wait to see what you do with it!

[anonymous-user]

I hope its still solid and can be saved. Would love to see a mini restoration thread.

[zedstar]

LOVE IT!!!!

[Trevor555]

Please keep it, and keep us updated with getting it back to its former glory.

[the tribester]

Wolfer said:

I have found all the keys for it.

Cannot remember why there is a keyhole on the O/S rear wing

My mate had a key in the O/S wing of his Capri for a DIY immobiliser, after he found out another mate with a Cortina could open and start his car.

[sixor8]

There's a nice one coming up at the next CCA classic auction in December. 90k miles, silver, guide price is £10k - £12k but I reckon it may go past that:

https://www.classiccarauctions.co.uk/1982-ford-esc...

XR3s must be quite a bit rarer than XR3i cars so well worth reviving.

[HTP99]

the tribester said:

Wolfer said:

I have found all the keys for it.

Cannot remember why there is a keyhole on the O/S rear wing

My mate had a key in the O/S wing of his Capri for a DIY immobiliser, after he found out another mate with a Cortina could open and start his car.

I instantly thought.... alarm!

[Mr Tidy]

HTP99 said:

the tribester said:

Wolfer said:

I have found all the keys for it.

Cannot remember why there is a keyhole on the O/S rear wing

My mate had a key in the O/S wing of his Capri for a DIY immobiliser, after he found out another mate with a Cortina could open and start his car.

I instantly thought.... alarm!

I was thinking exactly the same thing - my 1982 Capri 2.8i had a keyhole in the OSR quarter panel for the aftermarket alarm.

Anyway OP I really hope you do get it up and running if it can be saved.

[stevemcs]

You used to be able to get “stick on” fake key switches in the 90’s

The XR needs the proper grill fitting, not the Orion one that’s on there now. Well when you restore it