Lot Ended
Description
Brooklyn
Ford Redditch launch car; fully restored to its formal glory; true show winning
car inside and out; fantastic opportunity to own one of the first iconic XR3i's
registered in the UK
The car was built in Germany at the Sarrlouis
plant in November 1982 and first registered and taxed for the launch of Brooklyn
Ford Redditch on 31st May 1983. The first owner was Amanda Fenn (see
service history), followed by the 2nd keeper in 1989, being used as an everyday
drive as well as weekend adventures.
Being well maintained with regular
servicing and even more regular oil changes, a lot of work was carried out by an
ex-Ford main dealer mechanic.
Then in 1998, some
age-related issues to the bodywork
were addressed, mainly the inner wing rails which were delaminating and showing signs of rust as well as
stone chips mainly to the front lower panel.
The
engine was checked over too as the hydraulic tappets were getting noisy.
Firstly, the engine cylinder head was overhauled with new valves, guides etc to
enable the car to run on unleaded fuel. New camshaft hydraulic tappets, water
pump, cam belt etc were fitted. At the same time the sump was removed, the
bottom end was checked and said to be fine.
A
visit was made to the bodyshop for some genuine Ford replacements
of front wings, both doors (not door skins),front panel and slam panel,
front crossmember, rear panel - all supplied by Brooklyn Ford Kidderminster
along with rear quarter lower box sections (below rear bumper end caps),front
and rear bumpers, inner and outer sills. After nearly two years of improvements,
the car reappeared looking as good as new.
Everything was fitted at
Hamilton Motors in Stourport on Severn in March 2000.
Over the next few years, they renewed the front and rear suspension
roll bars, wishbones, tie rods etc as well as a new fuel
tank.
The day after the car went back on the
road, the car was taken to Donnington Park for a photoshoot for Classic Ford
Magazine (May 2000)
The car comes with awards and
magazine details and having been dry stored and only used for selective shows,
it is still in top concours condition and well maintained even though usage is
limited.
Heavily featured and photographed, it is
one of the first cars that appears when you search Google for “ford escort
xr3i”. and it was also shown on the front cover of Classic Car Weekly
on 18th November 2020.
Our vendor purchased the car in September
2023, but now it is an opportunity for a new custodian to look after this piece
of Ford history.
Two big files of history are photographed here and
bidders are highly recommended to come take a look.
There is a current
MOT until March 2026 with no advisories and there are two sets of keys with the
car.
For more information please contact james.booth@brightwells.com