Chassis No.: WF0BXXGCABTG38634

Engine No.: TG38634

Registration: N359 CNC

Sold £13,552 | Sold

The Escort is a small family car manufactured by Ford Europe from 1968 as a successor to the Ford Pinto. In early 1992, an all new Zetec 16-valve engine was launched bringing improved drivability, while also marking the return of the XR3i, which was available with two versions of the 1.8 litre Zetec engine. The RS2000 appeared in the autumn of 1991 with a 16-valve version of the Sierra's 2.0 litre engine providing improved ride and handling, meaning that this version of the Escort finally delivered great performance on the road. Specifications, however, were also higher than before.

This is the rare 4x4 version; reputedly only 500 were built, with only 350 making it for road use, the rest being allocated for competition. N359 CNC was purchased and registered in the UK, but spent most of its early life in the South of France where the owner had moved to work and live at that time. The dry weather there has most likely played a large part in its preservation. It has a full service history from 1996 until 2002 covering 70,000 miles for that period, mainly from a Ford dealership in Nice. Although the V5 shows one previous owner, it was actually a one owner car as he had transferred it from himself to his company (all documented).

The vehicle came back to the UK in 2002 and was used sparingly for a year. lt was MoT’d in the summer of 2003 at 72,000 miles and shortly afterwards parked in a private and dry residential garage in London. N359 CNC remained in the London garage until the present owner was lucky enough to purchase it as part of a deceased estate in February 2019. A true barn (or garage) find! After the car was transported to the owner’s home, a new battery was fitted and over the coming months it was mechanically re-commissioned, serviced with replacement filters and fluids refreshed. The car was soon running well and it sailed through a new MOT test certificate with no advisories.

Although totally rust free (according to the owner), with all straight panels, spending the best part of 16 years in the garage took its toll on the paintwork as there was widespread cracking of the paint lacquer. As a result, the vendor undertook a full professional re-spray in its original Ash Black which looks splendid against its unmarked standard alloy wheels. The vehicle is totally original with no modifications (it still has the original Ford 5000 stereo and unmolested parcel shelf). It has never been welded. The car would benefit from fresh underseal treatment but this has been left for now so that prospective purchasers can see its originality with no cover ups.

The interior is in great condition with factory Recaro seats, tilt and slide sunroof, air conditioning, electric windows and mirrors; all fully functioning. It has until now been part of a small private collection, but due to a recent new acquisition and in order to free up some space and funds, after much consideration the vendor has decided to sell. It has recently been put through a fresh MoT test certificate (no advisories) and received a fresh set of Pirelli tyres all round. It comes complete with a comprehensive history, stamped service book, invoices, bills, MoT test certificates and original handbooks. A rare car indeed!

https://www.historics.co.uk/auction/lot/?lot=6217&au=49