Pristine 1988 Escort XR3i with 2,859 miles may set new auction record – in array of Fast Fords for sale

Ageing Fast Fords are worth big money these days, with the most expensive of all changing hands earlier this year for a scarcely-believable winning bid at auction of almost £600,000.

Such has been the rise of the blue oval brand’s once modest performance models that collectors are scrambling to get their hands on the finest examples in Britain today.

And one of those is heading to the block early next month – a 1988 Ford Escort XR3i with one owner and just 2,859 miles from new.

It headlines a selection of stunning low-mileage and desirable Fast Ford that will go to the block at the same event in Warwickshire. Here’s how much the Escort and the others could make when the hammer drops.

A car to transport Fast Ford fans back to their youth: This pristine 1988 Ford Escort XR3i is going under the hammer early next months. It’s a pretty special example and is predicted to set a new record price for this car sold at auction 

The Fast Ford selection will be offered at the Classic Car Auctions (CCA) Christmas Sale hosted at the Warwickshire Event Centre, near Leamington Spa, on 9 December.

The one that’s expected to create the biggest wave of raised paddles in the auction room is a 35-year-old Escort XR3i that – by our calculations – has covered average annual mileage of just 82 miles since it came off the assembly line in 1988.

It is a second-generation example of what has become a ‘cult car’, with the hatchback fondly looked upon by performance Ford enthusiasts and considered a prized motor in today’s market.

The Escort XR3i and the other Fast Fords available will be offered at the Classic Car Auctions Christmas Sale hosted at the Warwickshire Event Centre, near Leamington Spa, on 9 Dec

This 1988 Escort XR39  is a second-generation example of what has become a ‘cult car’. The hatchback is not only fondly looked upon by performance Ford enthusiasts – it’s also considered a prized motor in today’s collectible market

What makes this car so special? It has one owner and just 2,859 miles from new

Under its bonnet is the original 1.6-litre four-cylinder that – when new – generated 105bhp. It was advertised with a 0-to-60mph acceleration time of 8.5 seconds and top speed of 120mph – the sort of performance figures that had the pulses of 1980s boy racers racing

This Mercury Grey example – registration F145 PDG – was purchased new in August 1988 from Bristol Street Motors by its only keeper

The auction house says it will go for £25,000-£30,000. If it makes the higher price, it will eclipse the record price paid for one of these cars

Under its bonnet is the original 1.6-litre four-cylinder that – when new – generated 105bhp.

It was advertised with a 0-to-60mph acceleration time of 8.5 seconds and top speed of 120mph – the sort of performance figures that had the pulses of 1980s boy racers racing. 

This Mercury Grey example – registration F145 PDG – was purchased new in August 1988 from Bristol Street Motors by its only keeper. 

In the hands of the one and only owner, it has recently undergone a full service and MOT, had a new cambelt fitted as well as a replacement water pump, while all fluids have been changed, as have all four tyres.

Given CCA has rated every area of this car as being in four-star ‘very good’ condition, this is a modern classic a new owner can drive away and enjoy without having to spend a penny on it.

But how much are they likely to need to pay to stave off other bidders?

The auction house has put a pre-sale estimate of £25,000 to £30,000 on its roof, which is almost three times its original price in 1988 (around £10,500 when new).

If it makes the higher price, it will eclipse the average value of one of these cars according to classics valuations experts at Hagerty, which puts a museum-quality 1988 Escort XR3i at £26,900.

It would also set a new record for a Mk2 XR3i, which currently stands at £27,000 for an example sold by Iconic Auctioneers in 2017.  

Gary Dunne, sales manager at CCA, said: ‘The demand for ‘best of breed’ low mileage Fast Fords is still very much there, with the prices continuing to appreciate for this marque. 

‘This Escort XR3i is a lovely example with just 2,859 miles from new and one registered keeper, so should do well at our Christmas sale, and who knows if there are a few very interested parties out there then may be we will achieve a new auction record!’

The XR3i isn’t the only low-mileage Fast Ford up for grabs at the auction.

A rare opportunity for collectors to get their hands on a barely-used 1997 Ford Probe will also surface.

Incredibly, the time-warp motor has just 997 miles from new.

Finished in a modest colour combination of ‘New Sahara Gold’ metallic paint with a Charcoal leather interior, the Probe is fewer than 150 examples still on the road with the 2.5-litre V6 engine – which offers 160bhp, 0-to-60 in 8.5 seconds and a top speed of 136mph.

The car was an unwanted prize in a Ford competition some 26 years ago and has barely been driven since, hence the low-mileage.

CCA reckons it could go for as much as £10,000 to £12,000 when bidding climaxes. 

Remember the Probe? If you were driving in the 1990s, you will be able to recall Ford’s two-door coupe. Fewer than 150 remain on the road today with the biggest 2.5-litre V6 engine – this one has covered less than 1,000 from new having been an unwanted prize

This beautiful 1974 Ford Escort Mk1 Mexico has one owner from new, meaning they’ve had the keys for almost half a century. It had an engine rebuilt in the late 1980s but has only covered 22k since

Other eye-catching Fast Fords available at the same auction include a wonderful 1973 Ford Capri RS3100 – one of the seventies performance Fords that has seen a huge jump in value in recent years

READ MORE: Holy cow! 20 classic cars stashed in sheds at a FARM for years also to be sold

A lost collection of classic cars that have been stored on a farm for years that was only recently uncovered will also be auctioned by CCA the same weekend.

All 20 vehicles had been left in fields and barns for the last five to ten years.

The selection of motors has been amassed by a petrolhead with a keen eye for old American muscle cars as well as some modern classics, from Fast Fords to Mercedes SLs and even Porsches.

The auction house set to offer them to the highest bidder tells us the location and owner of the cars – and the reason they’ve been neglected for over half a decade – cannot be disclosed, but the availability of these motors means 20 new owners will ultimately have substantial restoration jobs on their hands.

> Read more about the 20 farm-find cars heading to auction

And another Fast Ford – this time from 20 years earlier than the Probe – is also heading to the block with an incredible history.

This 1974 Ford Escort Mk1 Mexico has one owner from new, meaning they’ve had the keys for almost half a century.

They have racked-up the miles in it, too. 

In 1989, after 15 years of daily use and 112,000 miles, the car underwent a full engine rebuild, various upgrades and body repairs.

However, since then it has been used more sparingly, covering less than 22,000 miles following the engine’s overhaul. 

Despite this, it has recently been treated to a partial recommission having been stood in storage without turning a wheel for a number of years.

Supplied with its original handbooks and all its invoices, CCA says the car is in need of some cosmetic attention and careful detailing.

With this in mind, it has placed a – in our opinion, rather humble – guide price of £25,000 to £30,000.

Other eye-catching Fast Fords available at the same auction include a wonderful 1973 Ford Capri RS3100 – one of the seventies performance Fords that has seen a huge jump in value in recent years. 

The rare car in stunning Olympic Blue paint, which was immortalised as a Corgi model, is said to be in excellent condition and still regularly used and enjoyed. 

The pre-sale guide price is £54,000 to £64,000. 

A pair of Ford Escort RS Turbos will also go to the block at the same auction. Left is a Series 1 with a guide price of £25k-£30k and on the right a Mk2 with just over 25k miles indicated that’s set to go for £16k to £20k

Fans of the smaller Fiesta XR2 will also be excited to know there’s a couple of cars listed that should take their fancy, too. The first is a 1982 Ford XR2 Mk1 that’s been fully restored to original factory specification and could sell for up to £20k

This freshly restored 1989 Ford Fiesta XR2 Mk2 has covered only 73,000 miles, has three former keepers and a guide price of £12k-£15k

For those who want to get their hands on something a little more modern, there’s also a 2004 Ford Focus RS (Mk1) with 59,278 miles from new. Estimate: £18k-£22k

Also up for grabs is a pair of Escort RS Turbos – one a Series 1 with a guide price of £25,000 to £30,000 and a Mk2 example with just over 25,000 miles indicated that’s set to go for £16,000 to £20.000.

Fans of the smaller Fiesta XR2 will also be excited to know there’s a couple of cars listed that should take their fancy, too.

The first is a 1982 Ford XR2 Mk1 that’s been fully restored to original factory specification and could sell for up to £20,000.

It will be presented alongside another freshly restored XR2- this time a 1989 Ford Fiesta Mk2 indicating just 73,000 miles, three former keepers and a guide price of £12,000 to £15,000.

And for those who want to get their hands on something a little more modern, there’s also a 2004 Ford Focus RS (Mk1) with 59,278 miles from new that CCA believes could change hands for just £18,000 to £22,000 – though we think it will make more than that. 

All these Fast Fords will be sold alongside the most unlikely cherished classic car we’ve seen in 2023…

This being a low-mileage 1981 Morris Ital 1.3 HL four-door saloon, which had one owner for 36 years before it was sold to a neighbour who has been the custodian ever since.

With just 4,550 miles on the clock – an average of just 108 miles per year since it was built – it is likely the least-used Ital left on the road. 

CCA expects it to go for between £7,000 and £10,000.

This post first appeared on Dailymail.co.uk