FOR SALE A pristine Ford Escort Cabriolet XR3i with only 16,975 miles from new. EQUIPMENT Body-coloured bumpers with protective inserts, front spoiler, body-coloured door mirrors, driving lamps, black fast folding fully insulated vinyl roof, integral black roll bar, electrically controlled and heated door mirrors, heated rear screen, folding rear seats, lockable glovebox, cigar lighter, quartz digital clock, tachometer, Ford 2005 radio/cassette with anti-theft coding, four speakers and joystick control, electric aerial. Factory Options: Alloy wheels size 6 x 14in, Anti-Lock Brakes. Dealer Options: Ford Mud flaps, Ford tailored rubber mats. Accessories: Autowatch 225-000 alarm and immobiliser, supplying dealer paper mats. EXTERIOR Finished in factory original Radiant Red, (Code PA9), the paintwork boasts a stunning deep shine and uniform finish that can only be described as near flawless, the only notable exception being a touched in mark to the front plastic grille. The original soft-top roof is in superb condition with no damage whatsoever and the car has clearly been garaged from new with no fading to the vinyl or cracks. The colour keyed hood cover for use when the hood is lowered is present and spotless. The panels on this example boast factory fitment with date stampings clearly visible and the underside is clean and detailed to a high show standard. All glass is factory fitment with number plate security etching and the front screen still displays the original first tax disc! Correct Carello headlamps are crystal clear and Ford emblems, trim sections, badges and iconic XR3i decals are immaculate. The supplying Ford dealer number plates and rear screen sticker remain fitted. INTERIOR The supportive sports seats trimmed with Zolda fabric in Shadow colour scheme, (Code LU), are in outstanding condition and the colour keyed shark grey cut pile carpet has been protected from new by genuine Ford tailored ‘waffle’ rubber mats. Several spare supplying dealer A.W.&.D. Hammond branded paper floor mats have been reproduced for show purposes and the boot carpet has a clear film protective cover. The door cards show no notable wear to the handles or shrinkage to the armrest sections that is commonly associated with the model. The dashboard and switchgear are in superb order and all functions and controls operate including the standard Ford 2005 radio/cassette with electric aerial and the roof mounted digital clock. The sports two-spoke steering wheel and gear knob still have natural veins visible thanks to the low miles. ENGINE & TRANSMISSION The 1.6 OHC (CVH) engine with Bosch K-Jetronic fuel injection produces 105bhp to achieve 0-60mph in 9.7 seconds and a top speed of 115mph. The engine bay presentation is excellent with original factory stickers, labels and panel stampings and would please the exhibitionist attending classic car shows at both an amateur and concours level. The five-speed gearbox is light and precise. WHEELS, TYRES & BRAKES Optional extra alloy wheels size 6 x 14in are in pristine condition and are shod in factory correct specification Dunlop SP Sport 200 tyres. The matching fifth alloy spare with original Dunlop SP Sport D8 tyre is unused and shows coloured banding and tyre nobbles. Clipped inside the spare wheel is the unused jack and brace with original soft square protection pads. The diagonally split dual-line servo assisted brakes with factory optional Anti-Lock Brakes stop the car quickly and safely. HISTORY FILE Registered new on the 1st March 1988 by Ford Main Dealer, A.W.&.D. Hammond of Halesworth, the car was registered to a Mr Bevington who is noted on the new car sales invoice in the history file. The invoice breaks down the factory cost options and the total price paid of £11,953.72. Several invoices from the supply dealership show that the car returned to them for servicing and maintenance up to 2006 with the car going to independent specialists thereafter. In October 2025 the car was serviced using genuine Ford parts and the cambelt and water pump also renewed at this point. One of the three former keepers from new was detailing specialist Mark Stewart. On the hunt for a special Ford he stumbled across this 1989 XR3i cabriolet with just 9k miles on the clock and was blown away by its originality. Not replacing anything, he simply detailed every square inch to get as clean he could. The results are simply outstanding with one of the highlights and his proudest moment, winning Waxstock 2018. The car has also been featured on the prestigious Meguiar’s Club Showcase at the NEC Classic Car Show and has subsequently remained within a car collection since. All handbooks are included along with the original service book as well as a Ford range brochure from 1988. With just 16,975 miles from new and in original condition, this car will appeal to the Blue Oval collector looking for one of the finest preserved examples. MOT November 2026, HPI clear.