Ford Escort Mk1 ‘2000E’ Special

Ford Escort Mk1 ‘2000E’ Special – Part of the Cheshire Collection, an award winning seven-year restoration, celebrated in print for its cosmetic authenticity and modern performance due to its 2-litre Zetec engine. A unique car, extensively exhibited and known as the 2000E.

The Cheshire Collection is a carefully curated ensemble of modern classics that represent our vendor’s enthusiasm, and are all offered on a No Reserve basis to make way for new additions to their respective collections. For nearly a decade, they have been a welcome sight at our auctions, and whilst we have appreciated their energetic bidding, we have valued their chats, enthusiast to enthusiast, just as much. Each car is special, whether it’s the vastly improved 1973 Ford Escort, the last production Sierra RS Cosworth showing more than 21,000 miles, the fabulous 12,000km ‘Group N’ Escort Cosworth, the well-maintained Clio V6, the one-owner, low-mileage Evo VI GSR to, perhaps, the best 2005 Honda Civic Type R on the market.

This highly celebrated car started out as an Escort 1300E on 18th December 1973 and according to the September issue of Classic Ford Magazine in 2016, where the car was glowingly reviewed, it took nearly a decade of patience, hard work and skill to get to what we see today. Not just rebuilt to be shown at the UK’s finest classic shows, Mr Penney, the owner, wanted the best combination of classic and modern. Details of the restoration are extensive, as are the sourcing of NOS parts, from critical components such as panels to the often overlooked trim. ‘Detail and Finish’ were the guiding principals throughout the process.

New panels were fitted as required including the rear quarters, inner and outer sills, front and rear panel, slam panel, turrets, full length inner wing tops, door skins, front floor pans with the addition of strut-top strengthening plates. Other new parts included the windscreen, drop glasses, dash switches, boot trim and hockey sticks, front indicator lenses, rear light lenses, front quarter and rear bumpers with re-chromed door handles and rear light surrounds. Finished in Stardust Silver (Sikkens Autowave Waterbase and Crystal Lacquer), new roof vinyl and a fully rebuilt Britax Weathershield sunroof.

The 2-litre Zetec (Silvertop) had covered 6,000 miles and was treated to new rings, a skimmed head, new head gasket and new valve seats before fitting with standard cams all painted in Satin Plastikote , ‘BDA-style’ rocker cover, new Weber 45s with braided fuel lines, Omex ECU, new painted copper radiator, Kenlowe fan, full 2.5″ stainless exhaust including a 4-2-1 manifold. A ‘Type 9’ gearbox with Quaife shift was fitted with a fully rebuilt 3.77 English diff within a powder-coated rear axle, new front and half-shaft bearings, Bilstein adjustable coil-over front struts, with the front suspension powder-coated throughout. Bias box fed in braided hose to new M16 calipers, Mintex pads and vented discs. New rear dampers, powder-coated multi leaves with lowering blocks and new poly-bushes throughout. New banded Lotus 5.5J wheels and chrome centre caps with Falken 185/60/13s

The interior was treated to new RS ‘Scheel’-specification Beta cloth interior, fully stripped, re-veneered dash and cappings, new door cards and footwell panels. New black Moonstone headlining and sunroof lining, original rear quarter panels and a new rear parcel shelf were also fitted. Once completed, it took part at the 2015 Classic Ford Show ‘Great Unveiling’ at Santa Pod, was a 2015 Classic Motor Show Meguiars Showcase Finalist at the NEC, was the 2016 Classic Ford of the Year Nominee sponsored by Classic Ford Magazine, won the 2017 Best Modified section of the Wonderland Sports & Classic Car Show, Hoveringham, was invited to participate at the 2018 London Classic Car Show Grand Avenue parade and won the 2018 Manchester Classic Car Show Best Trailered award.

We like unique cars and very few award-winning examples are available at this estimate, not least with a conversion to modern running gear that has gained the approval of so many.

THE NEC CLASSIC MOTOR SHOW SALE 2023 – CARS

Our auction finale of 2023 is taking place at the Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show at the NEC, Birmingham (B40 1NT) 10th – 12th November. The UK’s biggest and best motor show attracting visitors, bidders and buyers from around the world. Viewing is available on Friday 10th November 10am – 6pm as well as Saturday and Sunday from 9am. Cars and Automobilia can be viewed in Hall 2 and Motorcycles in Hall 5. The Collectors’ Car Sale will take place on Saturday 11th at 10am with the Automobilia Sale following at 4pm and the Motorcycle Sale will take place on Sunday 12th at 10am – all in Hall 2. Admission to the auction stand is by catalogue only. Catalogues will be available to purchase at the catalogue desks at the entrance to our stands for £10. Each catalogue admits two people. Admission to the show is not included in the price of the catalogue. Show tickets can be purchased via the Classic Motor Show website, use the code ICONICAUC for £2 off per ticket.