Readers’ Photos # 127: Mk II Escort Van (Revisited)

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This is the second recent post that reflects on my automotive history, following on from from a piece written by me and featuring the Austin-Healey Sprite that I owned nearly twenty years ago (please see: https://uppermiddlepetrolhead.blogspot.com/2022/10/a-blast-from-past-im-reacquainted-with.html).


Today's offering - an absolutely stunning Mk II Ford Escort van - isn't one of my previous cars, although it looked close enough to the one that I did own to have my mate, Mark Drury, wonder if it was the very same vehicle that we ran amok in during the very early 1980s in our P-plater year.


That Escort van - the one that we drove around in wearing our Batman masks or Devo "energy domes" (maybe they were really Decor flower pots?), took camping, carted my Honda XR75 trail bike in, strapped our kayaks onto and slept off inumerable post-beach party hangovers in the back of (top to toe style!) - was probably crushed and recycled into dog food tins years ago.

This one, however, looks set for a long continuing existence, having seemingly had a bit of a tart-up since it was last featured on this 'blog (please refer to: https://uppermiddlepetrolhead.blogspot.com/2017/02/random-98-ford-van-challenge-met.html) and now appears to sport new paint, as well as being adorned with a set of my favourite ever driving lights, the Cibie Super Oscar!


Just where all the Escort vans have gone is one of those great mysteries that may never be solved.

I know where there's one undergoing a resto (don't I, Commander Amanda!) but they are, sadly, a diminishing resource.

At least there are more Escorts than there are Geminis!






U M P H

(uppermiddlepetrolhead.blogspot.com.au.)

Photos by Mark.





Comments

  1. Anonymous19 October 2022 at 22:15

    Hi there, I am the owner of this car, some brief history..1977 model, was owned by late father since basically new in 1983 ( had 11k on it ) was purchased second hand in Hobart from Clem Hoggett motors original owner was an elderly gentleman. Was completely standard 1600 when I inherited it. Now running a fairly worked 2.0l with twin carbs and and the goodies. Adjustable konis with quick rack steering etc etc. only comes in in fair weather now after being my daily for nearly 20 years. Recent additions are the Cibie Super Oscars, and I recently Re sprayed the back doors. Bonnet has been resprayed a few years ago, but the rest is original paint basically. It’s great car with lots of sentimental value and memories. Thanks for the feature! Well spotted at the winery a few years also! Must have been on a date that day!

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