How the Escort is becoming the ‘must have’ classic car

But a new era of motorists with dollars to spare and a yearning to flip the clock back again to more simple periods are staying credited for a surge in demand for the quite automobiles their mother and father couldn’t hold out to be shot of.

A increasing nostalgia for late 20th century motors of the 1980s and 1990s – specially Ford Escorts – is stated to be fuelling desire for ageing products, sparking a mini growth amongst automobile restoration and vintage vehicle businesses in Scotland.

The surge in desire for ‘bangers’, with their chunky strains and lack of ability steering, Bluetooth or airbags, is also staying linked to a hurry to maintain the era’s combustion engine vehicles in the experience of mounting tension on motorists to swap to greener possibilities.

Ford Escort has been lovingly restored. Photograph credit score Motor vehicle Cave Scotland. (Image: Auto Cave Scotland)

It is also reckoned to be partly down to a kickback versus modern day ‘lookalike’ cars with their high-tech attributes developed to acquire the strain out of motoring, but which fanatics say has made driving a much less thrilling encounter.

Increasing demand from customers has meant selling prices for 30- and 40-year-outdated cars this sort of as Mk2 Ford Escorts, Talbot Sunbeams, Renault 5s and Peugeot 205s – particularly if they are limited edition or greater spec ‘hot hatch’ styles – are hitting the roof.

In accordance to the operator of an East Kilbride-centered car or truck restoration company – which is increasing because of to soaring demand from customers for its products and services – some fans are happily spending tens of 1000’s of lbs reviving late 20th century motors in purchase to travel them for just a few thousand miles a yr, not unlike collectors of extra regular vintage cars could use their prized motors.

“We are receiving a good deal extra 1980s and 90s vehicles in for restoration get the job done,” claims David Mutch, proprietor of Clydesdale Typical Cars.

“These are being purchased up by people today who are now in their 40s, who have disposable cash flow and truly feel nostalgic for that time.

“The most frequent issue I listen to is that it is the car or truck that their moms and dads drove.”

In some cases, he adds, motorists are swapping their modern day cars and trucks in favour of ‘greener’ modes of working day-to-working day transportation and trying to keep their restored Eighties and Nineties traditional automobile for a weekend treat.

“One present-day buyer is acquiring his car or truck restored and plans to use it only for pleasure and will use his bike to get all around for the rest of the time,” he provides.

“Quite often we locate shoppers are organizing to only take their cars out now and again and generate perhaps two or 3 thousand miles a 12 months and use general public transport for the relaxation of the time.”

Looking the element – a 1983 Ford Capri 2.8 Injection. Photograph credit history Motor vehicle Cave Scotland (Picture: Auto Cave Scotland)

Desire for the 80s and 90s autos has pushed prices to concentrations that may possibly make their first owners’ eyes h2o: a primary 1990 Renault 5 Campus, for instance, is now becoming sold on eBay for extra than £4000.

The very same on the net auction internet site lists a sportier 1989 Peugeot 205 1.9 Hatchback for just about £16,000.

At Automobile Cave Scotland in Bonnyrigg close to Edinburgh, which specialises in Mk1 and Mk2 Ford Escorts, the variety of cars bought for each month has leapt from all around 12 prior to the pandemic to nearer to 20 now.

It is at this time providing a restoration challenge W-reg Mk2 Ford Escort Estate – with “scruffy” inside, faded patchwork paintwork and its differential lying on what remains of the entrance seats, for £3750.

Whilst a gleaming 1980 V-reg restored Ford Escort MK2 RS2000 with 90,000 miles on the clock is on sale for just brief of £28,000.

Alan Potts, owner of Vehicle Cave Scotland reported: “A lot of people were being bored during the pandemic: some men and women purchased motor properties and caravans and other folks bought a car or truck to work on.

“It’s a little bit of nostalgia – all people desires to go back again to what they or their mothers and fathers had when they had been youthful.

“They might have had a fundamental product when they ended up younger and couldn’t find the money for the best product in the vary, but they can now.

“We also get a number of more youthful folks who are acquiring cars and trucks simply because it’s what their mom and dad drove.”

Buyers are also seeking for types which stand out in the supermarket car or truck park, he adds.

“Cars these days seem to appear in just 3 colors – black, silver and pale grey – and absolutely everyone appears to be driving a mini SUV variety car.

“It’s all a bit ‘samey’.”

The rise of the ‘modern’ vintage vehicle has been put in the highlight by programmes like Richard Hammond’s Workshop which follows the previous Major Equipment presenter’s initiatives to create his individual garage specialising in restoring cars and trucks.

1 of the initially automobiles the garage labored on was a 1979 Escort RS2000 Mk2 Rallye Activity model, which fetched just over £43,000 when it was marketed at auction previous September.

Even though Bangers and Cash, on the Yesterday channel, traces the restoration of a vehicle from its sale to currently being re-auctioned. The newest collection, Bangers & Funds: Restoring Classics, has targeted on a 1980s Vauxhall Astra GTE, and early 80s vintage Talbot Sunbeam Lotus.

Its higher spec meant it was priced at all-around £7,000 new, on the other hand, a similar model these days fees around £25,000.

Amid the most ‘in demand’ 1980s product is a Ford Sierra RS Cosworth: a single very low mileage 1988 ‘barn find’ which had lain in the owner’s garage for 30 a long time, recently sold at auction for £80,000.

Soaring desire in automobiles from the late 20th century will come as the clock ticks loudly for future of the combustion engine: Ford not too long ago verified the massively preferred Ford Fiesta is to be discontinued, sparking renewed nostalgia for the hatchback.

House owners of more mature Fiesta styles may want to consider two times about scrapping them: Peugeot stopped making their Peugeot 205 products in 1999, having said that old variations have been creeping up in price in recent decades, with a restored 205 GTi design from the late 1980s promoting for £17,000 on on the internet marketplace, Autotrader, and a primary 1990s 1.6 edition hitting almost £5000.

Even though retro-fitting common vehicles to operate on electric powered batteries is an highly-priced possibility, David claims most purchasers are looking for a typical combustion engine encounter.

“Anyone who enjoys previous automobiles loves the sound of the engine, the smell of the fuel – they are petrol heads, not electric heads,” he claims.

It is also argued that reviving 1980s and 1990s versions may possibly be a ‘greener’ selection than the environmental fees of setting up a new car or truck.

“We are recycling far more than individuals think – we will use what we have somewhat than buy new pieces if we can, and we recycle tools and devices that would usually be scrapped,” adds David.

While a expert restoration can value tens of thousands of lbs ., some lovers are also on the lookout to revive the speedily disappearing art of tinkering with vehicle in the driveway.

“Modern cars are so complicated that the common Do it yourself mechanic can’t seriously do significantly with them,” provides Alan. “But with more mature autos, the ordinary male with a little bit of awareness could repair his own vehicle.”

Motoring in the Eighties and Nineties, even so, is not for individuals much too utilised to modern-day comforts.

“You surely know when you’re driving just one of these more mature autos, they generate like a 50-12 months-aged vehicle,” he says.

“Drivers are employed to the contemporary stuff like ability steering, with these autos you locate oneself wrestling with the wheel.”