Mathewsons December 2026 sale
Lot 114: 1978 Ford Escort Ghia automatic at the Mathewsons December 2026 auction
By Jon Cosson · Last checked
Part of our Bangers & Cash guide.
Listing checked
What the listing says
Mathewsons' listing, based on information from the vendor, states that the vehicle is a Mk2 1.6 Ghia automatic with one owner from new and about 39,700 miles.
What to check on any Ford Escort Mk1 and Mk2 (1968 to 1980)
- Rust is the biggest cost, and Mk2 panels were rarely painted inside.
- The Kent crossflow is tough. Tapping from the top usually means worn cam followers, rocker cover leaks are normal, and blue smoke means worn rings or valve stem seals.
- Rumbling in the lower gears means worn bearings, which can survive for years, but jumping out of gear on the overrun means an overhaul is due.
- Knocks at the front are often anti-roll bar bushes or a broken coil spring; struts can leak.
- Switch contacts oxidise and rocker switches break internally; look for untidy wiring around the fusebox.
- Classic & Sports Car suggests that genuine RS1800s and Mexicos are probably outnumbered by copies, and the same caution applies to every AVO car, the Twin Cam and the RS2000.
Checks for this car
- Check the Mk2 rust points.
- Look for evidence supporting the mileage.
- Check the automatic gearbox.
Questions to ask before you bid
- Can I see the V5C, and do the chassis and engine numbers match it?
- What history file, invoices and MOT records come with it?
- When was it last used on the road?
- What evidence supports the mileage?
- When was the automatic gearbox last serviced?
Viewing and bidding
Viewing at the Pickering saleroom runs Wednesday 25 November to Tuesday 1 December 2026: Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm, Saturday 9am to 12 noon, closed Sunday. Entry is £5 per person, which includes admission on the day and a donation to one of Mathewsons' chosen charities. The sale is Wednesday 2 to Friday 4 December 2026, held behind closed doors, with bidding online, by telephone or by commission.
Every lot is sold as seen. Read Mathewsons' terms (opens in a new tab) before you register.
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