Mathewsons December 2026 sale
Lot 276: 1990 Ford Escort XR3i convertible 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 has had the same owner since 1995; it has been garaged and serviced yearly; and it passed its MOT in September.
What to check on any Ford Escort Mk3 or Mk4
- The battery tray and bulkhead are the classic rot spots. A damp front carpet, especially on the passenger side, is a strong hint of trouble here.
- Check the rear inner arches, rear chassis rails, sills (blocked drains cause rot from inside), floorpan and boot floor, front crossmember, behind the headlamps and around the front mounts of the rear trailing arms.
- Visible rust shows at door bottoms, wing tips by the indicators, the bonnet's leading edge, roof gutters, tailgate seams and hinges.
- Bubbling around a sunroof suggests blocked drains. Windscreen seals leak into the floors.
- Body kits on XR models can hide damage and trap water. Look for rippled inner wings, overspray on rubbers and uneven panel gaps as signs of crash repair.
- Cabriolet: expect some scuttle shake. Check the hood fabric, frame and seals, and lift the carpets for water. Hood fabric is relatively easy to renew.
Checks for this car
- Check the hood and its frame.
- Check the rear arches.
- Confirm that it is a genuine XR3i.
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?
- When was the hood last renewed?
- What identifies it as a genuine XR3i?
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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