1968 Ford Escort MKI 1600 GT
Desirable Type 49 shell, having undergone a circa £60,000 restoration

Registration – AOO 771G

Chassis No. – BB48HD29411

M.O.T. – TBC

Odometer – 22,540

Hampson Auctions is delighted to offer this exceptional 1968 Ford Escort Mk1 1600 GT, finished in the wonderfully period shade of Blue Mink.

AOO 771G is a particularly interesting early example of Ford's sporting Escort, built using the desirable Type 49 bodyshell. Genuine Mk1 1600 GTs are increasingly difficult to find, particularly examples that have benefited from restoration to this standard.

According to the accompanying information, the Escort has covered approximately 62,000 miles and has recently undergone an extensive concours-level restoration undertaken by renowned Ford specialist Tony Collins of Classic & Custom of Kent. The vendor informs us that expenditure on the restoration exceeded £60,000, resulting in a car that today presents to an exceptionally high standard throughout.

Previous research and documentation accompanying the car indicate that it was supplied new in 1968 and is understood to have had just three owners, remarkably with one custodian retaining the Escort for approximately 45 years.

The car's AOO 771G registration is also of particular interest. Previous research has suggested a possible association with Ford Works cars of the period. While this forms a fascinating element of the Escort's history, prospective purchasers are encouraged to satisfy themselves regarding any potential Works connection.

Its Type 49 bodyshell is an important part of the car's specification. Developed with additional strengthening compared with the standard Escort shell, the Type 49 became closely associated with Ford's competition Escorts and is consequently particularly sought after by marque enthusiasts today.

The period Blue Mink paintwork suits the clean lines of the early Mk1 exceptionally well. The restoration extends throughout the car, with the bodywork, paintwork, interior and engine bay all presenting to an impressive standard.

Inside, the sporting nature of the 1600 GT is immediately apparent, with its GT interior and instrumentation including a 140mph speedometer and 7,000rpm rev counter. Correct GT badging and the desirable manual transmission further contribute to the car's period sporting character.

Mechanically, the Escort benefits from a number of period-style performance enhancements understood to have been fitted during its lifetime. At its heart is a Stage 3 1600cc Crossflow engine equipped with a Weber 28/36 carburettor, four-branch exhaust manifold, modified cylinder head and camshaft, together with a lightened and balanced flywheel.

Further upgrades are understood to include a Twin Cam-specification radiator, uprated suspension components and a strengthened rear suspension arrangement. Collectively, these modifications should provide a suitably engaging driving experience while remaining entirely in keeping with the sporting character for which the Mk1 Escort became renowned.

Prior to restoration, the Escort is reported to have been carefully preserved for many years, including extensive Waxoyl protection, helping it to retain a significant degree of originality before the comprehensive restoration commenced.

The Mk1 Escort occupies an important position in Ford's competition and performance-car history. Introduced in 1968, it rapidly established itself both as an enormously successful road car and as the basis for some of Ford's most celebrated competition machinery.

Against that background, genuine early 1600 GT examples are particularly appealing. Combining its desirable Type 49 shell, Blue Mink colour scheme, long-term ownership history and substantial specialist restoration, AOO 771G represents an exciting opportunity for the serious Ford collector.

With restoration expenditure reportedly exceeding £60,000 and presentation to concours standard, this is a particularly desirable early sporting Escort equally suited to preservation within a significant collection or presentation on the show field.

Summary

• Desirable early Type 49 bodyshell, finished in period Blue Mink
• Concours-level restoration by Ford specialist Tony Collins of Classic & Custom of Kent, reportedly costing in excess of £60,000
• Approximately 62,000 recorded miles and understood to have had just three owners, including one custodian for around 45 years

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