Three classic UK fast Fords sell together for same price as iconic 1965 Mustang – what would you have on your drive?

Over the years Ford Motor Company has become a firm part of British culture, with most people having owned or been driven around in a Blue Oval model.

There are far too many people's favourites to mention, with iconic RS and Cosworth-branded performance motors often at the top of any list.

Only a few decades ago, the likes of the Escort XR3i, Fiesta XR2 and Mondeo ST200 were the models to have in the UK - offering oodles of power, pace and style over more regular cars in the lineup.

Nowadays you can get hold of these models for reasonable sums, and we found solid examples of each at a recent auction.

They were sold in individual lots, but collectively came to a little more than £30k.

Interestingly, a 1965 Mustang Fastback was also at the same auction and sold for £29k.

So the question for Ford fans is: where would you put your thirty grand? 

Does the British trio have enough kudos to tempt you, or is the cool-factor of the Mustang just too much to turn down?

Of course, you could forget the whole retro lot and just go for a brand new Kuga SUV - but where’s the fun in that?

Here we look at each of the famous Ford models and what price they each fetched at auction.

Ford Escort XR3i - £17,064

This is a 1984 model with just 39,741 miles, and was listed as being in very good condition throughout. Three registered keepers over its lifetime, it also comes with a good history file, but crucially no MOT certificate which may have put some people off.

Ford Fiesta XR2 - £8,208

This Mk2 Fiesta XR2 was only being sold due to a loss of storage.

Sold as a 'very original example' that runs and drives well, it now needs its brakes overhauling.

The car was registered in July 1988 and has covered just 18,495 miles. showing on its odometer - reference to the MoT and service history suggests this is 118,495 miles.

Six registered keepers overall are shown on the V5C, although there is no current MoT and no note of one since online records began in 2005. 

Ford Mondeo ST200 - £6,480

One of only 300 saloon examples produced, this model is finished in Imperial blue and includes Recaro trim and a blue/black interior.

It's pretty rare to find a ST200 in such good condition.

It has been fitted with a new battery, and the car was described as driving well with everything working.

Prior to the seller's ownership, he advises that the previous keeper had stored the car between 2015 and 2020. 

The mileage is recorded at 91,151, with the ST200 featuring a 2.5-litre V6 24v engine producing 202 bhp.

0-62mph is achieved in around 7.7 seconds, with a maximum speed of 151 mph.

Ford Mustang 5.0 V8 Fastback - £29,160

This is about as cool as it gets - a Mustang Fastback with a 5.0-litre V8 petrol engine.

Admittedly, it may not be to everyone's taste, but this model does look particularly clean.

Imported to the UK in 2016, it has had three owners on these shores since that time, with the gearbox being rebuilt at the end of 2021 (at a cost of almost £1000). 

The car spent some time dry-stored and has now covered 25,026 miles.

As an historic vehicle, it no longer requires an MoT; its last expired in July 2018 after having been tested the previous year at 24,885 miles.

So, now it's decision time - it's a tough one, but which would you spend your £30k on?