Ultra-rare convertible Ford Escort with a ‘plethora of style’ hits auction of eye-watering price

A STYLISH and ultra-rare convertible Ford Escort has gone up for auction at an eye-watering price.

The Ford Escort XR3i model motor dating back to 1985 has been kept in mint condition including its full leather trim interior.

Experts have hailed it as ";a true survivor" boasting "a plethora of subtle styling modifications".

They also call this black, soft-top classic "a snapshot of car culture from its era" as well as "excellent inside and out".

And it's now gone up for grabs in an online auction, with bids soaring as high as £5,500 so far ahead of tomorrow's 5.50pm deadline.

The online traders shared photos of the motor - currently based in Essex - they say "wears its era on its sleeve".

While the Ford Escort was the best-selling British car of the 1980s, this was the first XR3 to come in convertible form.

The auction guide describes Escorts as "affordable, neatly styled and pleasant to drive" - making them "the perfect choice of no-nonsense transport for British families".

Yet this particular version is said to stand out for its "classic additions", and has been labelled "extremely special" for surviving while most other Escorts have "succumbed to the ravages of time".

As well as being in perfect condition inside and out, it also boasts an "ultra-rare full leather trim" along with "period styling modifications".

The car has been stored off-road since 2006 but was recently recommissioned by the seller and has an MOT lasting to next May.

It also comes with a box of spares including original lights and mirrors, as well as "various rare bits of trim".

Bidding for the vehicle which has 100,153 miles on the clock began at £100 last Sunday but had tonight reached £5,500.

This auction comes after a rare 1979 Ford Escort dubbed a "70s legend" went up for sale, currently based in Irish capital Dublin after being brought over from South Africa.

Another from 1979, a Ford Escort RS2000 Custom, has gone under the hammer - along with a racy Mexico model from four years earlier.

Also put up for bids was a 1970 Ford Escort with a royal connection.

And last month a 1986 Ford Escort RS Turbo whose owner kept it for more than 35 years sold for more than four times its original price.