Latest news with #FordEscort
The Sun
5 hours ago
- Automotive
- The Sun
Ten family car favourites from 70s to 90s and their value today – from iconic Ford worth THOUSANDS to budget Vauxhall
SEVERAL iconic family favourite vehicles from the last three decades have a new worth today. From the Ford to Vauxhall, these cars that were once common among British families in the 1970s, '80s and '90s still have value in 2025. 9 9 9 Austin Allegro (1973-1982) Value today: £1,200 (Allegro 1.0 saloon) to £7,600 (Allegro Equipe, concours condition) The Allegro was one of the popular vehicle choices for car buyers with families, as well as being company vehicles for employers. In typical shades of Russet brown and Applejack green of the seventies, the Allegro brings a nostalgia. This is despite its known maladies as a vehicle in the contemporary world, and even back in the day. They have been justified to be a worthy classic car and collector item, due not only to the Austin brand, but also its unique Hydragas suspension and style. Editor of the UK Hagerty Price Guide, John Mayhead, has witnessed the steady rise in value of all Austin Allegro variants over the past decade whilst monitoring the value of classic cars in auction prices and policyholder quotes. He said: "Last year, only 7 per cent of all models in the Hagerty Price Guide rose in value." From the late 1960s up to the 2000s, families in Britain were likely to have one of the five generations of Ford Escorts. Children could enjoy riding in the back of these vehicles, whether in the lower trimmed Mk2 or more spacious and utilitarian third and fourth generations. Classic car graveyard found in field where a 1960s classic with rare feature worth up to $150K has been left to rot The Mk3 and Mk4 had a transverse engine layout, with a hatchback style rather than saloon. Models ranged from three and five-door hatches, as well as cabrio or sport versions with the XR3, XR3i, and RS1600i variants. To this day, there's still a lot to admire about the Escort, particularly with the Fast Ford racing and performance versions. They are highly collectable with a thriving club scene, and base models can still be found for cheap at around £3,000. Reliant Scimitar (1975 - 1986) Value today: £3,300 to £9,000 (GTE SE5a) The Reliant Scimitar GTE was an attractive choice of vehicle for those wanting something more exciting than a saloon or estate, but also looking for practicality. It became a performance motor offering a four-seat layout to appear as a family car too. In addition to the layout, the GTE provides a glass hatchback and proper boot, fibreglass body more durable against rust and well-proven Ford mechanics. Cost around £2,300 in 1973, the GTE became a viable cheaper alternative to something like an Audi 100 or 3.0-litre Granada GXL. Since last year, the Scimitar GTE has seen a slight dip in value, but remained relatively stagnant since 2016. John adds that some have been restored to a very high standard: "Lots of very cheap restoration cases available, but not for the faint-hearted." Austin Montego (1984 - 1995) Value today: £800 (Montego 1.3 saloon) to £11,000 (MG Montego Turbo, concours) Montegos have been considered the "most ordinary" of vehicles, but were certainly among the most popular of its time. A solid family car by Austin that had built its reputation for decades, Specifically, as a blue saloon built in 1989, they could regularly be seen parked in driveways or out on roads. Whilst they where just about everywhere in the 1980s, they became almost extinct by the 1990s. The Montego has increased in value as a vehicle model in 2025, following a flat period. 9 9 9 Citroen BX (1982 - 1994) Value today: £900 (S1 1.4 hatchback) to £10,100 (BX Sport, concours) This French saloon spanned the years of 1982 to 1994, with a styling that became a major success. The BX's lineup of XUD four-cylinders were among the best frugal diesels of the '80s. Whilst demand for the Citroen BX was not exceptionally high in the UK, the model reached great heights in France. A well-preserved 1992 BX 16S even sold for over €47,000 in 2021. Renault Espace Mk1 (1984 - 1991) Value today: £1,100 to £12,400 (Turbo D) Despite famously being a flop when first released for sale in 1984, the Espace soon became a European favourite as parents recognised its value. With several back seats, it was one of the easiest cars for loading kids in the back, who were able to thereby see through the vehicle's large glass windows. Families warmed up to this Renault's bold box shape, following 12 months of struggle for sales of this multi-purpose vehicle. John suggested: "Early versions of this groundbreaking vehicle are beginning to become very collectable. "Now rare in any configuration, they are not expensive cars and if you can find one, a fair runner could be under £2,000." Volkswagen Golf GTI Mk2 (1983 - 1992) Value today: £900 (Driver) to £23,800 (GTI 16v) The VW Golf GTI Mk2 was an exciting release for car-loving families, coming with five doors and more space for practical and better riding. It was a reliable car too with its Volkswagen reputation, better fuel economy and improved comfort. It was also capable of reaching more than 130mph. John said: "For a long time, Mk 2 Golf values lagged far behind their Mk 1 predecessors, especially in the iconic GTI configuration, but in the last couple of years, they have gained ground. "There's a lot of love for this model, and although prices are down a little from their 2023 high, the general trend has been growth for the past 12 years." Ford Mondeo Mk1 (1993 - 2000) Value today: £800 (first-generation 1.6) to £8,500 (ST220) After their release in 1993, Mondeos became a common sight on roads through the mid-90s. They served as private motors, company vehicles, police cars, trade workhorses, and even appeared in the British Touring Car Championship. "Excluding motorsport variants, the Mondeo is a very affordable classic with even performance versions being available for under £5,000," John said. They are likely to become increasingly collectable as first generation cars that are more of a rarity. Rover 75 (1999 - 2005) Value today: £900 (2.0 CDTi) to £16,100 (MG ZT, concours) The Rover 75 featured a retro design both internally and externally, providing class and comfort, more than image or rock-hard suspension. Popular particularly among the older enthusiasts, the 75 has not seen a major decline in customers since first releasing in 1999. It is a car that is greatly designed for the pothole-riddled roads of Britain, known for its toughness and rarity. The model has therefore not seen much of a change to its value, holding their price as many other classics are dropping. Vauxhall Zafira A (1999 - 2005) Value today: £550 (1.6 Base) to £7000 (1.8 Elegance, concours) Sales of this smaller MPV skyrocketed after being put on the market. As a seven-seater hatchback, it was a clever car with fine driving characteristics, and based on the Astra G platform. Today, they are rare to find in good condition. 9 9
ITV News
3 days ago
- ITV News
Father and son jailed after inventing story over crash which seriously injured woman
A father and son have both been jailed after inventing a story over a crash which left a woman seriously injured in Buckley-Barber, 19, was driving at high speeds and 'showing off' when he overturned his car into a watery ditch in Pevensey in April 2023. A female passenger in the car suffered serious injuries. Instead of calling the emergency services, the then 17-year-old called his father, Jason Barber. Barber, 46, drove his son home first before taking the woman to hospital. While in the car, the woman could hear the father and son inventing a story, claiming the car had been forced off the road to avoid hitting an animal. After the woman was brought into A&E at Eastbourne District General Hospital, staff reported the crash to police. Officers later went to Barber's address, but he told officers he didn't know where his son was. At the scene of the crash, beer cans were recovered from around the Ford Escort, and Buckley-Barber had been with friends at a party earlier in the night. The teenager was not found that night, and only called police 12 hours later where he repeated the made-up story. Phones were seized from the father and son, and revealed that Barber sent a text message to a friend, claiming he 'hid' his son from police on the night they were looking for him. Mobile phone footage also showed Buckley-Barber's "reckless" driving shortly before the crash. Inspector Vicki Rees, Sussex Police Luic Buckley-Barber, 19, of Maresfield Drive, Pevensey, pleaded guilty to causing serious injuries by dangerous driving and was sentenced to one year and four months in prison, and was disqualified from driving for three years. Jason Barber, 46, of the same address, pleaded guilty to perverting the course of justice and was sentenced to two years and three months in prison. Speaking after the case, PC Jessica Crump from the Roads Policing Unit said: 'The father and son showed no regard for the victim's welfare that night, and only looked out for their own interests. 'Dangerous driving is one of the fatal five offences that cause deaths and injuries on our roads. 'Luic decided to drive dangerously behind the wheel, with another person's life in his hands. He had not maintained his vehicle in a good state of repair, and was extremely lucky he did not cause a fatality that night."
Evening Standard
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Evening Standard
Have the old-school toffs fallen out of love with private schools? Now the flashy set are taking over
Picture the scene: Pembridge Gardens, 1988. I am standing in my Pembridge Hall school uniform of straw boater, blazer, and red and white gingham dress outside the school steps. We live in Chiswick and my mother waves goodbye to me before getting back into our red Ford Escort (that often breaks down on the Westway flyover) and driving across the Shepherd's Bush Roundabout and down the Goldhawk Rd to get home. My mother is a writer, and my father is an insurance broker. My friends, who live in houses dotted around places like Brook Green, the Goldborne Rd and Kensington Church St, long before they became priced out by the property boom, are like me. My best friend lives in a house in Barons Court and we go to Hammersmith Broadway at the weekends. By and large – bar the odd tycoon, politician and Royal that you might find at any private school – we are middle to upper class; we are not flashy. Seeing Princess Diana drop princes William and Harry off at Wetherby in her royal BMW is a thrill, not an off-hand normality.
Rhyl Journal
12-06-2025
- Automotive
- Rhyl Journal
Holywell Classic Car Show proves popular despite bad weather
Held on Saturday (June 7), the Holywell Classic Car Show drew in some wonderful vehicles from years gone by. Held in memory of Douglas Bedford and Cadi Edwards, cars of all shapes and colours decorated the high street of the town. Plenty of stalls were also on hand to keep guests entertained and a trophy was also handed out for the best in show, Carl Jones' MK1 RS2000. Despite the bad weather, the event was enjoyed by people of all ages. Holywell Town Council said: "Despite the best efforts of the weather, Holywell was full of classic cars on Saturday at The Holywell Classic Car show." They added: "The Mayor was in attendance to present the prizes, including to the winning Ford Escort." The Mayor, Matt Sprake, said: "Days like this are a reminder that cars aren't just machines, they're memories and stories. "Modern cars may be smarter with lane assist and parking sensors, but this weekend saw the town centre filled with classics who had swagger, elegance, and charisma in abundance. While the rest of us own cars, the ones on display were loved, like stars from the golden age of Hollywood; ageing and glamorous, with an essence of unpredictability, yet still turning heads decades after their prime. "It was a privilege to present prizes to the winners and a huge thanks to Carl Bedford, and the rest of the organisers for making this event happen, along with all the exhibitors who braved the weather to put their hard work and efforts on show." Organiser Carl Bedford said: "The event is held in memory of my dad Douglas Bedford, dementia took him too soon, and my grand-daughter Cadi Edwards who we sadly lost too. "All money raised (£516) is given to the 2Wish Charity who have supported all our family through the pain of losing a child."
New Indian Express
12-06-2025
- Lifestyle
- New Indian Express
Butter, Bread, and Belonging
Over the past week, I've found myself adrift in a sea of change. The sort of change that leaves you grasping for something—anything—familiar. I've always sought solace in the known when the world around me shapeshifts. But oddly enough, this time, it wasn't my usual comfort food that I turned to. No khichdi, no steaming bowl of dal-chawal to anchor me. Instead, quite out of character, I ordered dessert. At first, it felt like a spontaneous indulgence—perhaps even frivolous. But the more I thought about it, the more it made sense. Somewhere, in the recesses of memory, that sugary, saccharine moment had its roots. It took me back to Dehradun, where my maternal family lived—a hill town known as much for its salubrious air as for its timeless bakeries. There, everything smells faintly of vanilla essence and old-world charm. Then came Assam, where I spent part of my growing-up years in a small industrial town on the edge of the state. We had one bakery. Just one. And the sheer thrill of getting a pineapple pastry from there felt akin to winning the Pulitzer. That slice of cake, yellow-tinted cream and all, was joy in its purest form. It's only now that I realise: I wasn't craving dessert last week. I was seeking comfort. The same, specific comfort that those early confections once brought me. Even Delhi, where I moved as a teenager, welcomed me with its own bakery trail. I remember my uncle—always impeccably dressed, with a shiny maroon Ford Escort—taking me to Frontier Bakery in Karol Bagh. We'd emerge with boxes of pista biscuits and veg patties, the car redolent with their buttery perfume. Later, I discovered Wenger's, that relic of Connaught Place, with its spiced plum cake in winter—a slice of colonial nostalgia that has never quite faded. Growing up, I came to realise something essential. However far I travelled, no matter how many truffle-laced risottos or artisanal mille-feuilles I sampled, the quiet joy of the local bakery remained unshaken. There's something profoundly honest about a good loaf of bread. And even more so, about buttered toast. My husband—fiercely loyal to its charms—won't have anything else on long drives. And not just any buttered toast. There's a method to his devotion: the bread must be toasted to a light golden hue, just enough for the edges to crunch but the middle to stay soft. The butter—never cold, never too warm—must be slathered generously while the toast is still hot, so it melts into the crevices, seeping through to create that perfect marriage of crisp and soft, salt and warmth. At first, I found it charming. Then I found it profound. Because isn't that what comfort truly is? Not grand, elaborate gestures, but small, precise rituals that hold the soul together. There's something almost sacred in the way the butter glistens and pools, the smell ever so slightly nutty, the first bite giving way with a soft crunch and a whisper of warmth. It's remarkable, isn't it, how the simplest foods build the strongest emotional scaffolding? Especially now, in an age where a swipe on your phone can summon award-winning menus to your door. Yet come a weekend evening, and it's the neighbourhood mithai shop or the timeworn bakery that's brimming with people—each person waiting not just for a snack, but a slice of something familiar. This, perhaps, is why Delhi's oldest food institutions still inspire near-religious devotion. Frontier's veg patty? Some will swear it tastes exactly as it did twenty years ago. Can we prove that? Perhaps not. But that's not the point. When you bite into something generations before you also cherished, it transcends taste. It becomes a memory. A kind of edible reassurance. And so, when life feels uncertain, I find myself wandering into the narrow lanes of Old Delhi, seeking out pineapple pastries in family-run bakeries with flickering signboards and faded glass counters. There, amidst the hum of ceiling fans and the rustle of butter paper, I find what I need—not extravagance, but heart. And honestly, I couldn't ask for more.
