Retroford Magazine present the first Show Car of the 1300E Owners Club

In early 1973 Ford dealers were treated to the luxurious new dimension of the Ford Escort 1300E. It came with a new advertising film too, narrated by Patrick Allen who, over three decades later, appeared in voice on the smash hit single "Two Tribes", by Frankie Goes to Hollywood. Very apt if you consider the car manufacturing rivalries in the 70’s too.

Patrick enthused about the new head turner on the road and in the showroom.  Highlighting the real wood dash inserts and door capping’s and the rich cut piled carpet, sporty and elegant wheels. Performance was highlighted with the same vibrancy as a top speed 99mph and 0-60 in 12.8sec tripped off Allen’s tongue.

No doubt you would have been hearing many WOWs by showroom staff and customers alike particularly when they saw the advertising video focusing on the enhancing black vinyl roof and the fashionable and unique purple body colour. Promise of too other elegant metallics of Amber God and Venetian Gold whet your appetite for even more luxury to come.

Fifty years ago, ownership of a 1300E was evidence that you had made it up the social ladder and were the Jason King-style international man of mystery, made famous by Peter Wyngarde, complete with flairs, long hair and the droopy moustache along with other attributes that today are not seen as PC. You probably used Luncheon Vouchers and dined at a Berni Inn too. What a life you led in the 70’s!

Ford really sold you a dream and Pattrick Allen’s final statement for the 1300E of  "luxurious, comfortable, roomy, fun to drive and value for money" whilst encouraging you to "make sure you backed this certain winner" really set the tone for this model.

The 1300E was originally built at Ford's Advanced Vehicle Operation department in Essex, with 11,000 buyers of 2 and 4 door models attracted by the Ford Executive Saloon and style conscious luxury image along with the reasonable price of £1,182.

You can be the judge yourself as Retroford Magazine present The Ford Escort 1300E Owners Clubs first car is SLM894L, a 1973 series 1 1300E, that has covered only 6367 miles from new and will be on stand 8-070 at NEC 2024.

Ray bought her in January 2014 from a man who had had stored the car outside in his yard for over 10 years in Northern Ireland.

The car originally came from the Bromley area of Greater London/Kent, but registered in North London, where it was purchased new by a Mr. FC Parsons, who owned a chauffeur business, he used the car sparingly and his grandson drove the car a couple of times to take his grandmother to the hospital to see his grandfather in it. Finally, after passing through the family, it was put in a barn in the Dartford area.

On the 13^th June 2001, the car was advertised in classic car weekly, sold to Mr. St Clair Flett in Epsom, then sold 6 months later to a Northern Irish dealer Mr. R Walsh, who took the car to Northern Ireland. The car was purchased by Mr. T Cornett in Craigavon, who stored it in his yard for over 10 years.

Eventually his son persuaded him to advertise it for sale in 2014, having only covered a further 2 miles from the sale in 2001, now with only 6281 miles on the clock from new.  This included a journey of over 1000 miles from Southern Mainland UK to Northern Ireland and back!

The journey there and back probably wasn’t under its own steam though given that when Ray purchased the car it was in need of complete restoration, due to it having been sitting in a barn and then outside for so long.

The car went through an extensive bare metal, nut and bolt restoration, including the low mileage engine – no expense was spared!

The car has been displayed at the NEC in 2018, 2019 and now its back in 2024. Amazingly at the 2019 show, a couple walked up onto the stand asking questions about her, it turned out to be the grandson of the original owner, who was the one that sold her in 2001. Now reunited with his grandfather’s car, he was able to verify its low mileage and why, as well as other fascinating facts.

The car is in as near to production line condition as Ray could get her, using all genuine parts where possible, and she still retains her original inner wings, front, and chassis, with just outer wings being replaced, and the rear tubs and sills repaired.

Ray does very few miles each year as he wants to preserve its low mileage and originality. Fortunately, Ray does take it to local shows and to the NEC so visitors can see the car and appreciate the classic lines of this everyman’s executive saloon.

Ray thinks it’s a very special car and the Retroford Magazine team think so too. Come and see it on stand 8-070. Flares, droopy moustache and long hair is optional!