Identify this Escort

quattro777

Can anyone identify the Escort in the background of the opening sequence of Minder.
Google suggests Harrier but I've seen one in the flesh and it looked nothing like that.

superboy

Not sure if Harriers came with the X-pack wide arch kit. but it seems like that one hasone fitted, if it is a real Harrier
.

DaveCol

I think it was an Escort with an X-pack bodykit.
I don't know if it was a Harrier, but it has similar looking (but not Harrier type) side stripes

carchaeologist

Harriers were only sold in 1980 as a run out model i think,that one definatly has an x pack kit which harriers didnt have as standard.

gfwd

I think Minder started in '79 if that's any help!

Landyaddict

http://www.britishcarauctions.biz/pdf/Lot11-Dec03.pdf

This might help

Robbie

Blue850

http://www.thetvlounge.co.uk/minder/viewtopic.php?t=176

Info here on a Minder forum

MercMad

I have a few old car magazines from the early 90's and they advertise the "X-Pack" kit as the one "that made a fleeting appearance in the opening sequence of Minder".

Its very like the Zakspeed kit too.

The Harrier was basically a limited edition of the 1600 Sport, with RS2000 Custom Recaro seats, glove box, console and the blue stripe kit. They were eaither white or silver and the stripe would be similar but not identical to that one on the Minder car. None of the Mk2 Escorts ever came from the factory with a kit as standard.

Henry Ford III

It's a Harrier ok.

The X series options were available for any model. Factory, dealer or retro fit.

I was in Cumbria last w/e and saw the best Harrier I've ever come across. Fitted with a 2.3 Duratec lump....

carchaeologist

The arent harrier stripes on it though?




Its surely just an Xpacked ordinary escort?

The one with the Duratec is really nice.

Henry Ford III

I think you are right actually.

carchaeologist

The X pack escort does look good though.

MercMad

carchaeologist wrote: »

The X pack escort does look good though.

.........yes agreed, its fab, though for an X-Pack I'd prefer the flat front.

I know the following have nothing to do with X-Pack cars, and are CGI but they look fab. Check out the site http://www.dmmultimedia.com/

carchaeologist

lol!!
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ianobrien

It's a X-Pack bodykit with 7.5" RS wheels. The car is probably a 1600 sports (sport/RS doorhandles, black quarter bumpers & sport spotlights) but the seats have me confused. I think they have Ghia headrests, but they aren't Ghia seats. I thought the 1600sports came with "ordinary" seats, but I may be wrong.

The stripe is not a Harrier stripe, and is it me or do the stripes form a "Z" on the rear quarter? It was Zakspeed that came up with the original arches that were put into production as X-Pack for homologation so maybe it's a Zakspeed stripe.

Useless piece of info time. The original purposes of the arches were to cool the rear brakes, and air intakes for diff& gearbox oil coolers if needed for group 2. or 5 racing.....

Edit - Did the 1600 Sports come with rear seatbelts? The one above has them.....

Henry Ford III

carchaeologist wrote: »

lol!!
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That car was at the show and Lakes Tour last w/e. Owned and driven by Darran of Escort Tec.

It's a stunner. Cossie turbo, stripped out, and very mean.

He sold it to an Irish bloke and has recently bought it back.

MercMad

That orange one is lovely though I hate the way you can see through the grill and see the bright silver parts behind. they should be painted black IMO.

The 1600 Sport never had rear belts, but I dont recall what headrests mine had.

DaveCol

Apparently Mk2 Escorts have the mounting points for rear seatbelts behind various pieces of trim

Henry Ford III

MercMad wrote: »

That orange one is lovely though I hate the way you can see through the grill and see the bright silver parts behind. they should be painted black IMO....

He's showing off his alloy rad and intercooler!

carchaeologist

IMO the best look for an escort is as the orange one,flat roundlamp grille,and tyres just squeezed in under the standard arches.Revolution four spoke wheels always look good on a 'scort too.

MercMad

Henry Ford III wrote: »

He's showing off his alloy rad and intercooler!

......yeah i know what it is, I just dont like seeing it through the grille.

Agree 100% Carchey on the falt front and the Revolutions but for me they would have to be painted black in the centres. I assume the size is around 16 or 17" hence they are 5 spoke.

AsphaltRisin'

the wheels on the orange escort are revolution RFX's, and i dont think they're made in ford fitment anymore but schmidt to a version of them but for mega money

mad dave

is it 1 of rs1600 like in the classic rallys

Henry Ford III

carchaeologist

^Lovely car,sort out the plates though!!;):p

Henry Ford III

carchaeologist wrote: »

^Lovely car,sort out the plates though!!;):p

I can't until late August.

Henry Ford III

mad dave wrote: »

is it 1 of rs1600 like in the classic rallys

RS1600's are very rare cars. MkI Escorts only. This one was at the tour last w/e. One of only perhaps 3 factory black ones.

MercMad

I love that orange RS, and fair play to you for using it regularly.

A friend restored a white one, jeeeez its nearly 20 years ago now, but he got a factor crate motor, a retrim, bare metal respray and did a lovely job on it, Donegal reg PZP 671.

Never saw it since, anyone know of it ?

carchaeologist

Henry Ford III wrote: »

I can't until late August.

Why,because its 30 then?

Henry Ford III

carchaeologist wrote: »

Why,because its 30 then?

Yep. Not sure will I go ZV or leave it as is yet.

carchaeologist

Henry Ford III wrote: »

Yep. Not sure will I go ZV or leave it as is yet.

Id leave as is,just get a more appropriate plate made up.

Henry Ford III

carchaeologist wrote: »

Id leave as is,just get a more appropriate plate made up.

What (legally compliant) options do I have?

carchaeologist

Henry Ford III wrote: »

What (legally compliant) options do I have?

Silver on black plates would look ok?I wouldnt be too worried about legally complient,i doubt anyone would get heavy handed over it.

Henry Ford III

carchaeologist wrote: »

Silver on black plates would look ok?I wouldnt be too worried about legally complient,i doubt anyone would get heavy handed over it.

Late August aint far away

Redrocket

you dont have to wait till late August to change the plates to different lettering/style. You can choose what-ever you want as long as it's clearly legible afaik. The law standardising plates only came in in 91 or something so anything pre 91 doesnt have to comply. (someone please confirm/contest )

ianobrien

I've a'77 Escort with Black plates with silver writing that passed two NCT's that way....

Redrocket

which one is that?? got any pics?

where'd your brothers white mk2 1300 go?

ianobrien

Well, I kinda "took" his one.

He's working in the Middle East and left me in charge....

It's still going, except the carb's gone off for a rebuild.

Redrocket

at least you're taking care of it! lovely clean car

ianobrien

Thanks for that.

Ya, I was hoping to use it over the weekend in the West Cork Classic Retro Rally. It's done it three times allready but alas, I couldn't. I used an Almera instead.....

I'm trying to keep it original, but a Zetec transplant's so tempting......