In 1980 the MkIII Escort came on to the market, no-one, it seems had any interest in buying the MkII (by then considered obsolete). So the South of England dealers got together and said to Ford they could not shift the last of the Mk II’s. Ford took back  all the Estates concerned; re-sprayed the entire three hundred and fifty the same colour, a maroon that was called Huntsman Red, A very special edition with the Huntsman Badge on the tailgate which proclaimed to all that this was indeed a very special car with a wide gold strip and many extras including over riders, spot lamps, centre console, radio, passenger door mirror, rostyle shells, heated rear screen with wash/wiper, head restraints, carpet in read and special upholstery all for the original price. They were a very desirable car and sold like ‘Hot Cakes’. There are only 4 known and registered.  This Ford escort MkII Estate was bought from Vicary’s Garage in Battle, Sussex and first registered on the 19th September 1980. Sold to a local man, I bought it on the 10th May 1989. Work that needed doing was to replace both sills, both wings and one rear wheel arch plus some tidying up and spraying.

Brian Leggat