This one-off Frua-bodied Escort is an historical mystery. No definitive answer exists to the question: why did Pietro Frua restyle an early Escort? Did Ford commission it, or was a private party responsible for the car? We can only speculate, but a few strands of the story reach back to Frua’s mid-career, when he sold his company to Carrozzeria Ghia. That was the late ’50s. Frua split with Ghia in 1960 to found his own firm once again. Then, in 1970, Ford bought Ghia. No doubt, Frua came into contact with Ford personnel more than once. Still, it seems inconceivable that Ford would use a designer other than its own captive – Ghia – to create a concept car from the Escort. Furthermore, the Monte Carlo was shown at the 58th Salon de l’Automobile in Paris, on Frua’s stand, not Ford’s. These musings lead to a tentative conclusion that the Monte Carlo was commissioned by a wealthy private patron, like the Maserati Quattroporte “Aga Kahn” that sat next to it in Paris. Whatever the case may be, this lovely Escort will be auctioned at no reserve – listed as lot number 106 at Bonhams’ Chéserex, Switzerland auction scheduled for June 29, 2025 – with an estimate of $ 62,000 – $ 74,000. (Note that the catalog previously listed this car as a ’71, but the description was changed to match the VIN which indicates it was made in ’75. Research calls the car a ’71.)
