We saw another really nice 1982 Ford Escort Wagon back in January 2019, written up here by our own Jeff Lavery. This example isn’t even close to being that nice, but the current bid price is $600, so it’s at least pretty cheap so far – although the reserve hasn’t been met. It’s posted here on Autura Marketplace and is located in Hayward, California, at a towing/impound lot. Thanks to MisterLou for the tip!
Really, the only generation of the Ford Escort for us folks who like our vehicles weird, small, and square would be the first-gen cars. They were made from 1980 for the 1981 model year until the end of 1990. A sister Mercury Lynx was offered from the 1981 model year through 1987. The wagon is the top of the heap for me, although there was a battery-powered version made by Jet Industries that would be fun to own for car show duties. I wrote about two of them, here (even though my name isn’t listed, weird), and here.
It’s easy to nail the exact color as being Fawn, as seen on this color chart. The seller included a photo of the data plate, which lists the color as 89. I would have bet that it was Pastel Vanilla, but that wasn’t available on the Escort, so Fawn it is. We don’t get to see inside either end of this Escort wagon, unfortunately, so no rear cargo photos and no engine photo. Having that data plate photo is nice, but dang. Here’s a brochure showing the 1982 Ford Escorts.
I’m in Palm Springs right now, and this matching tan interior seems to have experienced a little aging due to the sun, possibly. I mean, not to generalize about folks living in Palm Springs and being in the sun 350 days a year for decades. Seats are easy to fix, and I’m betting that the steering wheel isn’t as bad as I often think when I see a steering wheel cover. The big deal inside is that this car has a third pedal. Yes, it has a four-speed manual!
The back seat looks fantastic, but I’d rather see an engine photo. This one has Ford’s 1.6-liter SOHC inline-four with 70 horsepower and 89 lb-ft of torque when new. Backed by the four-speed manual sending power to the front wheels, the seller says it has keys (?!), and it runs and drives, so that’s good, right? It actually looks pretty nice for an impounded car. We don’t know the story on that, but would you take a chance on buying an impounded car online?
If it goes cheap,this would be a good daily driver,& would probably
get lots of attention,plus it’s a manual.When’s the last time you saw
one driving down the road?
A Duratec/Zetec engine swap might be interesting.
Don’t drive it until the timing belt is changed! Interference engine big time. I used to buy these for $50 because of broken timing belts. The last one I had was a screamer since I combined the top end with the lower end of a 2.3 HSC engine from a Tempo. (0.040 over 1.6 Escort domed, slightly modified pistons) I wish I still had it. Was taken out by a flood. You can also use the 5 speed from a later Escort or Tempo. (The 5 speed is very strong. Same one used in the SHO Taurus)
i wuz hopin it had Lima’n holley, but not by ’82?
I’d swap the AOD in if so~
Is it normal to have a reserve at an impound auction? It seems counterintuitive to me, but I have no knowledge of these types of auctions.
First one I’ve seen.
I think I’ve seen reserves on desirable cars Copart is auctioning.
Steve R
Isn’t there a regular reader that daily drives one of these? Charles Atlas?
Got that right Jack and it’s a stick also, radio delete lol
Good job SG. A stripper Escort wagon, beige, manual transmission. How did it ever survive. Might be a fun little errand-runner, blasting around town with its 70 hp powerhouse.
I had a 87′ with air and auto but after fixing the trans 2 x I traded it in on a new 93′ Ranger.
no mention of a clear title
Of the 8 cars they had listed, all were unsold. Auction sites like this are a colossal waste of time.
These first gen. Escorts were garbage ! the 1.6 was well known to need a head by the time it reached around 50-60k on it due to cracks developing between the valves. They all did it. When I worked a junkyard in the mid 1980s ,we were getting them in daily . At the time the heads were expensive , and I guess people didnt want to put the money into a disposable car. I was there from 1985 to 1988, so these cars were even ten year old and people just gave up on them ! we’d get calls daily from people looking for a used head with no cracks and the yard guys would pull off every one of them; none were ever any good .The only parts were ever sold off of them were the corner lights and the rims, and that was because nobody wanted a donut tire.
if it is an impound, it was either because of a DUI or driving as an unregistered vehicle. The reason it would have a reserve is to cover the impound fees and storage. When a car is left in impound and not paid and picked up, the impound lot ends up with the car and sells it for whatever they can get out of it. it is definitely not a colossal waste of time. I drove tow trucks for 10 years and we ended up with tons of cars the people did not or could not pay to get back.
The real draw towards this car is the purposeful and upright shape. Ingress and egress is a cinch compared to what we have today. Want to know why everything now is a small SUV? That’s your answer.
Bought a similar first-year new in 1981, only mine was the “SS” version, MT, in red with black interior. Had to get the engine replaced under warranty as it cracked slopeside in VT. No need to reminisce, car was underwhelming but it had 4 doors and fit the skis in easily.
Don’t forget to change the timing belt
Back when I was in college, my girlfriend’s parents asked me what they should buy her, but didn’t listen to my advice. They purchased a yellow 2-door 1986 Escort from the Enterprise Rental Car Sales lot. :-O As you can imagine, it was driven kindly by renters and was a maintenance nightmare. It lasted 2 years before they gave up and bought her a Honda Civic.
And no fond memories of it, since we always took my 1967 Camaro (250 cu in inline-6 with a 3-on-the-tree standard transmission), which was far more reliable and trustworthy.
There is no title on a lein sale. You take the “official ” paperwork to the DMV and they issue a new title. HOWEVER, I believe, since this is California. You would have to take the paperwork to the California DMV to get the title handled. AND even if you are from out of state. They would force to you register it in California. Which also means you would have to get it insured before they “let you” register it. Even if you present the vehicle (in pieces) on a trailer for the VIN inspection. And if the vehicle is new enough to require a smog check. That has to happen before any title work is completed. Which if buying a basket case/project car on a lein sale that “would require a smog certification” from out of state you are required to bring the repaired/ completed car back to California for the smog test and vehicle VIN inspection. AND there is a time limit on the lein paperwork. (Don’t ask me how I didn’t want to know these things!)
Great reminder, Wayne.
If I recall the process I went through with a pair of cars and a pickup truck during the last several years properly, it means:
* A completed Application for Title (REG 343) is required. The Application for replacement or transfer of title (REG 227) doesn’t work in lien sale cases.
From the lienholder:
* Certificate of Lien Sale (REG 168A for vehicles under $4,000).
* Bill of Sale.
* DMV vehicle report listing registered/legal owner(s) or interested parties.
* Proof of notification to all interested parties via certified mail (with return receipt)
* Odometer disclosure (on REG 343)
Prior to title application and registration, the buyer must obtain:
* Smog certification (within 90 days), if required
* Weight certification is required if it is a pickup truck, since they are considered commercial vehicles.
Be prepared to pay registration, license plate, and transfer fees, plus sales tax (depending on the county; statewide is 7.25%), and penalties for late registration or unpaid prior registration fees (since the lien sale doesn’t negate these).
It could take several weeks to a few months to receive the title.
Cool little wagon with the 4 spd. Makes me wonder what seller would actually let it go for. Of course it’s on the wrong side if the country for me …
I have better things to do with my time then mess with this . Like make a Peanut butter sammage .
I don’t think I would want to be processed as Wayne & Brian said , even if this thing was free.
This one made it to $650 and went unsold, according to their website.