I HAD TO PURCHASE THIS FORD ESCORT VAN FROM EBAY!

Welcome back all,
This video may come as a shock to many of you, as I already own 5 vehicles in my collection but there is always room for one more! Whilst browsing on eBay the other week I stumbled across this very clean looking Mk6 Ford Escort van. I've always loved these vans and I am constantly viewing them at auction as they become more sort after and rare year on year. I viewed the Escort van the day after spotting it on eBay and after a thorough inspection, I decided this is the one for me.
As you'll see in the video the Escort van isn't perfect but the bodywork is showing no signs of any rust, which was make or break for me. The underside has had various sections welded to a good standard but could do with tidying up a bit. Overall I am very happy with the purchase and hope to detail the van inside and out soon, as it's been a workhorse most of its life and could do with a few days of TLC!
Please do let me know what you think of my latest purchase & also tell me what you think I should do with the van!
Contact me: [e-mail]
Support the channel: www.buymeacoff...
Thank you for watching, be sure to subscribe to the channel, to see me clean up and keep the Mk6 Escort van on the road!

[@RWL2012]

In addition to the 60hp 1.8 Diesel and 70hp 1.8 turbo-Diesel there was also a 90hp 1.8 turbo-Diesel intercooler offered.

[@Mk2Mitch]

I never knew that! Thank you for informing me 😎👍🏻

[@RWL2012]

@@Mk2Mitch rare option, but the 90hp engine can be swapped in from a Mk1 Mondeo / Mk6 Escort car of that model if one can be found (the internals are different).

[@markosmith8037]

I had the intercooler Diesel mk6 car (N reg) - it was very rapid for the time. I've also had the 1.8 Diesel (non turbo) in van format. That was gutless and arguably a liability on the motorway in modern times. Maestro vans are far superior although the Fords always look sleeker.

[@clumpfab2740]

Yes boy!!! Love an escort van!! I’m currently doing my mk4 finally after leaving it sitting in my garden for months!, I used to work on loads of mk6 vans… I mean loads! To the point I had a template and made my own spring repair hangers because you can’t get them….. I keep meaning to draw them up on cad and plasma cut and fold some up for sale. Really looking forward to seeing what you do on this

[@Mk2Mitch]

It will be great to see you progress with your Mk4 escort van! That’s wicked, you should definitely get those repair pieces made up, you’d be everyone’s best friend! 🤣 Hoping to lower the van on some banded steels!

[@allanb52]

What articulate young man, you could go far, that could be cheap motoring. We have a 1996 Fiesta V-tec auto cheap to run and no rot.

[@Bob-_-Smith]

The endura unit is a brilliant engine Not the greatest performance (although the turbo one wasn’t bad ) but so reliable.

[@Mk2Mitch]

I agree, do love the reliability & cheap running costs 😆

[@paulbushell3279]

Used to have MK6 GTI as a company car, the vans were a staple fleet vehicle for the company i worked for.

[@Mk2Mitch]

Very nice, you don’t see many Mk6 GTI’s on the road anymore!

[@AdeyThatCapriGuy]

Love these vans! It would look awesome lowered on late peugeot steels, with mk2 mitch 'keeping classics alive' sign writing on the side 😉👍

[@Mk2Mitch]

Mate, that is exactly what I plan to do! 🤣 Great idea 😉

[@Fordman99.]

My father had one of them back around 2003 my dad was from bermingham and he lived here in Ireland and went over and back every year brought one back from England and registered it here in Ireland it was a 55 in red and was a ex Royal Mail van and used it as a daily here in Ireland

[@Mk2Mitch]

Very nice, they’re just such good vans!

[@colinbryson6872]

I had a 96 in black, It was a great van, Enjoy your new purchase.

[@Mk2Mitch]

Very nice! Cheers mate 👍🏻

[@simonweyell8508]

Hi Mitch, I can see why the previous owner put red oxide round the fuel tank. My one rotted out where all the dirt and crap gets flung up from the road. I went to go to work one day and I had a big pool of diesel in the road so had to get a new tank. It might pay to fill up with smaller amounts of fuel until you are sure the tank is solid as they can also rot out on the top as well. Mechanically they will go on forever if looked after, just keep an eye on the rust. I used to put Redex diesel treatment in mine, it kept the injectors clean and it ran much nicer. Love your passion, good luck mate!

[@Mk2Mitch]

Hi mate, thank you for that useful information! I will be dropping the tank at some point to check for any major rust and whilst I’ve got it down I will also prep and paint the tank so it lasts a little longer in the future 😎

[@youxanyou]

It's well looked after example, considering the body on them is a rust bucket, red oxide works miracles on my smiley transit. Low miles on bulletproof engine, will keep going for many years.

[@leeadventure6772]

Used to drive a brand new t reg van as a courier. Used to love sleeping in the back on nights out

[@gazwit1603]

Had one with xr3i engine good fun

[@leechi001]

Had one of these for my work van. It was easily the worst van I've ever owned. The cambelt snapped which cost me £800 to repair. But also whenever it rained I'd get a pool of water in the passenger foot well. Glad I sold it and bought a VW t5

[@Mk2Mitch]

Oh no that’s gutting, doesn’t sound like you had the best of luck with yours!

[@micktuck5377]

Great run a round. Tidy van mate

[@Mk2Mitch]

Cheers pal 👍🏻

[@lynjames4306]

You stole it Mate 😂 Well done Fair Price 😊 Get it Cleaned underneath and treated with a bit of wax underseal but paint the Rust , And watch the Plastic Tensioner on the Timing Belt, Excellent purchase 😊

[@Mk2Mitch]

Cheers mate! Thank you for the advice I will be getting the underside protected asap 👍🏻

[@stevielangdon8565]

I have a green Escort van mk6, 1999 (V plate) also in very good condition. When I got it an old chap who died had it garaged for over 10 years. I’m fitting it with Audi TT green leather interior. If you have an email I’ll send a pic👍

[@Mk2Mitch]

Hi mate, that sounds brilliant! Yes please do send me some photos across to [e-mail] 😎

[@mrwhite292]

I know one thing, you won’t lose money, good buy.

[@Mk2Mitch]

Thank you! 😁

[@m44kts]

Ran an n/a one as a work van for around 3 years, glaciers move faster but it was absolutely bulletproof. Rev the nuts off it until it can’t rev any more in 3rd and you’ll hit 70mph, I had to do that quite a bit to keep up with traffic on the motorway on uphill sections. I think I saw the dizzy height of 95mph out of mine once 😂

[@Mk2Mitch]

Your right, they are very slow vans but great characteristics for a workhorse 🤣 I’m yet to test the limit on mine 😎

[@samchivers6458]

Hi Mitch, would you consider creating a video showing all your current collection of vehicle's?...

[@Mk2Mitch]

Hi mate, yes possibly when the wether gets a bit better!

[@ivanfernyhough3851]

Cool van,me dad had a mk3 1.3 cvh a reg one in the late 80s.when i passed me test in 1988 me and me mates used to race around in it before i got my 1st car,a y reg ford sierra 1.6 gl.just seen your channel,noticed you seen a bit if s fird guy so its a 👍and a subscription for me.

[@Mk2Mitch]

Very cool, sounds like a great first van and car 😎 I’m a huge Ford fan, I’m glad you’ve found the channel!

[@davekingston2284]

I bought one last september ish, it looks rough but underneath its like new. Going to zetec it, lowered on big steels and leave it looking rough just for a laugh.

[@Mk2Mitch]

Corr sounds like a great project 😎

[@millie1107]

Great purchase Mitch, iv'e never had a van as i need a pick up for my work 👍

[@Mk2Mitch]

Cheers mate! I see 👍🏻

[@fatlad5090]

a guy by me has a 51 plate 75 in metallic maroon. its only done 25k. It must a special its got electric windows and interior cloth like the escort cars. and its waxed oiled. He want sell it. He had it from new and been garaged all its life. And its never been taken it out on the road in winter.

[@Mk2Mitch]

Wow that sounds like a very clean van and later model because of the electric windows! That would fetch good money 👍🏻

[@fatlad5090]

@@Mk2Mitch yes it's a minter. Been polished all its life. It just want sell I've offered him 4 k for it last summer

[@marktaylor9736]

Nice van use mine as a daily and love it. Get timing belt changed though as mine snapped and it wrecks cam.

[@Mk2Mitch]

They’re great vans! I will be doing the timing belt, I was told it has been done but no proof so I can’t trust their word!

[@999hireactionvehicles9]

Rare van that's most likely ex police surveillance van . Two clues are twin airbags was police spec and the aerial in the roof for radio they would have in glovebox. I sold loads of these same colour and they were all super low mileage and all 75 model which was courier type spec as they carried more weight. Nice surviving vehicle

[@Mk2Mitch]

Thank you for the comment! Very interesting, I’m going to try and do some more research into the surveillance vans 😎

[@bigsquatchsasfoot1964]

I think that’s a fair price and if your happy with it then it was worth it dude 👌it’s tidy underneath that was always the fight with these I’m actually looking for one myself but can’t find one tidy enough! And I’ve just bought a 1985 MK3 escort 1.3 ghia garage find so I have to be careful how much the wife will tolerate 😂

[@Mk2Mitch]

Cheers mate, yes I agree half the battle is finding one that isn’t a complete rot box! That Mk3 Escort sounds nice, you’ll have to sneak another in 😉🤣

[@paulbailey6344]

Great video mitch 👍

[@Mk2Mitch]

Cheers Paul! 😎

[@tag6tag]

Hi ,i still have my 55 td in panther black metallic, owned it for 25 years , allways people randomly asking to buy it ,the trouble is what can i replace it with.i guess i have become too attached i only owned two vehicles ,the other ...yep an escort van mk 3 for 13 years .i have protceted the underside of my current one since i purchaced it ,you have got yourself a really good one there, good motoring and have fun

[@Mk2Mitch]

That’s great to hear you love your escort van & I don’t blame you for keeping it as they’re great work horses! 😎

[@Absolutenutter68]

Cool escort van dude👍👍👍

[@Mk2Mitch]

Cheers mate!

[@teaboyuk]

Haha, shorts already Mitch? Youre brave. Nice van though

[@Mk2Mitch]

Haha, in my day job I wear overalls so I just jump into shorts most days 🤣

[@teaboyuk]

​@@Mk2MitchI know you just showing them sexy legs off. You should be next years calendar!

[@seasideautoservices7605]

What a good van. It’s a mk7 though

[@Mk2Mitch]

Ehh? Mk7 escort van 🤨

[@seasideautoservices7605]

@@Mk2Mitch yeah there’s a face lift one in between the 2 you showed as a reference

[@D4NNYBR4Z13R]

@@seasideautoservices7605 it’s a mk6 mate the facelift you are referring to in between is known as the mk5b

[@seasideautoservices7605]

@@D4NNYBR4Z13R I disagree mate but it’s not the end of the world haha

[@stevefox3763]

Ha ha, you wouldn't like my Mk3 mondeo then, im doing 15mpg round town! Never had a Escort Van, had a Fiesta Courier van with that engine, have owned a Mk3,4,5 and 6 Escort Cars though.

[@Driven247]

My Dad has just bought a barn find Ford van, the video will be on my channel soon but may interest you…it’s old!

[@Mk2Mitch]

I’ll keep an eye out for it! 👍🏻

[@Driven247]

@@Mk2Mitchit’s on my channel now and the views are going mad!

[@sharpgage6512]

be brillaint condition for a car of that age let alone a works van.

[@geraldmcmahon7361]

I think the petrol van is more expensive

[@Mk2Mitch]

Probably very rare now!

[@matthewc.419]

Not like todays FORDS , wetbelt " throw " away engines

[@Mk2Mitch]

Yeah, wouldn’t catch me in one of them 🤣

[@johnsprason1199]

What a work horse bringing a big smile on my face MEMORIES 😢thank you Mitch

[@Mk2Mitch]

I’m glad you enjoyed the nostalgic throwback mate! 😎

[@Mighty_Metro]

Loved my 2000 ex Royal Mail Escort Van. Served me very well for 4 years. I still regret selling it 5 years down the line

[@Mk2Mitch]

Lots of them still about! You might be able to get another one day 👍🏻

[@2toneleo]

Just keep your number plate covered mate … can’t tell you anymore times for your own safety.. unless you really want to pay for cloning.. it cost me over 850 pounds for a one time ticket which wasn’t my car .. I live in fakenham Norfolk and it was cloned in Boston.. and I had taken it to court but still had to pay.. so please for gods sakes cover up the number plate for yourself and others

[@anemone104]

Had a B prefix Mk3 I bought for £50 and ran for over 5 years before the rust got it. Came with lots of dings and rust painted over with Hammerite rust primer in light poo brown that didn't match the blue paint. I did the rear arches (inner and outer) using 4 outer repair panels. Easy. Had a 1.1 Kent in it, revved like a flymo and handled like a go-cart. Put a 1.3 Kent in it and it was better on long journeys. No chips and fabulous access for servicing. Then a MK4 or 5 non-turbo diesel on a G plate that flogged on for several years but was too slow on motorways, so I sold it to my Mum (for cheap) who transported dogs in it and then gave it away after several years, still going perfectly. Good vans. Rear shock upper mounts inside the wheel arches rot, but chop them out and it's an easy fix that Mr MoT won't even see. They mount differently to yours. I did all four. Shocks were fine, got a de-rust and repaint and they all lasted out my ownership. You can get plenty of stuff in the back or kip in it if you need to. Changing motors, gearbox, whatever, is a doddle.

[@stevenyoung9584]

drove them in the 90s in royal mail. non turbo 1.8 diesel engine, very sluggish. but very comfortable, compared too the horrible sherpa vans we also had. now driving peugeots.

[@Mk2Mitch]

If they can survive Royal Mail then they are good vehicles, as they are really put to the test 🤣 The Peugeot vans are good, I believe Royal Mail are only buying electrics now! (I work on them as a Royal Mail Fleet mechanic) 👍🏻

[@stevenyoung9584]

well I've done almost 40 years with royal mail,and when i started we had morris marina, small vans, and a few Bedford CFs, so the creature comfort has improved slightly, especially after the sherpas,and there sliding, drafty doors, lol 😂

[@anotherdayinparadise7443]

Love RM Sherpa sliding doors (back in the day) 😊

[@garyhill7732]

Have a R reg ex post office 55 van use it every day, had it for 15 years and only problem in all those years was a new alternator last year. And of course some welding ! Great little Van's But God is it slow ! But it always gets there + Get around 50mpg

[@Mk2Mitch]

That’s brilliant to hear that you love your escort van and it’s barley caused you any issues in 15 years!! 😎

[@MrRedfreds]

I used to have an x reg van when I worked in London, great little van, engine was brilliant.

[@Mk2Mitch]

Wicked! They are great vans 👍🏻

[@jammyone100]

Had a few of these, over the years. Super reliable bullet proof engine, won't pull you out of bed but will go forever. Suffer rusty rear ends behind the bumpers, also as you've found out heaters fail too and are a pig to get too.

[@markosmith8037]

Spot on 100%. I've just typed above about my experience with the heater matrix, and the pulling power.

[@handheldgaming4life]

I had a 1997 TDDI and for all that it was "just" a cheap Ford that I bought around 2000. It already had 75k miles when I got it. I put 75k on it in 2 more years and all that went wrong was the gearbox literally fell off after about 50k of ownership (so 125k). Had a second had box fitted but that turned out to be a box from a regular diesel which I believe was a shorter ratio. So I ended up with a flying machine that revved too high at motorway speeds but was a hoot on slower roads. Downside though was the 50+mpg turned into 40-ish. Soon got rid of car but it trundled around my area for years after I sold it.

[@xj358]

You could stick a turbo on the non turbo. My rear wheel drive Sierra P100 1.8 turbo diesel blew up so I managed to get hold of an Escort non turbo 1.8 diesel engine and simply turned it the other way and added the turbo. This required nothing more than knocking out a blanking plate which was already there at the bottom of the block and adding a short stumpy 15mm pipe for the oil drain. It was a nice tight fit with a bit of permanent sealer and worked without any issues. Also worth noting that if the diaphragm in the fuel filter housing splits, this would start to suck air in to the fuel system and would quickly go from poor starting to not starting at all. Many owners would then chase the pump or the injectors when the fault could be quickly and cheaply resolved by simply changing the fuel filter housing (the part with the fuel primming button on top).

[@Mk2Mitch]

That’s very interesting to hear you managed to use one of these engines in a RWD application 👍🏻 Also thank you for the information regarding the fuel filter housing, very helpful!

[@xj358]

All the rear wheel drive Sierras used the same diesel engine as the front wheel drive Escorts. As for the filter housing, it was a common fault with the diaphragm splitting and then sucking air into the system. A piece of clear hose used to bypass the filter would quickly diagnose if that was the fault. The clear hose allowed you to see the fuel coming up from the tank.

[@loll1974]

Great van had mine for 10years never missed a beat but the rust got to it in the end

[@Mk2Mitch]

That’s unfortunate to hear! Great vans but just rust in so many areas 🙄

[@meatmanifesto]

I owned a few Escort Vans back in the day, rear brake cylinders always leaked. The TD model did make a big difference pulling off from junctions etc.

[@Mk2Mitch]

I’ll have to check my brake cylinder as I do think it’s leaking 👍🏻 Maybe one day I’ll find a turbo kit to add 😎

[@matthewc.419]

Im JEALOUS !!!!!!!!!!allways wanted a mk3 / 4 escort van !!!!!!

[@markosmith8037]

They are getting rare

[@willpickman2763]

My first car was a mk6 escort van, me and my dad brought it in 2012 for £200. Sadly the rust got the better of it after 9 years of it being with us. It was the only car ive ever been guinuinly upset to get rid of.

[@markosmith8037]

I fixed an internal radiator (heater matrix) leak on one of these - very hard to get to. Better when fixed though in winter !

[@Mk2Mitch]

That’s my next job unfortunately 😬

[@markosmith8037]

It's definitely do-able. It's just the risk of scratching the fragile dashboard / panel parts and managing to squeeze the matrix into place without damaging the fins - which is failed to do. At least we have KZbin to share ideas and watch videos. Good luck and soon to be warmer heating hopefully ! @@Mk2Mitch

[@rockystone1821]

I’ve had mine for a year now it’s a 2001 and had done 36k miles from new ,42 k now, genuine mileage.

[@tonywatson1412]

Theres something about an escort...i had 3 cars ...and should have just kept and stored them... can't explain what it is !!!!

[@handyman683]

I had a mondeo mk 1 for 15 years. Soaked the underside with Waxoyl and she never rotted.

[@braderzjamez3197]

Had mine for 7yrs non-turbocharged version also carried way more than 750kg.

[@Kevster-dp7tt]

My second company vehicle was a 1988 escort van which was the gen 4. What a great van! Before that I had a 1.6 non-turbo Astravan that was slower than lava. I didn't want another diesel so I persuaded by boss to buy me a 1.4 lean burn Escort. I really wanted the 1.6 but I knew I was asking too much because I was still the new boy at the firm. What a great van. It felt like a rocket compared to the Astravan and the handling was superb. I wish I could get my hands on it now.

[@neverbeen2]

very common top of rear shocks going.mate still drives his mk6 van daily :)

[@Mk2Mitch]

Thought it might’ve been! That’s wicked, you do see them floating around still 😎

[@silvervandriver9940]

A growing fleet of vans when's the transit coming ha ha

[@Mk2Mitch]

Don’t tempt me!! 🤣

[@paulkeenan6430]

Hi mate , I got one , had it from new , mines a 1.4 petrol mk6. 75 with hundred and forty thousand on the clock, and still going Strong..

[@Mk2Mitch]

Very nice! Is that the 1.4 cvh??

[@glenharris2617]

Loved my ford van when I was a postman so robust went up farm tracks never missed a beat 👍

[@Mk2Mitch]

That’s great to hear 😎

[@edwardgrafton4663]

Hey Mitch I would keep that Ford Escort van as your daily driver use it too carry your tool box, wheels and other things it just needs too be tied up and put a set off alloy wheels on it.

[@Mk2Mitch]

Cheers mate, that’s exactly what I’m thinking! 👍🏻

[@hoggmotorsport]

Had a few of these mate, turbo and n/a, not the quickest but good old vans non the less! That looks a good one, think you've done alright there 👍

[@Mk2Mitch]

Thank you mate! Yes I wouldn’t turn down a turbo one but who knows what’ll pop up in the future 👍🏻

[@adebrade172]

Your living the dream mate

[@Mk2Mitch]

Trying my best 🤣

[@alxgu198]

Nice buy Mitch 👍, main thing is it’s pretty solid. Please get rid of those horrible wheel trims though 😬, steel wheels are steel wheels, why cover them with ugly bits of plastic?! 🤷😅

[@Mk2Mitch]

Cheers mate! Haha I agree, will be removing them soon and getting the steels banded possibly 😎

[@alxgu198]

@@Mk2Mitch banded steels, even better mate 😁👍

[@bigadamski66]

Lovely van mate! Had a couple in the past. Btw, wheres Lauren these days? Great video as well mitch

[@Mk2Mitch]

Cheers mate! Lauren’s still here 😎 We drove down together to collect the Escort van, maybe I’ll get her doing a few jobs on it 🤣

[@reverendodarn4295]

Had a P reg 55 1.8 non turbo, was solid but slow and noisy would only do 55 max up windy hill on the M62....waggons would overtake me, it also had an oddity in which if you clutched down when doing around 70 the engine would rev it's nuts off briefly rather than go to idling speed, I put this down to its Wabco injector pump. The company I was working for then replaced them with 1.9 Renault Extra vans I got a R reg 575 which was flimsy compared to the Ford but much more comfortable, quieter and ridiculously fast off the mark with the big 1.9 driving tiny 155 tyres. Your video took me back to the 90's though......happy times when there were no speed cameras.

[@Mk2Mitch]

Great to hear your experience and comparison with both vans! I can’t help but think life must’ve been much more simple back 20 years or so 👌🏻

[@SiRhodesDriverTraining]

I had a 2001 55 Escort Van for a couple of years. The engine etc was bulletproof but the body on mine was rotten. I welded it enough to get it through an MOT but the chassis had gone so I scrapped it. Like yours, it was the non turbo & it certainly did lift your levels of planning your drive. Hills were a challenge. I remember some cyclists waving me past but I just didn’t have the power to pass them as the hill was so steep. There are also very very few 1.6 petrol versions as they were special police orders. My mate was in West Yorkshire police as a Dog Handler & he had a 1.6 petrol escort van.

[@Mk2Mitch]

That sounds like a familiar story with the rot taking over these escort vans! Such a shame. Very interesting about the 1.6 petrol special orders though, thank you for sharing 👍🏻

[@mpe6678]

Hey Mitch. Congrats on your new purchase. I mentioned some time back that we never had that model panelvan here in South Africa, that being said, i also mentioned that this is one of my favourite model vans. If we had them here, i would have one, for sure. Shot man, for collection is growing fast. Top man. 👍👍

[@Mk2Mitch]

Hi mate, that’s a shame that SA never got these vans! Maybe you’ll have to get one imported 😆

[@mpe6678]

Hi Mitch, that thought did cross my mind. 👍Take care

[@BrandonTaylor-bg1xv]

Had a mk3 around 1988 lovely little workhorse my German shepherd dog used ride in the back obviously no thefts 😂

[@Mk2Mitch]

Haha brilliant! 🤣

[@timpeat286]

Well done on getting such a peach of a van mate you have done well , had quite a few in the day they are a slug nice nickname for it but great van mate and they look cool with escort cossie rims on too 👍🏻👍🏻😍

[@Mk2Mitch]

Cheers mate! Haha I like that, the slug 😎 Yes they look unreal with cosworth alloys on, I’m unsure if my wallet will allow me a set just yet 🤣

[@moooonbounce]

i still run 3 of these but they are the turbo variants..still gutluss but u can jus about overtake with a toolbox on board..the non turbo ones are dangereous you need full revs and to drop the clutch to get you out of a junction..put a toolbox onboard & u aint going nowhere...these things wouldnt even pull you out of bed..even on a nice sunny day..

[@Mk2Mitch]

Oh come on they’re not that bad 🤣😉

[@arthurdardalis]

Great van, as it basically has no interior, empty a gallon of Waxoyl through the access panels in the loading area, basically coat everything Give it a good wash underneath then literally cover everything in either old engine oil or Waxoyl or similar

[@Mk2Mitch]

Thank you! I will be applying Waxoyl in all of the crevices and hard to reach places 👍🏻

[@spitfiretrading]

Scarce my hairy arse, I have an on the road November 1981 MK3 55L van here, now they are scarce!

[@Mk2Mitch]

Very rare! 😎

[@lazyarsepie_vx]

Worth what you paid deffo mate. That pepper red one that was battered is on ebay for just under 3k lol, no chance.

[@Mk2Mitch]

Cheers mate, no way! Have you got a link??

[@paulie-Gualtieri.]

Fit the wood dash and leather seats from the Ghia X

[@dayvanadventure]

Tell you what, for its age that's in really good nick! I had a 1998 MK6 which at the time was maybe 5 or 6 years old, and the salty roads around Aberdeenshire had taken their toll. Sills were shot, bodywork was tatty...but still a great wee car to drive! Happy motoring 😎

[@Mk2Mitch]

Thank you mate! That’s a shame, these escort vans seem to attract rust so quickly 👍🏻

[@dayvanadventure]

@@Mk2Mitch could be worse, remember the state of Ka filler surrounds 🤫

[@SimonHarvey-i4z]

Put a tunnel in it and a dutatech and loose the boat anchor crap thay is vastly underpowered yb would be favourite but doubt u can afford it

[@Mk2Mitch]

I’m not sure it’s a question of “doubt I can afford it”, maybe the fact I don’t want to pile thousands of money into a simple daily work van 👍🏻 I’ve got my Mk2 Escort I’m currently piling all my money into anyway 😉

[@jaszczurtd]

Just put turbo on it!

[@barrywood5357]

The jedi student has a millenium falcon in the house what a clean van nice one Mitch crack on and polish it up nice

[@Mk2Mitch]

Cheers mate! I’m looking forward to giving the van a full machine polish 😎

[@barrywood5357]

was you up in suffolk this week at any time

[@tuffandco3745]

May friend had a murdered out escort van with full body kit, 90‘s TSW Alloys, fully decked out back, and big speakers and a big carpeted sub. I spent much of my later youth sliding around the laminate flooring, and diamond plating. Good times, clasping my Mad-Dog 20/20, and bifta.

[@Ron-io3vu]

Great little vans Mitch they were bulletproof

[@Mk2Mitch]

Cheers mate, that’s good to hear! 😎

[@tonywatson1412]

The wd40 thingy is to fool the amateurs...thats its always that clean

[@Mk2Mitch]

Haha very true, my dad calls it bulls**t spray 🤣

[@aidy1162]

Great van when empty they fly along slow when full of tools😢 get cam belt done 👍

[@Mk2Mitch]

Will be doing the cambelt soon mate 👍🏻

[@josephdaly3327]

I delivered many of these as a Trade Plate Driver, and yes they were slow by today's standards. But then along came the Berlingo, and by 'eck what a game changer ... Further still, the Focus with cup holders...(Like smartphones, I can't remember how we ever lived without them!) But no Focus derived Van, and It seemed an age before they introduced the confusingly named Transit Connect. Probably named by the same Wan who came up with Ka!

[@kev845]

No way i had 7 of them love have them now last one had was o n y 2000 then end on 02 year i love my dont get me rong not fast thay was a good van not

[@Mk2Mitch]

You must have been a huge fan to own 7 😎

[@allanmk2r324]

had 4 or 5 of these vans..non turbo ones wouldnt pull the skin of a rice pudding and struggle uphill...alot like the non turbo transit of the time..turbo diesel was alot faster.

[@Mk2Mitch]

Not the fastest but nice and gentle on the wallet when filling up 😎

[@allanmk2r324]

yes. defo most economical vans ive owned.sure it was around 500 miles on a full tank.

[@AndrewMurphy-y4q]

Tidy little van wow getting rare now 😊👍

[@Mk2Mitch]

Thank you! 😎

[@MrMattyP]

Love vans, back in the day I had a MK4 van, It was really low with adjustable leda front suspension etc. Wish i still had it.

[@bigsighmusicdroneblogs1843]

I got a brand new on e of these when they came out Awsome van 75 Deisel. Absolutely loved it great tape radio

[@iwishcolincampbell1541]

Nice looking van . Good buy buddy

[@Mk2Mitch]

Thank you! 👍🏻

[@Notalwaysserious]

I'm sure they are escort gti wheels not cosworth, didn't look big enough

[@Mk2Mitch]

100% they were Cosworth. Cosworth alloys have the lip around the edge, GTI & mondeo do not have the lip 👍🏻

[@Notalwaysserious]

@Mk2Mitch Yeah well spotted 👍 I bought a set fitted to a sierra xr41 many years ago, I bought the car for £100. I always remember driving away while they all laughed at me thinking I was mad, that was the another time imagine that now.

[@benjones9822]

I had an ex-Securicor one. It had double layer windows to hold back attacks.

[@T4TipsGuides]

I had the exact same van 20 years ago. First van I bought for my business. Never missed a beat. Sadly, the bulkhead developed serious rust issues. Same as what happened to my RS Turbo. Paddling pool footwells, haha. Sold the 1988 RS Turbo for £500 😢 That was 25 years ago.

[@Mk2Mitch]

That’s gutting to hear, the rust really does eat up these Old Ford’s! Who would’ve known what they would be worth now 😩

[@caprilaser3]

I guessed right! Awesome addition to the fleet. I used to have a MK4 Escort Van 1.3L back in 2002 when I was an apprentice on building sites. All my tools in the back and 6x9’s in the bulkhead panel. Loved that van. Would love another, but hard to find now. Your MK6 van looks decent mate. Nice arches and the dark blue is a nice colour. Can’t wait to see what you do with it. Are you going to keep steelies on it? Or treat it to some alloys?

[@Mk2Mitch]

Well done, you must’ve known I’ve got a soft spot for these vans 😎 That sounds proper cool, a old escort van being used for what it was designed to do! I will be getting the steels banded I think and lowering the van slightly 👍🏻

[@garyhowtobluetoothjblheadp3583]

The plastic interior panels are known as panel liners .

[@Mk2Mitch]

Thank you 👍🏻

[@In_memory_of_Dad]

Aren't they a Peugeot derived engine in those?

[@RWL2012]

No, the Ford 1.8 Diesels were always Ford's own. The Peugeot/joint venture etc. ones came later, but only in other sizes, not 1.8.

[@joski9030]

My dad had a bunch of them over the years for work and taking the dogs hunting. He loved them

[@StephenParkes-e9y]

Had quite a few including a few turbo ones, great workhorses,also modified a few mondeo turbo parts and even fitted a focus tddi engine in one made it go really well

[@andrewkedian7244]

hi love the van and all the videos you do🙂🙂🙂

[@Mk2Mitch]

Thank you! I’m glad you enjoy the videos 😎

[@TheAsa1972]

A lot to do with it is just the fact its a van ,Get a year out of a van and you will of made money just having it