Mk1 Escort 1600GT

No not a Cortina but a Escort 1600GT!! This early Mk1 with the ‘OO’ registration is a bit of a odd one… but looks amazing!

AOO 771G is an intriguing and very special Mk1 Escort. The “OO” registration is commonly associated with Ford-owned or Works vehicles that originated from the Ford Aveley factory during the period, immediately placing this car in interesting company.

This particular Escort was previously offered for sale in 2015 in remarkably original, unrestored condition. At the time it came from a significant Ford collection curated by a well-known Ford expert. We were informed that it had just three owners from new, with the original keeper retaining the car for an incredible 45 years. Thanks largely to early Waxoyl treatment, the car remained exceptionally well preserved, showing only 62,000 miles and having spent a long period in storage.

The current vendor understands that AOO 771G may be one of only a handful of factory-built 1600GT examples. Even more intriguingly, it is believed it could be a likely ex-Works prototype RS1600, owing to its period performance upgrades and the possibility that it was enhanced and tested at Ford’s Aveley works.

First registered in 1968 and carrying the correct Type 48 shell identification, previous research suggests the car originally featured a number of early production details including:

• Early compression front strut suspension with no anti-roll bar
• Locking push-button bonnet release in the grille
• Driver’s door lock integrated into the handle
• Bonnet-mounted windscreen washers
• Protruding petrol tank filler
• Diamond crest headlining pattern
• GT seats and early GT badging
• Six-pod instrument binnacle with 140mph speedometer and 7,000rpm rev counter

Originally the car would have been supplied on 12″ wheels, although it was later upgraded to 13″ 5.5J Lotus steel wheels. Interestingly, the spare wheel carrier in the boot still only accommodates the original 12″ wheel.

The car also features several period engine and performance upgrades, including:

• 28/36 single Weber carburettor
• ‘CT’ (Conversion & Tuning) inlet manifold
• Four-branch exhaust manifold
• Stage 3 1600cc Crossflow engine with modified pistons, cylinder head and camshaft
• Lightened and balanced flywheel
• Twin Cam specification radiator with larger header tank
• Cable clutch conversion
• 9-inch rear brakes
• De-cambered rear springs with strengthened SPAX shock absorbers

Notably, the car was still sitting on its original G800 tyres, further supporting the idea that many of these upgrades were carried out very early in its life. Modifications of this nature were not commonly seen until the introduction of the later Type 49 bodyshell Escorts, making this example particularly unusual.

Altogether, AOO 771G represents a compelling piece of Escort history—potentially bridging the gap between early 1600GT road cars and the development of the legendary RS models.

More photos can be found over on Iconic Auctioneers