Did you ever think you’d see the day a front-wheel-drive Ford economy car would be collectable? Well it’s happened before we knew it, because a pristine 1994 Ford Escort LX just hammered on Bring A Trailer for $8,100. Plus, in one of the greatest Ford colors of the 1990s: Cayman Green Metallic. Oh yeah, it’s time for glorious nostalgia.
Sure, I may have never experienced the glory of a brand new second-generation North American Ford Escort, but these cars were everywhere up until about 2008 [Ed note: I sure as hell did. My college car was great 5-speed base-as-hell black one with the shiny Rubbermaid-esque bumpers. I’m glad I didn’t see this one or I’d be tempted to bid. –MH] . There was one in my extended family that once left a massive streak of coolant down a residential street, but it looked decent in white and liftbacks are always neat. Sadly, these were pretty much disposable cars, and by the time of the Great Recession, the Rust Belt had done its best to finish them off.
However, outside of the Rust Belt, at least one Escort was cared for. This thing was a California car since new, covering just 25,000 miles. Evidently, it’s been staying out of the sun, because that paint absolutely gleams, right down to the painted wheel pockets. Why can’t we get new Fords in this fantastic shade of teal? Sure, only about four people will be brave enough to get it because it’s 2023 and we’ve run out of collective optimism, but still.
On the inside, this 1994 Ford Escort LX is just as fresh as it ever was, meaning it’s a bit nasty but in a way that’s grown mildly endearing with time. Don’t get me wrong, the velour upholstery is fantastic, but that upper dashboard looks a bit medical-grade. The urethane steering wheel looks pleasingly squidgy, but the gaps around the horn pad match the whiff of cheapness to this cabin. See, Ford just wanted something cheap so it could continue to sell big V8s and meet CAFE regulations, so it seems like Escort cabins featured two sorts of assembly tolerances: “Yes” and “no”.
In 1994, Ford was still using the 1.9-liter CVH engine, making 88 horsepower in this Escort. Keep in mind, by 1994, the Toyota Corolla made 105 horsepower and the Honda Civic LX made 102 horsepower, so the 1994 Ford Escort LX wasn’t exactly playing with a full deck. Add to that the presence of a four-speed automatic transmission, and you end up with a car that’s officially slow.
However, the switch to Mazda’s 323 as a base meant that core competence was built in, resulting in a car that road tested surprisingly well when it was new. In the words of Car And Driver:
The chassis combines a supple ride with secure, rewarding handling—under its unassuming clothes, this is a real driver’s car. Lock it onto the highway at 80 mph and it will happily arrow along all day.
Speaking of handling, this is a note that pertains more to this specific example, but it’s so nice to see a low-mileage car being sold on Bring A Trailer with fresh tires. Old tires might have plenty of tread, and they might not even have visible cracking, but they’re absolute hockey pucks. As soon as the date codes on your tires hit five years, tossing them is a good idea since that’s about the end of their life expectancy.
In any case, job well done to the person who acquired this thing for $8,100. Though a 1994 Ford Escort LX might not be the quickest or most pedigreed car out there for the money, it makes people smile, and that’s enough. Plus, it’s proof that anything becomes collectable if it survives sufficient attrition. Fifteen years ago, an old Ford Escort was a typical throwaway car. Now it’s a crowd-pleasing classic.
(Photo credits: Bring A Trailer)
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The motorised shoulder belts that strangle you, that jam halfway on the frame, that do nothing useful? No thanks! The headlamps that couldn’t cast out much light, especially in the rural areas with no street lamps? No thanks! Hard pass…
This generation Escort was sold in Australia and New Zealand as Ford Laser. They were equipped with plain three-point seat belts. Something that Ford refused to install in the Escorts for Canadian and Mexican markets where the passive restraint system wasn’t yet mandated.
My wife had a 94 Escort Wagon. She got it in like 2001 with 55kmi on it. It was pink, with the slushbox and the 1.9. The thing just worked. It was cheap to buy, cheap to run, cheap to fix. It scored 40+ mpg if you were careful on the highway and you’d be hard pressed to get under 30. It was amazingly useful in wagon form, for its size. Just a great little car. I ts too bad this class of car is extinct.
Holy hell were they slow. My sister had one in this exact spec, CVH, teal, coupe, auto. It was excellent on fuel though, during a time where gas nearly touched $5 a gallon in my weird corner of the country back in 2008-09ish.
I saw this on the BaT Daily email I get the day the auction was closing. The Cayman Green metallic is stunning, I agree one of the best colors of Fords of the 90s. My mom bought a new 91 LX 5-door with the 1.9L/5-spd combo. I learned to drive it in, it was a great little car. Seeing this one brought back some nostalgia, and had it been a 5-spd I would have been VEEEERRRRY tempted to try and snag it.
Terrible cars…..nostalgia will do a number on one’s senses.
IMO the best looking Escorts were the 1985 1/2 thru 1988. Particularly the GT with offset grille, but all the trims and body styles were pretty great.
Never really cared for the Mazda rebadges. Maybe because before this, I can’t remember the last time I saw a good one. Even 25 years ago.
But maybe time is taking its toll, because this one is really growing on me. Only thing that would make it better is a 5 speed.
Agreed . Offset grill mid80s escort GT in black is a great looking little 80s car. Right up there with same era notch Z24