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A "BEST of breed" FORD Escort XR3i with just 2,859 miles on the clock is set to sell for three times its original price.

The cult classic, which rolled of the assembly line in 1988, is famed for its 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine.

The classic motor set pulses racing in the late 1980s with a top speed of 120mph
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The classic motor set pulses racing in the late 1980s with a top speed of 120mphCredit: Car and Classic
The 1988 Ford Escort XR3i has less than 3000 miles on the clock
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The 1988 Ford Escort XR3i has less than 3000 miles on the clockCredit: Car and Classic
The Escort is expected to reach a record price at auction
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The Escort is expected to reach a record price at auctionCredit: Car and Classic

The motor made headlines at the time for its top speed of 120mph and zero to 60 in 8.5 seconds.

The XR3i has had just had one owner over the last 30 years, and recently underwent a major upgrade.

The 80s classic has had a full service and MOT, a new cambelt, water pump and four new tyres.

The motor now has a pre-sale estimate price of £25,000 to £30,000 which is three times the price it went for in 1988.

If the car goes for £30,000 it will break the new record for a Mk2 XR3i, which currently stands at £27,000 for an example sold by
Iconic Auctioneers in 2017.

Gary Dunne, sales manager at CCA, said:"The demand for 'best of breed' low mileage Fast Fords is still very much there, with the prices continuing to appreciate for this marque.

"This Escort XR3i is a lovely example with just 2,859 miles from new and one registered keeper, so should do well at our Christmas sale, and who knows if there are a few very interested parties out there
then may be we will achieve a new auction record."

The auction will also feature at 1997 Ford Probe with just 997 miles on the clock. The Britpop era classic features a 2.5 litre V6 with a top speed of 136mph.

The Probe motor is expected to go for between £10,000 and £12,000 at auction.

The famed 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine
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The famed 1.6-litre four-cylinder engineCredit: Car and Classic

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