Ford Escort XR3 Chicken Coop

[Brizio]

Back on the bench, I changed job and did not have to much time for the hobby. Last month I bought this kit in 1/25 for  $1 a the swap meet. The kit is complete, except a door mirror, also it is already painted, but not big deal, I mean it was a dollar... The kit is pretty much a snap kit, mostly of the parts can be snap together and a the end you can literally play with it. The kit give the option to be built in three versions, stock, rally and police. I'm still looking online to find some reference about the real car. For now I'm leaning trough the stock version...

Here the kit...

 

 

Edited January 12, 2016 by Brizio

[Brizio]

The three version:

All the parts.

 

 

 

 

[afx]

Interested is seeing what you can do with this Brizio.

[Atmobil]

Cool project. I wonder, is this the same as the Revell kit?

Or does it have some other origin?

Strange that AMT made a kit of a European car.

[Daddyfink]

Wow, I don't think I have ever seen this kit. Will be cool to see what you do with it.

I think I might need to find one now. 

[THarrison351]

I have one of these built somewhere from a long time ago, almost 30 years. I remember the molded in luggage in the hatch, and maybe an umbrella?

[Brizio]

Interested is seeing what you can do with this Brizio.

I think to build it stock. At first I was thinking to build it as racecar, like the picture in the box, but after I changed my mind...

Cool project. I wonder, is this the same as the Revell kit?

Or does it have some other origin?

Strange that AMT made a kit of a European car.

I don't know. Maybe... The kit is not the best, or not like a bask kit now. There are a lot of molding and flashing.

Wow, I don't think I have ever seen this kit. Will be cool to see what you do with it.

I think I might need to find one now. 

I didn't knew either they made a Escort in kit, also I never search for it...

I have one of these built somewhere from a long time ago, almost 30 years. I remember the molded in luggage in the hatch, and maybe an umbrella?

Good memory, yes on bot umbrella and luggage (you can see a corner of it behind the rear seat in the picture).

[bisc63]

I've got one of these in my stash, as I have a soft spot for Escorts. I believe this was originally an Esci tool, and it builds the overseas Ford Escort, which looks more like our domestic Mercury Tracer. Perhaps some of the gurus on here can offer some enlightenment on this.

[Atmobil]

I had to dig out my Revell Kamei X1 Escort to take a look at that and that is not the same tooling. The AMT kit has an opening hatchback but the Revell kit does not. The parts look very different.

You can see a picture of the box here:

[Atmobil]

And here is a Ebaylink with the Revell XR3 kit:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/REVELL-7317-FORD-ESCORT-XR-3-1-25-SCALE-MODEL-KIT-OPEN-BOX-/321941055430?hash=item4af52ea7c6:g:gFoAAOSwxN5WZFBx

[Brizio]

I've got one of these in my stash, as I have a soft spot for Escorts. I believe this was originally an Esci tool, and it builds the overseas Ford Escort, which looks more like our domestic Mercury Tracer. Perhaps some of the gurus on here can offer some enlightenment on this.

Did Esci made a XR3? I though they made only the old Escort.

I had to dig out my Revell Kamei X1 Escort to take a look at that and that is not the same tooling. The AMT kit has an opening hatchback but the Revell kit does not. The parts look very different.

You can see a picture of the box here:

The Revell kit should have also a engine, The AMT doesn't. Also Matchbox sold XR3, under license of Revell.

And here is a Ebaylink with the Revell XR3 kit:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/REVELL-7317-FORD-ESCORT-XR-3-1-25-SCALE-MODEL-KIT-OPEN-BOX-/321941055430?hash=item4af52ea7c6:g:gFoAAOSwxN5WZFBx

From the parts picture is more a kit, the AMT is a snap. You can see the rims on the Revell, without central holes, the seats made in two piece.

[Brizio]

I notice the body is not very straight... I don't know if it is so from AMT, or who started it did something. The hatch door too is not straight.

 

 

[afx]

Esci never did an XR3 to the best of my knowledge. They did the RS1800 (MkII) in several different versions.

[Mr Stock]

I had a real Escort Xr3i about 17 years ago, it was a great car, pretty quick of the mark but like all 70s/80s euro Fords rusted bad !.

If you need any help or info let me know Ive worked on a few in the past.

 

[oldcarfan]

I'll be watching this. These cars are near and dear to my heart. I might have one of these kits somewhere. Hope so. 

[Atmobil]

Did Esci made a XR3? I though they made only the old Escort.

The Revell kit should have also a engine, The AMT doesn't. Also Matchbox sold XR3, under license of Revell.

From the parts picture is more a kit, the AMT is a snap. You can see the rims on the Revell, without central holes, the seats made in two piece.

Yes, the Revell kit has an engine and the front (grille, headlights, bumper) is separate. The taillights are also not molded in to the body like the AMT kit. I do find it very strange that AMT has made a kit of a European Ford (built in England, Germany, Spain and Brazil). Maybe it was targeted at a different market than the U.S.?

Edited December 8, 2015 by Atmobil

[Brizio]

Esci never did an XR3 to the best of my knowledge. They did the RS1800 (MkII) in several different versions.

What I though...

I had a real Escort Xr3i about 17 years ago, it was a great car, pretty quick of the mark but like all 70s/80s euro Fords rusted bad !.

If you need any help or info let me know Ive worked on a few in the past.

 

A friend of mine had a XR3 I think he crashed during a rally race, and after bought a Sierra Cosworth... Thank you, I will keep in mind.

I'll be watching this. These cars are near and dear to my heart. I might have one of these kits somewhere. Hope so. 

Hope you have the Revell one.

Yes, the Revell kit has an engine and the front (grille, headlights, bumper) is separate. The taillights are also not molded in to the body like the AMT kit. I do find it very strange that AMT has made a kit of a European Ford (built in England, Germany, Spain and Brazil). Maybe it was targeted at a different market than the U.S.?

Who knows...

[Brizio]

I just cut hood and doors from the body, this also will help to straight it up, at least I hope.

[GTJUNIOR]

These Ford's were very popular in South Africa as well. I remember doing clutch overhauls on a few of them back in the day. The XR3 was the "performance" model. You still see the occasional one on the roads here. Wishing you a trouble free build.

[NeoPrime]

These were, still are awesome little cars. Im a Ford guy, i own an '84 2.0 Capri S and use it as a daily, so i can appriciate old, 80's euro fast Fords.

[Brizio]

These Ford's were very popular in South Africa as well. I remember doing clutch overhauls on a few of them back in the day. The XR3 was the "performance" model. You still see the occasional one on the roads here. Wishing you a trouble free build.

Thank you for the wishes!

These were, still are awesome little cars. Im a Ford guy, i own an '84 2.0 Capri S and use it as a daily, so i can appriciate old, 80's euro fast Fords.

My uncle had a Carpri from the 70'S, I don't remember the exact year, but I can ask his wife. I always like the shape of the Capri.

[bisc63]

I may very well be wrong on the Esci origin; I was working from a vague memory (bad idea!). I've been digging through my references, but I haven't come across the info I'm sure I have SOMEWHERE on this kit.

Will be watching this thread, and if I can find my info, I'll share. Good luck!

[Brizio]

I may very well be wrong on the Esci origin; I was working from a vague memory (bad idea!). I've been digging through my references, but I haven't come across the info I'm sure I have SOMEWHERE on this kit.

Will be watching this thread, and if I can find my info, I'll share. Good luck!

No problem, it is difficult to remember every things! Thanks!

[Brizio]

Some body work, filling and door jam.

[captjeffro26]

I like where this is going.  Ive been wanting to get one of these.  I had a 1988 Escort GT and I wish I still had it.  It was under powered by today's standards, but it was a blast to drive. Cant wait to see this completed.