FORD ESCORT MK4 XR3i Cabriolet

Heiß und weiß

OttOmobile’s newly released white cabriolet model opens up some interesting discussions whilst sporting its topless mode.

White convertibles were very much an 80s fashion statement, especially when on the redline trimmed models. Peugeot indulged, as did Ford with the XR3i version. Ford was generally quiet about the fact the Escort convertible was built for it in Germany by Wilhelm Karmann GmbH, of Osnabrück something like 104,000 of them between 1983–1990. And it was from the Karmann plant that the concept of ‘triple-white’ cabrios saw the light of day. The first, in the late 70’s, being Special Edition model Volkswagen Beetles destined North America. With an instant cult image and being very sought after, many triple-white Beetle cabrios, were found imported back into Europe. The photographs of the very last Beetles cabrio in production at Karmann, are dominated by these distinctive US specification models.

‘Triple-white’ was to some degree a misnomer in that although the body paint and interior upholstery were pure white, soft tops were either very pale shades of silver grey or grey. The image was so attractive that special white series Editions of the first generation Golf (and Rabbit as badged for the USA) Cabriolets hit the market with production between 1979 - 93 overarching that of the Escort Cabriolet. Initially exported to North America, demand was such that a succession of White Editions were also marketed in Europe. In early 1983, the sales slogan was “Heiß und weiß... ” on account of the white Golfs being based on the redline-trimmed GTI version Cabriolet. Ford followed suit with their XR3i, and both the Golf and Escort saw some of the production runs in truly triple white finish. Perhaps, one of the reasons the Karmann connection of the Ford cabriolet is less well known is that, unlike all Volkswagen Cabriolets, the Ford model never carried Karmann badging.

So a pretty model of the Escort in summer gear. Maybe a favourite on the British market but also liked in Germany, France and other countries as an alternative to Volkswagen’s Golf by having a more spacious rear luggage space that was also easier to access. PHOTOS AND MODEL REVIEW: Stephanie Ebenfalls

OttOmobile’s Ford Escort Mk4 XR3i Cabriolet - 1986 (OT 398)

Ford Escort Mk4 XR3i Cabriolet - 1986 (OT 398)

OttOmobile brings to us the soft top option Escort in the special white finish overlaid with the dash of red lines declaring the sporting XR3i version. This is a model that will make many collectors of Ford cars very happy because of the shape and proportions of the look true to life. Of course, the small details are nicely made also and the complete image is of carefree summer of driving during the decade of the eighties. OttOmobile has quite a large number of Ford cars already in its catalogue and this cabriolet makes a good contribution to the expanding collection.

Because OttOmobile also has some Golf Cabriolet examples in the catalogue a possibility exists also, maybe, for one in the all-white finish to sit alongside this Ford Escort example. Yes, a pretty model that conveys the sense of automobile enjoyment in the eighties very nicely.