A humble Ford Escort van doesn’t usually hold an auction room’s attention for several minutes.
This one did.
During Anglia Car Auctions‘ April 2026 sale, a 1978 Ford Escort Mk2 Van generated one of the longest bidding battles of the event, with determined bidders refusing to back down as the price continued to climb.
The Ford Escort Mk2 is already one of Britain’s most recognisable classics, but vans occupy a slightly different corner of the market.
Many lived hard commercial lives and simply disappeared. Unlike performance Escorts, few owners preserved them for future generations, making surviving examples increasingly scarce.
That scarcity has helped push values steadily upwards in recent years, particularly for original, unmodified vans.
This particular Escort Van was offered as a recommissioning project rather than a finished show vehicle.
Finished in red, it retained plenty of period charm and character, while the auction catalogue noted recorded mileage of just under 37,000 miles.
Anglia Car Auctions entered the vehicle with an estimate of £8,000 to £12,000, a figure that already reflected the growing demand for Escort vans among Ford enthusiasts.
What made this lot memorable wasn’t simply the van itself.
It was the determination of the bidders.
As the auctioneer worked the room, multiple buyers continued pushing the price higher and higher, creating one of the longest and most entertaining bidding exchanges of the sale.
Watching the footage back, it’s easy to see why the crowd became invested in the outcome.
When the bidding finally came to an end, the Ford Escort Mk2 Van achieved £14,904 including buyer’s premium.
That placed it comfortably above its pre-sale estimate and highlighted the strength of today’s market for desirable commercial Fords.
For many enthusiasts, the result also raises an interesting question: just how much higher can good Escort van values go?
We’re always interested in hearing about classic cars, commercial vehicles, restoration projects and forgotten collections across the UK.
Whether you have a cherished classic, an unfinished project or something that’s been tucked away for years, we’d love to hear from you.
Simply send a few photos and details through our contact form, or WhatsApp us directly on 07494 851220 for a quick, informal chat.
We buy vehicles throughout the UK and can arrange collection nationwide.
Stay updated with the latest barn finds, auction news, and classic car adventures in our 'News & Waffle' section. Dive into rare discoveries, behind-the-scenes stories, and expert insights into the world of classic cars. Whether you’re a seasoned enthusiast or simply intrigued by the tales behind these treasures, this is your hub for all things classic and captivating.
View All
We’ve found some unusual things in this collection, but this might be one of the hardest to explain at first glance. From the front, XDD 288 looks like a slightly careworn late-1950s Morris. Walk around the back and most of the Morris has disappeared. Where a rear seat, doors and boot once belonged, there’...
If you’ve ever stood in a workshop holding a mystery nut or bolt and thought, “What bloody size is this?”, this is one of the most useful tools you can own. We use one of these simple nut and bolt thread checker boards, and it saves an enormous amount of messing around. No guessing. ...
It’s often the things that come with an old car that make buying it really interesting. Our recently purchased 1970 Triumph Spitfire Mk3 is a perfect example. We didn’t simply buy a little blue sports car. It came with a shed full of spares, old parts, literature and all the miscellaneous bits and pieces ...
