This lot will be auctioned via Iconic Auctioneers, The Classic Sale at the Practical Classics Classic Car and Restoration Show 2025 on Saturday the 22nd of March - Sunday the 23rd of March, NEC, Birmingham, B40 1NT.
Ford South Africa’s XR3 was priced at R6,725 when it launched in 1981 and was very well received in the tuning market too, with performance specialists like Basil Green Ford and Steyn Ford offering tuned versions for a few thousand Rand more
To celebrate the wins of the Span Ford team's RS1700T in South Africa, Ford released a special edition of the XR3 called the XR3 TF (Team Ford), of which 500 were produced
Finished in Diamond White with Ford XR3 stripes in triple blue, it utilised the 1600 CVH engine paired with a 5-speed gearbox and featured Diamond White wheels with black nuts, a white front grille, an XR3 spoiler, bodyside mouldings, tinted glass all around, driving lamps with Span Ford covers, a sunroof and blue-striped cloth sport seats
This particular example was sourced by a trusted Ford dealer who managed to secure a deal in South Africa with the vehicle returning to the UK in 2022
More recent upgrades include a stainless standard-spec exhaust from Keltec in Leeds and a four-branch exhaust manifold
Featured in Classic Ford magazine and in impressive condition all round, this is believed to be the only one in the UK with very few more left in SA