Estimated Price: £25,000 - £30,000

Few cars capture the spirit of 1970s Britain quite like the Mk1 Ford Escort. Launched in 1968 as a replacement for the Anglia, it quickly became one of the nation's best-loved family cars, while its giant-killing exploits on the world's rally stages, including victory on the 1970 London to Mexico World Cup Rally, earned it a sporting reputation that endures to this day. Yet for all the Escorts built, finding one in genuinely original, unused condition is now almost impossible.

This 1300 XL Saloon is a quite extraordinary exception. Supplied new by Bristol Street Motors of Birmingham and first registered on 21st August 1972, it has covered just 126miles from new. That is effectively its delivery mileage. Over five decades of careful, correct storage have preserved it in true time-capsule condition, offering a rare glimpse of exactly how an Escort looked when it left the showroom.

It is finished in the glorious period shade of Tawny Brown Metallic, a colour that could hardly be more evocative of the early 1970s, and complemented by black vinyl upholstery. The XL specification brings a welcome touch of extra brightwork and comfort, including a chrome belt line, a passenger vanity mirror and front wing-mounted mirrors. A Panasonic stereo completes the period picture.

Just as impressive is the accompanying history file. It includes the original 'buff' logbook recording a single owner, along with the service book, the build sheet and original dealer literature. The car's jack and tool kit are also present, items so often lost over the years.

Original, low-mileage examples of Britain's most iconic family cars have become increasingly sought after by collectors, and they rarely come better than this. Whether destined for a private collection, a museum or the concours lawn, this museum-quality Escort 1300 XL represents a truly fabulous opportunity to own a near-unused piece of British motoring history.