Lancaster Insurance Pride of Ownership – 3rd place goes to Shaun Hunter and his Escort 1.3 XL

“What a weekend we had”, says Pride of Ownership contender Shaun Hunter. “Honestly it was just amazing. I’d applied to be in the Lancaster Insurance Pride of Ownership competition before, but with covid, everything was on hold so it was 3^rd time lucky.”

Shaun’s magnificent Ford Escort 1.3 XL was voted into 3^rd place in the public vote, and he couldn’t be happier.

“Just to be there was an honour and we had so many people coming up to chat about the car, Mums and Dads with their kids all jumping in and getting their picture taken. It was unbelievable.”

Shaun’s Escort was originally bought for his son Jordan back in 2013, and he ended up paying £675 pounds through an online auction. He and his wife Lisa steadily began to restore it and the results are proof of real care and attention.

“I’ve got it the way I want it now”, says Shaun who’s put in two new engines and an automatic locking system since he bought it.

“Jordon lost interest as it was snowy and freezing when we got it, but I’ve loved restoring it even though it’s been bitter at times outdoors on the driveway.”

The Escort already has an amazing backstory because when Shaun went through the logbook and service records as the second owner, he realised it had belonged to his former headmaster Mr Oakley, and he’d actually worked on the car during car maintenance lessons at school.

“I couldn’t believe it when I found out, and even when we brought the car to the Pride of Ownership show, I was pulling up and a bloke shouted ‘park here Shaun, next to me’, and it turned out to be an old school mate Mark Misiura, who I’ve known for years who was there with his black Capri.

I really don’t know how much I’ve spent on it …the equivalent of handbags and shoes I suppose but I’m out in it all the time and plan to take it 16 shows up and down the country this year.”

The biggest surprise of all was gaining recognition through the Lancaster Insurance Pride of Ownership Competition, and it all came as a massive shock.

“When they were announcing the winners, I was just chatting to Lisa so didn’t really take much notice then someone said, ‘that’s you, you better go and get your prize’! I was honestly gobsmacked!”

Shaun who works as a site manager on the motorways from his home in Wolverhampton says restoration has always been and will always be his hobby.

“I love the car and I’ve no idea how much it’s worth because it’s not important and it doesn’t matter as I’d never sell it. Simple as that!”