A VERY special 1979 Ford Escort Ghia, in time-warp condition and with less than 4,000 miles on the clock, will feature at the next Classic Car Auctions sale to be held at the Warwickshire Exhibition Centre.

Looking as pristine as the day it left the factory 37 years ago, the 1.6-litre model has a fascinating history.

Supplied new to its first owner the car was used mainly on trips to his holiday cottage. Spending most of his time in London, the owner barely drove the Escort, keeping it safely in storage.

Several years later, while enquiring at a local garage about replacing a windscreen wiper, the workshop took such an interest in car and its exceptional condition for its age that they went on to buy it.

The car was then acquired by its current owner in 2013, still in immaculate condition, and it has been stored as part of a private collection since.

Now offered for sale having spent the last two years in storage, the preserved, right-hand drive manual HR model will be offered with a price estimate of between £9,000 and £11,000.

The Escort Ghia, with its characteristic square headlights, wooden facia dashboard and velour interior with leather trim, would have been a sophisticated choice in 1979. Ford developed the Ghia specifically for the small, luxury car market.

The car has a fresh MoT and will be accompanied by its history file and the original dealer handbook folder.

The auction takes place on Saturday, June 18 at the Exhibition Centre near Leamington Spa.