Sporting Escort Owners’ Club
Keep loving those Escorts was the SEOC’s original mantra, and 35 years on, that’s more important than ever, reckons Stuart Parkin.
When was the club founded — and why? The club has been running since 1985. It was originally set up to cater for non-RS /AVO performance Escorts (up to the 1300GT) but since 1993 we have welcomed any rear-wheel-drive Escorts, from standard base models right up to seriously modified cars.
Has the direction of the club changed much since the early days? The main aim of the club has always been to preserve and maintain rear-wheel-drive Escorts. Enthusiasts have the opportunity to meet each other to exchange ideas and further their knowledge of Escorts. The only real change in recent years has been the move to more Facebook-based communication.
Which models do you cover? All Mk1 and Mk2 Escorts — although later cars that have been converted to rear-wheel-drive are also welcomed!
What does your club offer to new members? Membership gives access to a wealth of advice and encouragement from our knowledgeable members. It includes being added to one of our car specific registers (Mk1, Mk2, 2-litre, competition and Van, Estate and Camper), a car window sticker, key ring, magazine and membership card, access to our merchandise shop for clothing and hard-to-find bits. There are also discounts available with classic car insurers as a club member. We are able to help with tracing a car’s history, registration issues and offer valuation services, too.
Does the club produce its own magazine? We do. These days it kind of acts as a show report round up at the end of summer — so not much to write about this year! We include features on member’s cars, restorations, stories or road trips and adventures, technical advice, news, a for sale section — the usual car club magazine stuff.
How many members do you have? Probably around 250 regular members at the moment.
Can you describe a typical member? We have members from all over the UK and quite a few abroad too, old and young, from all walks of life, into standard cars and highly modified, too.
Do you host your own show, meets or runs? We used to run our National Day, and hopefully that will return at some point.
What other shows or events does the club have a presence at? Currently the majority of shows that we regularly attend are in the south east, but that’s just where more active members are located. Our members attend everything from massive shows like Classic Ford Show right down to local events all across the UK.
What are the club’s goals for the future? To keep on loving those Escorts!