Ford Escort

The Ford Escort is the most successful rally car ever and one of Britain's best selling cars. Starting from the Mark 1 and progressing up to Mark 6 before being deleted to make way for the Focus, this car came in many guises.

But who could forget the xr3i RS turbo and the awesome Escort Cosworth with its huge whale tail spoiler. The latter became my dream car for some 15 years until I finally purchased one. It certainly lived up to my expectations!

Kids considered not old enough to appreciate it stop dead in their tracks and stare mouthing Escort Cossie. Henry's best ever incarnation is the Ford Escort in any guise.

justin chilton

Comments




Only time I ever rode in one as a child was when we hired a red mk.2 saloon from some place in Dudley called Blue Rock Car Hire because our Austin Cambridge was in having her MOT done.
This would've been in the Summer holidays of '76 and the car would've been quite new by then, but for some reason she ran DREADFULLY- really underpowered, kept stalling all the time, and wouldn't start. For such a new car to have reached such a sorry state of maintenance, they can'tve bothered maintaining their fleet at ALL- we were glad to return it!!

I remember when the mk.3 came out, it was a complete break with the styling of the past- it became one of the most iconic British cars of the early '80s. I had the chance of buying a pair of Mk.1 estates back in early '91, a red '73 with a cracked engine block but brilliant bodywork, and a later one with a good engine but not so good bodywise. The two could've made one great car, but I passed on the offer- loyalty to my Allegro had to come first!
Roxxy19-Oct-2012, 05:42:54 PM

First car escort mk11 1979 - red saloon.

great car and easy to work on. fan on the block (no electrics to worry about). starter motor, alternator and distributor cap all easily accessible from under the bonnet.

which clown decided to turn the engine around? - must have been a garage owner thinking of making more money from amateur DIY machanics.

fond memories.
sixtyone06-Dec-2011, 04:00:48 PM

I was one of the lucky few with a Twin Cam Mk.1. They were only available in white with a green flash usually, but for some reason, this one was in Silver Fox. The dealer told me it was a cancelled special order and I bought it on the spot! I rebadged it as an 1100 de luxe and surprised many a Spridget at the traffic light Grand Prix!
Dave T17-Sep-2010, 06:35:07 PM

Awww my mate Lise had a burgundy Mk1 called 'Ethel'. She was older than us lot and passed her test straight after turning 17. We'd all pile into 'Ethel' and go over Coventry for the day then watch videos at her house at night. Then I'd go into school bragging about the great weekend I'd had and name drop 'Lisa's car' into just about every sentence, trying to sound grown up! 24 years on and Lisa's still one of my best mates and still claims 'Ethel' was her favourite car!Running close to other favourite 'Bullet' a silver Honda Civic...but that's another story!
vixsta3317-Apr-2010, 02:48:16 AM

I had two Mk3 Escorts in the early to mid-90s. The first was an '83 yellow 3-door 1.3 popular, and that was replaced with an '85 maroon 5-door GL with the chrome trim. The second of these was a particularly good car. I used to drive between Canterbury and Colchester in it regularly.

I've always liked the Mk1 Escort and still want one to this day. They're much sought-after classics now, with prices to match.
Austin Maxi06-Sep-2008, 12:22:44 PM

When I sarted driving in 95 I really wanted a Mk3 escort 1.6 GL with all the chrome trim, I loved them .....but I bought a Mk 1 Fiesta supersport instead !
Gary Knight15-Oct-2007, 07:45:52 PM

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