The Ford Escort MK. II at 50 By Guest Writer, Andrew Roberts

05 December 2024

And to celebrate, here are 20 facts!

  1. The Mk. II was known at Ford as “Project Brenda” and entered production on the 2nd of December 1974. UK sales began on the 19th March 1975 and Ford promised a “slimmer, leaner look”.

  2. Ford also told prospective buyers, “matt black windscreen wipers are now fitted to all models” and “the boot is usefully bigger by nearly 10%, and there’s nearly an inch more legroom for rear-seat passengers”.

  3. The Escort Estates combined the new grilles and fascias with the Mk. 1 bodyshell.

  4. There were 19 models in the original Mk. II line-up and Autocar believed “Ford have renewed their challenge in this vital section of the market”.

  5. The range commenced with the basic saloon, but “if you want more, the Escort L gives you extras such as hazard warning flashers, heated rear window, and reversing lights”. Plus, a dipping rear-view mirror and “Loop pile carpet”. Next was the GL with halogen headlamps, a cigar lighter, a clock and a “chrome gearshift lever”, while the Sport boasted 1.3-litre and 1.6-litre engines with modified camshaft, Weber carburetters, slightly hotter camshafts and tubular exhaust manifolds. There were also driving lamps, dramatic stripes and a crossed-flag motif on the steering wheel.

  6. The great writer John Bolster praised the 1600 Sport as “An economical small car of remarkably high performance”.

  7. The Mk. II flagship was the Ghia, the third UK-market Ford to wear the shield badge after the Capri II and the Granada Mk. I, and “the Escort with everything”. The specification included a vinyl roof, tinted glass, a MW/LW radio, “Crushed Velour/Verona” upholstery, a fascia veneered in “Real wood”, a “chrome gearshift lever”, and a “colour-keyed cut pile carpet”. As for power, the Ghia shared the Sport’s engines.  Motor Sport rudely described the £2,011 1300 version as “Expensive, comfortable, characterless”.

  8. At the opposite end of the Mk. II range, the summer of 1975 saw the launch of the Escort Popular, Ford reviving a name last seen in 1962 on the final 100Es. The equipment list included “two coat hooks”, the tyres were cross-ply and the headlamps “semi-sealed beam”. But the price was a mere £1,299, and in November 1975, What Car noted: “Here, at long last, we have a competitively priced family saloon car in the shape of the Popular”.

  9. For those decadent types who craved more luxury, John Lonergan’s splendid Popular Plus bridged the gap between the Popular and the L, and features reversing lights, a dipping rear-view mirror, fabric upholstery and even a front parcel shelf.

  10. Between 1975 and 1977, Ford built around 109 road-going RS1800s marketed via the company’s network of 70 “Rallye Sport” specialist dealers.  Power was from a 125bhp 16-valve 1,834cc BDA engine, acceleration was 0-60 mph in 8.2 seconds, and the top speed was 115 mph. Most RS1800s were in Diamond White. Buyers could choose the standard model for £2,825 or the Custom version, with a clock, fabric-trimmed front bucket seats, a centre console and a carpeted boot, for £2,990.

  11.  Car considered the RS1800 “very desirable” as a “sporting everyday road car”. Autocar wrote: “If, however, you have the money to afford it, there is no doubt that the RS1800 has that rare dash of vigour and persistent demand to be driven quickly, that marks out the true sports car”.

  12. 1975 also saw the launch of the RS Mexico, powered by a 1.6-litre OHC engine. Ford promised performance of 10.2 seconds and a 106 top speed, plus “stiffened suspension and superb road-holding and handling”, all for a mere £2,443.50.

  13. The final of the trio of sporting Escorts sold by the Rallye Sport network was the second-generation RS2000. It combined the Pinto 2-Litre engine with Tom Wilkinshaw-developed suspension, and transmission and brakes from the RS Mexico. The top speed was 111 mph, with 0-60 mph in 8.5 seconds. Perhaps its most notable feature was the Jack Telnack-designed plastic front nose that reduced the drag coefficient by 16%, according to the sales copy. Not to mention the RS2000 had “everything for the driver with a taste for excitement” for a very reasonable £2,857. Motor thought it was “one of the best-handling saloons around”. 

  14. When Motor Sport tested the Mexico, RS1800 and RS2000, they rudely thought their decals were from Ford’s “Child’s Book of Fancy Striping”. However, while describing the RS1800 as a “competition special”, the report believed “the Mexico and RS2000 have a valid place in the British market alongside the Dolomite”.

  15. The most famous Mk. II television appearance is, of course, The Professionals. Despite the T-registration suffix, Ray Doyle’s RS2000 was a 1976 model. During the series’ run, the Escort gained a sunroof to make it easier for the production crew to light the cabin. 

  16. The Linnet was a Popular Plus 1300 four-door adorned with some decals to make it “distinctly different from any other Escort you’ve ever seen”. The proud owner gained “Diamond Fabric” upholstery, front head restraints and a passenger door mirror. The 1.3/1/6L four-door derived Goldcrest had a “sports steering wheel” with metallic Sable Brown or Gold paint options. 

  17. In the spring of 1979, 28 Ford dealers in Greater London, in conjunction with Capital Radio, sold the Escort Capital. The “Capital car for Capital People” cost £2,995 and was finished in either Capital Red with silver stripes or, for an extra £28, Orchid Metallic with black stripes. The specification was four-door 1300 Popular Plus with extra GL trim, inertia reel rear seat belts, hazard flashers, a centre console, a heated rear window and servo-assisted brakes, a rear fog lamp, and a radio cassette player. Of the 1,000 Capitals, 600 were red, and 400 Orchid Metallic.

  18. 1979 also marked the debut of the Harrier, which celebrated the Escort’s eight-year successive victories at the Lombard RAC Rally – and winning the Team Award, the Ladies’ Prize, and the Group I Category for standard production cars. Compared with the 1600 Sport, it was £345 more expensive at £4,330, but it came with spot lamps, bronze-tinted glass, Recaro seats, alloy wheels and a boot spoiler from the RS2000. The colour choices were Diamond White or, for another £35.83, Strato Silver.

  19. Euston Films initially wanted a Harrier as Terry McCann’s car in Minder but soon realised Arthur Daley was unlikely to have provided his assistant with such an exclusive Ford Escort.

  20. One of the most exclusive limited edition Escort Mk. IIs is this 1979 Huntsman owned by Stephen Bradbury. It was a dealer, as opposed to the factory, special model from Ford’s “South-East Region” and was the 1300L Estate with “Halogen Driving Lights”, a “Tailgate Wash/Wipe”, and even a “6 Push Button MW/LW Radio”. Ford outlets sold only 350 examples of the Escort finished in “Huntsman Red” finish augmented by a gold coachline. A perfect way to add style to the Mk. II range before the Mk. III replaced it in 1980.

With thanks to John Lonergan and Stephen Bradbury for their time.

With thanks to John Lonergan and Stephen Bradbury for the permission to use the images in this blog.