Ford Escort

The first Escort was launched in 1968, as a replacement for the Ford Anglia. It quickly became popular; a rallying version won the London to Mexico Rally of 1970. Mark II was launched in 1975. One appeared in the late 1970s television show The Professionals. The Mk 2. was extremely successful in rallying during the 70s, until more advanced designes overtook it, but the Mk 2. model was always very popular with amateur motorsport enthusiasts right into the 1990s.

The Escort (Mk 3) was relaunched worldwide in 1981, as a hatchback which at the time was considered a revolutionary design, though Vauxhall's earlier Astra (designed by Opel in Germany) was in fact almost identical mechanically and stylistically. Several variations were made, with features such as fuel injection. The XR3i model of the mid-80s in particular became a favourite of the young and upwardly mobile, and it quickly established a "boy-racer" image. The XR3 also became notoriously popular in the UK with joyriders[?]. By now, the Escort seemed ubiquitous. Both Diana Spencer and Sarah Ferguson drove Escorts.

Redesigns in 1990, 1992, and 1996 were not as popular. The brand image had suffered in Great Britain from its association with "boy racers", "Essex lads", etc.

The Escort was the top selling car in the world for most of the 1980s although substantially different models sold under the Escort name in different countries.

Comparable Contemporaries

• Vauxhall Viva (similar to Mk 1 and Mk 2 Escort)
• Vauxhall Chevette (similar to Mk 2)
• Vauxhall Astra (similar to Mk 3+)
• Hillman Avenger[?]
• Morris Marina[?]

External links

• History: http://www.jyanet.com/cap/1129fe1.htm
• http://www.geocities.com/MotorCity/6494/escort