Ford Escort

Ford Escort Cosworth rendered in 3dsmax © Les Still

Ford Escort

The Ford Escort was a small family car manufactured by the Ford Motor Company from 1967 through 2003. Although it was originally a European model, the Escort badge has been applied to several different designs in North America over the years.

The first use of the Ford Escort name was in the 1950s for an estate car version of the Ford Anglia 100E though this had few sales by comparison to the other members of the 100E family.

The Ford Escort Mk I featured contemporary styling cues in tune with its time - a subtle Detroit-inspired "Coke Bottle" waistline and the "dogbone" shaped front grille - arguably the car's most famous stylistic feature. Initially, the Escort was sold as a 2-door saloon (with angular or circular front headlights) but a Ford Escort 3-door estate and a Ford Escort van were later available. In 1969 the Ford Escort 4-door saloon appeared. The Mk I Escorts became very successful as a rally car, and the Ford Escort  eventually went on to become the most successful rally car of all time.
The square-edged Ford Escort Mk II version appeared in early 1975. The first production models of which rolled off the production lines 2 December 1974. The Ford Escort station wagon and van versions used the same panel work as the Ford Escort Mk I, but with the Ford Escort Mk II front end and interior. During the second half of the 1970s, the Escort continued to prove hugely popular with buyers in Britain and other parts of Europe. A cosmetic update was given in 1978, with most models gaining the square headlights (previously exclusive to the GL and Ghia variants), some models gaining the Escort Sport wheels, and an upgrade in interior spec - the 'L' in particular gaining a glove box and centre console. Underneath a wider front track was given. Production, after an incredibly popular model run, ended in Britain in August 1980.

Ford Escort rendered in 3dsmax © Les Still

The third generation Escort was launched in September 1980. The Ford Escort Mk III was intended to be a hi-tech, high-efficiency design which would compete with the Volkswagen Golf. The Escort Mk3 received a facelift in early 1986 and sometimes referred to as the "Ford Escort Mk IV" although it was not officially the fourth generation.
The fifth generation Escort arrived in September 1990 with an all-new body shell and a simplified torsion beam rear suspension.
The Escort was thoroughly revised in January 1995. Although the same basic design continued, this version had new front lights, bonnet, front wings, front and rear bumpers, wing mirrors and door handles. The last Ford Escort rolled off the Halewood assembly line at the end of 2000.