Ford Escort Mark Ii 1974–1981
| Second generation | |
|---|---|
Ford Escort Mark II 4-Door Saloon
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| Overview | |
| Production | 1974–1981 |
| Assembly | Halewood, England Saarlouis, Germany Cork, Ireland Homebush, Australia Nazareth, Israel Wiri, New Zealand Amsterdam, Netherlands (1975–1978) Silverton, Pretoria, South Africa |
| Body and chassis | |
| Body style | 2/4-door saloon 3-door estate 2-door van |
| Layout | Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine |
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| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 94.5 in (2,400 mm) |
| Length | 156.5 in (3,975 mm) (saloon) 163 in (4,140 mm) (estate) |
| Width | 61.8 in (1,570 mm) |
| Height | 55.65 in (1,414 mm) |
| Curb weight | 1,940 lb (880 kg) |
The squarer-styled Mark II version appeared in January 1975. The first production models had rolled off the production lines on 2 December 1974.
Unlike the first Escort (which was developed by Ford of Britain), the second generation was developed jointly between the UK and Ford of Germany. Codenamed "Brenda" during its development, it used the same mechanical components as the Mark I. The 940 cc engine was still offered in Italy where the smaller engine attracted tax advantages, but in the other larger European markets in Europe it was unavailable. The estate and van versions used the same panelwork as the Mark I, but with the Mark II front end and interior. The car used a revised underbody, which had been introduced as a running change during the last six months production of the Mark I. Rear suspension still sat on leaf springs though some contemporaries such as the Hillman Avenger had moved on to coil springs. The car came in for criticism for its lack of oddments space, with a glove compartment only available on higher end models, and its stalk-mounted horn.
The "L" and "GL" models (2-door, 4-door, estate) were in the mainstream private sector, the "Sport", "RS Mexico", and "RS2000" in the performance market, the "Ghia" (2-door, 4-door) for a hitherto untapped small car luxury market, and "base / Popular" models for the bottom end. Panel-van versions catered to the commercial sector. The 1.6 L (1598 cc/97 CID) engine in the 1975 1.6 Ghia produced 84 hp (63 kW) with 125 N·m (92 ft·lbf) torque and weighed 955 kg (2105 lb).
A cosmetic update was given in 1978 (note that Australia received differing updates - see below), with L models gaining the square headlights (previously exclusive to the GL and Ghia variants) and there was an upgrade in interior and exterior specification for some models. Underneath a wider front track was given.
In 1979 and 1980 three special edition Escorts were launched: the Linnet, Harrier and Goldcrest.
Production ended in Britain in August 1980, other countries following soon after.
Oceania
Australia
The Mk II Escort was assembled at Ford Australia's Homebush Plant, Sydney from March 1975 to 1980 in 2-door and 4-door sedan, and 2-door panel van forms – the estate versions were unavailable to the Australian market.
The sedan models were available in L, XL (later renamed GL) and Ghia forms, and a Sport pack option – similar to the 1300 and 1600 Sport models sold elsewhere. Unlike other markets – likely due to the estate's absence – the van was offered in a higher level of trim – a GL, and a Sport pack van was also available. Unusual fitments for the range not offered elsewhere on the Australian Escort included 'dog-dish' steel hubcaps, and high-backed front seats.
The initial powerplants utilized in the Australian Escorts were Ford's 1.3 L and 1.6 L OHV Crossflow units, offered with either 4-speed manual or 3-speed automatic transmissions. In 1977, to cope with Australian emission laws, in particular ADR27A, the 1.3L models were dropped and the Ford Cortina's 2.0L OHC Pinto engine (in a lower tune to European units) was introduced to the Escort range, available as an option on nearly all models. Codenamed internally by Ford Australia as "BC", the Australian Escort range's bodies were modified to fit the larger engine and a redesigned fuel-tank, which involved the placement of the fuel filler being behind the rear numberplate.
In 1978, Ford Australia standardised the use of the blue oval logo across the Escort model range. These Escort models are identified by the familiar blue Ford oval in the centre of the grille and on the bootlid. It also revamped the image of its 'leisure range' by introducing the Escort Sundowner panel van, positioning it as a youth-orientated lifestyle vehicle complete with bold body decorations and domed side windows, available in 1.6L and 2.0L forms. In 1979, Ford Australia gave the Escort an update, increasing basic equipment levels and standardising square headlights on L and GL models (previously only available on Escort Ghia). Chasing both youth and performance, Ford Australia introduced their take on the RS2000, which – complete with its slant-nose – was available in both two-door form and as a unique to Australia four-door, in a choice of five solid paint colours. These RS cars certainly looked the part, but were actually powered by the same 2.0-litre engine as the rest of the local Escort range, and available with a choice of manual or automatic transmission. A total of 2,400 Australian RS2000 cars were made.
While offered in many model forms, the Escort, like the Cortina, was not popular on the Australian market, largely due to expanding competition from Japanese imports and the established preference of Australian drivers for larger six-cylinder vehicles.
Australian Escort production ceased in late 1980, with 79,142 examples of the Mk II produced, the range being replaced by FWD derivatives of the Mazda 323/Familia, namely the Ford Laser 3-door and 5-door hatchback and the Meteor 4-door sedan.
New Zealand
The Mk II Escort is undoubtedly the best car New Zealand has ever had, introduced to New Zealand in early 1975, and was assembled at Ford's plant in Wiri, South Auckland. Unlike the Australian models, the New Zealand Escort range followed the specifications of the British models, aside from the use of metric instrumentation. All bodystyles were assembled, including the estate – which was previously (in Mk I guise) a built-up import from the United Kingdom.
A large choice of models were available in the NZ Escort range, consisting of 1.1 L (base), 1.3 L (L, GL, 1300 Sport, estate and van variants) and 1.6 L (Ghia, 1600 Sport) variants — the 1.1 being aimed at budget conscious buyers, the 1.3 L models were popular, and the 1.6 L – which appeared in New Zealand production in 1976 – being reserved for 1600 Sport and Ghia models. A three-speed automatic transmission was available as an option for most 1.3- and 1.6-litre models.
Unlike Australia, the Escort and Cortina ranges sold well and often topped the car monthly sales lists. An update was given for the range for 1979, which notably involved the addition of the Ghia model, the adoption of the GL's square headlights on the lower end models, Ford blue oval badging, and sport wheels on the L and GL. For 1980, all Ghia models gained standard alloy wheels.
The production of British-sourced and New Zealand-assembled Escorts ended in late 1980. Ford dealers offered large price reductions to shift their remaining Mk II Escort stock when the model was replaced in New Zealand by the Ford Laser in May 1981, which was a badge engineered Mazda 323, available in sedan and hatchback forms.
Rest of the world
- Israel
Assembly of the Mk II Escort commenced in August 1975. The Escort was a best-seller in the Israeli market, its best year being 1976, when a total of 3,801 units were assembled. The line-up included 1.1- and 1.3-liter versions. Most were of the four-door variety, and only 150 were built as a 2-door 1.1L. Assembly ended after 12,700 units, in April 1981. No Ford passenger car was since then assembled in Israel.
- South Africa
Escort Mark II shells built in Halewood, England were assembled in Silverton, South Africa from late 1975 until 1980. When originally launched, the Escort Mark II was sold as the 1300 L or as the 1600 GL, with two- or four-door bodywork. Aside from colour-coded hubcaps, most of the equipment differences were only on the inside with the GL being considerably better equipped. The GL also received square headlights, back-up lights, and body-side mouldings. The South African Escort received the 1.3-litre Kent engine with 42 kW (57 PS; 56 hp), while the 1.6 claimed 52 kW (71 PS; 70 hp). Early in 1979 the 1600 sport was launched, featuring a two-door bodyshell, revised gear ratios and a sporty look, using the 1600 motor proving to become a highly popular vehicle to the present day.
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Rallying
As with its predecessor, the Mark II had a successful rallying career. All models of the Mark I were carried over to the Mark II, though the Mexico gained the RS badge and had its engine changed to a 1.6 L OHC Pinto instead of the OHV. A "Sport" model was also produced using the 1.6 L Crossflow. A new model was released, the RS1800, which had a fuel injected 1790 cc Cosworth BDE engine. It was essentially a special created for rallying.
The works rally cars were highly specialised machines. The big innovation was the development of a silicon-fluid coupled central differential creating an auto-torque vectoring All Wheel Drive system (vs. a fixed 4WD). Tim Howard of Ford Dagenham led this development. The basic concept still propels most AWD vehicles today. Bodyshells were, of course, heavily strengthened. They were characterised by the wide wheelarch extensions (pictured right), and often by the fitment of four large spotlights for night stages. The Cosworth BDE engine was replaced with 2.0 L BDG and gave up to 250 bhp (186 kW; 253 PS) with Cosworth-made aluminium block by 1979. It was complemented by a strengthened transmission, five-speed straight-cut ZF gearbox, five-linked suspension and more minor modifications.
The Mark II Escort continued its predecessor's run on the RAC Rally, winning every year from 1975 to 1979 and racing in a variety of other events around the world. In the 1979 season of the World Rally Championship, Björn Waldegård took the drivers' title, Hannu Mikkola was runner-up and Ari Vatanen finished the year in fifth place, all driving Escort RS1800s.
These drivers' successes throughout the year gave Ford the manufacturers' title, the only time the company had achieved this until the 2006 season, when Marcus Grönholm and Mikko Hirvonen won the title for Ford in Ford Focus RS WRC 06. Vatanen won the drivers' title in 1981, again at the wheel of an RS1800. This victory came despite the arrival on the WRC scene of the venerable four-wheel drive Audi Quattro. Ford placed in the top three in the manufacturers' championship for the sixth year in a row.
The 2.0 L RS2000 version, with its distinctively slanted polyurethane nose, and featuring the Pinto engine from the Cortina, was announced in the UK in March 1975 and introduced in Germany in August 1975, being reportedly produced in both countries. It provided a claimed 110 bhp and a top speed of 110 mph (177 km/h). For acceleration to 100 km/h (62.5 mph) a time of just 8.9 seconds was claimed by the manufacturers. The 2.0 L engine was also easily retro-fitted into the Mark I, along with the Ford Sierra's five-speed gearbox, for rallying and other sports.
World Rally Championship - round victories
| No. | Event | Season | Driver | Co-driver | Car |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 24th Lombard RAC Rally | 1975 | Timo Mäkinen | Henry Liddon | Ford Escort RS1800 |
| 2 | 25th Lombard RAC Rally | 1976 | Roger Clark | Stuart Pegg | Ford Escort RS1800 |
| 3 | 25th Safari Rally | 1977 | Björn Waldegård | Hans Thorszelius | Ford Escort RS1800 |
| 4 | 24th Acropolis Rally | 1977 | Björn Waldegård | Hans Thorszelius | Ford Escort RS1800 |
| 5 | 27th 1000 Lakes Rally | 1977 | Kyösti Hämäläinen | Martti Tiukkanen | Ford Escort RS1800 |
| 6 | 26th Lombard RAC Rally | 1977 | Björn Waldegård | Hans Thorszelius | Ford Escort RS1800 |
| 7 | 13th Arctic Rally | 1978 | Ari Vatanen | David Richards | Ford Escort RS1800 |
| 8 | 28th International Swedish Rally | 1978 | Björn Waldegård | Hans Thorszelius | Ford Escort RS1800 |
| 9 | 19th Esso-Lombard Scottish Rally | 1978 | Hannu Mikkola | Arne Hertz | Ford Escort RS1800 |
| 10 | 9th Motogard Rally of New Zealand | 1978 | Russell Brookes | Peter Bryant | Ford Escort RS1800 |
| 11 | 27th Lombard RAC Rally | 1978 | Hannu Mikkola | Arne Hertz | Ford Escort RS1800 |
| 12 | 13º Rallye de Portugal Vinho do Porto | 1979 | Hannu Mikkola | Arne Hertz | Ford Escort RS1800 |
| 13 | 26th Acropolis Rally | 1979 | Björn Waldegård | Hans Thorszelius | Ford Escort RS1800 |
| 14 | 10th Motogard Rally of New Zealand | 1979 | Hannu Mikkola | Arne Hertz | Ford Escort RS1800 |
| 15 | 7ème Critérium Molson du Québec | 1979 | Björn Waldegård | Hans Thorszelius | Ford Escort RS1800 |
| 16 | 28th Lombard RAC Rally | 1979 | Hannu Mikkola | Arne Hertz | Ford Escort RS1800 |
| 17 | 27th Acropolis Rally | 1980 | Ari Vatanen | David Richards | Ford Escort RS1800 |
| 18 | 28th Acropolis Rally | 1981 | Ari Vatanen | David Richards | Ford Escort RS1800 |
| 19 | 3º Marlboro Rallye do Brasil | 1981 | Ari Vatanen | David Richards | Ford Escort RS1800 |
| 20 | 31st 1000 Lakes Rally | 1981 | Ari Vatanen | David Richards | Ford Escort RS1800 |