1978 Ford Escort

The MkII Ford Escort was introduced in January 1974 following the six-year-old Escort Mk1. Using the tried and tested platform in its latest form, the modernized, boxier, but roomy new look included the same range of basic 1100cc/48bhp and 1300cc/57bhp engines plus the 70bhp 1300 Sport and 84bhp 1600 Sport models. Trim was uprated to include the full Ghia top-of-the-range comfort, going down to fleet level standard trim. Ideas of continuing the previously successful RS or Rallye Sport models were on hold initially, but prototypes of new 1800cc BDA and 2000cc Pinto hot Escorts were shown early on and by June 1974 the new RS1800 was on sale. The car was similar in spec to the Mk1 RS1600, being built in very small numbers using a larger BDA 1800cc engine. In January 1976 two new hot Escorts were introduced-the aforementioned 110bhp Pinto-engined 2-litre RS2000 with the new polyurethane slanted nose, and the new RS Mexico which sold 1442 units, which was also Pinto-engined but with 1600cc and 95bhp. The RS2000 did very well with 25,638 units selling over the next 5 years, taking over from the very limited production run of faster BDA-engined RS1800s.

The MkII RS2000 initially cost £2857 and managed 60mph in 8.6 seconds, the quickest Escort yet, with a very respectable standing 1/4 mile of 16.7 seconds and a top speed of 109mph. It weighed in at 2075lbs, the heaviest sporting Escort to date. All models had the 4-speed gearbox.

The lesser RS Mexico (1976-78) initially cost £2444, but was not nearly as quick at 11.1 seconds to 60mph, 106mph and the standing 1/4 mile at 17.8 seconds. Non-sport model names started with the Popular, then L and GL versions, finishing with the top comfort model, the Ghia, in 2- and 4-door forms, aimed at the so-far-untapped small car luxury market.

By 1978 the L models gained the square lamps that GL and Ghia models already had, and all had a wider front axle track. For 1979 and 1980 three special editions were built: the Goldcrest, Harrier and Linnet. MkII Escort production finished in the UK in August 1980.

The MkII had a fantastic rally career, winning the Lombard RAC Rally every year from 1975 to 1979, and also competed all round the world. 1979 was a key year with Bjorn Waldegard winning the drivers title, Hannu Mikkola placing second and Ari Vatanen finishing in fifth place, all driving an Escort RS1800. Ford took the manufacturers’ title as a result—2006 being the next time Ford took this title.

In all, 960,007 MkII Escorts were built in the UK in saloon, estate and panel van forms at Halewood from 1974 to 1980.

Plenty of specialist company websites advertise MkI and MkII Escort standard and modified parts, including one company who originally supplied works body parts to Ford in period. Clubs in abundance provide for each Escort model, including the Ford Owners Club, The Ford RS Owners Club, Blue Oval Club, and many others, including regional clubs and monthly meetings. Specialist Ford Escort national magazines are available at the newsagent and the annual Classic Ford Show in the summer is the UK's premier classic Ford event.

Rear wheel drive, standard models provide a true classic experience before front wheel drive became mostly universal, and the RS models provide a fast, gritty, and raw experience quite unlike the more refined Escorts last made in 2000.