Simon Cars - Ford Escort 2

Ford Escort 1975 - 1980

In 1975 Ford unwrapped the Escort Mk2, a car developed jointly by Ford of Britain and Ford of Germany under codename 'Brenda'. To a large extent the new Escort was simply a re-skin of the Mk1 model, sitting on a revised floorpan, with the same engines and running gear. In fact, only the 2-door and 4-door models got all new panels as the estate models and the vans retained all the panels aft of the windscreen from the Escort Mk1. The Hot Escorts had changed specifications, so that the Mexico was badged 'RS Mexico' and given a new 1,593cc Pinto engine. The Twin Cam was replaced by an 1,833cc Cosworth-engined RS1800, which confusingly could be bored out to 1,993cc for the Cosworth BDG version.. A new RS2000 model was launched with a 110 bhp 2-litre Pinto engine and fitted with a distinctive droop snoot nose. Production ended in 1980 when it was replaced by the front wheel drive Escort Mk3.

Ford Escort 1977 1300 L 2-door - badge on bootlid.

Ford Escort 1978 RS2000. Badge on bootlid.

Ford Escort 1980 1.3 L - badge on bootlid

Ford Escort 1980 1.3 L - badge on bootlid

Ford Escort 1979 RS2000. The RS2000 is distinguished by its polyurethane droop snoot. Flat front RS2000 cars do exist but are likely to be conversions because the flat front was easier to maintain in competition. This is an RS2000 Custom with fishnet seats and a sunroof. A more basic RS2000 was also sold intended for competition.

Ford Escort 1977 1.3 L 2-door. Until 1978 MkII Escorts all carried round headlamps except for the GL and the Ghia versions

Ford Escort 1977 1-3L. Until 1978 the L models had the same round headlights of the lesser versions, but were later given square headlamps

Ford Escort 1977 1300 L. The MkII Escort was introduced in 1975 to replace the MkI. Underneath the MkII was not much changed from the MkI, and indeed the Estate and Van versions of the MkII carried the same panels from the windscreen rearwards. The 1098cc and 1298cc engines carried over, but later there was a 1598cc option and a number of competition variants.

Ford Escort 1977 RS 1800 MkII, once driven by Ari Vatanen

Ford Escort 1978 1600 Ghia. Square headlamps had always been given to the top trim Ghia models. A 1,598cc engine powered this Ghia 4-door

Ford Escort 1978 RS2000. Powered by 1,993cc 108bhp engine. The 'droop snoot' nose added 7-inches to the length.

Ford Escort 1979 1300 L Estate. MkII Estate and Van models only got new panel work in front of the bulkhead, and retained the sheet metal from the MkI Escort for the rest.

Ford Escort 1980 1.3 L. The 4-door Mk2 looked bigger than the Mk1 version, and in the 'L' guise it was given chrome trim

Ford Escort 1980 1.3 L 4-door. Looking like a bigger car than the Mk1 Escort, in fact the MkII had the same wheelbase and overall length.

Ford Escort 1980 1.3L. The Ford Escort MkII was launched in January 1975 with 1098cc, 1298cc and 1598cc 'Kent' crossflow engines.

Ford Escort 1980 Linnet 4-door. Based on the 1300 Popular Plus this has many dealer-added extras including spotlamps, vinyl roof and stripes.

Ford Escort 1980 Linnet 4-door. The 'Linnet' model was a run out version based on the humble Popular Plus (hence the black badges and window trim), and given add-on stripes and vinyl roof.

Ford Escort 1980 RS2000. The RS2000 had a boot spoiler, black panel and alloyt wheels as standard

Ford Escort 45 Van. The MkII Escort Vans were given new Escort MkII bonnets, grilles and front wings, but kept the doors and main panelling from the MkI

Ford Escort Index British Cars Simon Cars

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