The Ford Escort MkI was launched in January 1968 and the Van version followed in April using all new panel work except for the rear doors which were carried over from the Anglia-based vans. A lowly 1298cc 'Kent' crossflow engine provided the power for the 6cwt and 8cwt versions. In 1975 the MkII Escort was launched, and although it looked to be a new body, in fact it was not much more than a re-skin of the MkI, and this became clear with the Estate and Van versions which used the same panelwork and doors as the MkI with only the metal in front of the windscreen changing for the MkII. The MkII was known as the Escort 45 and carried on with the same 1298cc engine.