How Does It Drive?

Ford’s proven talent for building sharp-handling cars found its perfect expression in the Escort, and even the base models drive brilliantly. Rack and pinion steering means sharp, faithful reactions to inputs while the gutsy Crossflow engines deliver strong performance across the board. A slick gearchange and perfectly balanced handling add to the delight, while on modern roads the compact size and excellent visibility make it easy to exploit. This all gets better the more power you add into the mix of course, the Mexicos with their 1.6-litre engines the first rung on the hot Escort ladder that stretches all the way to wide-bodied Twin Cam and RS models. The fact that with a few upgrades these are still competing successfully at the frontline of modern club rallying tells you all you need to know about how fundamentally sorted the Escort’s handling is.

What’s Good?

With its curved flanks and distinctive dog-bone front grille the Mk1 Escort is a more attractive shape than its squared off 70s Mk2 successor, and has a timeless simplicity that still looks good. Launched as a two-door an estate (also two-door, curiously) and a four-door saloon soon followed and opened up the Escort to a wider audience, these cars an option if you want to opt out of the rally rep rat race that consumes the rest of the market. Any Escort is a practical car to run, though, and something you can share with the family should you wish. Mechanical simplicity and parts availability also add to the appeal, the proven engines and other bits both dependable and easy to work on for the DIY mechanic. And if you do fancy a more exciting driving experience the world is your oyster, the options for restoring (or even building from scratch) your ultimate hot Escort supported by a huge network of enthusiasts and specialists.

What’s Bad?

It’s a car designed in the 60s and built (most likely) in the 70s, so inevitably rust is going to be a major factor in deciding whether or not the Escort you’re looking at is a viable purchase or project. It could be worse on the basis body panels are widely available, up to and including brand-new shells for two-door race or rally projects, so with the necessary time, money and inclination corrosion can be fixed. But it won’t be cheap. Thankfully the mechanical bits are generally tough and reliable but interior and exterior trim parts can be very hard to source, especially brightwork, bumpers and other components.

Sky high values for original Twin Cam, RS and Mexico models are a blessing and a curse as well, and mean there are plenty of standard cars dressed up to look the part but not necessarily what they claim to be. Fine if you know what you’re buying and put usability before provenance but before putting big money down on a supposedly matching numbers investment classic make absolutely sure you’re not being hoodwinked.

Which Model To Choose?

In the clamour to bag the ultimate rally rep Escort there’s a danger the ‘civilian’ versions get forgotten but the four-doors and estates offer much of the same driving pleasure in a more affordable and practical package. Lesser known models like the 1300GT or Sport may also offer a more accessible entry into the Escort world, though these too are sought-after and originals will command a premium. Given original Twin Cam, RS and even Mexicos are now in the realms of big-ticket classics what does that leave? If you have the liquidity to invest in one you know to be original it’s likely a safe place to put your money. Or you could buy a project to restore and ‘build your own’ homage to your chosen favourite. There is another option, though. If you’re after one to drive and enjoy to the full Welsh specialists Motorsport Tools can do you a bespoke, new-build restomod Mk1 to the spec of your choosing for the price of a new BMW M3. Which is tempting…

Specifications

1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol

86PS (63kW) @ 5,500rpm

125Nm (92lb ft) @4,000rpm

Four-speed manual, rear-wheel drive

900kg

12 seconds

103mph

1968-1974