Closing date July issue -> May 19
Ford Escort Mk3: a new era
In 1980, Ford introduced the third generation of the successful Ford Escort. This new version was designed completely differently in almost every respect from its first and second generation predecessors. The design was strikingly modern for the time, with a hatchback shape, sharp lines and front-wheel drive. This model was so innovative that it was awarded Car of the Year in 1981. It has now been almost forty-five years since the Ford Escort Mk3 made its debut, which means that this iconic car has been around for quite some time.
The Ford Escort as a world car
De Ford Escort became a global model for Ford. Production took place in Germany, England and Spain, but the car was also built and sold in North America, albeit with a different appearance and different technology, under the names Escort and Mercury Lynx. In Brazil the car was produced with engines based on Renault technology, but the appearance was very similar to that of the European versions. Project Erika, such as the development process of the Ford Escort was mentioned, turned out to be a great success. The new Escort quickly became a much sought after product in Europe.
Variations and engines of the Ford Escort Mk3
Ford offered several trim levels, using several new OHC engines with hemispherical combustion chambers. These engines had a cylinder capacity of 1100 cc, 1300 cc and 1600 cc respectively. Several body styles were available, including three-door, five-door, station wagon and van.
Later the Orion was introduced, a four-door sedan based on the Ford Escort. A 1.6 diesel variant, completely in line with the trends of the time, was also added to the range. Equipment levels ranged from the Custom and L to the popular Laser and Bravo versions (both based on the L), as well as the more luxurious GL and Ghia. The 1.6 engine later received KE-Jetronic injection, and the 1.1 CVH was adapted into an engine with low compression and a power of 50 DIN-PK.
The sporty side of the Ford Escort: XR3 and beyond
The sporty variant of the Ford Escort, the XR3, was known as a real fun package. Unlike, for example, the Volkswagen Golf GTI, which was equipped with an injection engine, the 1.6 engine of the XR3 initially received a double Weber carburetor and a modified camshaft.
For the 1983 model year, the XR3 was equipped with Bosch injection, resulting in the XR3i. In addition, the 1600 RS remained available. A sporty variant that was well received, just like the RS Turbo and the later introduced convertible version. Ford also experimented with the Ford Escort Mk3 in the emerging Group B of the WRC rally circuit, by developing an RS 1700 Turbo Prototype. However, this project remained stuck in the testing phase, after which Ford eventually introduced the RS200 in Group B.
Personal memories of the Ford Escort Mk3
I myself had a special bond with the Ford Escort Mk3. During my early teens I built a model of the XR3 in scale 1:24 from Revell. My parents bought a brand new Escort Bravo in November 1982, equipped with the proven 1.1 OHV engine. Although Ford also supplied the 1117 cc engine with an overhead camshaft, they opted for the older, more economical Valencia OHV with 55 DIN HP. The Bravo version, which was delivered in the Netherlands until 1984, had an economy package with a 3 + E gearbox and economy indicator lights.
Buyers of the Bravo were extra pampered with amenities. Below that, decorative moldings around the side windows. Headrests with removable cushions. A radio with push buttons. Strips to protect the flanks. A right exterior mirror and a clock.
The Ford Escort: a favorite, despite shortcomings
I was a big fan of ours Ford Escort and took very good care of the car. The beautiful metallic Arctic Blue came into its own thanks to my regular washings. In my experience, the Escort was also spacious and comfortable. Although I considered the car new for almost a year and a half, my father noticed a lack of power, especially in a headwind. He compared the performance of the Ford Escort even with that of a 2CV4. Although my parents were happy with the Ford, they admitted that a 1.3 or even a 1.6 would have been a better choice. To me it didn't matter because our Ford Escort was bought new and I loved it.
Exchanged for a diesel
When my father got a new job 110 kilometers from home, the petrol version of the Ford Escort no longer practical. A diesel or gas car became necessary, and my father longed for a more powerful engine. Even though we only had the Escort for a short time, it had to be replaced for economic reasons. This was difficult for me because I had become attached to the car.
A lasting sympathy
The search for a replacement took a long time, but we eventually found an immaculate Golf C Diesel (1.6) from 1981 at Huitema in Emmeloord. After a short test drive, my mother decided the Golf was the right choice, and so began a five-year adventure with a car that ended up being one of the best my parents ever owned. Although I became a fan of the Golf, I still felt sadness when saying goodbye to the Ford Escort, who had been with us for less than a year and a half. Yet I always had a soft spot for the third generation Ford Escort, which remained in production until 1986.
Nice cart, Ford's 1st model in this class with front wheel drive. The 1.1CVH (combustion valve head) never existed, but: 1.3, 1.4, 1.6 and 1.8 (in the Sierra). The RS1600 or RSI was the exotic, followed by the RS turbo. Timing belt issues had to do with: the angle the belt made (kink) near the tension roller. Modifications have been made to this, as well as the drive of the water pump which overloaded the belt. When broken, a few valves were always bent or worse. The RSI had mechanical valve tappets. The XR3 had a double Weber. Other CVHs had either the Ford-VV carb or K- or KE jetronic injection. Later seq.injection. These Escorts were famous for their handling.
I've had three; first a blue 1,3L in 1982. I first had a Fiesta, which I also liked, but the Escort was clearly a step higher. The car drove great, but it did have problems: the automatic choke was a problem and the car was difficult to start in the winter. I still remember a ten-minute tow session in a cold Winterberg. Only then did he catch on. And there was indeed a distribution problem. I had not even returned from Corsica a week when the belt broke. Just outside the warranty of course. The whole disaster scenario, with broken valves, etc., came true. I got half of the damage back when I traded this car for a white 1,3 with five gears. This has been problem-free, but because I wanted more power, I exchanged it after two years for a 1,6L with 90 hp. And that was a lot for a car weighing 850kg. It was truly a cracker, especially for that time. I drove this car with great pleasure for five years. I thought the next new Escort model was ugly and I wanted something bigger and switched to the Nissan Primera, which had just been released at the time.
Yet I have always followed the Escorts, even when it became a Focus, but it never happened again.
An 83er 1.6 (90 hp) was my first car, bought somewhere in 1997 for 800 guilders. I really enjoyed that thing and even drove the police away with it once. After 2 years it was rotten and I could no longer get an MOT on it. Then I switched to rear-wheel drive to this day, with a parallel front wheel scraper as a 2nd car.
I had an XR3 myself and even towed our caravan with it, nice car and fast.
Approx. 40 years ago, a young used car with a 3+e gearbox was the “shopping car” at my work for a short time. What a horrible place that was. The only nice thing about it was driving the sport with both consumption indicator lights (orange and red) on at the same time as much as possible. By the way, you still didn't have any performance. I was surprised that the engine did not fail at that time, while carburetors often broke off spontaneously on many Fords at that time... The Escort was soon replaced by the VW Jetta 1.8. Although I am absolutely not a VW fan, this was a relief and I enjoyed going shopping again.
Surely there was a construction error with this model, which could cause the timing belt to break after only 30.000 km? With all its consequences…
In the mid-80s, a colleague drove a silver-gray diesel. Nice car to look at, but the thing made noise and vibrated like a tractor. It could of course be that this was due to the nicest specimen.
I had my first driving lessons in this model escort, I found it wonderful to drive and easy to handle
A 3 Ford Escort XR1982 was my 2nd car at the time. In the same color as the one in the photo. I had a lot of fun with it for five years. A joy to drive. Although he was quite greedy... but that didn't bother me. The driving pleasure exceeded everything.
I still regret not keeping it.