Ford Escort Mk1 1300E 1973 to 1975

Following the sales success of the Cortina 1600E, Ford tried the same thing with the Escort. Chock-full of options, plus some bespoke touches and colours, this was a luxury Escort. Originally fitted with a 165SR13 size radial, or a 175/70SR13 as an optional upgrade.

In 1968 the Ford Escort Mk1 took over from the Anglia which had been launched in 1959. At first the Escort came only in two-door saloon form with 1098cc or 1298cc engines and a choice of standard, De Luxe, Super and GT trims. For those with deeper pockets there was a Twin-Cam featuring the same running gear as the Cortina Lotus Mk2.

Also introduced in 1968 was an Escort Mk1 van, then in 1969 Ford launched four-door saloon and estate versions of the Escort. In 1970 things got interesting with the launch of the sporty Escort RS1600 and Mexico, the former replacing the Twin-Cam.

Ford mixed things up in 1971 with the launch of the 1300 Sport (a low-spec 1300GT) and Escort Sport (XL interior, GT running gear, RS bodywork). The two-door 1300E debuted in 1973, with 1300 Sport mechanicals and luxury trim, alongside the RS2000, with a 1993cc Pinto engine. In 1974 a four-door 1300E went on sale, but within a year the Escort Mk1 had been replaced by the Escort Mk2.