Why did Ford’s unstoppable Escort stumble in 1990?

Ford of Europe could do no wrong in the 1960s and 70s. And the Escort quite possibly turned out to be their crowning achievement. While many think of the Mini as a car that got Britain moving, the Mini only sold 5M cars worldwide over its entire life. The Escort sold almost 5 times that amount in a shorter period of time.
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[@duckpuddles]

When I was 20 in 1973 I bought one of the last RS bodyshells that Ford AVO were selling off in grey primer for about £270. All strengthened and with flared front wheel arches. At the same time the local scrapyard had a Gilbern Invader that had caught fire and looked a blackened heap of burnt glass fibre mess. Under the mess was a three litre V6 and a Capri 3 litre gearbox with Laycock electric overdrive, I took a gamble and bought the engine and gearbox for £25. Luckily the fire had not distorted alloy castings and only damaged easily replaceable seals and wiring. Cortina Estate rear axle with 3.09 ratio gave a 28mph/1000 rpm top overdrive and filled the rear large wheel arches without the need for wheel spacers, RS front brakes, 3 litre radiator. Stage 2 heads and Piper cam, never overtaken by anything. I had ten years of pure joy!

[@rickydub6950]

Sounds awesome. Is it still alive? 👍

[@duckpuddles]

@@rickydub6950 Sort of alive. The shell which had a full roll cage ( one of the conditions my father put on allowing me to build it) eventually rusted and I took out the drive train, suspension and brakes and put them all in a Dutton Phaeton kit car which is still alive. The body shell alas went to a Skegness grass track racer, not one of my wisest decisions!

[@rickydub6950]

@@duckpuddles at least its heart lives on 😁

[@yuglesstube]

Great tale!

[@jnyerere]

I love the history. Perception is everything. Growing up in the U.S. and coming of age in the early 2000s, the common sentiment of the Ford Escort at the time was that it was a "discount car." A second-hand car that never cost more than a $1000 to buy. I had no idea how huge the Escort was outside the U.S. until now. What a fascinating story.

[@BuzzLOLOL]

The early USA Ford Escorts had the front wheels held on by the leaf spring suspension spring. When that spring broke, the front wheels came off. Very 'inconvenient'/dangerous! The water pumps tied up at only 25K miles. In a further bad design, the water pump was driven by the timing/camshaft belt instead of conventionally by the fan belt. So the tied up water pump broke the timing belt and the camshaft stopped spinning while crankshaft was still spinning. In still further bad design, this was a 'crash' 'interference' engine wherein when camshaft stops the pistons crash into open valves destroying the engine internally and creating a very expensive repair! Escorts left a very bad taste in the mouths of thousands of Americans!

[@A-FrameWedge]

Never cost more than a $1000.00? I don’t think so, I have come of age way before you and know that Escorts could be found for a $1000.00 or less but they were probably barely drivable. I seem to remember that I sold my Escort for $6500.00 in 2005 it was secondhand.

[@clintfalk]

@@A-FrameWedge A colleague of of mine bought an early 90's US Escort - secondhand - for $600, but it was missing the grill and bumper! He had to fix up a lot, but he thought he got a deal.

[@Sinsteel]

Those aren't real Escorts. They're just other cars badged as Escorts, I looked them up. Companies love to do this in the American market (all markets really).

[@braddietzmusic2429]

A truly masterful telling of a long and episodic tale of the Escort story. I truly don’t think it could be done better. Quite an accomplishment.

[@zucods]

Brazilian here. The autolatina era Escorts (mk4 and mk5) were still available along with the VW siblings, but with VW 1.8 and 2.0 engines, known as AP1800 and AP2000. They also had the 1.6 from Renault, known as CHT, and also de 1.0 from the Hobby. We also got the mk6, known as 'Sapão' (big frog). Welcome to the brazilian car rabbit hole! Subscribed! Cheers!

[@nyleen]

I loved Mrs Big Car's surprise appearance. These mini-docs are getting better and better each time!

[@ianwalton4408]

i loved the cotton ball fight :)

[@voice.of.reason]

I think we need more of Mrs Big Car

[@ricgal50]

Mrs. Big Car surely was a surprise appearance. 😀 Not what I expected. Quite a lovely person.

[@BigCar2]

Errata: * The consensus is the mk1 Escort Ghia didn't have air conditioning. * The mk2 Twin Cam was 1.6, not 1.3. * South African Escort production ended in 1987.

[@robsterbob580]

Must be a nightmare to go through all the data for all the different model variations to research the information for the video and still get every detail correct. I think you do a fantastic job on these videos, this is one of your best! People will always be quick to point out errors, but please keep doing what you do. Great to see Mrs Big Car too. I'm with her on the Mk5 Escort, I had Mk2s and later I had a 1992 Mk5 1.6LX and I actually really liked it! How about The Talbot Matra Rancho story?

[@residentelect]

Absolutely superb documentary, would expect nothing less! Kept me engrossed (and thanks to gags such as the "Ford Exploder") also amused 🤣 I still remember the day my uncle pulled up outside our house in his classically coloured red and black Mk III XR3i, complete with gleaming clover leaf alloys and twin circular spots... He worked for Crystal Ford in Hull at the time, and during the 80s and 90s he leased so, so many of the classic performance Fords of that Era. Certainly got the 10 year old me far more excited than Dad's Volvo 440! Nowadays I appreciate each equally for their respective invitations, but it was the Escort which I'd obsess over, until I discovered the Lotus Carlton 😏 Keep up the great work my friend!! 👏🇬🇧

[@BigCar2]

@@robsterbob580 I kick myself about getting bits wrong, and do try my best, but without someone else fact checking it's hard. But fact checking would take a LONG time! The Matra Ranco was a fun looking car. Maybe!

[@j.chiari4222]

@@BigCar2 maybe you're being too hard on yourself. On the other hand, could we have more brummie accent and Mrs. BigCar

[@BigCar2]

@@j.chiari4222 My Brummie accent has long since disappeared to I don't know where. And if I try one, it's just fake.

[@joeottsoulbikes415]

In 1991 I had an 85 Mustang GT with the 302 HO and 5 speed trans in Red. My roommate had an 86 Escort GT with the turbo four cylender and 5 speed trans in Black. They both had basicly the exact same options and interior. Other than his escort being slightly narrower you could not tell the differences inside them. My roomate had replaced his wheels with larger diameter wheels from an 89 Mustang GT. When parked side by side at a car show once his Escort got a lot more attention. We asked a few people why they liked the smaller car more. The answers were all the same. They were interested in a car easier to park and with better fuel milage. Plus the Escort was only slighter slower and since most people are just using it for transportation and occasional fun drive in the country the speed didnt matter. No one was racing so the Escort was fine.

[@philking7805]

The reason for the massive weight gains in the later models was primarily side impact protection. The Escort wasn't alone in this - when the Mondeo replaced the Sierra Ford seriously thought about making certain panels from fibreglass or composites to pare the weight down. The Mondeo suffered in fleets due to high refurbishment costs at end of life, due to its propensity to pick up dents because of the thin panels.

[@ThunderChunky101]

A million panel beaters employed because of side impact bars.

[@tonydoggett7627]

I take it you never changed a clutch in one. Cast iron bell housing & gearbox. And the head was cast iron as well.

[@soundseeker63]

The mk1 mondeo also had bumpers that seemed to be made of glass and would break up into shards with even very minor knocks. Plus the rust proofing was not great. It's no wonder they would start to look tatty so quickly.

[@JohnDoe-vx3z]

I always thought "escort service" had something to do with bringing your Ford to the dealership every 15.000km ;-)

[@iedco4]

And I thought Screwfix was a dating app ! 🤣

[@BigEightiesNewWave]

I thought of Pretty Woman/Richard Gere/Julia Roberts.

[@jamesreynolds2867]

@@iedco4 I thought Snap on Tools were something you bought in a sex shop.

[@iedco4]

@@jamesreynolds2867 😆😆

[@josiah6794]

"I'm going for a ride inside the escort!"

[@andyq9669]

Bring back the dog bone grille; Ford's best ever styling motif

[@andreirachko]

Not the best in my opinion, but one of the best for sure. I would also like to see it back in some form.

[@fivish]

Bring back the sealed beam round headlight which fitted just about every car.

[@EggBastion]

yeah agreed. the stupidly named and impossible to google _'Honda 'e'_ just ain't doin it for me. too little and too damn late. although I guess some of those charger reboots look alright.

[@robink.9459]

I discovered your channel this very night and binged almost all of your videos by now. i am deeply impressed about the in depth information you provide along with all the historic footage! Absolutely fantastic! Greetings from Cologne, where Ford automobiles are built for almost 90 years :)

[@BigCar2]

Glad you like them Robin!

[@adrianmortimer3369]

Fabulous history lesson and Mrs Big Car is a joy to watch.

[@-DC-]

Always loved the MK1 escort such a great little package full of character and superb styling. Great content 👍.

[@leodooley7572]

Brilliant edition, for subject and the banter with Mrs Big Car.

[@pongespob]

The Model T numbers are phenomenal given the era, population and number of drivers. I'm sure it's the all time champion if you go by percentage of the population who owned one.

[@Bialy_1]

"The Model T numbers are phenomenal given the era" it was era of Ford monopol for mass production of cars so why its suprising that plenty of them were made and sold as it was also the cheapest car of that time? WV Beetle are in this topic much more impresive and "With 21,529,464 produced, the Beetle is the longest-running and most-manufactured car of a single platform ever made.".

[@maxflight777]

Compelling accuracy in your commentary. I’m pretty knowledgeable about certain aspects of the industry and I totally support your presentation! Well researched and utterly enjoyable! Can’t thank you enough.

[@fyiaustralia9686]

You researched this really well. Great to see you covered the models in Australia too, not just a UK history!

[@marshmallowpuff4899]

The Mark 1 makes me teary eyed 😭 It was a true classic .

[@theyellowlightsaber3193]

The dog bone grate was ugly though, Im glad that got changed by the late 70s.

[@vaclav_fejt]

My nan has one...as a 1:50 toy car. Full metal, with plastic glass and interior. Probably from the time when my dad and uncle were still boys. Although she never bothered to read its name on the floor, she maintains it's a Zhiguli (a.k.a. VAZ Lada). I love that dog bone grille...

[@theyellowlightsaber3193]

@@vaclav_fejt My parents had a late 70s ghia so the dog bone grill looks inferior to the straight one really on the mark 2.

[@Treviscoe]

It certainly was. If you can get hold of a Mark 1 Twin Cam now (with the Lotus engine) they're worth serious money, £20,000+.

[@trelolog1]

Mark 2 brings back memories.Our family car driven from my dad,also the very first car I drove....lots of love from Greece to this Escort series

[@toineleuverink9905]

You're doing a fantastic job! Thank you so much for producing valuable content like this...Respect.

[@philipjooste9075]

(11:12) Small correction there if you don't mind BG - Escort production did not end in South Africa in 1980. The locally assembled 3rd generation (with locally manufactured 1.3 & 1.6 L engines) was sold up until about 1987 until replaced by the Mazda-based Lazer.

[@BigCar2]

Thanks for the correction!

[@AJC508]

Lovely to see Mrs. BC. Would love for her to become a regular fixture: it's obvious you are great friends and she seems to have a great sens of humour. Particularly when ribbing you :) On a side note, my aunt had an 87 (?) xr3 convertible in white. She loved racing the 'wide boys' from the lights (or so she used to say). Sign of the times, eh.

[@bobsradio6025]

Is Mrs. "BC" from Rome, or Grease" I didn't know that people from back then knew how to time travel.

[@neilsmith9220]

I owned a few Escorts in the UK during the 80s and 90s so really enjoyed this excellent, highly informative and expertly presented episode. This is one of the best channels on KZbin, full stop. It was great to see Mrs Big Car making an appearance and I loved her sense of fun. So nice to see such a happy couple. Best wishes to you both and please keep doing what you do so very well.

[@Clay3613]

Why the need to own so many? Did dealers push you to upgrade?

[@philbrownleader5419]

Class A production and well spoken and informative, thank you for a fine youtube view.

[@dandandan389]

Brilliant cameo from Mrs. Big Car!

[@steved3702]

The cotton wool balls won me over. :-)

[@paulsydenham7853]

Need to see more Mrs Big Car.!

[@jfilm7466]

Barry from auf wiedersehen pet introduced me to the Brummy accent, even though he was from Battersea.

[@jfilm7466]

The Escort and 911 were my favourite Scalextric cars.

[@matthew4694]

...and Ronnie Corbett!

[@jimd385]

So much effort and detail in these mini-documentaries, very impressive, I’m subscribed now. Excellent work. ......I always wanted an Escort, specifically the mk3, but it went out of production by the time I had learned to drive. My brother had a mk5 RS 2000, a very nice car in its time. It would be another 15 years before I could get a Focus ST...........(The missus seems lovely, but there’s a pristine mk4 still being driven around where I live, it is beige though!)

[@FirstOnRaceDayCapri2904]

The Mk5 RS 2000 would have deserved a mention, the only really good Mk5 Escort aside from the Cosworth.

[@charlesharper2357]

Never buy a car named after a prostitute...

[@davecutting9533]

@@charlesharper2357 xh0itickctjiojijkv0 ot6ki9jokbjj jicjjit9th0tj to ocgjij6oji0tjtjthttjcjititctjhtjj0tc c. Tcotg0cd jocktbj0kit jioctojjih j0 jtktjhi tji ki

[@davecutting9533]

@@charlesharper2357 io otioji ttio ji9ccffct j9to titjbi0tjhctcttjhtgjcc0vti jdcj0ttototoc0cjbj kitjicthitbvgjvi9 j0k fji

[@steinbauge4591]

@@charlesharper2357 Funny but rubbish comment as it is one of the most successful designs ever.

[@darkredvan]

The Escort was very popular in Germany too. I remember well many of my slightly older friends nearly all went for Escorts as their first or second car. It was very well received, a quite modern and reliable car. BTW the Orion never sold well at all.

[@oddities-whatnot]

The Orion was an awkward looking car, as if the boot was an afterthought. In the UK most people buy hatchbacks, or at least they used to before the obsession with ridiculous crossovers that don’t do anything different to a normal hatchback, but its trendy to be seen in one. I also think the Audi A3 looks awful in saloon format.

[@banielal]

Such a professional approach to the data, the narration itself, but then your special one comes along and that's it. Very nice videos.

[@Atomicbri]

Yassss, loved you introducing Mrs. Big Car!! She seems fun! Again loved your Escort story! Love all your videos. Thanks again! : ) I had an old school mate that won a Ford Escort from a contest drawing. He drove it til the wheels fell off.

[@MrMichaelConstantine]

This is an extremely well thought out video which must of taken so much time to gather the information. I'm so grateful for the effort you put in to produce these videos. Also try and include Mrs. Bc in more videos, she is lovely.

[@lobsterwhisperer7932]

Fantastic in-depth video, love your work.

[@lightning1975]

I love this channel! Whilst not actually a car enthusiast, I really love the detail and history in these excellently produced episodes! I’ve subscribed! 👍

[@ksb692]

Brilliant as usual. I've been looking forward to this. My first car was a Ford Escort, mark 3, way back in 1983. Thank you. Superb video.

[@bradleybprentice1497]

Great historical review of the Escort. Well done. I appreciate the details of many things I did not know. Nice to see that Mrs BC shares the passion. Without doubt the Escort was a global success and still is. I consider myself a car guy but have never even driven an Escort or desired to drive one - until now. My car exposure has been in Canada, Singapore and Australia where I believe many more competitive cars are available. Thanks again. I watch your channel regularly and will continue to do so.

[@tarkanseleker]

Thank you for this informative video. My dad had the 1971 German version, and my most memorable memory was his accident. My dad hit a BMW 2002 from behind and the damage to the BMW rendered the vehicle unusable while the Ford Escort had only a slight deflection in the bumper. This proved how robust this vehicle was. The good old days...!

[@paperchain1239]

My late stepfather had one in the early Seventies. I can almost remember the number plate. Fond memories.

[@MonaichFother]

Ford memories.

[@fr4nn4]

Another excellent video, well done - really love the story telling and visuals from the archives! For the record the Mk3 was sold in South Africa up until 1986 and was replaced by the Mazda based Ford Laser. We also had a pick-up variant of Mk3 called the Bantam - it received the Mk4 nose in 1986 and was also sold as the Mazda Rustler until 1993 (very popular). Mk6 was introduced in 1996 and replaced by Focus. Just a little SADM FYI :)

[@bobsmudger3979]

As always a superb upload; informative interesting and still capable of enlightening an auld car nut like myself 👍

[@memeagain4106]

i use to work as a mechanic in the 90s, for a Ford dealership.. ive worked on all those cars,... i remember using the fds2000 software for the engine management sytem... great video,.. thanks

[@derrickbwonya3194]

My grandfather owned an Escort. Thank you for the History lesson.

[@jamesmccarthy7228]

Really enjoyed your review of this iconic car. My Father was always a Ford man, so your review's are a joy to watch. Funny enough, he never owned a set of key's to an Escort. That privelage belonged to my sister. Keep up the good work. Fantastic entertainment !!!

[@joshbacon8241]

My parents used to have a 1981 (X-reg) Escort as their first car...

[@MegaWayneD]

Back in 1999 I bought a 1988 Mk4 Escort 1.3 Popular for £200 and got about three years out of it! Being so impressed, I replaced it with a 1991 Mk5 Escort 1.4 estate and.... I've never owned a Ford since then.

[@RonJohn63]

7:15 The perfect reason to love 1970.

[@johncoops6897]

I had to rewind and watch it again. I initially thought it was a bit "raunchy" that the panties were showing... ... but alas it was just the rear hem of the skirt LOL

[@BigEightiesNewWave]

Yes !

[@Timico1000]

Your videos keep getting better and better! :)

[@stockholm1752]

The Ford “Exploder”. 👏😆 @4:34 Ronnie Corbett! RIP.

[@bobsradio6025]

I remember referring to the Explorer as the Exploder when it first came out because of the BadYear tires that they put on them.

[@beernpizzalover9035]

When he first said that at 0:44 I thought it was a jab at the Ford Pinto!

[@zacksung11]

No, they were actually Firestone tyres, not Goodyear. Quite a scandal back in the 90s.

[@mikeburton7077]

As a service engineer we used Anglia vans ,then im 1968 we had the first Escort vans in Northants,these were a revelation as they were unbreakable, often max loaded with tools an spares, in 1971 as senior engineer I had a new 1.3 saloon xl and this vehicle saved my life on a motorway crash when a lorry came through the central reservation at Dunstable, we hit the frontispiece area went over the top ,turned a car into a fastback when it came down, engineunder my feet ,got thrown out and only scratches, 11pm and pouring, a really great car written off ,only 3 months old

[@glennpowell3444]

The mk 1 escort was everything in its day. Period. Great video thank you.!

[@lfcmarkeb7124]

I used to make the brake calipers for the escort and others and the product line name for the escort calipers was Erika. now I know why lol

[@philliplyn2692]

Loving this one thanks for sharing very information blessed love to all knowledge is power hopefully everyone pays attention keep up the good work 🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿🇯🇲🇯🇲🇯🇲

[@markhawthorne7014]

Credit to you for making such a wonderful informative video. I think my whole family have been bread on fords, mainly escorts My Grandad had a brown 1970 k reg, my father had escorts, cortinas and anglia. This wonderful car I sat in as a child, learnt to Drive, spent mis spent youth customising with the crappy add ons in the 1980”s .. cringe... right up until adulthood . Amazing vehicle and such an ingrained part of the U.K. life. Great video and so much research. Wow 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@peterjones596]

More appearances from Mrs Big Car! What a lovely voice she has, too, ear massage! Great show, as always.

[@FantomLightning]

It should be illegal for two people in one house to both have such beautiful voices.

[@VoceCorale]

I thought the same thing. Very very nice voice.

[@mikaxms]

The sales numbers at the start are kinda misleading, because you're comparing models to decade spanning series.

[@carlpeters8690]

Not only that: the "F series" is a huge category all by itself - not a single vehicle. Not even looking at the older versions - we can see that there's a HUGE difference between the current F-150 & F-750 - and yet they're both "F-series".

[@nielsdebakker3283]

@@carlpeters8690 And since when are F-trucks classified as cars? None of them have a car body available (model t has)

[@usernamechris2525252]

Hi from Canada again... THANK YOU FOR INTRODUCING MRS BIG CAR... you guys are awesome together!!! 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@caprise-music6722]

My dad had a 1990 Escort. I was with him when he bought it new at the car dealer. I learned to drive in that car also. I loved it. Love the way it looks, and it was very good to drive. The Escort in general is easily one of my favorite cars of all time.

[@1258-Eckhart]

So actually, there were two Escort lines, the first from 1968, the second from 1980: The name Escort is therefore a marketing slot, not a car model.

[@ryanstephen7806]

Very informative, appreciate your effort! Incidentally, Ford used the 1997 Escort as their entry car for the Indian market.

[@alexandrecouture2462]

Great video! I remember my parents had pretty much all Mazda 323-based Escorts in Canada. A 91, 93, 94, 1997 and 99 ZX2.

[@paulnicholls331]

Great to watch this. I started working in the Halewood factory in 1967 and was involved with the Escort and Focus for many years. They were both good quality and good selling cars. The escort pop plus had carpets as apposed to rubber mats. Many a pop was fitted with carpets by mistake. But it was so difficult to take the carpet out after seats and Windcord fitting they were sold at no extra cost for customers advantage. A chat up line at the time used by the lads when out looking for a lady. Was " I am from ford can I give you an escort". Ha Ha.

[@Alibm80]

Really liked the Ford Escort as a kid and still do!

[@sputumtube]

My second ever car (after a 1966 Beetle) was a Mk1 Escort. I was 18 at the time and although the 1100cc engine was slow, it didn't matter and I loved it. It was a hideous bottle green colour.!

[@telcobilly]

My dad bought my stepmother a '69 or '70 metallic green Escort mk1 when we lived in South Africa. She had a mid-60s Mini estate wagon with an 850 CC wagon, it was a real dog. I remember they were shopping Opel's at the time when they bought the Escort. My dad had brought his '68 Pontiac LeMans over to South Africa from the US when we moved there in 1968.

[@halfordhowes8939]

Hi 👋 you are the latest channel I have subscribed,but you have quickly jumped to the top, like the Escort! I bought a Mklll Ghia model in 1983. She was the five speed model and remained in my family until 1996. My first Ford was a 1967 MK 2 Super 1600. I think it was a super, because it with a cigar lighter. I had it until 1977 when it was stolen and stripped of all the 1600 E parts I had installed in her! I’m waiting for a cortina post. Your production values are the lick! Keep up the great 👍🏽 work.😃

[@jamescurnick1637]

Brilliant video....I had a 78 MK2 4 door 1.3 auto...3 speed....loved it even with the hose pipe sleeve added to the trans fluid pipe to solve a fluid leak! Lol

[@peterc2373]

Loved this one ! Thank you

[@sameyers2670]

We've had several Escorts in the family over the years, good cars.

[@ianhamilton5201]

Just discovered this channel, really enjoying the videos! Love this one as I had a mk2 1.3 ghia, a 1988 XR3i and a 1990 Eclipse. You say in the video that the mk2 ghias had aircon as standard - my memory may be going but I don’t remember it having that!

[@andrewbragger2679]

Me neither!

[@davidmiatke6758]

When I did my apprenticeship as a Locksmith in Adelaide South Australia we used Ford Escort Vans, except our Boss who loved his Mini van.

[@sarjim4381]

I was the search and rescue coordinator for my county's sheriff's department. Since I was on call 24 hours a day, I had a take home unit that was a brand new 1990 Explorer. I hauled around about half a ton of equipment in that thing for almost ten years. The county garage finally made me hand it back in 1999 because it was the oldest unit we had in service by then. I didn't want to give it up because it was outfitted exactly how I wanted it, and it would take at least a week just to transfer all the radios and computers. It had 240,000 miles when I turned it in and, even though it saw hard use for the entire time, it never gave me any real trouble. Maybe I just had the one good one, but the "Exploder" name certainly never applied to mine. They replaced it with a Suburban, but that was another and sad story.

[@megapangolin1093]

Great and interesting video thank you. I recall that the fast Ford Mk1 Escort Mexico had an 89 bhp engine. Exactly the same as my current Skoda Roomster shopping car.. Most of us are not any bigger now, as a population than then. Why do we need cars weighing 2.5 tonnes and with engines of over 200bhp to go to the shops? The speed limits are the same (if not lower now) so if we want to save the planet, let's make better, lighter smaller cars. Very easy to do.

[@renoholland7090]

One of my favorite channels. Great information and a very pleasant presentation. Keep up the good work.

[@BigCar2]

Thx Reno!

[@joohop]

Mr And Mrs Big Car , Brilliant ! Blessings From Birmingham England

[@mr.slaphappy3794]

I've got a Mk4 (1988) Escort 1.4 as my first car... She's been sitting in a barn for the last ~10 years, so she does need a bit of work (brakes have got air in the system - I suspect maybe a split brake hose, or perhaps the master cylinder, the gearbox is leaking and has contaminated the clutch disk (I assume), the valve seals are knackered (CVH lol). Oh, and I broke the clutch ratchet last week... So that's gonna be a pig to do lul). Obviously a full service will be in need (cambelt, oil etc...). The underbody appears to be in good shape (rare I know...), just a bit of surface rust here and there, although I wouldn't be too surprised if I did need to bring out the welder... . Seems like a decent project, certainly gonna keep me busy for a while.

[@stratcat4450]

Great video, I have now watched it twice. I love when you show cars from the big 3 in Europe an elsewhere. I had the exact wagon shown at 21.22. It was ok but a mediocre car. Nothing that great about it. Assembled in wayne michigan near my hometown. At the same time I also had a Mazda protege. Same car but japanese built Damn Mazda was a nimble sports car compared to the escort! I might still be driving that escort but 3 payments away from owning that car a drunk hit me so hard she pushed the engine clear thru the passenger seat! Glad I swerved into the oncoming lane to avoid it headon........

[@ianmangan7308]

My dad’s first car at the age of 17 was a Ford Escort which he loved. He even installed his own manual reversing light as they weren’t standard at the time. He eventually got a van through work and hated that he didn’t get to drive it as much but a first car that he always swore by. My Grand father also drove a Ford Anglia at one point and as I’m typing I drive a Ford Focus my first car. While this wasn’t exactly intentional it’s amazing how a car company has spanned three generations of drivers. It’s that legacy of longevity that I think I love the most about Ford.

[@adamwampler2135]

Great research and delivery. You earned a subscription. You are a true car guy.

[@michaelsadler7332]

Great video, but I must query, air con standard on the Mk2 Ghia Escort? Where was this being sold? It wasn't standard on any Ford in the UK at the time. Dad had a Granada Ghia and it didn't have it.

[@mjsdecember1990]

Fun fact the safari cars from Jurassic Park were Toyota Land cruisers in the book but they were Ford Explorers in the film so Ford could advertise them

[@shebbs1]

Which film? The original film used Mercedes Benz vehicles. One of the later films re-used them.

[@mjsdecember1990]

@@shebbs1 The first one used ford's the lost world use mercs

[@edgaraxtli2970]

I'm klearning alot from your Videos,thanks for sharing ,stay safe ,God bless.🤗😁

[@RensOtteweyn]

Great video, love the cameo of Mrs. Big Car, the chemistry between you two on-screen is just inspiring

[@BigCar2]

We like each other quite a bit off-camera as well!

[@jonnyc429]

Lovely little monday surprise 👌

[@davidstuef290]

I really enjoy your channel. Always interesting and I like how you incorporate the american connection as well. My first car was a 1983 American Escort GT and I can honestly say with its black and orange paint scheme and fog lights I was the envy of the high school parking lot. It was definitely all show and no go! Ahh memories!!

[@datarecoverysweden]

Thank you for the time it must take you to produce these.

[@cham2020]

brilliant video, mr big car. the content of the this video is good. glad i am able to understand the fulll history of the escort !

[@BigCar2]

Glad you liked it!

[@TheRatlord74]

I would buy a 4th generation now if they were still available. Though the cozzy is still the poster car.

[@robsterbob580]

I had 3 Mk2 Escorts, an estate, and then a four door saloon, plus a Ghia saloon as a spares and parts car. If I still had any of them, they'd be worth decent money now!

[@popuptoaster]

4 doors and estates aren't worth much prices of mk1 and 2 escorts are driven up by the rally boys still wanting 2 door shells, that's why even povo spec cars have value as long as they don't have 4 doors.

[@robsterbob580]

@@popuptoaster True, but even though estates and 4 door saloons aren't worth that much compared to 2 door cars, they're not so common, as most rusted away years ago like mine did. You can't buy an estate for a few hundred quid like back then. The survivors go for 4 figures now. My 1979 Escort 1.6 4 door cost me £100 back in 1991. You can buy a brand new Escort Mk2 2 door shell now. There's a company that makes them.

[@tedfrith8374]

Ted Frith-1992 American Ford Escort Owner. I'm a proud owner of a 1992 American Ford Escort GT 'Cayman Green Limited Edition' 2 Door Hatchback. I owned my car for 28 1/2 years and exhibited it in car shows in the Southeastern Michigan Area. I won a total of 170 plats, ribbons, and trophies for my car shows participation in United Street Machines Association and Mustang Owners Club of Southeastern Michigan. It certainly gets the. Lions share of attention at these shows and it was almost featured in a made in michigan movie in 2010. I'm sharing this letter to you know i"m enjoying my Ford. Escort and it still draws a lot people in car shows in local car shows in my area in Michigan. Keep up the old car stores on my cell phone because they are an inspiration. to anyone who loves them. Thank you very much,, Ted Frith @ gmail.com P.S. Let me know how I can on 'My Classic Car' with Dennis Gage and 'My Car Story' with Lou Constable. Keep up great old car

[@lauramartin9474]

Great show on my wife's favorite car, the 1993 Ford Escort wagon. She started out driving Hondas, but the Escort quickly became her favorite. I offered to buy her a new Fiesta, but after test driving the new car, she said no thanks.. The Ford escort is a winner for our family

[@tellyfanatic]

Sorry to say I don't think I've commented about how great the info and delivery of these are especially the one's that remind me of the cars I seen as child, please keep up the really great work, no pressure.

[@BigCar2]

Thanks John!

[@giannicolonello3240]

Ok I’m totally in love with mrs Big car! May we have next reviews from her please?

[@BigCar2]

I'll have to find another good way to have her in a video!

[@lukerinderknecht2982]

Agreed! Love her personality and her voice/mixed accent is very endearing.

[@residentelect]

@@lukerinderknecht2982 She has the most wonderful accent, doesn't she! Very articulate, yet cheeky and sincere. Wonder where she hails from?

[@lukerinderknecht2982]

@@residentelect Big Car posted in some of the comments here that they're both from the UK but have lived in Seattle for quite a while.

[@residentelect]

@@lukerinderknecht2982 Oh wow! So they are ex-pats' living the dream in the USA! 😁 That makes sense because he has previously stated he worked on the Microsoft Ford Sync system. Thank you for the update buddy. Hope you and yours are all safe and well at this very worrying time?

[@NOWThatsRichy]

The Mk3 is one of my favorite car designs of all time.

[@jacomalan7555]

Well done on these documentaries! Well detailed and put together

[@BigCar2]

Thanks Jaco!

[@JROC2112]

Blessings to you. Wonderful video. I saw a Ford Escort today and it made me really really happy. Keep up your positivity. 🙏

[@BigCar2]

Thanks John!

[@markpatterson1109]

I love Mrs Big Car 😂❤️

[@troysanchez776]

The Tempo was based on a stretched Escort platform. Cursed with a nail of an engine though.

[@sailordave1000]

Not the same escort as what was being built and sold in Europe.

[@jlaakso1706]

My first Escort was went I lived in Wales for a while, buying a '69 that looked very much like the green with the square headlamps pictured in the video (though maybe a little worse for wear). I loved that car, and when I blew the 1.1 that came with it I did an engine swap for a 1.3 over the weekend in my garage. Owned a couple early 80's Mercury Lynxes back in the States, and they were great little cars too. Cheap and easy to maintain.

[@cbez5977]

Great videos, very informative and a very knowledgable presenter, keep up the good work 👍🏻

[@BigCar2]

Thanks, will do!

[@dogcowrph]

Mrs. Big Car sounds like an American who has lived in the UK for awhile.

[@BigCar2]

Actually the other way around.

[@toneskill]

so u a uk guy living in USA

[@electrolytics]

@@BigCar2 Great! Glad you came over. Hope you like it here. Welcome.(even it's been 10-20 years already.)

[@9256steven]

@@BigCar2 Yes you mentioned Seattle in one of your vids, also the Seattle space needle model in the dresser.

[@redmr2na]

@@BigCar2 So hold on a tick as is said in your homeland, if Mrs. BIG car is american, how did she own a mk5 escort? Did she study abroad and meet you while doing so? We never got mk5 escorts in the US like the one in the picture. Also, I like both 4s and 5s. 5 a bit more because of Cossie.

[@dannystanley918]

Cracking review as always and love mrs BC!! Bring her and her dangerous cotton rolls back for sure!!! 👍👍

[@OhKadjar]

At last, a channel that covers cars sold in the UK and a presenter who does his research and is interesting to listen to! So many good videos on this channel.. Thank you!

[@BigCar2]

Thanks Darren.

[@paulwhite6745]

My dad had a MK1 when I was very young, and over the following decade or so he had a MK2, a MK3, a MK3 based Orion (same engine as the XR3i) and a MK4. He considered buying the MK5 in the early 1990s, but didn't after all the bad reviews. As for me, I've had a Focus for the last 10 years. The Focus really is the latter day Escort successor and I think it actually would have carried the Escort name if not for the fact that the brand had lost credibility with the lacklustre efforts of the 1990s. I can see why Ford felt a need to distance the new car from that and went for a new name. Still, after twenty years maybe the time is right for a new European Escort. If the Chinese Escort had been sold here I might have been interested in one.

[@markmatthews7202]

A crash on the M6 involving all 3 lanes. I just knew it was going to be near stoke

[@oscarsalazar2332]

Good morning/day from Norway. Had a beautiful walk earlier today, with the rainbow almost landing on my head. Didn't find any gold but a lovely view nonetheless.😁 Have a wonderful day everyone.🙏💜