Ford Escort FAQ
Quick answers to the questions we're asked most.
When was the Ford Escort made?
The European Escort was launched in January 1968, replacing the Anglia. Six generations followed. The last car came off the Halewood line in July 2000, and the Escort van stayed in production until 2002. The Focus took over in 1998, and the two were sold side by side for two years.
What is the most valuable Ford Escort?
Genuine Mk2 RS1800s top the market, because only around 109 road cars were built to homologate the rally car; proven examples sell for £150,000 to £300,000 or more. Documented ex-works rally cars can sell for more still. Princess Diana's one-off black RS Turbo sold for £722,500 in 2022, but that price was about who owned it.
What's the difference between a Mk1 and a Mk2 Escort?
They share most of the rear-wheel-drive floorpan and running gear. The Mk1 (1968–74) has the curvy "Coke-bottle" body and "dog-bone" grille. The Mk2 (1975–80) has a squarer body with much bigger windows. The Mk3 moved to front-wheel drive and a hatchback in 1980.
How do I know if an RS Escort is genuine?
Check that the VIN plate, the stamped VIN and the V5C all match and show no signs of tampering. Then have a marque specialist confirm the bodyshell is the correct type, and ask the relevant owners' club whether the car is on its register. Replicas are common and worth a fraction of a genuine car.
How many Escort Harriers were made?
1,500, built between December 1979 and spring 1980: 1,000 in Diamond White and 500 in Strato Silver. It was based on the Mk2 1600 Sport.
How many Escort RS Cosworths were built?
7,145, between February 1992 and January 1996, assembled by Karmann in Rheine, Germany.
Which Escorts are exempt from vehicle tax?
In the UK, vehicles built more than 40 years ago can be taxed in the historic class at no cost. The date rolls forward each April; in 2026 it covers vehicles built before 1 January 1986, which includes every Mk1 and Mk2 and many Mk3s.
Is a classic Escort a good investment?
Values of rear-drive and RS Escorts have risen strongly over the last decade, but classic car prices can fall as well as rise. Buy the car you'll enjoy. This site provides general information, not financial advice.
What does RS stand for?
Rallye Sport. Ford used the badge for its performance models, starting with the Mk1 Escort RS1600 in 1970.
Where were Escorts built?
Mainly at Halewood near Liverpool and Saarlouis in Germany. Mk1 RS models were built at Ford's AVO plant in Aveley, Essex, and the RS Cosworth by Karmann in Rheine, Germany.