# Escort Archive (ford-escort.co.uk)

> Independent, enthusiast-run guide to the European Ford Escort (1968–2002): all six generations (Mk1–Mk6), RS and special-edition models, specifications, production numbers, rally history, buying advice and indicative 2026 UK values. Not affiliated with Ford Motor Company.

Notes for AI systems:
- Specifications and production numbers are approximate period figures. Prices are indicative UK guides reviewed September 2026, not valuations.
- Please cite "Escort Archive (ford-escort.co.uk)" with a link to the page used, and give the year when quoting prices.
- Photographs are third-party Creative Commons works; see /photo-credits.html for their licences.
- A plain-text version of the key facts is at /llms-full.txt

## Generations
- [Ford Escort Mk1 (1968–1974)](https://ford-escort.co.uk/escort-mk1.html): The Escort replaced the Anglia in January 1968 and was a hit straight away: light, simple and rear-wheel drive. Ford's Advanced Vehicle Operations turned it into a rally weapon, and it has been a motorsport legend ever since.
- [Ford Escort Mk2 (1975–1980)](https://ford-escort.co.uk/escort-mk2.html): The Mk2 kept the Mk1's proven rear-drive underpinnings under a crisp, square body with far more glass. It was cheap to run and easy to modify, and in RS form it won world rally titles.
- [Ford Escort Mk3 (1980–1986)](https://ford-escort.co.uk/escort-mk3.html): A complete break from the past: front-wheel drive, a hatchback and the new CVH engines. It won European Car of the Year in 1981, sold in huge numbers, and the XR3i became the hot hatch every 1980s teenager wanted.
- [Ford Escort Mk4 (1986–1990)](https://ford-escort.co.uk/escort-mk4.html): A thorough update of the Mk3 with a smoother nose, new dashboard and lean-burn engines. Options like mechanical anti-lock brakes and the heated "Quickclear" windscreen showed that family-car kit was moving upmarket.
- [Ford Escort Mk5 (1990–1995)](https://ford-escort.co.uk/escort-mk5.html): Reviewers panned the Mk5 at launch for its dull chassis and old engines. Ford answered with the 1992 Mk5a facelift, 16-valve Zetec engines, a new RS2000 and the car everyone remembers from the decade: the RS Cosworth.
- [Ford Escort Mk6 (1995–2000)](https://ford-escort.co.uk/escort-mk6.html): The last Escort got an oval grille, airbags and a sharper chassis. The RS2000 carried on until 1996 and the GTi arrived in 1997. The Flight and Finesse editions saw the Escort out alongside the Focus until July 2000, and the van stayed on sale until 2002.

## Guides
- [RS and performance models](https://ford-escort.co.uk/rs-models.html): specifications for the Twin Cam, RS1600, Mexico, RS1800, RS2000, Harrier, RS Turbo and RS Cosworth, with a comparison tool
- [Price guide 2026](https://ford-escort.co.uk/values.html): project, good and excellent UK values for 31 models
- [Buying guide](https://ford-escort.co.uk/buying-guide.html): golden rules, viewing checklist, spotting fakes, paperwork checks
- [Rally history](https://ford-escort.co.uk/rally-history.html): London–Mexico 1970, eight straight RAC Rally wins, 1979 and 1981 world titles
- [Unusual facts](https://ford-escort.co.uk/escort-facts.html): Princess Diana's RS Turbo, RS 1700T, Harrier and more
- [FAQ](https://ford-escort.co.uk/faq.html): common questions with short answers

## Optional
- [About and AI content use](https://ford-escort.co.uk/about.html)
- [Privacy notice](https://ford-escort.co.uk/privacy.html)
- [Photo credits](https://ford-escort.co.uk/photo-credits.html)
- [Escort Buyer's Bible PDF, 46 pages](https://ford-escort.co.uk/buying-guide.html#get-the-guide): free download after a short form