Ford Escort 1974–1980 car dimensions: 3978 mm long, 1596 mm wide and 1398 mm high. Unladen weight is 875 kg. Braked towing is 545 kg.
The cabin feels roomy for a compact car thanks to increased glass area that aids all-round visibility and easier parking. Front seats are individual and adjustable with good side support. higher grades add reclining mechanisms, headrests and cloth trim. Heating and ventilation are effective with face-level vents and a variable booster fan as standard. Instruments cover the basics with a speedo, fuel and temperature gauges. Ghia and Sport add a tachometer and clock. No electronic driver aids appear.
The boot holds 411 litres with a clean shape free of awkward corners and the spare wheel stored inside. It swallows typical holiday luggage without trouble for a car of this size.
Towing is rated up to 545 kg braked and around 450 kg unbraked depending on model and transmission. Payload sits at 440 kg for most saloons, dropping slightly on some Sport versions. Vans offer higher payloads with reinforced rear suspension for light commercial duties.
The cabin feels surprisingly roomy and practical for a compact car, with individual slide-mounted front bucket seats offering solid support and reclining backs on higher grades, a broad rear bench with decent legroom, face-level ventilation ducts for draft-free airflow, and thick sound-deadening material that keeps noise low. Easy-clean upholstery, washable headlining, rubber flooring options, padded sun visors, and a full-width padded parcel shelf add everyday usability, while higher trims bring carpet, better seat fabrics, and height-adjustable headrests.
Normal petrol engines with published DIN consumption around 8.0-9.1 l/100 km depending on size
Dual-circuit brakes with front discs and servo assistance standard
Laminated windscreen, safety glass all round, anti-burst door locks and automatic seat belts standard
Computer-calculated front and rear crumple zones with high-strength passenger cell
Steel-belted radial tyres and heated rear window standard
Factory underbody protection with PVC and oil/wax coating plus 1-year unlimited-km warranty
Fuel economy is a strong point with the choice of efficient crossflow engines that run happily on normal petrol and deliver respectable touring figures for the era. The compact size and light weight help keep running costs down in daily use.
Servicing is straightforward thanks to simple mechanicals, a lifetime oil-fill four-speed gearbox that needs no changes, and good access to common items. Factory corrosion protection was thorough for the time, with electrophoresis primer, underseal and extra PVC in wheel arches.
Safety equipment was advanced for a small car of the mid-1970s and included dual-circuit brakes with servo and front discs on most models, laminated windscreen, anti-burst locks, padded interior surfaces, collapsible steering column and crumple zones protecting a rigid cabin cell. Seat belts were standard, often inertia-reel type on later cars.
Living with the car means watching for rust in common areas despite original protection, but parts supply remains excellent and the mechanicals are durable with regular oil changes. It is light, agile and easy to maintain as a practical classic.
Length 3978 mm, Width 1596 mm, Height 1398 mm, Wheelbase 2407 mm (Escort 1974–1980)
Sources: manufacturer data, Russian Wikipedia Ford Escort, Ford Escort Mk2 1976 brochure, uniquecarsandparts.com and classiccarportraits.co.uk.