The van was still being sold as the MKI for a short time and may have been grouped with other commercial vehicles by Sales. Australian model strategy was influenced heavily by a number of factors: local content quotas, safety regulations and small market size being foremost: the Escort (and Marina, Cortina etc.) had to be moved upmarket as cost and economies of production would have priced those "Fleet Pack" models HIGHER than well appointed Japanese cars. Escorts are fondly remembered here: while possibly not as bulletproof as a Datsun, they earned a reputation for toughness and being fun to drive.
They were great cars, very good looking. Initially only offered with a puny 1.3 lite engine, but eventually a 1.6 then a 2.O litre on the Ghia and the wonderful RS200. It sold well up against Chryslers Galant, Holden Gemini and the various offerings from the Japanese offerings.
Unusual if not unique to see a photograph of the designer responsible for the vehicle in a Ford brochure. Uwe Bahnsen was the chief stylist amongst others for these Ford vehicles too. 1972 Ford Granada Mk1 1974 Ford Capri Mk 2 1977 Ford Cortina Mk4 1977 Ford Fiesta Mk1 1978 Ford Granada Mk2 1978 Ford Capri Mk3 1980 Ford Cortina Mk5 1981 Ford Escort Mk3 1983 Ford Sierra Mk1 1985 Ford Granada Mk3 1986 Ford Transit Mk3
I had only gotten my driver's licence in March 1975, and I was a first year university student at the time. I couldn't afford a new car until 1978. I remember having a brochure for the Ford Escort range for that year, which I remember included the Sundowner panel van. You were right about the popularity and reliability of Japanese vehicles back then. I ended up buying a brand new Toyota Corolla coupe. Interestingly, it was assembled in Australia. It was a two door pillarless hardtop in Mustard Gold with black side stripes. Four speed manual floor shift of course, and 1.2 litre four cylinder engine. Like the Escorts, it was rear wheel drive. Those bucket seats featured in the Escorts in the brochure were usually called "tombstone buckets". Basic versions of many cars had them, and they were usually vinyl. From 1971 on, it was mandatory to have front seat head restraints. My Corolla coupe was a little bit upmarket. The bucket seats in the front and the rear seats had houndstooth pattern cloth facings. Luxury! A pushbutton radio was standard. It was cool to drive around with all the windows wound down because of the pillarless hardtop design. I would have liked either a Corolla Liftback, or T-18, but both were imported models and none were in stock at the local dealership. In reference to your question about "Pty", that's the Aussie abbreviation for "Proprietary". Companies in Australia are often "Proprietary Limited". You will see either "Pty Ltd", or "P/L" after the company name. If a company is incorporated, the company name is followed by "Corp". I don't know what the differences are between the two.
The door mirrors were the same as used on all Australian Ford cars and were essentially the same of the Falcon of the era. The Ghia had seats with separate headrests while the rest of the range had seats that were originally intended for the Cortina. The Cortina had upgraded seats. My father had a 1974 Ghia and it was a great car and I recall the 1600 engine had a 2bbl carb and was quite spritely even with a 3-speed auto. I later had a 1977 GL which is where the XL was in the earlier release. My GL had the 2L cam in head engine derived from the US Ford Pinto but while it was very quick off the line, being teamed with the 3-speed auto and being a low-compression version of the engine straddled with emissions plumbing generated just 63kW and started to become asthmatic at 80km/h. They were great handling cars but the rear brakes were sus as they were on many light cars in the day. Those rear cart springs were not great other than for drifting. Mine had bad rust problems around the heater shroud on the firewall which caused the interior to fill with water when it rained. A surprisingly roomy car. The pre mid-1977 versions in 1.6L form were excellent. The later manual versions of the 2L also good but a bit thirsty as were most cars of the day.
Very nice video again and nice choice too. Wow the Australian models were so much different to what we got in the UK. Those bucket seats look like Capri Ghia seats, retrimmed with that fabric. The Escort Mk1 had the XL model so i guess they just carried this on for the start of the Mk2. That sport GS pack does make, what could be just a standard model, look really nice. Yes the steering wheel in the sport one is the same as the 1300 and 1600 sport in the UK. I think the Mk2 Escort sold better in South Africa than Australia as there are still quite a few of them in South Africa today. It doesnt say it has leaf springs on it either like the UK version. Nice editing too.
I had a 1978 2 litre manual Ghia for 2 years. Bought in 79 as an Ford executive car, and was the most unreliable car I ever owned. I think 3 times I had to get it towed back to the dealers after servicing, because it did not get home. Every part fitted by the ford dealer was faulty and had to be replaced. The air conditioning was very problematic and the compressor kept breaking bolts and falling onto the distributer, stopping the car. It needed retuning every 1800 kilometers, just suddenly dropped power, needed new points and condencer every time. Could not wait to get rid of it.
Actually, even your Cortina, got a European touch, in 76 , with a Taunus front , except on the base model , and the 77 model, was fully designed in Germany.
nice too see this Australia spec mk2 ford escort brochure model 75,this a best model that time, in Australia now this models is no more on the road now, in the uk now how many this models let now
Interesting, i never like chrome mirrors because sun reflection plus hot to touch in summer time. Another interesting is word F O R D not simple Ford badge which i would prefer. Nice car, i have look back Holden small car few vids ago to see if they offer "luxury features"?
No need for a station waggon - had cortina or falcon waggon options. Leyland - destroyed brittish reputation for reliability thus the suspect the German focus. Pty Ltd = abbreviation for Propriety Limited (private company) I think PLC in the UK. Seat belts for all passengers were compulsory for all new cars from about 1972 as were front seat headrests. Side mirrors would have been from the falcon parts bin (saves getting a new dirrerent part). Yes vinyl seats, all base models of most makes had these for some reason, (cheaper or encourage upgrades?). The UK van with windows I suspect something to do with the UK car tax 'is this vehicle not a vehicle with windows to the rear of the drivers seat' - does not apply in Australia. GS pack was avialable on all ford models, so assume they just followed convention. Detailed description and comparison of the brochure.
The van was still being sold as the MKI for a short time and may have been grouped with other commercial vehicles by Sales.
Australian model strategy was influenced heavily by a number of factors: local content quotas, safety regulations and small market size being foremost: the Escort (and Marina, Cortina etc.) had to be moved upmarket as cost and economies of production would have priced those "Fleet Pack" models HIGHER than well appointed Japanese cars.
Escorts are fondly remembered here: while possibly not as bulletproof as a Datsun, they earned a reputation for toughness and being fun to drive.
They were great cars, very good looking. Initially only offered with a puny 1.3 lite engine, but eventually a 1.6 then a 2.O litre on the Ghia and the wonderful RS200. It sold well up against Chryslers Galant, Holden Gemini and the various offerings from the Japanese offerings.
Really brought 1975 back to life for me . Great time to be alive in Australia 🇦🇺.
It’s all about the memories
Unusual if not unique to see a photograph of the designer responsible for the vehicle in a Ford brochure.
Uwe Bahnsen was the chief stylist amongst others for these Ford vehicles too.
1972 Ford Granada Mk1
1974 Ford Capri Mk 2
1977 Ford Cortina Mk4
1977 Ford Fiesta Mk1
1978 Ford Granada Mk2
1978 Ford Capri Mk3
1980 Ford Cortina Mk5
1981 Ford Escort Mk3
1983 Ford Sierra Mk1
1985 Ford Granada Mk3
1986 Ford Transit Mk3
I had only gotten my driver's licence in March 1975, and I was a first year university student at the time. I couldn't afford a new car until 1978. I remember having a brochure for the Ford Escort range for that year, which I remember included the Sundowner panel van. You were right about the popularity and reliability of Japanese vehicles back then. I ended up buying a brand new Toyota Corolla coupe. Interestingly, it was assembled in Australia. It was a two door pillarless hardtop in Mustard Gold with black side stripes. Four speed manual floor shift of course, and 1.2 litre four cylinder engine. Like the Escorts, it was rear wheel drive. Those bucket seats featured in the Escorts in the brochure were usually called "tombstone buckets". Basic versions of many cars had them, and they were usually vinyl. From 1971 on, it was mandatory to have front seat head restraints. My Corolla coupe was a little bit upmarket. The bucket seats in the front and the rear seats had houndstooth pattern cloth facings. Luxury! A pushbutton radio was standard. It was cool to drive around with all the windows wound down because of the pillarless hardtop design. I would have liked either a Corolla Liftback, or T-18, but both were imported models and none were in stock at the local dealership. In reference to your question about "Pty", that's the Aussie abbreviation for "Proprietary". Companies in Australia are often "Proprietary Limited". You will see either "Pty Ltd", or "P/L" after the company name. If a company is incorporated, the company name is followed by "Corp". I don't know what the differences are between the two.
Thank you as always - interesting read
I wanted one of these so badly when I was young. Nearly got a panel van. Wish I got it
I think we all have those regrets for certain vehicles
The door mirrors were the same as used on all Australian Ford cars and were essentially the same of the Falcon of the era. The Ghia had seats with separate headrests while the rest of the range had seats that were originally intended for the Cortina. The Cortina had upgraded seats.
My father had a 1974 Ghia and it was a great car and I recall the 1600 engine had a 2bbl carb and was quite spritely even with a 3-speed auto. I later had a 1977 GL which is where the XL was in the earlier release.
My GL had the 2L cam in head engine derived from the US Ford Pinto but while it was very quick off the line, being teamed with the 3-speed auto and being a low-compression version of the engine straddled with emissions plumbing generated just 63kW and started to become asthmatic at 80km/h. They were great handling cars but the rear brakes were sus as they were on many light cars in the day. Those rear cart springs were not great other than for drifting. Mine had bad rust problems around the heater shroud on the firewall which caused the interior to fill with water when it rained.
A surprisingly roomy car. The pre mid-1977 versions in 1.6L form were excellent. The later manual versions of the 2L also good but a bit thirsty as were most cars of the day.
Thank you for bringing these things back to life.
Very nice video again and nice choice too. Wow the Australian models were so much different to what we got in the UK. Those bucket seats look like Capri Ghia seats, retrimmed with that fabric. The Escort Mk1 had the XL model so i guess they just carried this on for the start of the Mk2. That sport GS pack does make, what could be just a standard model, look really nice. Yes the steering wheel in the sport one is the same as the 1300 and 1600 sport in the UK. I think the Mk2 Escort sold better in South Africa than Australia as there are still quite a few of them in South Africa today. It doesnt say it has leaf springs on it either like the UK version. Nice editing too.
Thank you for commenting as always
First, all the best from Greece!
The Aussie Ghia in the gold car photo had rear seat belts
Thanks for video. We had a 2.0 Ghia. PTY LTD = proprietary limited. Aussie side mirrors possibly same as Falcon & Fairmont.
Thank you for the info
I had a 1978 2 litre manual Ghia for 2 years. Bought in 79 as an Ford executive car, and was the most unreliable car I ever owned. I think 3 times I had to get it towed back to the dealers after servicing, because it did not get home. Every part fitted by the ford dealer was faulty and had to be replaced. The air conditioning was very problematic and the compressor kept breaking bolts and falling onto the distributer, stopping the car. It needed retuning every 1800 kilometers, just suddenly dropped power, needed new points and condencer every time. Could not wait to get rid of it.
Thank you for sharing your experience
Actually, even your Cortina, got a European touch, in 76 , with a Taunus front , except on the base model , and the 77 model, was fully designed in Germany.
nice too see this Australia spec mk2 ford escort brochure model 75,this a best model that time, in Australia now this models is no more on the road now, in the uk now how many this models let now
Interesting, i never like chrome mirrors because sun reflection plus hot to touch in summer time. Another interesting is word F O R D not simple Ford badge which i would prefer. Nice car, i have look back Holden small car few vids ago to see if they offer "luxury features"?
Pty Ltd = proprietary limited. It's a type of company structure here in Oz.
Thank you for the that
Herr Bahnsen looks like he enjoyed rather too many cups of P.G TIPS!
Orbost is in country Victoria a state in Australia.
Pty Ltd is our usually business type and stands for proprietary limited.
Thank you for that
No need for a station waggon - had cortina or falcon waggon options. Leyland - destroyed brittish reputation for reliability thus the suspect the German focus. Pty Ltd = abbreviation for Propriety Limited (private company) I think PLC in the UK. Seat belts for all passengers were compulsory for all new cars from about 1972 as were front seat headrests. Side mirrors would have been from the falcon parts bin (saves getting a new dirrerent part). Yes vinyl seats, all base models of most makes had these for some reason, (cheaper or encourage upgrades?). The UK van with windows I suspect something to do with the UK car tax 'is this vehicle not a vehicle with windows to the rear of the drivers seat' - does not apply in Australia. GS pack was avialable on all ford models, so assume they just followed convention. Detailed description and comparison of the brochure.
Thank you for your comment
Love those Aussie tombstone seats, I could get use to the aussie spec cars very quickly including those colour coordinate mirrors 🪞 😀