The Unforgettable Ford Escort

Although the world is advancing at a tremendous pace and technology is surpassing our wildest dreams, there’s just something about the golden oldies that you can’t shake.

The first edition Ford Escort was a classic. Now, you might think that this was way ahead of my time, and honestly it was, but lucky for me, my dad knew how to take care of his cars. The very first car he bought sometime in the early 1980s was a car that would last approximately 27 years, having a longer lifespan than its younger counterparts.

There was something about the 1982 three-door hatchback that had me intrigued from a young age. Despite the fact that the Escort was oddly enchanting in its beauty, it had its own personality, attitude and a feature most cars lack nowadays – originality.

Although I really love my first car, a 2012 Fiat Punto, I can’t deny the fact that I’m jealous that my father nabbed up one of these babies in his early 20s and it would be a car that his family would build so many memories in over a span of almost three decades.

Looking at old photos, how my parents had adventures down to the south or to the coast, how my siblings played around the Escort and had their own little adventures in the vehicle, and my memories of the old boy, I’m glad this car was a part of my life.

Whenever its engine started up, the whole neighbourhood would hear its roar – they don’t make them like that any more. When it rolled down the street, heads would turn and I certainly felt like I was sitting on a pedestal whenever I stepped in the Escort.

According to edmunds.com, Ford dubbed the debut of the 1981 model ‘The World Car’ in reference to Ford’s international international footprint.

“Although there had already been an Escort running around Europe, this version was different, all-new and geared toward the US market. On paper, the car looked like a winner: Front-wheel drive, overhead cam, 1,6-litre four-cylinder engine, independent suspension, rack-and-pinion steering and a choice of a two-door hatchback or a four-door wagon,” the website states.

There were five trim levels offered: Base, L, GL, GLX and SS. The base models weren’t equipped with the frills and fancy trim and looked quite ordinary compared to their companions. The L added pinstripes and some chrome around the grille, while the the GL’s upgrades included body-side moldings, wheel trim rings and more chrome accents. GLX versions added more feature content like low-back bucket seats, centRE console, wood-tone dash trim and interval wipers and the sporty Escort SS received blackout trim instead of chrome, tape graphics, full instruments and a sport suspension – it seems Ford took a lot into consideration when designing the Escort models.

Sadly after the first generation, Ford lost the plot with the Escort for me. It lost its personality and started looking just like any other car produced in the 90s. It transitioned from an 80s young, wild and free classic to a 90s underwhelming family/soccer mom car.

But I must say I’m glad I got to experience the golden oldie. And funnily enough, just as it was part of our family, it grew old with us and it seemed to develop all sorts of ailments an elderly person would. The Escort moved onto another family about six years ago.

Hopefully they can build their own memories with it. That Escort is truly unforgettable.

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