Ford Escort panel van - today's tempter

By: Guy Allen, Unique Cars magazine

Date: 02.02.2017

The once humble van is making a comeback

Mini panel van could be handy mix of fun and load carrying ability.

We weren't entirely sure we should have highlighted this, as there a few folk in our office who'd love to have the keys to it. No matter.

Ford Homebush assembled this second generation Escort over 1975-80 and they did well, selling over 79,000 units. We scored two and four-door sedans, plus the van, but not the station wagon (or estate) sold in other markets.

There was also a dressed-up version of the van, following the local panelvan craze, called the Sundowner.

Three engines were offered: 1300, 1600 and 2.0lt fours - the latter being favoured for its lively performance. The 2.0lt Pinto engine had a lot of tuning potential.

The car you see here is said to run a 1600 Mk3 SOHC Cortina engine.

Priced at $15,000 and located in Vic, we reckon it's one of those cars you could have a lot of fun with so long as it checks out okay.

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