1977 Mk II Ford Escort Panel Van – Today’s Practical Tempter

By: James Robinson, Unique Cars magazine

Date: 18.05.2017

Who doesn’t love a classic panel van?

The Mk II Ford Escort was produced in Australia at Ford’s assembly plant in Homebush, Sydney, from 1975 – 1980. Ford Australia made three different variations of the Escort; a two-door coupe, a four-door sedan and a two-door panel van.

Strangely, the wagon bodied Escorts were never produced locally, and as a result, the locally made panel van versions came from the factory with a higher level of trim specification. What’s more, you could also get the panel van in GL or Sport Pack forms.

While being very pretty cars, the Escorts were not ultimately a raving sales success, largely due to strong competition from larger, locally made Holden and Ford derivatives and the recent expansion of Japanese car manufacturers into the Aussie market place.

All-in-all, a total of roughly 79,000 examples of the Mk II Escort were made in Australia between 1975 and late-1980, when production ceased. The Escort was replaced by what was essentially a rebadged Mazda 323, and was locally called the Ford Laser in three-door and five-door hatchback models, and Meteor in four-door sedan guise.

This particular Escort panel van is a 1977 model and has been in the same family for the last 25 years. According to the seller, the vehicle received a restoration in the 90s and is largely original, apart from the engine which is a 1600 OHC Mk III Cortina donk.

The seller is asking $15,000 and anyone interested in this grouse little panel van can view the full listing here. 

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