W ith the Mk2 Escort facing stiff competition from a new wave of hatchbacks, including its Fiesta stablemate that was actually more spacious inside, Ford gave its bestseller a radical makeover with the launch of the Mk3 version in September 1980.
Codenamed Erika, the Mk3 was now driven by the f ront wheels and the new body embraced the hatchback design, although there was the addition of a bustle that extended the tailgate with a hint of a conventional bootlid. Also brand new was independent rear suspension and the addition of Ford’s new CVH engine (Compound Valve Hemispherical) in 1.3 and 1.6-litre sizes, with the entry-level engine now the 1.1-litre Kent-based Valencia motor as seen in the Fiesta.
What was more familiar to Escort buyers was the choice of trim levels – base (Popular), L, GL and Ghia – the majority of which were available in three and five-door hatchback or three-door estate body styles. A five-door estate joined the range in 1983, plus the open-topped Cabriolet version too. In addition, sporting variants included the new XR3 and its later fuel-injected XR3i successor, plus the limited-run RS1600i and, from 1985, the boosted RS Turbo.
Engineered to keep maintenance requirements to a minimum, the Mk3 was incredibly successful and soon became Britain’s best-seller. So it was little surprise Ford took a very restrained approach when it came to giving
