Why did Ford’s unstoppable Escort stumble in 1990?

Ford of Europe could do no wrong in the 1960s and 70s. And the Escort quite possibly turned out to be their crowning achievement. While many think of the Mini as a car that got Britain moving, the Mini only sold 5M cars worldwide over its entire life. The Escort sold almost 5 times that amount in a shorter period of time.

#bigcar

[jnyerere]

I love the history. Perception is everything. Growing up in the U.S. and coming of age in the early 2000s, the common sentiment of the Ford Escort at the time was that it was a "discount car." A second-hand car that never cost more than a $1000 to buy. I had no idea how huge the Escort was outside the U.S. until now. What a fascinating story.

[braddietzmusic]

A truly masterful telling of a long and episodic tale of the Escort story. I truly don’t think it could be done better. Quite an accomplishment.

[fyiaustralia]

You researched this really well. Great to see you covered the models in Australia too, not just a UK history!

[joeottsoulbikes]

In 1991 I had an 85 Mustang GT with the 302 HO and 5 speed trans in Red. My roommate had an 86 Escort GT with the turbo four cylender and 5 speed trans in Black. They both had basicly the exact same options and interior. Other than his escort being slightly narrower you could not tell the differences inside them. My roomate had replaced his wheels with larger diameter wheels from an 89 Mustang GT. When parked side by side at a car show once his Escort got a lot more attention. We asked a few people why they liked the smaller car more. The answers were all the same. They were interested in a car easier to park and with better fuel milage. Plus the Escort was only slighter slower and since most people are just using it for transportation and occasional fun drive in the country the speed didnt matter. No one was racing so the Escort was fine.

[JohnDoe-vxz]

I always thought "escort service" had something to do with bringing your Ford to the dealership every 15.000km ;-)

[leodooley]

Brilliant edition, for subject and the banter with Mrs Big Car.

[adrianmortimer]

Fabulous history lesson and Mrs Big Car is a joy to watch.

[Lovechild_WWII_Page]

At last, a channel that covers cars sold in the UK and a presenter who does his research and is interesting to listen to! So many good videos on this channel.. Thank you!

[tarkanseleker]

Thank you for this informative video. My dad had the 1971 German version, and my most memorable memory was his accident. My dad hit a BMW 2002 from behind and the damage to the BMW rendered the vehicle unusable while the Ford Escort had only a slight deflection in the bumper. This proved how robust this vehicle was.
The good old days...!

[jukkasavolainen]

Ah the Escort memories from 80's... My dad got a new Escort 1.6 in 1986 and that was a cool car back then. I had just got out of military service and spent summer with my wife to be driving along Finnish countryside with it...
Little after that in 1988 I bought my first own car that was an 1971 Escort 1.1 in bright orange colour and had only 55 000 KM in the meter. That is the only car I regret I ever sold, it was in flawless show room condition in and out those few years I drove it...

[Atomicbri]

Yassss, loved you introducing Mrs. Big Car!! She seems fun! Again loved your Escort story! Love all your videos. Thanks again! : ) I had an old school mate that won a Ford Escort from a contest drawing. He drove it til the wheels fell off.

[bradleybprentice]

Great historical review of the Escort. Well done. I appreciate the details of many things I did not know. Nice to see that Mrs BC shares the passion. Without doubt the Escort was a global success and still is. I consider myself a car guy but have never even driven an Escort or desired to drive one - until now. My car exposure has been in Canada, Singapore and Australia where I believe many more competitive cars are available. Thanks again. I watch your channel regularly and will continue to do so.

[geraldwalsh]

I had a 1996 Ford Orion, here in Ireland....and I loved not fault it in any way. Reliable, good to drive and a very handsome car

[leno]

Wonderful potted BigCar history effortlessly presented yet again... You swept me back to the 80s and my 2 XR3i's & several other Escort models.... My fave was my first new car, a gorgeous Rosso red E320VWT.... I'm slightly embarrassed to admit that as a young single lad I made full use of its "pulling power".... The things youngsters do, eh... Happydays! 😉

[caprise-music]

My dad had a 1990 Escort. I was with him when he bought it new at the car dealer. I learned to drive in that car also. I loved it. Love the way it looks, and it was very good to drive.

The Escort in general is easily one of my favorite cars of all time.

[MrMichaelConstantine]

This is an extremely well thought out video which must of taken so much time to gather the information. I'm so grateful for the effort you put in to produce these videos. Also try and include Mrs. Bc in more videos, she is lovely.

[jamesmccarthy]

Really enjoyed your review of this iconic car.
My Father was always a Ford man, so your review's are a joy to watch.
Funny enough, he never owned a set of key's to an Escort.
That privelage belonged to my sister.
Keep up the good work.
Fantastic entertainment !!!

[paperchain]

My late stepfather had one in the early Seventies. I can almost remember the number plate. Fond memories.

[bryantrosadosilva]

I really loved that you talked about Escort here in South America! Your work is amazing, thank you!

[Risky]

11:15 Maroubra Beach in Sydney's Eastern Suburbs as I lived there at the time.
My father bought a 1974 Australian built 2dr Ford Escort MKI 1300XL & on our rough roads here it was a tough unit. I'm a Holden guy but I love the Escort. It was the first car my dad showed me on how things worked & how to fix things. Dad loved that car. While mates dads of mine were driving the larger Holden & Ford sedans with V8's, Dad ran rings around them on the twisty bendy roads.
Sadly it got rear ended at an intersection where dad had right of way. I was sitting in the back (no seat belts in the back in those days) & I was flung from there & ended up on the dash. I was lucky I didn't go through the windscreen. Had I been in a seat belt at the time I would have been seriously injured & not just a bump on my head. Brilliant car for it's time & a brilliant doco.