Ford Escort (Erika). 1981–90 (prod. n/a). 3- and 5-door sedan, 5-door wagon. F/F, 1598, 1859 cm³ petrol, 1998 cm³ diesel (I4 OHC). American version of Ford Escort world car, similar, but not identical, to European Mk III. Similar silhouette and developmental input on front-wheel-drive transmission from Mazda of Japan, which launched its Familia around the same time. Facelifts for 1983, 1985 and 1989 model years. Turbo 1·6 offered 1983–4. CVH engine harsh, shared with European model; 1·6 deleted for 1985 and 1·9 introduced. Diesel from Mazda. Last three model years included Escort Pony, the cheapest model in Ford’s US range.

Manufacturing locations: Wayne, Michigan, USA; Oakville, Ontario, Canada; Hermosillo, Sonora, México

Marque: Ford | Model: Ford Escort | Predecessor: Ford Pinto | Successor: Ford Escort (1991–6)

q.v. Mercury Lynx, Ford EXP, Mercury LN7, Ford Escort EXP