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Although Ford is a purebred American car brand, the Escort can far from be called American. Millions of copies of this now iconic model were built in Britain and Germany, and on the European market, Ford's Escort became a resounding sales success, which helped ensure that this model could be found in dealerships for no less than 36 years. Are you an owner of one of the many generations of Ford Escort and do you need a windscreen replacement? Then you will find automotive glass with the best value for money with us. Before we look at the new price of a Ford Escort windscreen on the after market, let's go back to the 1950s, where the Escort would see the light of day.
Although the first 'real' Ford Escort did not hit the market until 1967 (model year 1968), the name was not new. In fact, the name 'Ford Escort' had already been used in 1955 for the cheaper version of the Ford Squire, a variant of the immensely popular British Ford Anglia 100E. The first model of the new series was shown to the public in Brussels and although it became an instant success in Western Europe, it was mainly in Britain where the model would immediately break all sales records. Indeed, more than 2 million units were sold in the first six years of production, a uniqueness that no Ford model has yet managed to achieve outside the United States.
The success had to do with the gap in the market on the other side of the Channel. Indeed, in Britain, the Austin Morris 1100 was becoming outdated and the Ford Cortina had grown larger and more expensive over the years, placing itself in a completely different market segment.
It was less successful in the rest of Europe. This was mainly due to the fact that the Opel Kadett was roomier and more comfortable, and that the Ford Escort was already behind the Fiat 128 and the Renault 12 in technical terms when it was introduced. Although Ford continued to improve the Escort with numerous modifications over the years, its sales figures lagged well behind both the Opel Kadett and the Opel Astra.
One of the most striking facts about the Ford Escort is that assembly of the model took place all over the world. For example, there were two sites in England itself (Dagenham and Halewood), it was built in Saarlouis in Germany and also in Portugal, Ireland, Israel, Australia, New Zealand. Taiwan and even in Belgium Escorts were assembled.
In 1975, a country would be added, and that would be the Netherlands, where the second generation of the Ford Escort would also be assembled. The generation that would roll out of the factories from 1974 to 1980 had much in common with the first generation, but was now a collaboration between Ford's German and English divisions. What was particularly notable was that Ford chose to expand the model range to include the Ford Escort Ghia and also bring the Escort to the premium segment of the car market.
In 1977, the second generation received a facelift, with a complete redesign of the front grille and replacement of the logo. In 1978 came several more modifications that were purely cosmetic.
Erika, the third generation of the Escort, was the first model that would also be offered in the US, but again the British market attracted attention as the model would become the best-selling model here for eight years in a row, knocking the Cortina off its throne.
In the rest of Europe, the model also attracted attention, mainly because this was a completely new Escort that technically did manage to challenge the Volkswagen Golf and Honda Civic. Another huge change in 1980 was that the Escort, which had previously only come with rear-wheel drive, suddenly got front-wheel drive and would be Ford's second model with this powertrain, after the Ford Fiesta in 1976.
In 1982, Ford again ensured that the Escort would remain modern by adding a fifth gear to the models. This would become standard on all 1.6-litre models and became optional for the 1.3. Still, it was not all rosy, as Ford had to replace the suspension as early as 1983, as the third generation was widely criticised for its stiff suspension that made the model uncomfortable. To solve this, Ford took the suspension out of the Sierra and Orion and put it in the Escort, solving the problems.
Incidentally, Ford also went on to compete with the Escort in other markets. Models like the Ford Escort XR3, Ford Escort 1600i and Ford Escort RS Turbo had to start making things harder for the Volkswagen Golf GTI. The RS Turbo in particular became popular (despite delivery problems), and one of these models was built especially for Lady Diana.
We make a small jump to 1986, where the fourth generation of the Ford Escort actually showed no surprises. Initially, Ford even called this model the Mark III facelift under the code name Erika-86, but today the model is known as the fourth generation. While not many changes were made technically, the model did get a considerably more modern look and many optional features were added, such as a heated windscreen and numerous additional engines on offer. This was not a free choice for Ford, by the way. Volkswagen, Austin and General Motors had all added numerous add-ons to their models, the Peugeot 309 had entered the same market, and both Fiat and Renault had already announced models that would become new competitors.
The fourth generation came out in 1990 and was significantly improved, especially in terms of aerodynamics. Then, in 1992, a 16-valve Zetec engine also arrived for the model generation. With this generation, the Escort was also fitted with central door locking, power windows, power steering, ABS and air conditioning. Again, Ford came up with a facelift fairly early, as both the Orion and the Escort received modifications in 1992 after criticism. A year later, the name 'Orion' would be dropped completely for the model and these types would also be released as 'Escort'.
In 1995, the model was once again scrutinised, from which would emerge the fifth and thus last generation of the Ford Escort. New front lights, front and rear bumpers, mirror caps and four different types of grilles were chosen for the new Escort. Although Ford chose numerous improvements for the fifth generation, this was mainly a model that built on the fourth generation that was already struggling with all the competition on the market. When the carmaker announced the Ford Focus in 1998 and started phasing out the Escort, it was the end of a long era and the Escort slowly but surely disappeared from dealerships to make way for a model that would be almost as successful.
With five generations, over 30 years of production and plenty of people worldwide having an Escort as a refurbishment project, the internet is full of interesting videos about this model. But when a model has been in production for so long that the original commercials are in black and white, we can't miss the opportunity.
The risk of car windscreen damage is inevitable, but by no means always does windscreen damage mean that the windscreen needs to be replaced. On the contrary, there are only two cases where the windscreen can no longer be repaired and the car will not pass the MOT. If windscreen damage is in the driver's field of vision and involves a branched crack or a chip with a diameter of at least 20 millimetres, then your Ford Escort needs a new windscreen.
You already have a new windscreen for your Ford Escort for €249 (including VAT, excluding fitting and delivery). Be careful, though, as there are different windscreens for the models, with the year of construction of your car determining the windscreen you need.
Replacing windscreens is work for the specialists. If you have little or no understanding of windscreen replacement, you can choose to have your windscreen replaced by one of our certified fitting partners. They replace car windows on location throughout the Netherlands and Belgium. That means you no longer have to hit the streets with your damaged windscreen and you can even continue to do what you want, even when you have to go to work.
Are you a windscreen replacement specialist or do you know someone who can replace your windscreen for you? Then you can also come to us for a new windscreen excluding fitting. You can even choose to collect the new windscreen from us to save on delivery costs.
Are you looking for a new windscreen for your Ford Escort and want to make sure you choose the best value for money? Then opt for our after market windscreens where we take care of you completely including on-site windscreen replacement by professional windscreen fitters.
Can't find the right windscreen or want to know more about how we work? Then please contact us so we can help you in person.
