Ford’s rear-wheel-drive Escorts achieved legendary status through their amazing success – on roads, rally stages, and racetracks. Millions were sold worldwide, and they proved to be winners in the hands of the car-buying public and motorsport champions alike. Today, Mk1s and Mk2s (1967 to 1980) have become collectable classics, and values continue to rise, often equalling traditionally more desirable marques. This book is a handy, quick-reference guide for anyone considering buying, owning, or restoring an early Escort. It aims to aid the purchasing process and help to avoid the potential pitfalls of a car that’s not only simple to work on, but also easy to bodge for an overpriced sale. Written by a motoring journalist and long-term Escort enthusiast, this one-stop package of great advice is the ideal accompaniment to sampling and assessing a Mk1 or Mk2 on sale privately, at a dealer, or an online auction. It includes at-a-glance tips, illustrated in-depth inspection guidance, valuation data, specifications, notes on modifications to avoid, real-world cost considerations, and even checks on how to spot an Escort claiming to be something it’s not.