Escort 1300E
Ford released the 1600E Cortina late during 1967, which was quickly followed by the Corsair 2000E and the Capri 3000E. It’s not surprising that Ford decided to launch a MK1 Escort carrying the coveted “E” badge.
Based on the Mk1 Escort body shell, but with the 1300 Sport engine, the 1300E variant was launched in 1973.This model was very well equipped, external differences included rectangular headlamps and auxiliary lights, radial tyres, wider wheels with chunky chrome trims and extra side indicators. To bring the passenger and driver experience upmarket, the 1300E was fitted with deep pile carpets, extra sound insulation, a unique centre console, luxury carpets, GT pod instruments and a 3 spoke steering wheel. A wood trimmed dash and door panels finished off the interior.
Available in Metallic Purple and Metallic Amber the colours offered a bold statement. Introduced during March 1973 for £1182 the E was built using the Sport shell including the flared front wheel arches. Many models were actually built at the AVO (Advanced Vehicle Operations) plant in South Ockendon in Essex.
The front of the vehicles had the GT style rectangular headlamps plus two distinctive Lucas LK8 spot lamps. Side repeaters were fitted as standard just below the very distinctive black or white coach stripe’s that ran down the length of the car. At both ends of the car Ford fitted full-length chrome bumpers complete with chrome over riders. Other items of chrome included the mirrors, window edging strips and sill covers.
The rear of the car had the usual Escort features but came with a pair of reversing lamps as standard. To help show this was no ordinary Escort Ford decided to not only put the 1300E badges on the front wings and rear of the car as with other Escort models but to also add the badges to each of the rear quarter sections to the roof. (which was often covered in a black vinyl).
Mechanically the 1300E shared the same 72bhp 1.3ltr cross-flow engine as the Sport and GT models, connected to a 4.125:1 close ratio gearbox meant that the 1300E could reach 0 – 60 in just over 13 seconds. The top speed was a claimed 93mph