How much was a Mk2 Escort new?
The Mk2 Ford Escort cost around a few thousand pounds when new in the UK. Standard models typically priced roughly between £2,500 and £3,200, with higher-spec iterations and sportier variants climbing toward £4,000 or more depending on options.
Context: when and where it was sold
The Escort Mk2 was launched in 1975 as the successor to the original Escort. It was offered across Europe in several body styles, including three- and five-door hatchbacks and estates. Prices varied by trim, engine, market, and time period, with taxes and inflation shaping the final sticker price.
Pricing in the United Kingdom by trim
To provide a sense of the spread, the following ranges reflect typical UK list prices seen when new. Actual prices depended on features, options, and regional factors.
- Base or entry-level models (economy 1.1–1.3 L engines): approximately £2,500–£2,900
- Mid-range variants (1.4–1.6 L or well-equipped 4-door): approximately £2,900–£3,200
- Higher-spec or estate versions (GL/XL, upgraded trim): approximately £3,000–£3,500
Prices above are indicative of typical UK pricing bands for the Mk2 era and would have varied by year, tax changes, and dealer promotions.
Sporty and performance variants
The Mk2 line also included higher-performance variants, which carried noticeably higher prices due to enhanced engines and equipment. The most sought-after models included:
- RS1600i and similar performance-tuned versions: generally in the higher end of the range, around £3,500–£4,000 or more depending on options
- RS2000 and other sporting variants: around £3,800–£4,500
These figures illustrate how performance-focused Escort Mk2s commanded a premium relative to standard models.
Prices in other markets
Across Europe and other markets where the Mk2 was sold, sticker prices varied with local taxes, import duties, and exchange rates. In practice, buyers in many continental European countries saw price points broadly aligned with UK levels once localized, VAT, and currency differences were applied. The United States did not receive the Mk2 as a mass-market model; its Escort lineage arrived later with different specifications and pricing.
When smaller engines and body styles were prioritized in local markets, the price adjustment reflected those choices, but the overall structure—base price, mid-range, and sportier variants—remained recognizable across regions.
What affected the price of a Mk2 Escort at new
Several factors influenced the sticker price when new:
- Engine choice and performance specifications
- Body style (hatchback, estate, etc.)
- Trim level and equipment (interiors, safety features, comfort options)
- Local taxation, such as VAT or sales tax
- Dealer pricing, promotions, and regional market conditions
- Currency exchange rates for imported components or cars in non-UK markets
Overall, the Mk2 Escort was positioned as an affordable, practical family car with a price ladder that widened for enthusiasts seeking sportier variants.
Conclusion
In its era, the Mk2 Escort was priced in the thousands of pounds, with small to mid-range trims landing in the £2.5k–£3.2k band and sportier versions higher still. Its value proposition combined practicality with a performance pedigree for the period, maintaining Ford’s strong market position during the car’s production run.
Summary: The Mk2 Escort represented an accessible price point for new buyers in the 1970s—usually a few thousand pounds—while unique, higher-performance variants could push prices toward four-figure sums depending on specification and market.
