| Production | |
|---|---|
| Model Year: | 1968 |
| Production Years: | 1968 - 1976 discontinued in 1976 |
The Ford Escort I Turnier, produced between 1968 and 1976, is a classic station wagon and the estate variant of the pioneering Ford Escort I series. This compact family car line played a significant role in Ford's European market presence during the late 1960s and early 1970s. The Escort I Turnier station wagon combined practicality with the compact dimensions typical of that era, making it a versatile choice for families needing additional cargo space without stepping up to a larger vehicle segment. While precise measurements vary slightly by model year and market, the Escort I Turnier generally features a length of approximately 4,140 mm (163 inches), a width close to 1,590 mm (63 inches), and a height around 1,370 mm (54 inches). These dimensions highlight its relatively compact footprint, ideal for urban driving and narrow European roads. Its station wagon body style affords generous luggage capacity behind the rear seats, providing more cargo space than the sedan or coupé versions of the Escort I. Weighing approximately 900 to 950 kilograms (1984 to 2094 pounds), depending on trim and equipment, the Escort I Turnier was designed to deliver efficient performance and handling characteristics typical of compact vehicles in its class. Not only was it celebrated for its functional size and practicality, but also for contributing to the growing popularity of compact wagons as family-oriented vehicles. Today, the Escort I Turnier remains an iconic classic car, appreciated by collectors and enthusiasts for its nostalgic design and role in automotive history.
Discover the standout features that make the 1968 Ford Escort I Turnier a leader in its class
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The Ford Escort I Turnier station wagon, produced between 1968 and 1976, measures approximately 4,235 mm (166.7 inches) in length, 1,560 mm (61.4 inches) in width, and 1,380 mm (54.3 inches) in height. These dimensions make it a compact station wagon suitable for both urban and suburban driving. The size offers a balance between passenger comfort and cargo capacity, making it practical for everyday use during its time.
The Ford Escort I Turnier features a wheelbase of about 2,489 mm (98.0 inches). This wheelbase length contributes to the vehicle's stable ride quality and handling characteristics. A longer wheelbase generally improves stability and interior space, especially for rear passengers, which was an important consideration for the station wagon body style aimed at families.
With a width of around 1,560 mm (61.4 inches), the Escort I Turnier is quite narrow by modern standards. Most standard single-car garages have an internal width of about 2,400 to 3,000 mm (94 to 118 inches). Therefore, the Escort I Turnier will comfortably fit in a standard garage with ample room for opening doors and maneuvering.
The curb weight of the Ford Escort I Turnier ranges approximately from 920 kg to 1,000 kg (2,028 to 2,205 lbs), depending on the specific trim and engine configuration. This relatively lightweight design helped enhance fuel efficiency and agility, making the car responsive and easy to handle, especially in urban environments.
At about 1,380 mm (54.3 inches) in height, the Escort I Turnier is somewhat lower than many larger, more traditional station wagons of the late 1960s and early 1970s. This lower profile contributed to a sportier silhouette and potentially improved aerodynamics. Other wagons from the era were often taller due to more spacious cargo areas or higher ground clearance.
The Escort I Turnier’s cargo capacity was designed with practical family use in mind. While exact volume figures vary, the rear cargo area was sufficient to carry luggage, groceries, or small furniture items typical for the era. Folding rear seats allowed for expanded cargo space, enhancing the car's utility as a versatile station wagon.
The Escort I Turnier station wagon shares the same platform and many dimensions with the preceding MK1 sedan, including the wheelbase of approximately 2,489 mm (98 inches). However, the Turnier’s length is slightly extended to accommodate the wagon’s cargo area, and it has a higher roofline to increase usable interior volume. This makes the Turnier more practical while maintaining compactness.
Compared to contemporaries such as the Volkswagen Variant or the Opel Kadett Caravan, the Escort I Turnier offers competitive dimensions with a length of about 4,235 mm and a narrow width of 1,560 mm, making it slightly more compact. Functionally, it was praised for its driving dynamics and versatility, with a practical cargo area and efficient use of interior space, aligning well with other compact European wagons of its time.
The Escort I Turnier was primarily offered as a two-door station wagon variant of the Escort I range, which also included two- and four-door sedans and coupes. Trim configurations ranged from basic utilitarian models to better-equipped versions with improved interior materials and options such as upgraded upholstery and enhanced instrument clusters, catering to a variety of customer needs.
The Escort I Turnier was equipped with a range of inline-four engines, typically between 1.1 and 1.3 liters, producing modest power outputs suited for economy and reliability rather than performance. The engines were matched with manual gearboxes, usually four-speed, emphasizing ease of maintenance and fuel efficiency, consistent with the car’s role as a practical family station wagon.
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