The Hayes Escort: A Comprehensive Guide to History, Specifications, and Upgrades

The Hayes Escort is a iconic British sports car that was produced from 1968 to 1980. It was developed by Ford of Europe as a replacement for the Ford Anglia. The Escort was a huge sales success, with over 2 million units sold worldwide. It was also a popular car for motorsport, and it won several major rallies, including the RAC Rally and the Safari Rally.

History of the Hayes Escort

The Ford Escort was first introduced to the public at the London Motor Show in 1967. It was available in two-door saloon, four-door saloon, and estate body styles. The Escort was powered by a variety of four-cylinder engines, ranging in size from 940 cc to 1600 cc.

In 1970, Ford introduced the Escort RS1600, which was a homologation special for the European Touring Car Championship. The RS1600 was powered by a 1600 cc engine that produced 150 bhp. It was a very successful car in motorsport, and it helped to establish the Escort as a serious contender in the world of rallying.

In 1974, Ford introduced the Escort MkII, which was a major redesign of the original Escort. The MkII was available in two-door saloon, four-door saloon, estate, and convertible body styles. It was powered by a variety of four-cylinder engines, ranging in size from 957 cc to 1600 cc.

In 1978, Ford introduced the Escort MkIII, which was another major redesign. The MkIII was available in two-door saloon, four-door saloon, estate, convertible, and pickup body styles. It was powered by a variety of four-cylinder engines, ranging in size from 1100 cc to 1600 cc.

The Escort was discontinued in 1980, and it was replaced by the Ford Orion. However, the Escort remains a popular classic car, and it is still used in motorsport today.

Specifications of the Hayes Escort

The Hayes Escort was a compact car, with a length of 3,830 mm (150.8 in), a width of 1,640 mm (64.6 in), and a height of 1,320 mm (52.0 in). It had a wheelbase of 2,440 mm (96.1 in).

The Escort was powered by a variety of four-cylinder engines, ranging in size from 940 cc to 1600 cc. The most popular engine was the 1600 cc engine, which was available in a variety of power outputs.

The Escort was offered with a variety of transmissions, including a four-speed manual transmission, a five-speed manual transmission, and a three-speed automatic transmission.

The Escort was available in a variety of trim levels, including the base model, the L model, the GL model, and the Ghia model. The Ghia model was the most luxurious trim level, and it came with a variety of features, including leather seats, electric windows, and air conditioning.

Upgrades for the Hayes Escort

There are a variety of upgrades that can be made to the Hayes Escort. These upgrades can improve the performance, handling, and appearance of the car.

Some of the most popular upgrades for the Escort include:

• Engine upgrades: These upgrades can increase the power and torque of the engine. Some of the most popular engine upgrades include cold air intakes, exhaust systems, and turbochargers.
• Suspension upgrades: These upgrades can improve the handling of the car. Some of the most popular suspension upgrades include lowering springs, upgraded shock absorbers, and anti-roll bars.
• Brake upgrades: These upgrades can improve the braking performance of the car. Some of the most popular brake upgrades include larger brake discs, upgraded brake pads, and stainless steel brake lines.
• Wheel and tire upgrades: These upgrades can improve the appearance and handling of the car. Some of the most popular wheel and tire upgrades include alloy wheels, wider tires, and low-profile tires.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Upgrading the Hayes Escort

There are a few common mistakes that people make when upgrading the Hayes Escort. These mistakes can lead to problems with the performance, handling, or reliability of the car.

Some of the most common mistakes to avoid include:

• Using the wrong parts: It is important to use the correct parts when upgrading the Escort. Using the wrong parts can lead to problems with the fitment, performance, or reliability of the car.
• Overspending: It is easy to get carried away when upgrading the Escort. However, it is important to stick to a budget and to only upgrade the parts that are necessary.
• Doing the work yourself: If you are not experienced in working on cars, it is best to leave the upgrades to a professional. Doing the work yourself can lead to mistakes that could damage the car.

How to Upgrade the Hayes Escort Step-by-Step

Upgrading the Hayes Escort can be a rewarding experience. However, it is important to do the work correctly to avoid any problems.

Here is a step-by-step guide to upgrading the Escort:

1. Choose the upgrades that you want to make. There are a variety of upgrades that can be made to the Escort. It is important to choose the upgrades that will best suit your needs and budget.
2. Gather the necessary parts. Once you have chosen the upgrades that you want to make, you need to gather the necessary parts. You can purchase the parts from a variety of sources, including online retailers, auto parts stores, and junkyards.
3. Prepare the car for the upgrades. Before you begin the upgrades, you need to prepare the car. This includes cleaning the car, removing any unnecessary parts, and disconnecting the battery.
4. Install the upgrades. Once the car is prepared, you can begin installing the upgrades. It is important to follow the instructions that came with the upgrades.
5. Test the upgrades. Once the upgrades are installed, you need to test them to make sure that they are working properly. This includes driving the car and checking for any leaks or problems.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: What is the best engine for a Hayes Escort?

A: The best engine for a Hayes Escort is the 1600 cc engine. This engine is available in a variety of power outputs.

Q: What is the best suspension for a Hayes Escort?

A: The best suspension for a Hayes Escort is a coilover suspension. This type of suspension can be adjusted to provide the perfect balance of handling and comfort.

Q: What is the best brake system for a Hayes Escort?

A: The best brake system for a Hayes Escort is a four-wheel disc brake system. This type of brake system provides excellent stopping power.

Q: What is the best wheel and tire combination for a Hayes Escort?

A: The best wheel and tire combination for a Hayes Escort is a set of 15-inch alloy wheels with 205/55R15 tires. This combination provides a good balance of handling and comfort.

Q: How much does it cost to upgrade a Hayes Escort?

A: The cost of upgrading a Hayes Escort will vary depending on the upgrades that you choose to make. However, you can expect to spend anywhere from a few hundred dollars to several thousand dollars.

Q: Is it difficult to upgrade a Hayes Escort?

A: Upgrading a Hayes Escort is not difficult, but it is important to do the work correctly to avoid any problems. If you are not experienced in working on cars, it is best to leave the upgrades to a professional.

Q: Where can I find parts for a Hayes Escort?

A: You can find parts for a Hayes Escort from a variety of sources, including online retailers, auto parts stores, and junkyards.

Conclusion

The Hayes Escort is a fantastic car that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. It is a great choice for a first car, a daily driver, or a track car. With a little bit of care and attention, the Escort can provide years of driving pleasure.