Classic advert: Ford Escort Harrier

By the start of 1980, the Ford Escort wasn’t exactly the newest kid on the block, with a front-wheel drive replacement – the MkIII – set to arrive later in the year. So to inject some new life into the MkII range, Ford announced the limited edition Escort Harrier.

Based on the 1600 Sport, the Escort Harrier was available in Diamond White or Strato Silver, with just 1500 produced in all. Despite such a limited run, Ford invested in a TV ad to announce the Harrier and celebrate the fact that the Escort had recently clinched the ’79 World Rally Championship.

As footage of all-action rallying Escorts filled the screen, the Escort Harrier was suddenly revealed: 'This is the Ford Escort we built to celebrate,' announced the dramatic-sounding voiceover. Needless to say, the ad ended with the Harrier being put through its paces, becoming airborne by the end. Well, it was rally-bred…