Description
By: Graham Robson .
During the 1960s and 1970s, Ford went through a complete change of image in Europe. Prior to the 1960s, Ford passenger cars offered solid reliability and great value for money, but in the years that followed, high-performance versions of selected models were produced, providing a foundation for what has become a valuable sporting heritage. More than 40 years on, an ever-growing number of much-loved 'Performance Fords' have provided enjoyment for their owners, and have also proved to be hugely successful competition cars.
One vigorous and inventive Ford personality, Walter Hayes, had much to do with this transformation. Not only did Hayes encourage the launch of high-performance road cars like the Lotus-Cortina and the Escort Twin-Cam, but he made sure that they would be potential race and rally winners too. He also persuaded Ford to become involved in world-class motor racing, at Le Mans, and in Formula 1, which changed the company's image for ever.
Ford soon found that victory in motorsport invariably led to success in the showrooms. High performance linked to smart styling, secure handling and advanced safety features led to big demand from sporty-minded customers. Some 'Performance Fords' - notably the Escort RS1600, the Sierra RS Cosworth and the Escort RS Cosworth - were conceived from the outset as competition cars. Others, such as the Cortina 1600E, the Capri 3-Litre and the Escort RS Turbo, successfully combined high performance with great marketing appeal.
The success of one 'Performance Ford' inevitably led to the development of another, and that roll call of honour continues to grow, the Focus RS taking into the 21st century the story that began in 1963 with the Cortina GT Mkl.
Graham Robson, a prolific and distinguished motoring author, has been a Ford enthusiast and owner of many sporting Fords since the 1960s. His work with Ford has given him an 'inside track' on the development of many of the cars featured.
