Ford's forgotten 1980s model, the Orion was first launched in '83 and was not dissimilar in appearance to the mk.3 Escort, but for the fact that it had a chunkier radiator grille and a higher, more spacious boot. It was available in 1300 and 1600 cc versions, as well as an 1800 diesel version and a deluxe Ghia as well. The Ghia featured some features that were rare on a family car in the '80s, including central locking, electric windows, a tachometer and an information binnacle that gave the driver information when the vehicle needed maintenance. Rarest of all was the 1600E, which had leather seats and wooden dashboard & door trim- only 1,600 were ever built! It had an altogether higher quality appearance than the Escort, and apparently ran to a mk.2 version in '86 and a mk.3 in '90, although I never remember seeing these on British roads and they may not have been sold over here at all. Production finally ended in '93- nowadays, the mk.1 Orion is as rare as hen's teeth and I havent seen one for 13 years, although I believe there IS an owner's club. We hired one in '86, an automatic- it's main drawbacks were extreme clutch sensitivity, which meant that it stalled at the least provocation when moving off from standstill, and although it was comfortable enough in the back, the front seats offered a dreadful ride- hard and badly shaped. But generally speaking, I liked them.
Do You Remember Ford Orion?
Do You Remember Ford Orion?