Ford Courier (United States)
ford | |
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Courier (USA) | |
Production period: | 1972-1981 |
Class : | Utilities |
Body versions : | Pick-up , van |
Engines: |
Gasoline engines : 1.8–2.3 liters |
Length: | |
Width: | |
Height: | |
Wheelbase : | |
Empty weight : | |
successor | Ford Ranger |
The Ford Courier was the first compact American pickup. It was offered by Ford from the beginning of 1972 to the end of 1981 and is considered the forerunner of the Ranger .
background
The Courier was manufactured by Toyo Kogyo ( Mazda ) in Japan and imported to the USA by Ford and sold as a competitor to the unusually successful small pickups from Toyota and Nissan / Datsun , especially to young buyers in the western USA . Like the other mini pickups of the time, the Courier had a four-cylinder engine with a displacement of less than 2 liters, a manual four-speed gearbox, rear-wheel drive, a payload of 634 kg and a high price compared to the larger pickups.
First generation (1972–1976)
The first generation Ford Courier was introduced in 1972 and sold for a little over US $ 2,000 - a price similar to the F-100 .
Initially there was the Courier with a 1.8 l OHC engine that delivered 55 kW at 5070 rpm and delivered a torque of 125 Nm at 3500 rpm. A four-speed transmission was part of the standard equipment, a five-speed transmission came in 1976 and an automatic transmission also followed.
The body corresponded to the Mazda B-series, but the front was redesigned and received a grille, which looked similar to the larger Ford F-series , and large, single headlights instead of the smaller double headlights of the Mazda B-series.
Second generation (1977–1981)
In 1977 the Courier was redesigned and there was a wealth of new equipment details. The pickup was available with front disc brakes, a 2.3-liter Ford engine on request - the same as the Pinto or Mustang II - an automatic gearbox or a five-speed gearbox. The main differentiator between the Courier and the B-series Mazda B2000 was the headlights.
In 1979 the engine of the basic model was drilled out to 2.0 liters. The optionally available 2.3-liter machine from Ford was one of the first engines to be manufactured in the USA exclusively with metric dimensions. From 1977 there was also an automatic transmission.
The Courier was built until the end of 1981. In early 1982, Ford introduced the Ranger from its own production in this market segment. It replaced the Courier in the USA and Canada.
Variants of the Ford Courier
diesel
The Ford Courier never had a diesel engine in the USA. In 1980, however, there was the Mazda B2000 with the Perkins 4.135 (4 cylinder, 135 cu.in), a diesel that produced 49 kW at 2100 rpm from a displacement of 2.2 l. The same diesel engine was used in the Ford Ranger from 1983 to 1984; but it was replaced there in the model years 1985 to 1988 by the Mitsubishi 4D55T , a 2.3-liter turbo diesel engine.
Electric drive
A number of electrically powered Ford Couriers were manufactured from 1979 to 1982. The company Jet Industries purchased Courier vehicles without a motor (Vehicle Glider) from Ford and installed various DC motors and lead-acid batteries . The result was called the Jet Industries ElectraVan 750 .
These cars were mainly sold as municipal vehicles. They developed a top speed of about 113 km / h and ran about 100 km on one battery charge. There are still a number of these vehicles, usually with improved engine management and higher voltage batteries.
Modifications to the body
Some Couriers were sold as chassis with a cab and rear cover. They were usually provided with service containers, flatbeds, camping bodies or the like.
Modifications to the engines
The Courier was always equipped with a four-cylinder engine ex works. However, some buyers have installed other engines themselves, in particular Ford V6 and smaller V8 engines. In order to cope with the larger engine outputs, reinforced drive components had to be installed.
Other Ford models with the Courier name
There were four different vehicle series from Ford, which also Courier were:
- A delivery truck in the USA 1952-1958 (based on the Ford station wagon)
- A delivery van in Europe 1991-2002 (based on the Ford Fiesta )
- A pickup in Brazil 1998-2013 (based on the Ford Fiesta )
- A pickup in Australia and New Zealand 1978-2006 (identical to the Mazda B series)
US delivery van 1952–1958
This van was based on the large Ford station wagons . Its model code was 78A.
From 1952 to 1956, the loading area was accessible via a single side door. In the model years 1957 and 1958 there was a split tailgate. This meant that the blackened rear window had to be split into three parts, two curved parts on the outside and a flat middle part.
In 1959, all Courier bodies were fitted with side windows, similar to the Tudor Ranch Wagon . Her model code was 59E. The last year for this Courier was 1960.
Brazilian pickup since 1998
A small pickup based on the 1998 Ford Fiesta, which is manufactured by Ford in Brazil, also bears this name. Its front corresponds to the Ford Bantam pickup made in South Africa , but the rear looks completely different.
Its payload is 700 kg. The Mk IV - 1.4 liter - 16V Zetec engine gives the car a top speed of 170 km / h and accelerates it from 0 to 100 km / h in 12 seconds. The Mk V - 1.6 liter - 8 V Zetec Rocam engine creates 180 km / h, or 10 seconds for 0-100 km / h.
Asian, Australian and New Zealand pickups 1978-2006
In the USA, Australia and New Zealand, the Courier was a compact pickup truck that Mazda built for Ford. It was originally introduced in the 1970s.
It was hired in the US when the Ford Ranger arrived. Its production continued in Asia, Australia and New Zealand. But this was only a Mazda B-series with Ford badges. It is currently being manufactured in Thailand .
Confusingly, this Ford Courier is called the Ford Ranger in all export markets . But there is no relationship with the American Ford Ranger . If Ford should not replace the Ranger with its own design after its planned end of 2009, this car would be the first choice for the successor.