Ford Courier

Ford Courier

Production	United States & Canada: 1952–1960 1971–1982 Japan: 1971–1985 Brazil & Latin America: 1998–present Europe: 1991–2002
Successor	Ford Transit Connect (Europe) Ford Ranger (United States & Canada)
Class	Full-size sedan delivery (1952–1960) Compact pickup truck (1971–1985) Subcompact coupe utility (1998–present) Compact MPV (1991–2002 Europe)

The Ford Courier name has been used on a variety of Ford automobiles since 1952.

First Generation (1952–1960)

First-generation Ford Courier

1956 Ford Courier sedan delivery
Production	1952–1960
Body style	2-door sedan delivery
Layout	FR layout

This was a sedan delivery based on Ford's full-size station wagon line. Its model code was designated 78A.

From 1952 to 1956 access to the rear storage area was through a unique door hinged on the side. For 1957 and 1958, the rear access door was a combination of the lift gate and tailgate being connected with two connecting struts. This design meant that the rear door back glass had to be divided into three sections, two outer curved portions and a center piece.

In 1959 all Couriers took on the windowed body style very similar to the Tudor Ranch Wagons and their model code was re-designated as 59E. The last year for the passenger car based Courier would be 1960 when it would remain a commercial wagon.

1952 Ford Courier

Second Generation (1971–1976)

Ford Courier (1971–1976)

In the early 1970s, the Ford Courier name was applied to a compact pickup, manufactured by Mazda. It had greater fuel economy than the full-size pickups of the time.^{[citation needed]} The Courier was manufactured by Toyo Kogyo (Mazda), and imported and sold by Ford Motor Company as a response to the unforeseen popularity of the small Toyota and Nissan/Datsun pickups among young buyers in the West.^{[citation needed]} Like the other mini-pickups of the time, it featured a sub-2 liter four cylinder engine, a four speed manual transmission, rear wheel drive, an impressive load capability of 1,400 lb (635 kg) considering its size, and a fairly small price tag compared to full size pickups of the time. To circumvent the 25% "Chicken tax" on light trucks, Couriers (as with Chevrolet LUVs) were imported in "cab chassis" configurations, which included the entire light truck, less the cargo box or truck bed and were only subject to a 4% tariff.Subsequently, a truck bed would be attached to the chassis and the vehicle could be sold as a light truck.^{[citation needed]}

The second generation Ford Courier sold for a little over US$3,000 when introduced—close to the price of an F-100.^{[citation needed]}

The body styling was effectively that of the related Mazda B-series, however its frontal styling was unique, with a grill designed to emulate the larger Ford F-series, and large single headlights, instead of the B-series' smaller twin units.^{[citation needed]}

When the Courier was introduced it came standard with a 1.8 liter overhead cam engine, which produced 74 hp (55 kW) at 5,070 rpm, and 92 lbf·ft (125 N·m) at 3,500 rpm. A 4-speed manual transmission was standard, and there was also a 3-speed automatic option (the 5-speed manual option came in 1976).^{[citation needed]}

The Courier's badging changed a few times in the first-generation. In 1972, the tailgate read "FORD COURIER" in large raised letters, with a small "COURIER" badge on the front of the hood (from '73 on through '76 the hood badging read "FORD"). In '73 the tailgate read "COURIER" in large letters, with a small "FORD" badge on the upper left. In '74 it read "FORD" in large letters, with a small "COURIER" badge on the lower right. In 1976 the cab was lengthened 3 inches (76 mm), and the grille received added trim.

Further information: Mazda B-Series

Third Generation (1977–1985)

Ford Courier (1977–1985)

Beginning in 1977, Ford gave the Courier a fresh look, moving into the more blocky, angular styling that is distinct of 1980s automotive design. In 1979 the base model engine was increased in size to 2.0 liters (120.1 CID).

The truck was available with front disc brakes, as well as a Ford built 2.3 liter engine option (which was the same as that of the Ford Pinto and Mustang II). The key identifying feature of the Courier from the Mazda B-Series was still the singular headlights, although with park and indicator lights placed inset starting in '78 ('77s still had the turn signal lights in the bumper). In 1979 the base model engine was increased in size to 2.0 liters (120.1 CID). The optional Ford 2.3 L (140 cu in) engine was produced in Brazil. The Courier was never available with a diesel engine in the US. However, the 1980 Mazda B2200 was available with the S2, a Perkins-built 4.135 (4 cylinder, 135 CID) 2.2 liter diesel engine, producing 66 hp (49 kW) at 2,100 rpm. This same diesel engine was available in the 1983 and 1984 Ford Ranger, however it was replaced by the Mitsubishi 4D55T 2.3 liter Turbo Diesel (also used in Mitsubishi's own Mighty Max and the Dodge Ram 50) for the 1985 to 1987 Ford Rangers.

The Courier continued to be sold in North America until the model year 1982. For 1983, Ford introduced its own Ford Ranger to fill its compact truck segment in the United States & Canada, effectively replacing the Courier. However, in other markets (such as Australia), this generation of Courier continued on until the 1985 calendar year when the next generation was introduced. Australian models received a facelift around 1982/1983.

Electric variants Between 1979 and 1982 a number of electric Ford Couriers were produced – Jet Industries purchased "vehicle gliders" (Ford Courier bodies minus their engines), and put in a series DC motor and lead acid batteries, to produce the Jet Industries ElectraVan 750. These were sold mainly for use as service trucks, generally to local government departments. They had a top speed of about 70 mph (113 km/h), and would go 50 to 60 miles (97 km) on a full charge. A number of these vehicles still exist, usually with upgraded motor control systems and higher voltage battery packs.[8]

Europe (1991–2002)

Ford Courier (Europe)

Ford Courier van (Europe)
Production	1991–2002
Body style	2-door van
Layout	FF layout
Related	Ford Fiesta

A Ford Courier Van based on the Ford Fiesta was launched in Europe in 1991. Based on the Mark III Fiesta platform, it was also produced in the 1995 Mark IV version. It was replaced in 2002 by the Ford Transit Connect.

Brazil (1998–present)

Ford Courier (Latin America)

2000–2010 Ford Courier pickup (Brazil)
Production	1998–present
Assembly	Sao Bernardo do Campo, Brazil (Ford Brazil)
Body style	2-door coupe utility
Layout	FF layout
Engine	1.6L I4
Wheelbase	2,830 mm (111.4 in)
Length	4,457 mm (175.5 in)
Width	1,793 mm (70.6 in)
Height	1,477 mm (58.1 in)
Related	Ford Fiesta

The name was also applied to a small coupe utility of similar layout produced by Ford in Brazil and exported to countries such as Mexico but suddenly it was removed to make way for North American Ford pick-ups instead. It is based on the 1998 model of the Ford Fiesta. While its frontal treatment is the same as the South African built Fiesta based Ford Bantam "bakkie" coupe utility, it has a completely different load box. The South African version had the short doors of the 5-door hatchback and small quarterlights in the style of larger extended cab pick-ups, and the Brazilian version had the 3-door's longer doors and no quarter windows.

Its load capacity is 700 kg (1,543 lb). Until 1999 the Courier used the Endura 1.3-liter engine and the Zetec-SE 1.4 16v engine. The Mk IV 1.4 16v Zetec-SE has a top speed of 170 km/h (106 mph) and can accelerate from 0–100 km/h (0–62 mph) in 12s. Since 2000 both engines were replaced by the Zetec Rocam 1.6-liter. The Mk V 1.6 model has top speed of 180 km/h (112 mph) and can accelerate from 0–100 km/h in 10 seconds.