Ford Courier (1952-2013)
Ford has used the Ford Courier nameplate on several model cars since 1952. Though production ended in 2013, Ford announced in January 2019 that they would resume production in 2021.
Sedan Delivery – Model Code 78A (1952-1960)
The first Ford Courier was a sedan delivery variant of Ford's mainstream passenger vehicle range in the United States. It had a front-engine, rear-wheel-drive configuration. Initially, the rear storage was accessible through a unique door hinged on the side. However, in 1957, it was changed to a lift gate and tailgate connected with two connecting struts. Two years later, in 1959, the Courier would be redesigned, taking up a Tudor Ranch Wagons' windowed body style. The new model code was 59E.
Mazda Based Models (1972-2007)
In the early 1790s to 2007, Ford rebadged the Mazda B-Series as Ford Courier.
First Generation (1972-1976)
The first generation Mazda-based Ford Courier was famous for its fuel economy. Ford decided to rebadge the vehicle and eventually sell it to compete with the ever-growing popularity of small pickups from Toyota and Datsun then.
The original Mazda B-Series was a rear-drive model and featured a sub-2-litre, 4-cylinder engine which sent power to the drive wheels through a four-speed manual transmission. However, when it came out as the Courier, it was fitted with a 1.8L overhead-cam engine that produced a peak power of 55kW at 5,070 rpm and a torque of 125Nm at 3,500 rpm, paired with a three-speed automatic or a four-speed manual transmission. Later on, in 1976, a five-speed manual transmission was introduced.
Some of the external features included a grille similar to that on the Ford F-Series. It also featured a single large headlight (only for the rebadged models). In Australia, Ford offered a 1978 version of the Courier, which came with a 1,769cc 1.8L 4-cylinder engine that propelled the car to a peak output of 59 kW and a torque of 132 Nm. Power reached the drive wheels through a 4-speed manual transmission.
Second Generation (1977-1985)
The second-generation Courier underwent some design changes. It now wore a more angular styling. Still, the best distinguishing feature of the Ford-based models were the singular headlights (the Mazda B-Series had smaller twin headlights). In Australia, the model continued to sell even after Ford introduced its Ford Rangers in other markets. There was a new model trim (the first-generation Courier was now the base model) added, the Courier XLT. It still used the 1,769cc 1.8L 4-cylinder engine from the first generation but came with a 5-speed manual transmission.
The Courier received a facelift in 1982. A 2,209cc 2.2L D4 diesel engine powered the base model, producing 46kW of power and a torque of 122 Nm. There was also a 1,970cc 2.0L 4-cylinder petrol engine that produced power of 58kW and a torque of 138 Nm (which was standard in the XLT) as an option. They were all powered by a 5-speed manual transmission and came with front disc brakes and rear drum brakes.
Between 1979 and 1982, the Courier went electric. The electric couriers reached top speeds of 113 km/h, and on a full tank, they’d cover 97 km. You can still find some of these vehicles to date.
Third Generation (1985-1998)
In Australia, the third generation underwent engine changes. The base model was offered with either of the following:
- 2,184cc 2.2L I4 diesel engine that produced 47kW and a torque of 135 Nm (available for the XL trim)
- 2,209cc 2.2L I4 diesel engine that produced 46kW and a torque of 122 Nm
- 1,998cc 2.0L I4 petrol engine that produced 84kW and a torque of 155 Nm (available for the XL and XLT trim)
- 1,970cc 2.0L I4 petrol engine that produced 58kW and a torque of 155 Nm
Power was sent to the engines by a 5-speed manual transmission in all the models.
Future upgrades would see a 4x4 model added to the model range. The 4x4 came with a standard 2,555cc 2.6L 4-cylinder petrol engine that produced 73kW and a torque of 182 Nm with a 5-speed manual transmission.
Fourth Generation (1998-2007)
Ford released the fourth generation in 1998 following a redesign. The Mazda B-Series underwent some design changes, and now it was also available as a four-door cab. It shifted from rear-wheel to front-wheel drive.
Ford offered it in 10 trim models throughout the period: The base model, Tradesman, Tradesman XL, Tradesman XL 4x4, XL, and XL 4x4, GL, GL 4x4, and XLT and XLT 4x4.
The base and Tradesman (including the Tradesman XL and Tradesman XL 4x4) models came with either of four engines (all powered by a 5-speed manual transmission):
- 2,499cc 2.5L I4 diesel engine that produced 64kW and a torque of 174 Nm which was standard in all the trim models apart from the XL.
- 2,606cc 2.6L I4 petrol engine that produced 92kW and a torque of 206 Nm
The Courier XL came with the 2,606cc 2.6L 4-cylinder petrol engine that produced 92kW and a torque of 206 Nm as the standard. You'd either get it with a 4-speed automatic or 5-speed manual transmission. The XL also came with additional features such as a power steering (which was also standard in the Tradesman XL).
For the XL 4x4, you had the 2,499cc 2.5L I4 diesel engine that produced 64kW and a torque of 174 Nm as standard for the two-door and four-door cab. Offered as an option was the 2,606cc 2.6L 4-cylinder petrol engine that produced 92kW and a torque of 206 Nm.
The GL and GL 4x4 trims had the same engines used by the XL and XL 4x4, respectively. The GL came with additional features, including limited slip differential and a rear spoiler (for the 4x4). The XLT trim would be introduced later on. It was exclusively a four-door cab, which featured power mirrors and windows, a centralized locking system, a CD changer, and 15" alloy wheels. Other features of the XLT 4x4 include a Remote Front Hub Lock, an alarm system, and limited slip differential.
You'd get the XLT (including the 4x4 version) with a 4,009cc 4.0L V6 petrol engine which attained peak power of 154kW and torque of 323 Nm, and either a 5-speed manual or automatic transmission (the 4x4 version exclusively used the automatic transmission with this engine).
The 4x4 version of the XLT also used a 2,499cc 2.5L DT4 Diesel engine that produced 86kW of power and a torque of 280 Nm. This power drove the wheels through either a 4-speed automatic or 5-speed manual transmission.
Fiesta Based Models(1991-2013)
The Fiesta-based models were manufactured and sold in Europe (1991-2002) and Brazil (1998-2013).
Focus-Based Models (2021-)
Ford announced in January 2019 that they were in the works of developing a compact truck that will be cheaper than the Ford Ranger. It’s set to be released in 2021.
Eric Anyega