Dunlop Aquajets were fitted IIRC, a mate has a MK2 escort rally pack with 11000 ks, it still has its original tyres all round.

Dunlop Aquajets are still made in 165/80R13 (which is a little taller than standard), but my God you'll pay a pretty penny for them.

 
"I'd love a set of period correct tyres for my car actually, although not for every day use; just shows."
 
The RS2000 I restored 4 years ago I managed to chase up 5 Goodyear Supersteel tyres with either zero km or near zero km and date correct for the car. Recently I have managed to find a few more which will be fitted to the RS2000 I am currently restoring. So they are out there if you keep your nose to the ground.
 
 
 
 

That is a nice car Hak...........
I've got the original goodyear supersteel that came as a spare with my car, you've done well to find a whole set Peter...
Whats the best way to look after old tyres?
The Cortina came with five original goodyear crossplys and paint smears on the rims. They still hold air, I dry store them and check the pressures... I'd like them to last another 39 years...

This thread got me wondering what tyres I have on my old steel wheels, and it turns out the are Goodyear Supersteels.  The downside is that apart from being quite worn, they are 165/78s, which is not a factory fitted size.  If they were 175/70s then they would be perfect for my Volante wheels.
 
Hey Peter, how did you date your tyres?  I can't see anything on mine that is obviously a date code, unless you need a key to decipher it.

Hi Drewdog,
The experts from the large tyre company told me ozone is the worst thing for any tyre, other than misuse.
They suggested to tightly wrap each tyre in Glad Wrap to stop exposure to the air.
My tyres are coated with a protectorant and cool dark dry stored and tightly wrapped.
There are chemicals available which claim keep the rubber soft however I have no proof in my experiments.
 
 
Hi Flighter,
By law each tyre must be clearly stamped in a easy to find place with a manufacture date.
The date stamp is on one side of the tyre near the edge of the rim.
The date stamp is a six digit number which can be decoded to day/month/year of manufacture.
For example my RS2000 I purchased brand new in May 1980 has SuperSteels fitted to the Volantes. The manufacture date of the tyres is in April 1980 so I know they were fresh tyres when I bought the car.
 

 

Just thought I would add to this with the information I have been able to find, still haven't got a definite brand which could have come out on the MK1 Escort. 
 
Seems that the MK2 Escorts might have often came out with the Goodyear Supersteel tires from what others are saying but can't find any information that they could have come out with the MK1 also. I went to a Ford dealership today and asked the parts department whether there was any possibility they knew what tires the MK1 Escort came out with. I was told that Ford's major tire contracts are with both Bridgestone and Goodyear. I spoke to someone at a Bridgestone store and there are no 12" tires available in either the Firestone or Bridgestone range in Australia. Looking on the Goodyear website it appears they don't sell 12" tires either. I did learn however that 155R12 tires are still available to buy it's just that they wont be your big brand names. 
 
Had a look in the Universal Tyre Fitment Guide where it has listing for the Escorts
IMAG0041[1].jpg
 
I found that one of my 2-doors still has its tire sticker inside the door.  Apparently the crossply range is no longer made but the radial range is. I'm unsure if the 4-door or Panelvan had the same sticker. If people still have their original sticker could photos be posted on here.
IMG_9985[1].jpg

This is the original spare on my May 1980 RS 2000.

Found this infomation on the link below...
"Tyres on the earlier RS2000 were Goodyear Supersteel radial 175/70HR13 and on the later Uniroyal 180/70HR13"
http://www.rsownersclubaust.com.au/?page_id=1753
 
 and found this advertisement, the Goodyear Supersteel range must have been after the MK1's. I can't find anything earlier.
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/1977-GOODYEAR-SUPERSTEEL-70-TYRES-FULLPAGE-COLOUR-MAGAZINE-ADVERTISEMENT-/221359356768
 

"This is the original spare on my May 1980 RS 2000."
 
This tyre would have been nice and fresh when your car was brand new.
The tyre also was manufactured in May 1980.