it looks the part, if you cant find a definate i`m sure that would pass all but concourse
judging

Eskie92
hak073 that picture you posted is of your car isn't it? You defiantly know that's what the car came with originally?

Yep Eskie, that's my car. It had a dodgy tape deck in it when I got it so I hunted about for what the original should have been. I found this Aussie brochure for the later mk1s.

 
It had this interior pic for the XL, and the radio is there. But I did just notice that this pic is meant to be a later mk1, but still has the old switches and no dash dimmer wheel next to the headlight switch. Can't see the indicator lights to see if there are two triangles or just the one rectangle.


 
When I bought another console to replace the busted one in the car it came with the radio attached, which I think the guy selling it said was on the car since new. I think its the right one, but I guess there is a chance its not.

If that radio is featured in a brochure I would say there is a fair chance it is quite possibly what the original MK1 Escort radio looked like.

Thanks heaps hak073 for the pictures, I now know exactly what to look for

hak073 
It had this interior pic for the XL, and the radio is there. But I did just notice that this pic is meant to be a later mk1, but still has the old switches and no dash dimmer wheel next to the headlight switch. Can't see the indicator lights to see if there are two triangles or just the one rectangle.

My Escorts have a Cigarette Lighter, seatbelt light, dimmer and double indicator lights. Is that just standard stuff for a later model Escort or are they options?

What's the difference in the older style switches, how can I tell the difference?

All those things were standard in the later model Mk1s. I think (someone correct me if I'm wrong) the early cars were pretty much straight out of England, so different switches and dash. Then the locally assembled cars had to have a certain % of local manufactured bits, so parts started changing when local suppliers were used.
 
I've been having a look around at my photos and have a few more examples. The other year down at Small Ford Sunday in Melbourne there was this very early mk1 (I think it was a '70 model) in very original condition. You can see the early switches, dash and centre console on it. Not the right radio though

 
Same switches (just a few more) with this LHD imported RS1600 mk1

 
Then at the SFCC display day a few years back there was another very original mk1, a later '74 model I think. You can see the later switches and console, double indicator lights on the dash and correct radio.

 
This is my mate Steve's '73 model (I think that's right). Somewhere in the middle. Has later switches and console, but single indicator light on dash. And same radio again. Not sure why the choke cable isn't there. They must have had auto choke on some of them.

 
Hope that helps

Also, I think I have another one of these radios in a box in the shed somewhere. I remember having 2 of them at one stage and I picked the better one for my car. I'd have to get down there and have a dig through some boxes to see if its still there.
 

I noticed the steering wheels appear different in the photos above. My Escorts are all 74 and have the same buttons and steering wheel as the early model interior as above.

If you do find that other radio would you be interested in selling it at all, I would defiantly be interested in it.

Its only the early car that is a little different (and the RS, it has the special RS wheel). It doesn't have the 'collapsible' part on the boss. The brown rim in the last pic is just a cover.
 
I'll start rummaging through my boxes and see if I can find it. Will let you know if/when I do.

Thanks heaps everyone for your input, there have been so many things I have wondered about my Escorts which have been answered here. Didn't realise how hard it is to bring my Escorts back to original, but getting a much better idea on was is and isn't original.

Fingers crossed you can find that radio hak073, would make a perfect addition to my projects.

Just to confuse you even more, here's what the factory workshop manual has to say about installing the radio as a dealer option, look to see if you got any holes there?
 

 
And here is what it looks like installed on an early kiwi van: