Just here after a convo on the main about this:


So Here you go
- 1981:
Massive Bumper's.
Sealed Beam Headlamps.
Egg Crate Grill.
1976 Pinto Style Mirrors.
- 1982-1985:
More slot's but with 2-Bars & a Blue Oval.
Taillight Trim Piece removed with the red enlarged (Retains' 1981 Taillamps on Wagon) & fully red with a tiny white square for reverse light.
Sedan Body-Style (5-Door) introduced.
GT Coupe (3-Door) introduced.
- 1985.5-1988:
B-Pillar smaller, with the chrome trim removed.
Crossbar Grill (Dodge Style), flat slab of plastic with vents & 1/4 blocks on the passenger side of the grill (GT).
Smoothed Bumper's.
Modernized Mirror's (Retains' 1981 Mirrors on Sedan).
Composite Headlamps.
1983 Mustang-Style Taillamps (with an extra red bar on top) (Retains' 1981 Taillamps on Wagon) (Red turn signals on the GT).
- 1988.5-1990:
Smoothed out bumper's that go all the way down.
Painted grill with hidden bar removed (1/2 of the grill is a vent for the GT)
Smoothed Out & Recolored One-Piece 85.5 Taillamps with a Black trim piece contorting to the shape of the taillamps & a trim piece on the tailgate the blends into that trim. (Retains' 1981 Taillamps on Wagon) Black painted rear fascia on the GT.
Modernized Mirror's (Sedan).
Photos Here

One for 1991-94 and 1997-03 would be useful too.

Escort GT had the Lynx's tail lights earlier than 1985
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXIXEdfna5Q

fully red with a little tiny white square sounds more Lynx than Escort

As far as I know, the taillights did not change from 1981-1985. The grilles did. 1981-1982 have rectangular slots in a 3 x 7 pattern. 1982 added the blue oval. 1983-1985 have square slots in a 3 x 20 pattern.

1981 have chrome globe emblems on the front fender.