Looks v clean. I was looking at these for a kid’s car but later versions seem to all have serious rust on the rear fenders around the wheel wells

The Escape has gone through a weird metamorphosis over its lifetime, from a rugged compact crossover to basically a tall Focus. Now Escape is dead and Bronco Sport ends up carrying the mantle of it's original incarnation. The second-gen Escape design was perfection.

Those racks were cool. The internet is failing me with good photos, but they actually extend out, fold, and can click into the rear bumper. No clue how usable but conceptually cool at least. Definitely a #weirdcarbs option

Was it a Ford accessory?

I think it was standard on some trims and an accessory otherwise but not 100% confident. Definitely a genuine Ford part though, not aftermarket.

Yeah, this one www.jacproducts.com/about/history ford.oempartsonline.com/v-2005-ford-...