I've done it on a few cars albeit not on an Escort. Decent spot weld drill bit makes short work of spot welds. Make sure you get the ones that are similar to a milling drill bit but makes a pilot hole (or in non technical terms, a small pointy bit then is then kind of flat), I wouldn't bother with the ones that look like small hole cutters. Chisel/old screwdriver into where the spot weld was between the two panels and then give it a good whack with a hammer, repeat for all the spot welds and jobs a good 'un.