Ford Escort Mk. I Twin-Cam Race, 1972
Ford Escort I
Ford Escort I•
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Chassis No.: BFATLU31683
Engine No.: N24329
Registration: EPM 609K
The Mk. I Ford Escort was introduced in Ireland and the UK at the end of 1967 and made its show debut at the Brussels Motor Show in January 1968. It replaced the successful, long running Ford Anglia. The front suspension and steering gear were differently configured and the brakes were fitted with dual hydraulic circuits; also the wheels fitted on the Genk-built Escorts had wider rims. These models were hailed as an immediate success both domestically on the roads and for motor sport, particularly rallying/rallycross and hillclimbing.
A higher performance version of this iconic car was produced for rallies and a racing version was available, the Escort Twin-Cam, which were built for Group 2 international rallying. It had an engine with a Lotus-made eight-valve twin camshaft head fitted to the 1.5 L non-crossflow block, which had a bigger bore than usual to give a capacity of 1,558cc. This engine had originally been developed for the Lotus Elan which had already proven itself in the market place, on the road and on the track. The Mk. I Escorts were incredibly successful and they eventually went on to become one of the most successful rally cars of all time. Only 883 of these rare sports cars were made.
This fabulous Ford Escort was painstakingly built as a replica of the famous Mk. I Twin-Cam, thus resulting in the white example we have available here. Reproduced with a black bonnet, flared arches, spot/fog lights front and rear, four point harnesses, roll cage and quick release boot and bonnet, this Ford Escort takes on a familiar guise as the infamous Twin-Cam rallying legend we know so well. The bodyshell is a genuine Type 49 with turrets and all new replacement panels, its Lotus Twin Cam engine was rebuilt which boasts twin Weber 40DCOE carburettors, high capacity oil pump, alloy sump guard and a Janspeed manifold.
All the brakes were renewed including servo, master cylinder, callipers and stainless steel braided hoses. The interior has all new trimmed parts with genuine contour seats, works twin pod dash, works gauges and pea lights, halda and classic map light, roll cage to name a few of the works carried out. The restoration was carried out using ( where available) original components which is supported with photographs on a CD. A fabulous tribute.
