Ford Escort Mk. I Gr.4 Rally Car, 1974
Ford Escort II
Ford Escort II•
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Chassis No.: BBATPJ25777
Engine No.: R23526
Registration: SWY 934M
The Ford Escort has been a popular car in the rallying scene since its introduction in 1968. It has been used in a variety of rally events, from local club events, to the world championship. The Escort has a long history of success in rally, having won many WRC events, and even winning the highly regarded RAC rally in eight consecutive years between 1972 and 1979. The Escort is well known for its durable construction, reliable performance, and excellent handling characteristics.
The Escort has proven to be a great car for rallying, with its lightweight construction and powerful engine. Its suspension set-up and ground clearance makes it easy to handle on any terrain, while its low centre of gravity ensures good stability.
This particular example has been prepared to Group 4 RS2000 specification with a freshly built, dry sumped, 190bhp Pinto engine by Paul Gardener and twin 45 Weber carburettors. This impressive power is fed through a Quaife four-speed transmission with aluminium bell housing and heavy duty gearbox mount. The car also has a twin plate paddle clutch and hydraulic release bearing. In order to keep all of this cool, an aluminium radiator with electric fan has been fitted. The exhaust system comes courtesy of Tony Law. Fuelling comes from twin fuel pumps and a twelve gallon boot mounted aluminium fuel tank, shaped to still allow space for a spare wheel. A fuel sample pipe is also in place.
In the handling department, the car has been fitted with rose jointed, polybushed and adjustable track control arms, adjustable coilover front struts Bilstein rear dampers and multi leaf slipper springs. Stopping power comes from bias adjustable AP four-pot calipers with vented discs up front, and AP calipers at the rear connected to Squire one piece half-shafts and aluminium axle strengthening plate. A hydraulic fly off handbrake has also been fitted, to help with navigating hairpins. The two-door shell has been seam welded and had front and rear strut braces fitted, to stiffen the shell and improve handling.
Moving inside, the car has a Safety Devices six-point bolt in roll cage, with cross door bars, dashboard cross brace and additional cross brace behind the seats. Two new Corbeau seats have been fitted on aluminium seat mounts, with six-point harnesses with aircraft buckle. Fire extinguishers have also been plumbed in, as well as handheld units. The windows are polycarbonate with slide openings on both doors, and the windscreen is heated to prevent it from fogging up. A weight adjustable power steering unit has been fitted, which will no doubt improve driver comfort on more extreme rally stages. The car has a Racetech dashboard, Terratrip intercom system and rally computer fitted, as well as a bespoke wiring loom and MSD electronic ignition.
This Ford Escort Mk. I has clearly been built to a very high standard, and we are told has only completed one test day. A full spec list is available in the history folder.
